“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is a spy action comedy film released in 2014. The movie was directed by Matthew Vaughn and is the first installment in the Kingsman film series. It is based on a comic book series of the same name, written by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. The story follows a young man named Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, played by Taron Egerton, who is recruited by Harry Hart, played by Colin Firth, into a secret spy organization called Kingsman. Eggsy joins a mission to stop a global threat posed by Richmond Valentine, a wealthy megalomaniac played by Samuel L. Jackson. The film also stars Mark Strong and Michael Caine in supporting roles. It has a sequel titled “Kingsman: The Golden Circle“, which was released in September 2017.
Where was “Kingsman: The Secret Service” filmed?
Filming for “Kingsman: The Secret Service” began on October 6, 2013. The production team had a smaller budget compared to big spy films like “Skyfall,” but they made the most of their resources. The movie was shot mainly in and around London, with several interesting locations used to create the world of Kingsman.
London and Southeast of England
Eggsy’s Neighborhood – Alexandra Road Estate: Eggsy’s home, where he lives with his mother and stepfather, was filmed at the Alexandra Road Estate in Camden, London. This location is also known as the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate. The estate has a 70s brutalist architectural style and is situated along a curve of railway tracks at Rowley Way, London NW8. This estate was also seen in the 2006 drama “Breaking and Entering.”
The Black Prince Pub – South London: In the movie, Eggsy has a confrontation with local thugs in a pub. This scene was filmed at The Black Prince, a pub located at 6 Black Prince Road, Kennington, London SE11. Interestingly, this pub is near another famous pub called The Jolly Gardeners, which appeared in the movie “Snatch.”
Car Chase Scene – Cambridge Heath: After Eggsy takes the thugs’ car, a high-speed car chase ensues. This thrilling scene was shot on Corbridge Crescent, alongside the canal in Cambridge Heath, London E2. This location has been used in other films like “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Fast And Furious 6,” and “Gangster No.1.”
Holborn Police Station – Richbell Place: After the car chase, Eggsy is arrested and taken to Holborn Police Station, which is located at Richbell Place on Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1. This location added authenticity to the scene where Eggsy uses the magic phrase “Oxfords not Brogues” to get released.
Kingsman Tailor Shop – Savile Row: The London base of the Kingsman organization is disguised as a traditional tailor shop on Savile Row, one of the most famous streets in London for bespoke tailoring. The shop is called Huntsman, located at 11 Savile Row, London W1. For the movie, the shop was renamed “Kingsman.” Although the exterior shots were done at this location, the interior scenes were recreated in a studio at Leavesden in Hertfordshire.
Hat Shop – Lock & Co.: As part of Eggsy’s transformation into a gentleman, Harry Hart recommends that he buys a hat from Lock & Co., a traditional hat shop located at 6 St James’s Street, London SW1. This shop is also visited by the villain Richmond Valentine, who buys a top hat for Ascot.
Kingsman Training Facility – Wrotham Park: The grand house used as the Kingsman training facility, where Eggsy competes against other candidates, is Wrotham Park. This private house is located on Barnet Road, north of Barnet in Hertfordshire. The house is not open to the public but is available for hire for events and has been used in several other films.
Professor Arnold’s Confrontation – Imperial College: Harry Hart suspects that Professor Arnold, played by Mark Hamill, is involved with Valentine’s activities. He confronts him at Imperial College, located on Prince Consort Road in South Kensington, London SW7. This location was chosen for its grand entrance, which has appeared in other British spy movies like “The Ipcress File.”
Railway Tunnel Scene – Sharpthorne Tunnel: One of the most intense scenes in the movie, where the candidates are tied to a railway track, was filmed in the Sharpthorne Tunnel on the Bluebell Railway. This railway is located between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park in East Sussex. The tunnel has also appeared in movies like “Chaplin” and “The Theory Of Everything.”
Harry Hart’s House – Stanhope Mews South: The home of Harry Hart, where he scolds Eggsy for failing the final test, is located at 11 Stanhope Mews South, London SW7. This location is just south of Gloucester Road tube station and added a personal touch to the movie’s storyline.
Church Scene – Garrison Church of St Barbara: One of the most memorable and violent scenes in the movie takes place in a church where Harry Hart is forced to carry out a massacre. This scene was filmed at the Garrison Church of St Barbara on Deepcut Bridge Road in Deepcut, Surrey. The church was chosen for its eerie and isolated atmosphere, perfect for the dramatic sequence.
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” used a variety of locations in London and the surrounding areas to create a visually engaging and authentic spy movie. From the gritty streets of Camden to the elegant tailors of Savile Row, each location added depth and character to the film. These carefully chosen sites helped bring the world of Kingsman to life, making it a memorable and entertaining movie for audiences around the world.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Kingsman: The Secret Service
Q: Where was Kingsman: The Secret Service filmed?
A: Kingsman: The Secret Service was filmed mainly in London and the southeast of England. Key locations include the Alexandra Road Estate in Camden, Imperial College London, the Black Prince Pub in South London, and Huntsman tailors on Savile Row. Some scenes were also shot at Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire and the Garrison Church of St Barbara in Surrey.
Q: When was Kingsman: The Secret Service filmed?
A: Filming for Kingsman: The Secret Service began on October 6, 2013, and took place over several months, primarily in London and other parts of England.
Q: When was Kingsman: The Secret Service released?
A: Kingsman: The Secret Service was released in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2015, and in the United States on February 13, 2015.
Q: Who is in the cast of Kingsman: The Secret Service?
A: The main cast of Kingsman: The Secret Service includes: Taron Egerton as Gary “Eggsy” Unwin
Colin Firth as Harry Hart, Samuel L. Jackson as Richmond Valentine, Mark Strong as Merlin, and Michael Caine as Arthur.
Q: What is Kingsman: The Secret Service about?
A: Kingsman: The Secret Service follows a young man named Eggsy, who is recruited by a secret spy organization called Kingsman. He undergoes rigorous training and joins a mission to stop a global threat posed by a wealthy megalomaniac named Richmond Valentine.
