Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks, tells the story of Chuck Noland, who gets stranded on an uninhabited island. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Cast Away unfolded in multiple stunning locations. It earned several awards and nominations, with Hanks receiving a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for Best Actor. So, where was Cast Away filmed?
Monuriki: The Main Island
Most of the film was shot on Monuriki. It’s one of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. It’s in the South Pacific Ocean, close to Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. It’s a beautiful place, surrounded by coral reefs. This is where Chuck crashes and struggles to survive.
Since Cast Away, Monuriki has become a tourist hot spot. People come from all over the world to see where the movie was filmed. They also enjoy snorkeling around the coral reefs. The island is also home to the endangered crested iguana. While it’s uninhabited, you can get to Monuriki by taking a boat from Denarau Island.
Capturing Isolation: Castaway Island
Some scenes were filmed on Castaway Island, or Qalito, as it’s known to locals. It’s another island in the Mamanuca group. It added to the film’s beauty and conveyed a sense of isolation. This feeling is essential to understanding the story.
Urban Contrast: Memphis and Texas
Memphis, Tennessee, is also featured in the movie. It’s where Chuck’s journey begins. Here, we see his life before the plane crash. He works at FedEx in Memphis, which contrasts his later life on the deserted island, with his volleyball companion, Wilson.
Texas is another filming location. The Arrington Ranch House Lodge in Mobeetie served as the backdrop for the Texan scenes, where we see the interactions between Chuck and his loved ones.
Moscow’s Red Square
Another prominent scene early in the film was shot in Moscow, on a street just off Red Square, in Russia’s capital. It represented Chuck’s interconnected, global world. The square’s historic vibe complements the movie’s themes of time and change.
A Story of Survival
Cast Away used various locations to tell a powerful story of survival and self-discovery. The locations ranged from the tranquil islands of Fiji to the busy streets of Memphis and the historic Red Square in Moscow. The powerful acting, brilliant direction, and stunning locations combined make Cast Away a masterpiece in cinema.