From drawbridges and moats to fort walls and watch towers, everything about a castle is magical! Not only does it take you back to the ages of the kings, but also to a time when knights in shining armours rode stallions, princesses were locked in the highest towers and the king and queen lived in kingdoms that were always happy and thriving.
Here are a few movies that have real and imaginary castles in them!
The Dark Knight series
Have you ever wondered if Wayne Manor was actually a castle? Or two? That’s right. Filmed in Osterley Park House (Middlesex) and Wollaton Hall (Nottinghamshire) in the U.K., Wayne Manor proved an apt base for the ultimate Batman trilogy. Stretching across many acres, they are luxurious, with secret rooms — perfect for a superhero’s lair!
Richie Rich
The richest boy in the world can only have the best! And so, Richie Rich lives in the Rich Mansion, which is the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The house was a Châteauesque mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895. It is also the largest privately owned house in the U.S. and has appeared in numerous other movies like “Hannibal”, “Patch Adams” and “Forrest Gump”.
Tangled
Based on a classic fairytale, Rapunzel, “Tangled” has everything that will make you magically-inclined people go nuts. Castles, towers, princesses, witches and a handsome saviour! Rapunzel spends most of her life looking at the floating lanterns of the kingdom nearby. When she has a chance to actually leave her tower and see them, she grabs the opportunity and has the time of her life at the castle!
Maleficent
This fairytale takes place mostly in King Stefan’s castle and is a remake of Sleeping Beauty, from the point of view of the villain. Maleficent is the fairy who curses King Stefan’s daughter, Aurora, to die when she pricks her finger on a spindle. Later she says that the princess will only fall into a deep sleep and can be awakened by true love’s first kiss. Sleeping Beauty lies asleep in one of the towers of her father’s castle, awaiting true love.
Frozen
Have you heard of princesses with special powers? Elsa was one of those! She could produce or do anything with snow and ice. And once, while playing, she accidentally causes harm to her younger sister, Princess Anna. This shocks their parents, who seek help from a troll. He cures Anna and even makes sure she doesn’t remember what her sister did. The parents isolate their children in the castle until Elsa learns to control her powers. Later on in the movie, Elsa even builds herself a castle out of ice! How chilling!
Wordlist:
Medieval: Of or relating to the Middle Ages, or relating to the period of European history from about A.D. 500 to about 1500.
Mysticism: Awe-inspiring or mysterious.
Châteauesque: This architectural style is based on architecture (from the 14th to the 17th century) of the big French country houses also known as châteaux.
Maleficent: Someone causing or capable of producing evil or mischief.
Lair: A secret or private place.
Moat: A ditch that surrounds a castle, fort, or town and is filled with water. It is used to prevent enemies from entering.
Knight: A soldier mounted on a horse, dressed in armour.
