In Case You Didn’t Know: Harvard Is In A Lot Of Movies

Posted by on November 9, 2009 at 3:52 pm

Recently there has been much hubbub on the sightings of major stars filming in the Square. These soon to be films will be joining in a long line of films set at our famous institution. In case your ego doesn’t feel bloated enough, here is a list of some of the most well known movies that use Harvard as a plot subject and some fun facts about them!

Legally-Blonde-legally-blonde-2273059-900-603Legally Blonde (2001) – Everyone’s favorite Harvard-centered movie (or just mine). We are all well versed in the story of Elle Woods and her unlikely acceptance to Harvard Law School through which she plans to win back her ex, Waner Huntington III.

Fun Fact 1: Reese Witherspoon spent two weeks spending time with and studying actual sorority girls for the project. She also attended law school for a day. Now that’s what I call dedication to a role.

Fun Fact 2: The final graduation scene was shot in the Great Hall of Dulwich College in London because it was not included in the original script. When it was added to the movie, Witherspoon was already filming “The Importance of Being Earnest” in England.

Fun Fact 3: Witherspoon got to keep every piece of clothing from the movie, as per her contract. That’s a whole lot of pink.

Good_Will_Hunting_057How High (2001) – Two bros get the help from the ghost of their smart friend whose ashes have been added to their pot. Great premise, huh? After he gives them the answers to the SATs they make it to Harvard and start to shake things up.

Fun Fact: The film’s scenes of Harvard are actually all shot at UCLA.

Good Will Hunting (1997) – Though not actually set at Harvard, we can probably all sympathize with the story of Will Hunting, and undiscovered genius who works as a janitor at MIT.

Fun Fact 1: If you didn’t already know, the windows of the Dunkin Donuts on Mass Ave are the setting for the “How do you like them apples?” scene of the movie.

Fun Fact 2: Robin Williams ad-libbed the last line of the movie, “That son of a bitch, he stole my line.”

Love Story (1970) – The last movie to ever be shot within Harvard’s campus. If you went to see this during Freshman Week, you already know everything you need to know about the movie.

Fun Fact 1: The hockey game was played by Dartmouth’s actual team at the time. Ned Harkness, the Cornell hockey coach at the time allowed Cornell jerseys to be worn in the film only if Cornell won the game against Harvard.

Fun Fact 2: It was the film debut of Harvard alum, Tommy Lee Jones ‘69.

Other movies that have been filmed at or near Harvard: The Town, The Social Network, The Great Debaters. Mmhmm.

Information gathered from IMDB.com

Category: Blog, The Arts

Tagged: , , , ,

5 Responses

  1. Sara says:

    and the Great Debaters?

  2. admin says:

    she mentioned the great debaters at the end…

    denzel washington. mmmmmm.

  3. yeah says:

    and “with honors,” starring brendan mothereffin fraser.

  4. Method Man says:

    How High is an inspiring movie. Every Harvard student should watch it.

  5. Son says:

    three is a lot?

Leave a Reply

Recent Posts

International Testimonials

"Jealous Ivy League students"
--The Daily Telegraph

"Harvard jerks"
--Neel Shah, Page Six, NY Post

"Controversial"
--Access Hollywood

"A big deal"
--NY Daily News

"Rival"
--Starpulse

"Harvard kids"
--Extra! TV

"Pathetic"
--Just Jared Jr.

"Scheming...totally out of line"
--Teen Vogue

"Gems...eagle-eyed"
--Dlisted

"Harvard geeks"
--LA Times

"Those people are assholes"
--Fark.com

"Good reason to be, well, crimson"
--People Magazine

"Nerd terror squad"
--Cityfile

"Nouveau riche scum"
--NowPublic

"Like, super brainy kids"
--Anything Hollywood

"Silly mountain to molehill"
--Gryffindor Gazette

"Wicked publication"
--The HarvardCrimson

"Zeitungsmacher"
--Die Presse


OTHER MENTIONS: Huffington Post, New York Magazine

The Voice Staff

Co-Presidents, Editors-in-Chief
- Michelle Nguyen ’13
- April Sperry ’13
Senior Editor for Content
- Lauren Feldman ’13
Director of Photography
- Heidi Lim ’14
Directors of Business
- Pratyusha Yalamanchi ’13
- Connie Lin ’14
Director of Marketing and Publicity
- Michael Shayan ’14
Web Director
- Julian Gari ’13
Director of Design
- Preston So ’14