Last time we spoke about the filming locations of The Acolyte and showed how Madeira was used for a grand total of four different planets. This time we take a look at just one: Brendok, and how Wales was used for the many locations seen of this planet.
Studios
While all the UK-based Star Wars productions in the Disney-era have been filmed at Pinewood Studios, The Acolyte went to a different studios to have their main base of operations: the recently built Shinfield Studios near Reading. It was here were the various sets stood like the interiors of ships like the Polan, the cave home that Qimir shares with Darth Plagueis and later Osha, the Jedi Temple interiors of Coruscant, but also the one at Olega. And talking about Olega, the exterior of this Jedi Temple, as well as the streets like with the apothecary, were a backlot set on a field near the studios. The biggest set was that of the Khofar jungle for 1×05 – Night. The jungle set was larger than the entire studio soundstage was and continued outdoors for a bit.
After The Acolyte another big franchise movie was filmed here: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with Shinfield Studios being used for sets related to main locations like the Firehouse and Ray’s Occult Books.
Address: Shinfield Studios, South Avenue, Reading, UK
The second studios used for the series was Arborfield Studios. It was here that the Brendok: Fortress, interiors & courtyard set was built on the backlot.
Address: Arborfield Studios, Langley Common Road, Barkham, UK
Last, but not least, production did end up using Pinewood Studios as well. But for only one small scene: the Jedi camp fire set as seen in 1×07 – Choice.
Address: Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, UK
Brendok, main locations
As said, it was in Wales that production found their Brendok locations, away from the studios that are all still relatively close to London. Because of this production had to be logical about their choices for locations and set up base camps there as well. It was at the Upper Neuadd Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil that they found a location that served many story needs.
It was here that the Jedi had landed and started to explore Brendok and catalogue for the Jedi Temple Archives. This area was seen best when the Witches reluctantly bring the young Osha and Mae to the ship to be tested for Force potential. For these scenes the big black wall of the reservoir had to be digitally removed from the frames.
But the wall did made it to the screen, as it was used for the scenes where characters are entering the elevator to reach the fortress used by the coven of Witches. Or, if you are called Sol, to climb to reach the top of the mountain and the Coven that way.
As mentioned by production designer Kevin Jenkins, they also found the perfect moss-covered forest nearby here for scenes of the girls walking before they were found by Mother Koril. While Jenkins did not mention which forest this was, and going by location signs spotted in the area, this is most likely Taf Fechan Forest. This area is most likely also used for scenes like Sol landing on Brendok in 1×08 – The Acolyte (the foreground that is, the background is a plate from the Fortress location from later in this article). In the same episode we have Vernestra land her ship with a Jedi strike team, which was also most likely in this area.
Address: Upper Neuadd Reservoir & Taf Fechan Forest, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Bunta tree
The very first location seen on Brendok is the Bunta tree, and this was filmed nearby the Upper Neuadd Reservoir at Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve. The Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve is filled with pine trees, but there is one dead oak tree that can be found within. This one was used by the production, and with some setdressing became the Bunta tree where the sisters often gathered.
Address: Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve, Aberdare, UK
Base camp & Sol’s funeral pyre
And with all these locations around the Upper Neuadd Reservoir, production had a need for a place where they could park all the vehicles needed for the filming. These all stood at an empty terrain near the Trago Mills store at Merthyr Tydfil. This area was used for many productions, including another Lucasfilm production: the Willow series, and therefore closed to visitors. Which is a shame, because the funeral pyre on the water for Sol at the end of 1×08, was also filmed on this terrain.
Address: (near) Trago Mills, Swansea Road, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Fortress, establishing shots
The Witches have taken refuge in a former mining facility on the planet Brendok. There their Coven lives a life without interference from the outside world or even the Republic. They are being led by Mother Aniseya.
With the interiors and the courtyard being sets, an exterior was designed for the various establishing shots you see throughout the series. Plate footage of an actual mountain in Wales, Tryfan, was used as a base on which the Fortress was painted in by ILM.
