Maps of Movies

Belfast (2021)

Where Belfast says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Set on a Belfast street in 1969 -- but built from scratch at an English airport.

Scenes and places

Modern Belfast, in colour (1969)

The film opens on present-day Belfast before travelling back to the summer of 1969, when nine-year-old Buddy's street is his whole world.

Set in Belfast city centre — The colour opening shows the Belfast of today before the story moves back in time.

Northern Ireland's capital, where Branagh grew up.

Filmed at Belfast city centre — A travel guide lists real Belfast streets as the setting for the present-day opening shots.

How to get there:

The street behind the barricade (1969)

Loyalist rioters attack Catholic homes on Buddy's street in August 1969, and the neighbours put up a barricade. Pa comes home from England to check on the family.

Set in Buddy's street — The street where the family lives and where the August 1969 riots break out.

A working-class street where neighbours know everyone.

Filmed at Farnborough Airport, Hampshire (set built at the runway end) — The 1969 street was built from scratch in an exhibition car park at the end of the runway, with its interiors built as composite sets.

How to get there:

The minister's fork in the road (1969)

The family sits through a harsh sermon about a fork in the road. Buddy keeps turning the words over for the rest of the film.

Set in The family's church — A church where the minister delivers a harsh fork in the road speech.

A church where the whole street gathers on Sundays.

Catherine and the classroom (1969)

Buddy falls for Catherine, a high-achieving classmate, and the two become friends across the sectarian line.

Set in Buddy's school — Buddy's classroom, where he develops feelings for classmate Catherine, who is Catholic.

The school and the walk to it.

The sweet shop heist (1969)

Buddy and his cousin Moira try to steal chocolates, but the plan goes wrong. When the police question him, Buddy does not name his co-conspirators.

Set in A sweet shop — The shop where Buddy and Moira try to steal chocolates.

A corner shop for a boy's first crime.

The supermarket riot (1969)

Moira's gang loots a supermarket during a riot, and a reluctant Buddy is pushed into taking a box of laundry detergent. Ma drags both children back to return everything.

Set in A supermarket — The supermarket looted by Ulster loyalists during a riot.

A shop at the centre of a night of looting.

Billy's standoff (1969)

Billy Clanton takes Ma and Buddy hostage to cover his escape, setting off a standoff once Pa, Will and the British army arrive.

Set in Buddy's street — Billy Clanton takes Ma and Buddy hostage and the army arrives to end the riot.

The street where the riot ends.

Pop in hospital (1969)

Pop spends time in hospital while the family decides whether to leave Belfast.

Set in A hospital — Pop is in hospital as the family prepares to leave.

A hospital ward, away from the street.

The bus to the airport (1969)

Buddy says goodbye to Catherine, then the family boards a bus for the airport as Granny watches.

Set in Buddy's street — Granny watches from the street as the family boards the bus.

The street Buddy leaves behind.

Characters

• Buddy — A nine-year-old boy living in Belfast during the August 1969 riots.
• Ma — Buddy's mother, who struggles with the idea of leaving Belfast.
• Pa — Buddy's father, who works in England and dreams of emigrating.
• Pop — Buddy's paternal grandfather.