How Drayton House Became the True Star of ‘Saltburn’ Movie, Trailer

Emerald Fennell's highly anticipated film Saltburn has finally been released in theaters, showcasing its dark and biting brilliance. This revenge comedy follows the story of Oliver Quick, a socially awkward scholarship student at Oxford University who struggles to fit in with his wealthy classmates. He receives an invitation to spend the summer at the lavish estate of his privileged peer, Felix Catton. What spread out is a holding psychological thriller similar to The Talented Mr. Ripley and Brideshead Revisited, set in a beautifully recreated period.

Pack your bags, we’re going to #Saltburn. pic.twitter.com/5SS59hHApY

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) December 22, 2023

While the performances and thrilling plot twists keep viewers on the creep of their seats, the true standout of the film is the magnificent mansion itself. A real-life location, known as Drayton House, is a grand manor curl up in Northamptonshire and has been owned by the Stopford-Sackville family since 1770. Each of the 127 rooms in this Baroque-style estate release aristocratic charm. Surrounding the mansion, the sprawling 200 acres of land add to the allure, making it a truly mesmerizing backdrop for this cinematic masterpiece. 

Mother of the year. #Saltburn. pic.twitter.com/jPvT6J4emd

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) December 22, 2023

During the search for a filming location, Suzie Davies, the production designer, was determined to find a place that had never been seen in a movie before and could serve as a single location for the film. However, the decision ultimately boiled down to more than just practical considerations. According to Davies, Saltburn embodies desire, obsession, and intensity, with an underlying sense of trouble. The goal was to make the audience truly feel and experience the film through their senses. In the end, Drayton House met all these criteria and was the perfect choice. 

It’s his party (maybe?), and he’ll pout if he wants to. #Saltburn pic.twitter.com/qPWVhcHoQ3

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) December 22, 2023

During the filming process, Fennell heightened the existing setting of Saltburn to evoke an ghostly ambience. Sinister exterior shots alarmingly introduce Quick to an imposing butler waiting by the door. Davies confesses to modifying the appearance of the house, with the most notable change being the inclusion of a hedged labyrinth. She explains that the maze is mostly a work of fiction, and to enhance the creepiness, the production team placed four large classical minotaur sculptures at each corner of the maze. 

Golden boy in golden light. #Saltburn pic.twitter.com/KSiswc8fl2

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) December 23, 2023

The filmmakers had an enjoyable experience inside the house, thanks to a rare opportunity. Typically, English heritage laws prohibit any alterations to period rooms for filming purposes. However, since the house is privately owned, the owners kindly allowed Fennell and Davies to repaint and modify the decor to suit their needs. Davies acknowledges that such modifications would be strictly forbidden in a National Trust or English heritage site. As an example, the bedrooms of Felix and Oliver in the film are real rooms within the house, but were adjusted to create a more cinematic atmosphere. We rearranged their layout, painted them, temporarily removed tapestries, and then restored them, explains Davies. We transformed a bedroom into a bathroom and a bathroom into a dressing room, Davies added. 

Here is the official trailer of ‘Saltburn’ Movie :

You can watch this amazing film in Amazon Prime