“Contact” is a film made in 1997 that is a mysterious and dramatic tale that was directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie is notable for its filming locations which were diverse and picturesque. The movie starred Jena Malone, David Morse and Jodie Foster, as they unraveled conclusive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence.
Where it Filmed?
The movie was filmed at several locations which added an authentic touch to the entire narrative. The locations include Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Filming also took place at Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the Mojave Desert in California, USA. The team also ventured to Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona, USA. The movie was filmed between September 24, 1996 and February 28, 1997.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Jena Malone | Young Ellie |
| David Morse | Ted Arroway |
| Jodie Foster | Ellie Arroway |
| Geoffrey Blake | Fisher |
| William Fichtner | Kent |
| Timothy McNeil | Davio |
| Laura Elena Surillo | Cantina Woman |
| Matthew McConaughey | Palmer Joss |
| Tom Skerritt | David Drumlin |
| Henry Strozier | Minister |
| Larry King | Larry King |
| Thomas Garner | Ian Broderick |
| Conroy Chino | KOB-TV Reporter |
| Dan Gifford | Jeremy Roth |
| James Woods | Michael Kitz |
| Vance Valencia | Senator Valencia |
| Angela Bassett | Rachel Constantine |
| Leon Harris | Leon Harris |
| Claire Shipman | Claire Shipman |
| Behrooz Afrakhan | Middle Eastern Anchor |
| Saemi Nakamura | Japanese Anchor |
| Maria Celeste Arraras | Latina Anchor |
| Tabitha Soren | Tabitha Soren |
| Geraldo Rivera | Geraldo Rivera |
| Ian Whitcomb | British Anchor |
| Jay Leno | Jay Leno |
| Natalie Allen | Natalie Allen |
| Robert D. Novak | Robert D. Novak |
| Geraldine A. Ferraro | Geraldine A. Ferraro |
| Ann Druyan | Ann Druyan |
| Rob Lowe | Richard Rank |
| Jake Busey | Joseph |
| Kathleen Kennedy | Kathleen Kennedy |
| Michael Albala | Decryption Hacker |
| Ned Netterville | Decryption Expert |
| Leo Lee | Major Domo |
| John Hurt | S.R. Hadden |
| William Jordan | Chairman of Joint Chiefs |
| David St. James | Joint Chief |
| Jill Dougherty | Jill Dougherty |
| Haynes Brooke | Drumlin Aide |
| John Holliman | John Holliman |
| Bobbie Battista | Bobbie Battista |
| Dee Dee Myers | Dee Dee Myers |
| Bryant Gumbel | Bryant Gumbel |
| Linden Soles | Linden Soles |
| Steven Ford | Major Russell |
| Janie Peterson | Major Russell’s Daughter |
| Jennifer Balgobin | Dr. Patel |
| Rebecca T. Beucler | NASA Public Relations |
| Marc Macaulay | NASA Technician |
| Pamela Wilsey | Voice of NASA (voice) |
| Tucker Smallwood | Mission Director |
| Yuji Okumoto | Electrical |
| Gerry Griffin | Dynamics |
| Brian Alston | Communications |
| Rob Elk | Pad Leader |
| Mark Thomason | Security |
| José Rey | Controller #8 |
| Todd Patrick Breaugh | New VLA Technician |
| Alex Veadov | Russian Cosmonaut |
| Alice Kushida | Scientist |
| Robin Gammell | Project Official |
| Richardson Morse | Mission Doctor |
| Seiji Okamura | Japanese Ensign |
| Bernard Shaw | Bernard Shaw |
| Mak Takano | Japanese Tech #1 |
| Catherine Dao | Life Support |
| Kristoffer Ryan Winters | Dynamics #2 |
| Valorie Armstrong | Woman Senator |
| Jim Hild | Reporter #5 |
| Diego Montoya | School Boy |
| Jonathan Adler | White House Official (uncredited) |
| Robert Aguilar Jr. | NASA Controller #2 (uncredited) |
| Neil Armstrong | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Mark Bailey | Four-Star General (uncredited) |
| Matt Bennett | Senate Observer (uncredited) |
| Tony Boldi | Robert Hand (uncredited) |
| Christopher Boyer | Scientist (uncredited) |
| Christine Brady | White House Official (uncredited) |
| Ray Buffer | Press Reporter (uncredited) |
| Mark Byrne | Protester (uncredited) |
| Candice T. Cain | Supporter (uncredited) |
| Michael Chaban | Hadden Suit (uncredited) |
| Aixa Clemente | President’s Secretary (uncredited) |
| Bill Clinton | Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Derrick Damions | Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
