Breaking the Waves

Date: 1996
Director: Lars von Trier
Production Company: Zentropa Entertainments

Stars: Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Katrin Cartlidge
Location(s): Highland

Region(s):

Storyline:

Norwegian oilrig worker, Jan, marries Scottish girl Bess, part of an isolated community dominated by its religious mores. When Jan is severely injured on the rig, Bess comes to believe that her actions alone have the power to save him.

Additional Information:

Compiled and 2004 location photographs by Neil Webster

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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Norwegian oilrig worker Jan (Stellan Skarsgård) returns to Scotland for his wedding. Port Of Nigg, Nigg, Tain, Highland

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His fiancée, local girl Bess (Emily Watson), is angry at him for being late. Port Of Nigg. Nigg Oil Terminal (seen rear)

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Guests see the couple off at the reception. Unidentified location

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Chapter audio-visual titles produced by Danish artist Per Kirkeby. Elgol Beach, Elgol, Isle of Skye

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  • 19 Jul 2004

Jan and Bess enjoy a Titanic moment together. Neist Point Lighthouse, Neist Point

Visited during a holiday to Skye in 2004

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Jan drives Bess to church. Polnish Railway Cottage Rd, Lochailort

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  • 17 Jul 2004

As he stops, we see the church in the distance. Polnish Railway Cottage Rd. Our Lady of the Braes church was consecrated in 1874

The church was little used after 1964 and is now a private residence

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Menfolk of the community attend a funeral. Neist Point. The crew constructed a graveyard here which they left after filming. All the fake gravestones being subsequently 'adopted', presumably by souvenir hunters

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Jan is all packed for a return to the rig. Bess' sister, Dodo (Katrin Cartlidge), seen behind. Unidentified location

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Awaiting his helicopter. Port of Nigg. Its jetty jutting out into the Cromarty Firth

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Bess can't stand to see him go and runs off. Possibly, Nigg Oil Terminal

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He phones her from the rig, the church ever present in the background. Polnish Railway Cottage Rd

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Jan suffers a severe injury whilst working on the rig. Looking north west over central Glasgow

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  • 17 Jul 2004

Bess soars above the town. nr. Mallaig High School, Annies Brae, Mallaig

Think it was filmed to the right at that lower level

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Returning to her mother's home. Path between Clanranald Terrace and Marine Place, Mallaig

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Talking to the local boys at the harbour. Malaig Harbour

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After getting off the bus, disgusted with herself, she walks home. Quiraing Rd, Isle of Skye. Lat,long: 57.6236298,-6.3028546

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Quiraing Rd snaking around The Quiraing, Skye. Loch Cleat to the left

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  • 17 Jul 2004

Jan's colleagues bring good news about his condition. Polnish Railway Cottage Rd

The white cottage must have been a set piece

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Community elder sees Bess riding off with a man from the pub. An t-Aigeach, Neist Point

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Local girls, working as prostitutes, get ferried across to the boats. Mallaig Harbour

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Ullapool seen from above Loch Broom

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  • 17 Jul 2004

Battered and bruised, Bess returns to church. Our Lady of the Braes, Lochailort. The crew placed a mirror in the bell tower as they wanted the church to have no bells. Lars, in the commentary, states that sometime after filming the belltower collapsed!

Taken from the other end, shows the repaired remains of the bell tower

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Dodo makes her way to the church. Unnamed road, Skye. Looking over the Poldarais strait to Eilean Flodigarry. Lat,long: 57.6503053,-6.2431529

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Unidentified location - may be a composite image

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Jan (now walking) and his colleagues filling bags with sand. Traigh Beach, Arisaig