‘Brokeback Mountain’ is a 2005 romantic drama film directed by Ang Lee. When the two part ways after a short time, the narrative follows their lives where they meet several times a year to rekindle their passion and relive their memories. The neo-Western drama film is based on Annie Proulx’s 1997 short story of the same name.
Set between the 1960s and 1980s, the film depicts how men are torn between wanting to be together and reconciling the social way of life. Poignant themes of complicated forbidden love and gay relationships in previous decades make for a sentimental watch. Additionally, the realistic setting of the 60s and 80s in some interesting settings keeps the narrative quite authentic. So it’s only natural to wonder where “Brokeback Mountain” was filmed.
Where Was Brokeback Mountain Movie Filmed?
The “Brokeback Mountain” movie was filmed on location in Alberta, New Mexico, and Wyoming. According to reports, filming of the Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger starrer began on June 14, 2004, and was completed within two months on August 15.
Canada
While “Brokeback Mountain” is set in Wyoming in the fictional Brokeback Mountain, it was filmed almost entirely in southern Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies. The mountains seen in the film combine three mountains: Moose Mountain in Kananaskis Country, Fortress Mountain, and Mount Lougheed, located south of Canmore. Goat Creek, Upper Kananaskis Lake, Elbow Falls, and Canyon Creek were also used as campsites. Additionally, key sequences were filmed in Calgary, Fort Macleod, and Cowley.
The town of Cowley acted as a stand-in for the fictional town of Signal, Wyoming, where Ennis goes to look for work. The trailer and office scene with Ennis and Joe Aguirre was filmed in the parking lot on Railway Avenue north of Osler Street. Meanwhile, the bar scene the protagonist went to at the beginning of the film was in Carseland, called the Blue Bar between Main and Strangmuir Street.
Additionally, the mountains where Aguirre takes the protagonists to herd sheep in the first scene are in the Kananaskis. Their camp is set up on Canyon Creek Road at Range Road 64A, while intimate scenes at the camp were filmed near Canmore.
In the Brokeback Mountain film, Alma and Ennis are married at St. Thomas Anglican Church on Range Road 264 near Calgary. Jack’s rodeo scenes took place in Electra, Texas, but were filmed in Rockyford on 1st Avenue East. The bar scene of Jack and Jimbo, the rodeo clown, was at the King Edward Hotel in Calgary at 438 9th Avenue.
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Ranchman’s Bar is the restaurant used to film scenes of Jack and Lureen. Fort Macleod was used to filming the scene of Ennis and his family going to see the fireworks, standing in for Riverton, where the family lives. The building where Ennis and his family live is the JC Edgar Building, 2422 3rd Avenue at 25th Street.
Ennis’ postal scene was filmed in Rockyford on Main Street, and the motel where Jack and Ennis meet is Motel 9 in Beiseker. The bench scene with Jack and Randall Malone was filmed in Rockyford in front of the CIBC Bank on 1st Avenue. Fort Macleod Town Hall is where Ennis and Alma finalize their divorce. The Alleyway next to Café Rosso in Calgary also doubles as a stand-in for Jack in the Alley Mexican scenes.
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The famous dance scene at the Red River Social Club was filmed at the Royal Canadian Legion in Calgary. Jack and Cassie’s scene in the apple pie scene was filmed at the Java store at the Greyhound bus station in Fort Macleod. Ennis’ final scenes with Jack’s parents were filmed on Range Road 252 near Beiseker.
Not only that, Jack’s final scene from the trailer was filmed on 1st Avenue near Beiseker. Other locations in and around Alberta where the production team has camped include Crossfield, Seebe, Irricana, and Lacombe.
New Mexico
Several scenes of the Brokeback Mountain film were shot in New Mexico, specifically in the town of La Mesilla. The production team used the Old Tortilla Factory for filming. New Mexico is known for its beautiful nature and diverse range of attractions.
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From its amazing caves and blue corn pancakes to the first nuclear test site and famous chili peppers, this special state has something for everyone. The location has also been used for other productions, including Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, The Magnificent Seven, No Country for Old Men, and more.
Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park, located in northwestern Wyoming, was one of the key locations for the recording of ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ Grand Teton National Park is a popular place for rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
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It is one of the few places where you can catch brown trout on the Snake River and is known for its world-class trout fishing.
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