| Elaina Davis | Philanthropy Bureaucrat (uncredited) |
| Joey Dente | Factory Worker (uncredited) |
| Michael Egan | IMC Police Officer (uncredited) |
| Jeff Elmore | Monk (uncredited) |
| Pamela Fischer | Pedestrian (uncredited) |
| Carl Gilliard | Controller (uncredited) |
| Adolf Hitler | Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| William B. Kaplan | TV Interviewer (uncredited) |
| Martin Luther King | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Boris Lee Krutonog | Astronaut (uncredited) |
| Ming Lo | Pod Systems Control (uncredited) |
| Sunshine Logroño | Puerto Rican Taxi Driver (uncredited) |
| Denise Loveday | Press Secretary (uncredited) |
| Douglas MacArthur | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Neal Matarazzo | Kitz’s Aide (uncredited) |
| Joseph McCarthy | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Cassidy McMillan | Student Reporter at NASA (uncredited) |
| Bill Miller | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Molly Mueller | Family Exchange (uncredited) |
| Richard Nixon | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Paul L. Nolan | Ellie’s Attorney (uncredited) |
| Marisa Petroro | Oval Office Secretary (uncredited) |
| Errica Poindexter | Police Officer (uncredited) |
| J.A. Preston | Senator (uncredited) |
| Frank Principe | Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
| Billy Quinn | Security Guard (uncredited) |
| Thomas Reid | Senate Hearing (uncredited) |
| Leo Rogstad | Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
| Russell Sanderlin Sr. | Photographer (uncredited) |
| Kelli Schloemer | Reporter #3 (uncredited) |
| Fran Severini | White House Official (uncredited) |
| Frank Silva | Army Officer (uncredited) |
| John A. Taylor | Senate Hearing Attendee (uncredited) |
| Todd Thompson | News Reporter (uncredited) |
| Cenk Uygur | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Holly Cross Vagley | Religious Zealot (uncredited) |
| Richard Allen Waite | Extra (uncredited) |
| Michael Wajacs | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Eric Alan Wendell | Protester (uncredited) |
| Harold E. Whitfield | U.S. Senator (uncredited) |
| Delaney Williams | Believer #1 (uncredited) |
| Gregory L. Williams | Extra (uncredited) |
| Walter Winchell | Self – Voice Through Space (uncredited) (archiveSound) |
Trivia and Facts
- Jena Malone portrayed Young Ellie in the film.
- David Morse played the role of Ted Arroway.
- Jodie Foster was Ellie Arroway in the film.
- The role of Fisher was played by Geoffrey Blake.
- William Fichtner portrayed the character Kent.
- Sami Chester played the role of Vernon.
- Timothy McNeil was cast as Davio.
- Laura Elena Surillo played the role of a Cantina Woman.
- Matthew McConaughey portrayed the character Palmer Joss.
- Tom Skerritt played the role of David Drumlin in the film.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico
- Latitude: 18.3441366
- Longitude: -66.75272079999999
- Place ID: ChIJwU-p3ITbAowRVaI9efKB5Bw
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 86VW+MWP, PR-625, Arecibo, 00612, Puerto Rico
- Timezone: America/Puerto_Rico
- Location Name: Very Large Array, Socorro, New Mexico, USA
- Latitude: 34.0739288
- Longitude: -107.6050364
- Place ID: ChIJryyAwLUZIYcR_LYwmxn9z_A
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Very Large Array, New Mexico 87825, USA
- Timezone: America/Denver
- Location Name: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Latitude: 49.59388879999999
- Longitude: -57.78388880000001
- Place ID: ChIJoZTnx0FbeUsRtDzWbKxLH2U
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Gros Morne, Newfoundland and Labrador A0K 4Z0, Canada
- Timezone: America/St_Johns
- Location Name: Mojave Desert, California, USA
- Latitude: 35.01099110000001
- Longitude: -115.4733551
- Place ID: ChIJz5jXa0dhz4ARNNowVD7FpAw
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Mojave Desert, California 92332, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 36.1190734
- Longitude: -109.3197052
- Place ID: ChIJnRoh8NyQOocR34gtmApA864
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA
- Timezone: America/Denver
