Maps of Movies
Milk (2008)
Where Milk says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
Mostly filmed on the real Castro Street, but one of the film's key rooms was rebuilt elsewhere.
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Scenes and places
Harvey meets Scott on his 40th birthday (1970)
On his 40th birthday Harvey meets Scott, a much younger man. The two become a couple and later move west together.
Set in New York City — On May 22, 1970, Milk's 40th birthday, he meets his much younger lover Scott Smith. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The city where Milk worked in finance before moving west.
Castro Camera opens (1972)
Harvey and Scott move into a shop space on Castro Street and open for business. The neighborhood's merchants meet them with hostility, which nudges Harvey toward activism.
Set in Castro Camera, 575 Castro Street — Milk and Smith open a camera shop in the Castro, then a working-class Irish-Catholic neighborhood. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The real storefront at 575 Castro Street was Milk's home, shop and campaign base.
Filmed at 575 Castro Street (former Castro Camera) (Castro, San Francisco, United States) — The filmmakers revisited the real shop site, bought out the gift shop that had replaced it for a couple of months, and dressed it as a 1970s camera store. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Police sweep Toad Hall (1970)
Police sweep through the Castro's Toad Hall bar. A patron describes the raid as terrifying, and Harvey argues that the community needs its own people in government.
Set in Toad Hall bar, 482 Castro Street — A Castro dance bar; the real Toad Hall stood at 482 Castro Street.
Toad Hall's real space was swallowed by a Walgreens expansion.
Filmed at 440 Castro Street (rebuilt Toad Hall facade) (Castro, San Francisco, United States) — A facade of the bar was re-created at 440 Castro Street; the exact building point has no published coordinates, so the pin sits on the Castro blocks. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Milk takes his seat at City Hall (1977)
After three failed runs, Harvey wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors and meets fellow supervisor Dan White. A complicated relationship develops between them.
Set in San Francisco City Hall, Board of Supervisors chamber — After three failed runs, Milk wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors for District 5. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The city's civic landmark, whose offices have since been modernized.
Filmed at San Francisco City Hall (Civic Center, San Francisco, United States) — Filming took place at the real City Hall, including the board chamber and marble corridors. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The march from Castro and Market (1978)
Harvey's allies call people to Market and Castro at sundown. With no permit to march, they set out anyway toward City Hall with the press in tow.
Set in Castro Street and Market Street — Activists gather at sundown at Market and Castro and march toward City Hall. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The Castro Theatre, a 1920s movie palace, sits at 429 Castro Street.
Filmed at Castro Street, 400 block to Market (Castro, San Francisco, United States) — Castro Street was dressed to match the 1970s; scenes were shot on the 400 block and at the Castro and Market corner. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Filmed at Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (Castro, San Francisco, United States) — The theatre's facade was repainted and its neon marquee redone; TV-reporter scenes were shot from its roof. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Filmed at Harvey Milk Plaza, 400 Castro Street (Castro, San Francisco, United States) — The plaza was the real gathering point for marches Milk led to City Hall; the shooting location is named by one source only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The dog-mess law at Duboce Park (1978)
Looking for something populist, Harvey stages a news event on the grass to promote a dog-waste ordinance. It comes during his fight against Proposition 6.
Set in Duboce Park — Milk stages a publicity event for a new law fining owners who leave dog mess. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A grassy city park in the Duboce Park Landmark District.
Filmed at Duboce Park (Duboce Triangle, San Francisco, United States) — The dog-mess law scene was shot in the park; sources name the park but not the exact lawn. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Characters
- Harvey Milk — A former businessman turned gay-rights activist and San Francisco supervisor.
- Scott Smith — Milk's younger lover, who becomes his campaign manager.
- Dan White — A conservative fellow supervisor with whom Milk has a complex relationship.