Famous Film Locations in the Lowcountry: 5 Historic Landmarks on Screen

Five local landmarks that helped bring some of Hollywood’s most memorable stories to life

The Lowcountry has long attracted filmmakers drawn to its historic architecture, tidal waterways and timeless sense of place. From Beaufort’s antebellum mansions to Savannah’s storied streets, the region has served as the backdrop for iconic Hollywood films. These five historic landmarks reveal where film meets history in the Lowcountry, showcasing locations that helped bring movies like The Prince of Tides, Forrest Gump and The Big Chill to life.

Story by Lance Hanlin

Beaufort and Savannah Film Locations in the Lowcountry

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — Mercer-Williams House (Savannah)

Constructed in the late 1860s for Confederate Gen. Hugh W. Mercer, great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer, the Mercer-Williams House is one of Savannah’s most storied landmarks. The Italianate mansion gained international attention with the publication of the 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its 1997 film adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood. Once the home of antiques dealer Jim Williams, the house became central to the story’s intrigue, blending true crime, Southern eccentricity and Savannah society. Today the meticulously preserved home operates as a museum offering daily tours.

See it: 429 Bull St., Savannah

The Prince of Tides — Lewis Reeve Sams House (Beaufort)

Built in the mid-1800s, this historic mansion is one of Beaufort’s finest examples of the “Beaufort Style,” a regional interpretation of Greek Revival architecture defined by its T-shaped floor plan, generous porches and raised rooflines. Designed to catch cooling river breezes, the home’s elevated setting along Bay Street reflects both the elegance and practicality of its era. During the Civil War, the house served as Hospital No. 14 and later as headquarters for Union Gen. Rufus Saxton. More than a century later, it found a new role on screen as the home of Tom Wingo’s mother in the 1991 film The Prince of Tides, starring Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand. Today the house remains a private residence, occasionally opening for special events and tours.

See it: 601 Bay St., Beaufort

The Big Chill — Tidalholm (Beaufort)

Built in 1853 by Edgar Fripp, Tidalholm stands as one of Beaufort’s most recognizable antebellum homes. Known locally as “The Big Chill House,” it began as a summer retreat from the heat and mosquitoes of nearby St. Helena Island before serving as a Union hospital during the Civil War. Over the years, the house passed through several owners. Hollywood arrived in 1979, when Tidalholm appeared in The Great Santini, starring Robert Duvall. Its gracious interiors and sweeping porches drew filmmakers back in for the 1983 film The Big Chill, where it served as the central gathering place for the film’s ensemble cast, including Tom Berenger, Glenn Close and Jeff Goldblum. Both the interior and exterior are featured prominently on screen. Today the home is a private residence for owners John and Katie Tashjian, who restored it to its former grandeur.

See it: 1 Laurens St., Beaufort

Forrest Gump — Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge (Beaufort)

One of only four operating swing bridges in South Carolina, the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge links downtown Beaufort with Lady’s Island. Opened in 1959 as the Lady’s Island Bridge and renamed in 1971 to honor Highway Patrol officer Richard V. Woods, the bridge earned its place in film history during the iconic 1994 film Forrest Gump. It appears as a Mississippi River crossing where Forrest pauses mid-run to answer reporters’ questions. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 under its original name, it remains one of Beaufort’s most photographed landmarks.

See it: Downtown Beaufort to Lady’s Island

Forces of Nature — Joseph Johnson House (Beaufort)

Built in the late 1850s, the Joseph Johnson House is one of Beaufort’s most recognizable landmarks. Once used as a Union hospital during the Civil War, the Gothic Revival home later gained Hollywood attention as the wedding setting in the 1999 film Forces of Nature, starring Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck. Often called “The Castle” for its turreted silhouette and moat-like setting along the Beaufort River, the house is also steeped in local legend, including tales of a resident jester ghost known as Gauche. Today it remains a private residence owned by jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke and her husband, John Staelin, and occasionally opens for special events.

See it: 411 Craven St., Beaufort

FAQs About Lowcountry Film Locations

What movies were filmed in Beaufort, South Carolina?

Several major films were shot in Beaufort, including The Prince of Tides, The Big Chill, Forrest Gump and Forces of Nature.

Can you visit film locations in the Lowcountry?

Many filming locations in Beaufort and Savannah are visible from public streets, though some are private residences or museums with limited access.

Why do filmmakers choose the Lowcountry?

The region’s historic architecture, coastal landscapes and preserved streetscapes make it an ideal setting for period films and Southern stories.

Explore the Lowcountry Through Film

For travelers and locals alike, these filming locations offer a unique way to experience the Lowcountry’s history through the lens of cinema. Whether strolling Bay Street in Beaufort or touring Savannah’s historic district, each landmark tells a story that extends far beyond the screen.