Spencer, a much-awaited psychological biographical drama, follows the story of Diana, the Princess of Wales, and her historic decision of ending her marriage with Prince Charles and leaving the British Royal Family.
The film takes place over three days, showing one of her last Christmas holidays in the House of Windsor in their Sandringham estate, imagining what those fateful days leading up to her final decision might have been like.
The movie, directed by Pablo Larrain and written by Steven Knight, features Kristen Stewart playing the lead role. Other members in the cast include Timothy Spall, Sean Harris, and Sally Hawkins.
Spencer had its world premiere in competition at the Venice International Film Festival. The film received a three-minute standing ovation, with critics lauding Kristen Stewart for her portrayal of Diana. Many even believe that it could land Stewart with her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It will also be screened at film festivals in London, San Diego, and Zurich. The film is set to see the light of theatres in the UK and the USA on 5th November, 2021.
Spencer: Filming Locations
Filming began in January 2021 at the Schlosshotel Kronberg, Germany. Other filming locations include the Schloss Marquardt in Marquardt, and Nordkirchen Castle. On 25 March, the production shifted to the UK for the final stretch of filming. The film was wrapped up on 27 April, 2021. It is the first UK movie to be shot on the Continent after Brexit.
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, UK
This Church dates back to the 15th century, although additions were made to its façade all throughout its history. The original Church, however, no longer exists, except for the northern gateway, which speaks of the scale of the original structure. In its place is a replica.
The movie features several scenes shot in the church, where its characteristic windows are discernable – where Diana watches Charles and Camilla walking together outside the Church and the scene which is intended to replicate the Royal Family visiting the church on the Sandringham Estate.
Nordkirchen Castle, Germany
The Schloss Nordkirchen is a palace situated in the town of the same name, in the Coesfeld administrative district in the state of North-Rhine, Westphalia Germany. The Schloss was largely built between 1703 and 1734, and is known as the “Versailles of Westphalia”.
This is the primary location for most of the shots in the film – all the way from the guests’ arrival at the Sandringham Estate, to the Royal Family’s family portrait.
Even the scene showing Diana’s melancholic stroll in what is depicted as the garden of the Sandringham Estate is shot in the Oranienburg in the premise. This area was initially intended to be an orangery but was later converted to a place of relaxation and enjoyment.
In 1959, the Schloss was bought by the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen and is now the site of the University o Applied Sciences and Finances, North Rhine, Westphalia – a state-run college specializing in the training of future tax-inspectors.
Schlosshotel Kroberg, Taunus, Germany
Schlossehotel Kronberg (Castle Hotel Kronberg) in Taunus Hesse, near Frankfurt, was built between 1889 and 1893.The luxury hotel once served as the retirement home for Queen Victoria’s daughter and the wife of German Emperor, Friedrich.
Parts of the original furnishings as well as pieces of art from the Empress’ collections are still retained by the hotel. Along with her extensive library. The hotel’s classic black and white geometric tiled flooring are discernable in many of the hallway scenes.