If you’re a fan of Western thrillers, Murder at Yellowstone City is a must-watch, and its filming locations are just as captivating as its story. Directed by Richard Gray, this 2022 film, originally titled Murder at Emigrant Gulch, was shot primarily at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, a purpose-built Western town that brings the 1880s to life. At NetFilming, we dive into the details of the Murder at Yellowstone City filming locations, revealing how Montana’s rugged beauty shaped this gripping tale of murder and justice.
What is Murder at Yellowstone City About?
Murder at Yellowstone City (2022) is a Western thriller that takes viewers on a trip to a dwindling gold-rush town … in 1880s Montana. Directed by Richard Gray, the movie wraps a grim murder mystery around a prospector who finds gold—and then turns up dead. That’s because the sheriff, Jim Ambrose (Gabriel Byrne), is swift to pin the crime on Cicero (Isaiah Mustafa), a new-to-town former slave, which sets the town on edge and Cicero in suspicion.
However, Minister Thaddeus Murphy (Thomas Jane) believes Cicero is innocent and sets out to uncover the true killer before justice is mishandled. With a stellar cast, including Anna Camp, Nat Wolff, Aimee Garcia, and Richard Dreyfuss, the film blends classic Western themes with a whodunit plot. The real Montana backdrop, especially Yellow Film Ranch, injects the story with grittiness and this area becomes a character all its own in this story of betrayal and redemption.
Where Was Murder at Yellowstone City Filmed?
The primary filming location for Murder at Yellowstone City was the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana, near Pray, Montana. This was a purpose-built Western town and backlot specifically constructed for the film by director Richard Gray and his partners, Carter Boehm and Colin Davis. Here are key details about the filming location:
Yellowstone Film Ranch
Yellowstone Film Ranch in Pray, Montana, in Paradise Valley was the primary filming location for Murder at Yellowstone City. Director Richard Gray co-owns this true Western backlot, which he built for the film in 2020. The ranch, which consists of 28 buildings, among them a saloon, church, jail and sheriff’s office, is meant to mimic a boomtown in Montana of the 19th century. Indoor and outdoor spaces on the set were not only practical but also helped the crew film a majority of the scenes all in one place, saving time and increasing the authenticity.
Filming began in May 2021 and wrapped by June 2021, taking advantage of the ranch’s 360-degree views of Emigrant Peak and the surrounding mountains. Gray told Deadline, “Making this film at our own Western backlot in Montana with such a talented cast is a dream come true.” The ranch’s design, combined with Montana’s natural landscape, created a believable setting for the film’s story of a declining gold-rush town rocked by a prospector’s murder.
Capturing Montana’s Western Vibe
The shooting location for The Murder at Yellowstone City was more than just the ranch. The crew also used the Paradise Valley’s rolling hills and open plains for wide shots, cowboy scenes, and action sequences. The nearby Chico Hot Springs, just down the road from the ranch, was the setting for a few high-energy moments. These outdoor locations showcased the raw beauty of Montana, resulting in each frame feeling immersive and authentic to the Western genre.
The Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Act boosts Montana’s appeal as a filming destination with a 30% tax credit. That incentive, combined with no sales tax, appears to be hugely attractive and hence the reason many Western-themed productions get made there. Yellowstone Film Ranch also offers services like catering, equipment rentals, and lodging at Montana Movie Trans/Lodge, thereby simplifying the filming and production process.
Emigrant Gulch
Some outdoor scenes were shot in Emigrant Gulch, a picturesque area just north of the historic Chico City (Yellowstone City in the 1860s). The site, flanked by snowy mountains and the dry, rough landscape, lent the film a natural western appeal. The gulch’s pristine natural landscape proved a match for the man-made sets of the Yellowstone Film Ranch, seamlessly melding nature and artistry. The film’s original title — Murder at Emigrant Gulch — underscores the importance of the location to the story.
Actor Nat Wolff told Bleeding Cool how much the location psyched him: “It was like stepping into an old-timey movie. You’d go ride your horse to the saloon, and there were the mountains. It was like a childhood dream.” The actors and crew stayed close to the ranch during shooting, which created excellent onscreen relationships and made it easy to get a feel for the location.
Murder at Yellowstone City Behind the Scenes
The making of Murder at Yellowstone City was a unique endeavor, driven by director Richard Gray’s vision to create an authentic Western experience. Filming took place in May and June 2021 at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Pray, Montana, a Western town Gray co-founded in 2020. This custom-built set, with its saloon, church, and sheriff’s office, gave the crew creative control to craft a believable 1880s town. The isolated Paradise Valley location, coupled with Montana’s tax incentives, made it an ideal filming hub despite COVID-19 challenges.
The cast and crew lived near the ranch, fostering a tight-knit atmosphere that boosted onscreen chemistry. Actor Nat Wolff told Bleeding Cool, “It was like living through a childhood dream. You’d ride your horse to the saloon, and the mountains were right there.” Gray’s passion for Westerns was evident in his design of the ranch, which served as a lasting filmmaking resource for subsequent projects such as The Old Way. TThe team also utilized the nearby Emigrant Gulch for outdoor scenes, combining the natural beauty with the skillfully crafted sets to enhance the film’s visual appeal.
Visit NetFilming for more insights into your favorite movies’ filming locations, and explore how places like Montana shape cinematic stories.
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