“You know what I think? I think you should go home to Greenbow, ALABAMA!”
One of the classics, or will surely be one of the classics, is the movie called Forrest Gump. The character, Forrest Gump himself is easily one of the eccentric cinematic figures.
Tom Hanks plays the character so well that it is hard to separate this fictional figure from him. Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump, and Forrest Gump is Tom Hanks.
Only a few fictional characters and actors can manage to achieve such a feat of marking themselves in the vast cinematic universe.
“My name is Forrest Gump. People call me Forrest Gump.”
Greenbow, Alabama is a fictional town in Greenbow County and a hometown of the unforgettable character Forrest Gump. It is also the town where he grew up with his childhood friend, Jenny Curran.
Not only the town and the house weren’t real, it wasn’t even in Alabama. The movie was shot in South Carolina, except for the town square scenes which were shot in Savannah, Georgia.
It was Paramount Pictures that leased the land between Varnille and Beaufort, South Carolina, where Gump’s house and Jenny’s farmhouse were built.
Where is Greenbow, Alabama?
“Drum Roll!” Greenbow, Alabama does not exist. That’s correct. It is fictional, just like the character himself.
The town is so carefully and precisely created that it almost fooled everyone into thinking that it was real. It not only consists of the Gump Boarding House, where Forrest Gump lived.
However, it also contains other fictional places, such as James Brothers Furniture Company, Benson’s Furniture and Appliance Store, Doctor’s Office, Larry’s Barber Shop, Sinclair Gas Station, Gilmer’s Drug Store, Mason’s, Western Auto Associates, and Greenbow Trailways National Bus System.
With details like that, no wonder it’s been thought of as a real place.
Moreover, the big old Southern house was as peculiar as its inhabitants. It has two porches, the first one conventional and the second one rather unconventional as it presides on the second floor of the house.
Unfortunately, it cannot be witnessed in real life. The house was built mainly to film the movie and was torn down right after filming was over.
Where the movie is actually filmed?
The movie was shot in South Carolina, besides the town square scenes which were shot in Savannah, Georgia.
As for the fictional town called Greenbow, it is Varnille, which is approximately 35 miles outside Beaufort in South Carolina.
Furthermore, Forrest Gump was Paramount Pictures, which leased the land between Varnille and Beaufort, South Carolina. It was then used to build the house of Forrest Gump and the farmhouse of Jenny.
It is said by the Production Designer that the location was chosen very carefully after searching for a certain amount of time.
Now, having all this knowledge about the locations of every scene, you must have an idea that Greenbow isn’t the real town and that the film wasn’t shot in one location.
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| Release date | July 6, 1994 |
| Running time | 142 minutes |
| Filming Location | South Carolina |
| Starring | Tom Hanks Robin Wright Gary Sinise Mykelti Williamson Sally Field |
| IMDb | 8.8/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 71% |
Check out this video to know each and every filming location of Forrest Gump:
Where Is Varnville?
According to the blog on HD Carolina, the Varnville town which is in Hampton, South Carolina, was founded by the Varn Brothers, who used to give railroad access through their sawmill in 1972.
There are certain historical places in the town, such as Hattie J. Pepples House, Oak Grove, Poplar Grove Mill and House, the Summit Mountain Lookout Tree, and the Furman Historic District.
Gump’s school where a teacher famously explains Forrest’s intelligence was Hampton Street Elementary School, which now is Colleton Center, 494 Hampton Street, Walterboro, north of Beaufort.
Where’s the Bluff Plantation From Where Forrest Gump ran out?
The exact location is named Bluff Plantation, Twickenham Road, southeast of Yemassee, on the Combahee River, and as mentioned above, between Varnville and Beaufort.
The popular scene where Jenny yells “Run Forrest Run” was filmed on Bluff Plantation.
Besides that iconic scene, the wedding of Forrest and Jenny also occurred at the Bluff Plantation. In fact, in some scenes, you can have glimpses of the Combahee River that flows past the property.
The tree in which Jenny and Forrest sit and read a book at the beginning can also be found at 2979 Combahee Road in Tennessee.
Where is the original Forrest Gump bench?
The famous bench where Forrest and Jenny are sitting at the beginning of the movie can now be found at the Savannah Historical Museum.
While the house of Forrest Gum is long gone as it was built for the sole purpose of this movie, it’s nice to know that the bench is kept as a souvenir.
FAQs
Is Forrest Gump A Good Movie To Watch?
Forrest Gump is one of the classic movies; to this day, I watch this movie. The movie has a remarkable storyline, it’s heartwarming, and the characters a quite memorable.
Forrest Gump won several Academy Awards which include Best Pictures and Best Actor for Tom Hanks.
He has certainly left a lasting impact on its audience. If you haven’t watched this movie, I strongly urge you to get cozy, turn off the lights, and start the movie.
What is the movie Forrest Gump about?
Forrest Gump is an American movie. It was released in 1994 and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Moreover, it’s based on a novel that goes by the same name written by Winston Groom in 1986.
The movie follows the story of a man named Forrest Gump, portrayed by Tom Hanks. The man has a low IQ. However, he has the kindest heart.
Despite Forrest’s intellectual limitations, he excels in several things, which include playing college football, serving in the Vietnam War, and becoming a successful businessman.
Besides that, the movie also features themes of love, as Forrest finds a connection with his childhood friend and love interest.
Conclusion
- The movie Forrest Gump was filmed in several locations, including South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and California.
- The backdrop of Forrest Gump’s hometown was the town of Beaufort, which is located in South Carolina.
- The bench scene was filmed in Savannah, Georgia, moreover, the bench is the only reaming aspect from the movie which can be found in the Savannah Historical Museum.
- In the iconic “Run Forrest Run” scene, the wedding of the main characters takes place on the Bluff Plantation.
- In reality, the fictional town Greenbow, it’s Varnville town which is in Hampton, South Carolina.
- The movie Forrest Gump is a classic. It has comedy, drama, romance, and so much more. You will be in awe of watching Tom Hank portray a character like Forrest Gump so magnificently.