Address: Tryfan, Bangor, UK
Brendok: Tunnel exit
After the final confrontations have taken place, Mae and Osha escape from the fortress by using a tunnel. This leads into the forest while the Jedi forces of Vernestra arrive at the courtyard of the fortress.
Seen in spy reports, the tunnel exit with a bit of wall was spotted on the forest grounds of the Englefield Estate. As it is since removed, and with the exact placement unknown, it is one of those locations that can be skipped to visit.
If you do decide to visit, Englefield House has been a very popular filming site that makes it still enjoyable to visit. It was seen in The Crown, The King’s Speech, Disney’s Cruella and as the X-Mansion in X-Men: First Class & Days Of Future Past.
Address: Englefield House,Englefield Road, Englefield, UK
Quick overview per episode:
1×05 – Night
Khofar: Jungle * – Sets at Shinfield Studios
Khofar: Kelnacca’s shelter * – Set at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Khofar: Jedi landing site * – Parque Florestal do Fanal, Madeira
Polan GX-8 Jedi transport, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
* Location returns
1×06 – Teach / Corrupt
Unknown Planet: Qimir’s cave, interior – Set at Shinfield Studios
Unknown Planet: Qimir’s cave, exterior – Ribeira da Janela, Madeira, Portugal
Unknown Planet: Beach – Ribeira da Janela, Madeira, Portugal
Khofar, establishing shot – Unknown plate (Madeira) with digital changes
Khofar: Jedi landing site * – Parque Florestal do Fanal, Madeira
Polan GX-8 Jedi transport, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Unknown Planet: Natural pools – Piscinas Naturais do Aquário, Porto Moniz, Madeira
Coruscant: Jedi Temple, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Khofar: Jungle * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
* Location returns
1×07 – Choice
Brendok, establishing shot (hills) – UNKNOWN
Brendok: Forest * – Taf Fechan Forest, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Field – Upper Neuadd Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil
Brendok: Jedi camp. establishing shot – UNKNOWN
Brendok: Jedi camp – Set at Pinewood Studios, UK
Brendok: Bunta tree * – Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve, Aberdare, UK
Brendok: Fortress, wall with door * – Upper Neuadd Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Fortress, cliffs – Set combined with plates of Tryfan, Bangor
Brendok: Fortress, interiors & courtyard * – Set at Arborfield Studios, Barkham, UK
Polan GX-8 Jedi transport, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Brendok, establishing shot (mountain) – UNKNOWN
Brendok: Jedi ship landing site field * – Upper Neuadd Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Fortress, establishing shot * – Tryfan, Bangor, Wales, UK
* Location returns
1×08 – The Acolyte
Unknown Planet: Qimir’s cave, interior * – Set at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Polan GX-8 Jedi transport, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Escape ship, cockpit – Set at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Brendok: Mae’s crash – UNKNOWN (plate probably of Wales)
Coruscant: Jedi Temple, interiors * – Sets at Shinfield Studios, Reading, UK
Unknown Planet: Eclipse II landing site – Praia do Porto do Seixal, Madeira
Unknown Planet: Qimir’s cave, exterior * – Ribeira da Janela, Madeira, Portugal
Brendok: Fortress, establishing shot * – Tryfan, Bangor, Wales, UK
Brendok: Sol’s landing site – Seems to be combination Tryfan (plate) and Sol at Taf Fechan Forest
Brendok: Fortress, interiors & courtyard * – Set at Arborfield Studios, Barkham, UK
Brendok: Fortress, wall with door * – Upper Neuadd Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Venestra’s landing site – Taf Fechan Forest (unconfirmed, but likely)
Brendok: Tunnel exit – Englefield Estate, Reading, UK
Brendok: Forest * – Taf Fechan Forest, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
Brendok: Bunta tree * – Cwm Cadlan Nature Reserve, Aberdare, UK
Brendok: Sol’s funeral pyre – Trago Mills, Merthyr Tydfil