Those who look closely will see that even numerous trees are beginning to show that they're actually just styrofoam setpieces. https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a37949/big-fish-spectre The town is so comfortable, none of its residents even wear shoes! The set is located on Jackson Lake Island, a private island in Elmore County, Alabama . Lauren, Good Housekeeping's digital director, has over 15 years of experience writing and editing beauty, lifestyle, home, health, and entertaining content for publications including Country Living, Woman's Day, Brides, and First for Women. Goats also roam the island! You might think that some lovely little southern community acted as the setting for fictional town, but what few know is that Tim Burton had the entire town built from scratch on an island along the banks of the Alabama river...and it still sits there, hidden and alone. Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy drama film directed by Tim Burton, and based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. MILLBROOK, ALA JAN 7, 2020 The most picturesque ghost town in Alabama is actually the partial remains of a set built in 2003 for the Tim Burton film Big Fish. by Matt Stopera. Spectre has a chapel, general store, some houses and more all set on a lovely landscape on the banks of the water. The "fish" of Edward's fantasies and at the thematic center of the film, comes in a new form once Edward reaches Spectre. Spectre is a real fake place. There were also a fair number of people camping. Situated on a private island, outside Montgomery, Alabama, many of the buildings have collapsed of have burned down, though a few reportedly remain, complete with plasterboard bricks and roofs covered in moss and mold. Apart from a scene filmed in Paris, Big Fish was filmed in entirely in Alabama. Why You Need to Plan a Trip to Pioneertown, CA, White Christmas is Coming Back to Theaters, See Shania Twain on a Movie Set With John Travolta, Study: Big City Life Is Giving You Heart Disease. We're home to the "town of Spectre" movie set from Tim Burton's classic "Big Fish"! Drive on in, across a winding River, and then you will see Specter! Turns out, the owners of the island, Bobby Bright and his wife, Lynn Cardy Bright, brought in the goats to graze and keep the grass low, and now the animals are a big attraction for kids. (Jackson Lake Island / Facebook) Jackson Lake Island has public access areas for camping and fishing, as well as the “town of Spectre,” a massive set … Date of experience: June 2017 We went kind of late in the day but we'll definitely be back to spend more time here, nice place for a picnic and just spending some quiet time relaxing. During the movie, Edward Bloom, played by both Ewan McGregor and … Two newborn goats from the herd on Jackson Lake Island in Milbrook have disappeared since November, according to the owners. Spectre is located on Jackson Lake Island, a private island on the Alabama River about 10 miles northwest of Montgomery. Pretty good business folks at the time as I remember. The picture-perfect town was named Spectre, and all of its citizens were so friendly and comfortable that they spent their days wandering the town barefoot. The Town of Spectre is an abandoned movie set in Elmore County, AL. Camping options: Tent/rig/motorhomes - whatever you want to camp in. https://www.facebook.com/JacksonLakeIsland/timeline. Be the first to add a review to the Town of Spectre (Big Fish Filming Location). Spectre, Alabama Spectre, Alabama is a fictional town and custom movie set, built for Tim Burton's fantasy film Big Fish. Mar 18, 2016 - Spectre, Alabama. The town itself is showing lots of wear and tear, which is to be expected from a prop town outside on an island. Spectre is a fictional town built as a film set for the 2003 film Big Fish. Visit the Abandoned 'Big Fish' Movie Set of Spectre in Alabama We pay $3 per person to drive out onto the island. Not only can you visit, you can go camping there. You can visit the town of Spectre, complete with plasterboard bricks and roofs covered in moss and mold. The "big fish" of the film has multiple meanings. During this time, the town of Spectre was born. On his deathbed, his son tries to discover what, if anything, his father told him is actually true. Drove to the gate - called the "for info" number on the gate - a gentleman answered - I kindly asked if we would be able to see the Big Fish set & the island - he asked me to fill out a card at the booth by the gate. We went kind of late in the day but we'll definitely be back to spend more time here, nice place for a picnic and just spending some quiet time relaxing. The movie set of the town of spectre from the movie Big Fish (2003) shot in Alabama this island is now a privately owned campground you can walk around the abandoned movie set. Once you go through the gate, just keep following the dirt road onto the island until you eventually see a little wooden sign that says Spectre with an arrow pointing to the left. Smith-Byrd House Bed and Breakfast and Tea Room, Things to do on I-10 from California to Florida, Soak up the sun on the ultimate Gulf Coast getaway, Weekend Escape: A lazy and lush Gulf Shores getaway, The best stops along I-65 from Chicago to Birmingham, All of the Cool Stops and Attractions on I-40, Beaches, beef and the Bean: 48 Hours in Chicago, An offbeat Orlando road trip guide for weirdos, 48 Hours in Orlando: Things to do that aren't a theme park. Edward has dreams and ambitions that exceed his small-town life, and in this way, he is a big fish in a small pond. MAKE A SCEEN! Principal photography began in January of 2003, and filming was completed on time, and under budget ($70 million), in just two months. On the Jackson Lake Island Facebook page, you can find more information about visiting, including a phone number (334-430-7963) and an email (JacksonLakeIsland@gmail.com)—you'll need a code to open the gate! My boyfriend and I will be road tripping across the country and would love to make this stop. Spectre, AL from Tim Burton’s Big Fish is one of the few fictional towns you can make a pilgrimage to in real life. Spectre is quite a unique town brought to reality strongly through the imagination of Dennis Gassner. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some points of interest may be closed or have restrictions. Just came back a week ago from this trip. Resting near the banks of the Alabama River is the fictional town of Spectre, although all that remains of the bucolic burg are the crumbling husks of abandoned film sets. We pay $3 per person to drive out onto the island. Tim Burton targeted this grassy island in the Alabama River as the set for his 2003 movie "Big Fish." This town was built for the movie "Big Fish" For those of you who don’t know, Spectre is an eerie town that Edward Bloom (played unforgettably by Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon after leaving his hometown for fear of becoming a “big fish in a small pond.” TRAVEL THE WORLD and relive all your favourite movies and series on location. This Is What The Abandoned Town From The Movie "Big Fish" Looks Like Today. Built in 2003, the magical village of Spectre was left standing after filming of Tim Burton's "Big Fish." While there are lots of things Spectre is “like” — Heaven, Hell, the Afterlife, a ghost town, Utopia, Oz, Shangri-La — any comparisons the viewer draws are based on how he interprets the imagery and events of … Fifteen BMC members and friends motored up to the fantasy village of Spectre, from the 2003 Tim Burton film, “Big Fish”. Located on a private island north of Montgomery. While the island is privately owned, visitors, fishers, kayakers and campers are welcome for an entry fee of $3 per day. Today, Spectre is a shadow of how it appeared in the movies. Located near Montgomery, AL, the hauntingly gorgeous town of Spectre sits on a large island property wherein visitors can explore, camp, and get in touch with their inner big fish … Principal photography began in January of 2003, and filming was completed on time, and under budget ($70 million), in just two months. You can find out information about the island on their Facebook page. Better get here quick - I was there last month - got in by calling the number on the gate getting the code and depositing money at the un-manned gate house. Located near Montgomery, AL, the hauntingly gorgeous town of Spectre sits on a large island property wherein visitors can explore, camp, and get in touch with their inner big fish … Located on a private island north of Montgomery. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 10 Houseplants That Can Survive the Darkest Corner, Ben & Erin Napier Talk 'Home Town' Season 5, 93 Best Easy Low-Carb Recipes With Tons of Flavor, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The folks around there are generally very giving, interesting, folks. During this time, the town of Spectre was born. 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