Where was Django filmed? Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained (2012) is a powerful reimagining of the Spaghetti Western, blending sharp dialogue, explosive action, and critical commentary on slavery. Featuring Jamie Foxx as the freed slave-turned-bounty hunter Django, Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Schultz, and Leonardo DiCaprio as the cruel Calvin Candie, the film grossed over $425 million globally and won two Academy Awards. The movie is set in the American South, but where was Django filmed? The film was shot across stunning American landscapes in California, Louisiana, and Wyoming, each adding its unique touch to Tarantino’s vivid storytelling. Let’s explore the iconic filming locations of Django Unchained and why they were chosen for this powerful Western.
Overview: Where Was Django Filmed?
Tarantino chose various U.S. locations to capture the 1850s pre-Civil War era, mixing authentic Southern plantations with rugged Western terrains. The film’s brutal portrayal of slavery is matched by the expansive landscapes, making the filming locations vital to the story. Principal photography took place between November 2011 and March 2012, with a $100 million budget. Key filming locations included:
- California: Representing Texas frontiers and the outskirts of Candyland with iconic Western ranches.
- Louisiana: Authentic antebellum plantations used for slave quarters and mansions.
- Wyoming: Snowy winter vistas to represent Django’s transformation into a bounty hunter after a snowless California winter.
So, where was Django filmed? In some of the most beautiful and haunting landscapes in America, each location adding depth to the film’s themes of freedom, revenge, and history.
Detailed Breakdown of Where Django Was Filmed
Below is a closer look at the key filming locations for Django Unchained, blending history with cinematic grandeur.
- Evergreen Plantation – Edgard, Louisiana (Candyland Plantation)
Role in Film: This plantation serves as the infamous Candyland, owned by Calvin Candie, where Django reunites with his wife Broomhilda, and where brutal Mandingo fights take place.
Why Chosen: Evergreen’s historical significance and eerie oak-lined alleyways provided a grim authenticity, highlighting the film’s critique of slavery.
Trivia: Built in 1790, Evergreen is a National Historic Landmark. Tarantino praised its “haunting beauty” and it is open for public tours today. - Whitney Plantation – Wallace, Louisiana (Slave Quarters and Fields)
Role in Film: The location where Django and Schultz encounter a whipped runaway slave, underscoring the film’s anti-slavery themes.
Why Chosen: Dedicated to the history of enslaved people, Whitney Plantation provided an unflinching look at the horrors of slavery, making it an essential filming site.
Trivia: Whitney is the only Louisiana plantation museum dedicated exclusively to slavery and has 350 memorials for the enslaved people who worked there. - Independence Woods – Independence, Louisiana (Opening Chain-Gang Ambush)
Role in Film: The snow-covered forest where Dr. Schultz frees Django from a chain gang.
Why Chosen: The dense pine woods were ideal for the wild Texas setting in the film’s explosive opening.
Trivia: The snow was added through VFX, as the scene was filmed in Louisiana rather than Texas. - Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park – Wyoming (Winter Training Montage)
Role in Film: The expansive winter landscapes serve as the backdrop for Django’s training as a bounty hunter.
Why Chosen: The breathtaking snowscapes provided the “big sky” visuals that California’s Mammoth Lakes couldn’t deliver due to a warm winter.
Trivia: Filmed in sub-zero temperatures, with real elk herds from the National Elk Refuge featured in the scenes. - Lone Pine & Alabama Hills – California (Frontier Towns and Deserts)
Role in Film: The location of Django and Schultz’s first bounty hunt.
Why Chosen: The jagged boulders and Mt. Whitney backdrop create a quintessential Western feel.
Trivia: This area has been used in over 100 films, including Gladiator. It also hosts the Lone Pine Film Festival. - Big Sky Movie Ranch – Simi Valley, California (Bag-Head Raiders Scene)
Role in Film: The site of the KKK-like night raid on Schultz’s wagon.
Why Chosen: The ranch’s rustic trails, just 40 miles from Los Angeles, were perfect for this comedic yet intense scene.
