Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1019" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default.jpeg" alt="The Boys in the Boat MGM Studios Callum Turner" class="wp-image-154918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default.jpeg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default-800x566.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default-1000x708.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default-400x283.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/default-742x525.jpeg 742w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Images: <em>The Boys In The Boat</em>/ MGM Studios</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you have a weakness for Lycra-clad rowing brawn, ditch the riverbank and get yourself a prime seat in the cinema. George Clooney&#8217;s <em>The Boys in the Boat</em> has just been released in the UK, and sees the twinkly-eyed Sonning resident go behind the camera to shoot this easy-on-the-eye crowdpleaser. </p>



<p>The film is based around the true-life story of the University of Washington’s ragtag rowing team who, against all the odds, took gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Based on a novel by Daniel Brown, the budget was modest (Clooney had to hand his fee back to balance the books), and stars Joel Edgerton and Brit actor Callum Turner. While Muddy’s enthusiastic about the significant amount of time Turner spends in tiny rowing shorts, another thing floating our boat are the scenes shot in and around the local area. </p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="THE BOYS IN THE BOAT | Official Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dfEA-udzjjQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>While some filming took place in Washington, Los Angeles and Berlin, the majority of the movie was shot in England. <a href="http://www.utrc.org.uk">Upper Thames Rowing Club</a> in Henley plays a starring role, with the arrival of retro cars and boats and hundreds of extras creating a&nbsp;buzz shoreside during in filming. It was a handy location for Clooney, who lives just over the border in Berkshire in his riverside home with wife Amal and their six-year-old twins.</p>



<p>Part of the story was based around an historic 104-year-old boathouse at the edge of the Montlake Cut in Washington, though this was carefully recreated at <a href="https://waterpark.org/things-to-do/nature-reserves/">Cleveland Lakes</a>, one of 80 lakes over a 42 mile area at the <a href="https://waterpark.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswold Water Park</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="995" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG-.png" alt="" class="wp-image-154985" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG-.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG--800x531.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG--1000x663.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG--400x265.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Cotswolds-Water-Park-IG--791x525.png 791w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTjn52GApdC/?hl=en">Cotswold Water Park</a> </figcaption></figure>



<p>Berkshire’s <a href="https://www.winnershfilmstudios.com">Winnerish Film Studios</a> was also used for some of the action, while additional rowing scenes were shot at <a href="https://www.dorneylake.co.uk">Dorney Lake</a>, a 400-acre site owned by Eton College and famously the London 2012 Olympic rowing venue. </p>



<p>Not all the scenes were on water, the railway scenes were filmed at both London King’s Cross and <a href="https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk">Didcot Railway Centre</a> in Oxfordshire, beloved of steam train and <a href="https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/164/paddington-at-didcot-25th-may-26th-august-2024/d2ac56f4e876ed876900f66a5f308ba1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paddington enthusiasts</a> (catch him on 25 May and 26 Aug 2024).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-row-girl-nbsp"><strong>You row, girl!&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>If you’ve seen the movie and fancy dipping your own paddle, here are some local clubs to inspire you.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-henley-rowing-club-oxfordshire"><a href="https://www.henleyrowingclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Henley Rowing Club</strong></a>, Oxfordshire </h3>



<p>Founded in 1839, and one of the oldest open rowing clubs in Great Britain, Henley Rowing Club is prestigious but not stuffy, open to beginners and even offering Go Row indoor exercise classes if the river feels a bit chilly for you this time of year.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milton-keynes-rowing-club-buckinghamshire"><a href="https://www.mkrowing.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milton Keynes Rowing Club</a>, Buckinghamshire </h3>



<p>You&#8217;ll find Milton Keynes Rowing Club at Caldecotte Lake using a one kilometre straight run and a clubhouse shared the Milton Keynes Sailing and Canoe Clubs. Everyone is welcome here, from complete novices (for whom there are <a href="https://www.mkrowing.org/learn-to-row">Learn to Row courses</a>) and World Rowing Masters gold medallists.  </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-city-of-oxford-rowing-club-oxfordshire"><strong><a href="https://oxfordrowingclub.org.uk/learn-to-row/-">City of Oxford Rowing Club</a>, Oxfordshire</strong> </h3>



<p>Sign up to RowFit at this established club, which offers adult beginners&#8217; rowing courses including private one-to-one lessons and four-week group sessions.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-falcon-boat-club-oxfordshire"><a href="https://falconboatclub.org.uk/rowing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Falcon Boat Club</a>, Oxfordshire</h3>



<p>Runs regular weekend and occasional weekday Learn to Row Courses for adults&nbsp;from its base by Donnington Bridge on the Thames in East Oxford. Get involved at the next one in spring, which costs £180 for twenty sessions spread over 6-8 weekends.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marlow-rowing-club-buckinghamshire"><a href="https://www.marlowrowingclub.org.uk/learn/adult-learn/">Marlow Rowing Club</a>, Buckinghamshire</h3>



<p>If you want to test the water before committing to a full course, attend one of the club’s Open Days in Feb, May and July, which include a look around the club and a couple of hours’ coaching. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.mgm.com/movies/the-boys-in-the-boat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Boys in the Boat is in cinemas now</a></em></p>


Get set, ROW! The Boys in the Boat local film locations revealed

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