Where Was Lawless Filmed? Recount Of A Crime Drama Flick From 2012!!

Would I be wrong if I say movies that are adapted from novels, generally go on to be super-successful? Well, you can decide that after reading this article, where I discuss the crime drama flick, Lawless, starring Tom Hardy. And, also fill you in on where was Lawless filmed.

Lawless, was adapted from Tom Bondurant’s novel The Wettest County in the World, published in 2008! The film upon its release in 2012, gained huge popularity. The story set during the depression era (1929-39) in America, portrays the story of three brothers running the operations of their illegal liquor business.

Lawless received positive response from the critics and audience. Although managed to bag only one award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2012. Nonetheless, this crime drama flick is still decent enough to pique your interest in watching it!

Now let’s begin to discuss the plot of the film in brief. So, that you may get a better understanding of the actual storyline. Plus, later in this article, I’ll also share with you where was Lawless filmed.

Plot Of Lawless | What’s It About

The film begins in 1931, showing a band of brothers minting it off their liquor trade in Franklin County, Virginia. Eldest of the Bondurant brothers, Jack (played by Jason Clarke) generally takes instructions from his middle brother Forrest (played by Tom Hardy), on how to run the business. Whereas, the youngest brother in the film, Jack Bondurant (played by Shia Lebouf), has no particular interest in the business, initially.

The Bondurant brothers’ moonshine business is shrouded by the gas station and restaurant they have in the film. Forrest, readily declines Charley’s demand and implores other moonshine makers to do the same. Meanwhile, Forrest kicks off a couple of eve teasers who later return to slit his throat and rape Maggie.

After admitting Forrest to the hospital, Jack decides to quickly head out of town, to trade the rest of the moonshine. He then runs into another bootlegger, named Banner, and discovers the identity of the attackers. The Bondurant brothers shake hands with Banner, and plan on amplifying their operations, and streamlining it. Charley gets killed, after his failed attempt to kill the brothers.  

Howard is shown to stab Rakes multiple times before mutilating his body. The credits roll as the corrupt police officers are shown to return to their bases after the Prohibition law ends.

Time for us to check out where was Lawless filmed. So that you enjoy the idyllic locations that were used to shoot this crime drama flick.

Where Was Lawless Filmed? Let’s Know This Crime Drama Movie Closely!!

Lawless is set in Franklin County in Virginia, and director John Hillcoat wanted to stay true to the locations shown in his film. Thus after taking inspiration from the real life events discussed in the novel The Wettest County in the World. Hillcoat decided to shoot the entire film in the state of Virginia, initially! As historically this state was notoriously affected during the Depression-era in America, and saw the worst period during the prohibition times.

But, the reported financial problem of the production unit, forced the director to shoot the entire film in Georgia. The principal photography of this film began in February 2011 and was completed in 2 months! The short filming schedule is owed to the limited yet important locations, the crew had to travel within the state of Georgia. Although suffice to say, even though the locations which are shown in the film, are not historically accurate. But the director and his team worked really hard to recreate the 1931 look of Virginia.

Let us now explore the various filming locations of Georgia that were used in the film Lawless!

Coweta County, Georgia

Located in the western central portion of Georgia, Coweta County, is where the majority of the filming took place. This county being a part of Metro Atlanta, helped the production immensely to transport the logistics by road. The opening scene in the film, where Franklin County is shown, the entire filming took place at this location. Notable areas of filming were Haralson, Grantville and Newnan.

The sequence that featured Banner’s hide-out in the film, was shot in a make-believe set, constructed  by the crew in Haralson. The set which portrayed the barbershop was later taken down, after the completion of filming.

Let me acquaint you with other notable films that are just as good, such as Do Revenge, Halloween Ends, A Jazzman’s Blues, Black Adam, The Grey Man and Spider Man: No Way Home which were also filmed in the same location.

Meriwether County, Georgia

The filming crew then traveled to Meriwether County to shoot the remaining parts of the film. The Gay town, was recreated to look like the outskirts of Virginia in 1931. The production crew had to specially bring in costumes and lights to match the feel and vibe of the time. The sequence where Charley is shown to get stabbed in the film, came to be so vivid. That the director had taken the shot a couple of times to make it look less grotesque.

Finally, the filming crew reached their final filming destination in Meriwether County. The town of Woodbury is where the ending sequence is filmed depicting the wild dance of Bondurant brothers.

Final Words

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article. Although if you have anything to add, you can always mention it in the comment section below. Plus if you’d like to find out about other films and shows, and know where to watch them. Check out other interesting and entertaining articles on Viebly.