Trivia: The “bag-heads” masks were custom-made for the scene, blending humor with horror. - Ahmanson Ranch (Lasky Mesa) – Los Angeles, California (Big Daddy’s Plantation)
Role in Film: The cotton field and mansion where Django confronts the Speck brothers.
Why Chosen: The rolling hills and Santa Susana Pass resembled the rural Virginia plantations of the time.
Trivia: This location is now part of the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Preserve, offering hiking trails and movie plaques marking filming spots.
Other Filming Locations
- Melody Movie Ranch, Santa Clarita, CA: Used for Western town sets for saloons and shootouts.
- Second Line Stages, New Orleans, LA: Filming interiors for the opulent rooms of Candyland.
Timeline of Where Django Was Filmed
| Date | Location | Key Scenes Filmed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2011 | New Orleans, LA | Prep & interiors at Second Line Stages | Crew assembled; DiCaprio joined late. |
| Dec 2011 | Evergreen Plantation, LA | Candyland arrival & dinner | Humid weather posed challenges for period costumes. |
| Jan 2012 | Independence, LA & Whitney Plantation | Chain-gang & escapee scenes | Snow added in post-production. |
| Feb 2012 | Lone Pine, CA & Alabama Hills | Bounty hunts & town standoffs | 90°F heat in “winter” scenes. |
| Mar 2012 | Jackson Hole, WY | Winter montage & Kelly Warm Springs | Weather issues delayed California filming. |
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia and Controversies
- Weather Woes: Filming moved from Mammoth Lakes to Wyoming due to a snowless winter in California, highlighting Hollywood’s ability to adapt on the fly.
- Historical Sensitivity: Filming at real plantation sites like Evergreen sparked debates about how slavery is portrayed, though Tarantino defended the decision as confronting historical realities.
- Stunts and Injuries: In one iconic scene, DiCaprio cut his hand on real glass, continuing the scene despite the injury.
- Cultural Impact: After the film’s release, Evergreen Plantation saw a 30% increase in visitors. Fans also continue to visit locations like Alabama Hills and share photos online.
Cultural Impact: Why These Locations Matter
The locations for Django Unchained are not just cinematic settings—they elevate the film’s themes of freedom, revenge, and the historical realities of slavery. From Louisiana’s plantations to California’s mythic deserts and Wyoming’s pristine winter landscapes, these sites have become pilgrimage destinations for both film buffs and history enthusiasts. The film has ensured that these locations are forever tied to the story of Django’s journey.
FAQs About Where Django Was Filmed
Where was Django filmed?
Key locations include Evergreen Plantation in Louisiana (Candyland), Alabama Hills in California (frontier scenes), and Jackson Hole in Wyoming (winter sequences).
Was the original Django (1966) filmed in the same places?
No. Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 film was shot in Italy’s Tor Caldara Nature Reserve and near Madrid, Spain—not the U.S.
Can I visit the Django filming locations?
Yes! Evergreen and Whitney Plantations offer tours, and Alabama Hills is free public land. For Wyoming, check nps.gov for national park tours.
How to Plan a Django Filming Location Tour
- Start in Louisiana: Fly into New Orleans, take a day trip to Evergreen (1 hour) and Whitney Plantation, and stay in a Creole B&B.
- Head West to California: Drive to Lone Pine (5 hours from Vegas) and hike Alabama Hills at dawn for Mt. Whitney views.
- End in Wyoming: Fly to Jackson Hole, explore Grand Teton by snowshoe in winter, and book a guided elk tour.
Pro Tips: Use the MovieMaps app for GPS coordinates, and consider visiting in the fall to avoid crowds. Budget around $500–$1,000 for a week-long trip.
Conclusion
When asking where was Django filmed, it’s clear that the movie’s stunning locations—Louisiana’s haunted plantations, California’s rugged deserts, and Wyoming’s wintry expanses—are not just backdrops, but characters in their own right. These locations perfectly complement Tarantino’s narrative, enriching the film’s story of revenge and the brutal history of slavery. Whether you’re a film lover or a history buff, visiting these sites offers a deeper connection to the world of Django Unchained.
