Ealing Studios

Ealing Studios is a famous place for making movies and television shows, located at Ealing Green in West London, England. It was started in 1902 when Will Barker bought a building called White Lodge, and it has been used for filmmaking ever since. Ealing Studios is the oldest place in the world that has been making films continuously.

During the years after World War II, Ealing Studios made many well-loved movies such as Saraband for Dead Lovers, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Passport to Pimlico, The Lavender Hill Mob, and The Ladykillers. The BBC also used the studios for many years, from 1955 to 1995.

In recent years, Ealing Studios has continued to make popular films like the new St Trinian's movies, The Importance of Being Earnest, Shaun of the Dead, The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game, and Burnt. Some scenes from the TV series Downton Abbey were also filmed there. Today, the Met Film School London uses part of the studio for teaching students.

History

Film studios (1902–1955)

The site of Ealing Studios was first used for making films in 1902 by Will Barker. In 1931, new buildings were created to allow for making films with sound. During the 1930s and 1940s, Ealing Studios made many funny movies and realistic war films. Some famous films from this time include Went the Day Well?, The Foreman Went to France, and Undercover.

After World War II, Ealing made many popular comedies that showed British life and culture. Some of the best-remembered films from this time are Whisky Galore!, Passport to Pimlico, and The Lavender Hill Mob.

Owned by the BBC (1955–1993)

In 1955, the BBC bought Ealing Studios. The BBC used the studios to make many television programs and films. Famous shows and movies made there include Z-Cars, Cathy Come Home, and The Eagle Has Landed. The studios were busy with many crews working on different projects.

Owned by BBRK (1993–1994)

In 1993, the BBC sold Ealing Studios to a group of special effects businesses called BBRK.

1994 to present

In 1994, the National Film and Television School bought the studios. Later, in 2000, new owners took over and began making films again. Some of these films include Lucky Break, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Shaun of the Dead. Today, Ealing Studios is also used by the Met Film School London and other production companies.

Ealing Studios films

Main article: List of Ealing Studios films

Documentaries

BBC TV productions

Ealing Studios helped make many famous TV shows. Some of these shows used film for certain parts, while others were mostly recorded on videotape. Examples include Quatermass and the Pit, Doctor Who, Civilisation, Colditz, Porridge (TV series), Oil Strike North, Smiley's People, Bleak House, The Singing Detective, Fortunes of War, Portrait of a Marriage, and An Ungentlemanly Act. These shows were made between 1958 and 1992, showing the long history of television production at Ealing Studios.

Later films

Some popular films made at Ealing Studios include Notting Hill in 1999, Lucky Break in 2001, and The Importance of Being Earnest in 2002. Other notable movies from the studio are Shaun of the Dead in 2004, Valiant in 2005, and Easy Virtue in 2008. The studio continued to produce films like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in 2018 and Last Night in Soho in 2021.

Independent TV

Some popular TV shows made at Ealing Studios include:

• The Royle Family (Granada Productions for the BBC)
• Bedtime (Hat Trick Productions)
• Randall and Hopkirk (Ghost)
• Emma Brody (20th Century Fox)
• Downton Abbey – "Downstairs" scenes only (Carnival Films)
• Taboo
• Tour de France ITV4 (2012–2019 VSquared Productions)
• Critérium du Dauphiné ITV4 (2015–2019 VSquared Productions)
• La Vuelta ITV4 (2012–2019 VSquared Productions)
• Luck on Sunday (2017–present, Racing TV)
• Lockwood & Co. (2023-2023, Netflix)

Music videos

Ealing Studios has worked on many popular music videos. Some of these videos include Mama by the Spice Girls, Walk Away by Franz Ferdinand, Talk by Coldplay, and The Drowners by Suede for the US version only. Other videos include Crazy Beat by Blur, The Moment You Believe by Melanie C, and Champagne Supernova by Oasis.