Our final stop is the biggest film ever filmed in Athens, the 2005 blockbuster War of the the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg. Based on the classic novel by H.G. Wells, the entire final sequence of the film was shot in Athens, and features the now mostly defunct Athens-Hudson ferry across the Hudson. (A small ferry does still run some summer weekends.) The north end of the park is where the ferry used to dock.
With a $132 million budget, the climactic finale featured broad shots of the village and waterfront. Read this description of the shoot, which took place in cold December with plenty of residents as extras. The best footage of Athens is in the first half or so of this clip–you’ll see that the ticket booth is still here in the park!
This is the last stop on the tour! I suggest that you walk back up Second Street to The Stewart House (or its River Cafe), the Athens Rooster, or Crossroads Brewing Company for a drink and a bite!
In addition to individuals credited for specific content, special thanks to Mary Maddox-Askin, who helped put this site together, and to Aaron Waid, for the cover photo.
If you have enjoyed this tour, please consider making a $10 donation to Athens’ public library, using this PayPal link. Thank you!