Saltburn is a 2023 black comedy thriller film that explores the dark side of the British upper class through the eyes of an outsider. Everett Collection ‘Saltburn’ The film Saltburn has been a huge hit, but not for the owner of the house where it was filmed.
Imagine opening your door one day and finding hundreds of strangers on your lawn, dancing to a pop song, and taking selfies.
That’s what happened to Charles Stopford Sackville, the owner of Drayton House, a 700-year-old estate in Northamptonshire that was used as the setting for the film Saltburn.
It has also become a sensation on TikTok, where users have been posting videos of themselves dancing in front of the house to the song “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, which is used in the film’s final scene.
The house that became a star
Drayton House is a Grade I-listed property that dates back to 1328 and has 127 rooms. It is not open to the public and has been in the Sackville family since the 18th century.
Stopford Sackville is friends with Fennell’s parents and agreed to let her use the house for the film, for which he received a fee. He said he liked some parts of the film, but not others, and that it was not his film, but Fennell’s.
He also declined to reveal any details about the house, such as the location of the bathtub used in a memorable scene in the film, or the graveyard where another shocking scene takes place.
He said he preferred the interest to blow over.
The TikTok user who shared the directions
One of the TikTok users who shared the directions to the footpath leading to the house, Rhian Williams, told the BBC she did not intend her videos to go viral and that she regretted the trespassing incidents.
She said she thought it was important to encourage young people to walk in the countryside and get fresh air, and that it was amazing to see such a hidden gem of Northamptonshire in such a big film like Saltburn.
She also urged the fans to respect the property and stick to the public footpath if they wanted to visit.
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Saltburn: A Wicked Tale of Privilege and Desire
The film stars Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick, a scholarship student at Oxford University who becomes obsessed with his charismatic and aristocratic classmate Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi.
The film is a twisted tale of seduction, manipulation, and betrayal, as Oliver gradually reveals his true intentions and his dark past.
Inspiration and Genre
The film is written, directed, and co-produced by Emerald Fennell, who previously won an Oscar for her debut feature Promising Young Woman.
The film is inspired by classic British novels such as Brideshead Revisited, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and The Secret History, as well as Fennell’s own experiences as a student at Oxford.
The film also features elements of horror, satire, and romance, as it depicts the decadent and dysfunctional lifestyle of the Cattons and their guests.
Plot and Characters
The film follows Oliver as he is invited by Felix to spend the summer at his family’s eccentric country estate, Saltburn, where he meets Felix’s parents, Sir James (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), his sister Venetia (Alison Oliver), and his American cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe).
Oliver is fascinated by the Cattons’ wealth, glamour, and secrets, and soon becomes entangled in their web of lies, lust, and violence. Oliver also develops a dangerous attraction to Felix, who seems to reciprocate his feelings, but also has ulterior motives of his own.
Reception and Awards
Saltburn premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, where it received critical acclaim and generated Oscar buzz.
The film was released in the United Kingdom and the United States on November 17, 2023, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MRC, and Amazon Prime Video.
The film was a box office success, grossing $21 million worldwide, and became one of the most-streamed films on Amazon Prime Video. The film received several accolades, including nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and five BAFTA Film Awards.
Review
Saltburn is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you witness the shocking and unpredictable twists and turns of Oliver’s journey.
The film is a showcase of Fennell’s unique and daring vision, as well as the stellar performances of the cast, especially Keoghan and Elordi, who deliver captivating and complex portrayals of their characters.
Saltburn is a film that will make you laugh, gasp, and cringe, as it exposes the dark secrets and hidden desires of the privileged and the powerful. Saltburn is a film that you will not forget.
