Forrest Gump bench in Savannah Georgia – Screenwriting from Iowa (2024)

”My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.‘”
—Forrest Gump

This is the basic view that Forrest Gump had in Savannah sitting on those bench scenes sprinkled throughout the movie Forrest Gump. The bench in Chippewa Square was put there for the movie, then removed. Then a bench (but I don’t think the original bench) was put back because film buffs kept flocking to the area looking for the movie.

For the movie the Forrest Gump bench was just on the there other side of the concrete bench in the photo I took below back in October. Later then bench that was placed back for tourists was removed (probably because it was faux historical) and placed in the Savannah History Museum.

But the church is still there. In fact, Independent Presbyterian Church has been a congregation since 1755. A church building built in 1819 was destroyed in a 1989 fire, and the church’s website says they, ”immediately decided to reconstruct the sanctuary exactly as it had been.”

Then about a 100 years later the Robert Zemeckis directed film won 6 Oscars including best picture for producers Wendy Finerman, Steve Starkey, and Steve Tisch, best actor in a leading role (Tom Hanks), best actor in a supporting role (Gary Sinise), and best screenplay on previous material (Eric Roth).

Forrest Gump bench in Savannah Georgia – Screenwriting from Iowa (1)

The video below is the opening scene where the leaf floats down in front of the steeple at Independent Pres down to the feet of Mr. Gump. If my memory is correct, Zemeckis mentions on the director’s commentary that 90% of the movie was shot in a ten mile radius of that bench in Savannah. Even on a big budget film you try to save costs wherever you can by clustering locations together.

Scott W. Smith is the author ofScreenwriting with Brass Knuckles

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Forrest Gump bench in Savannah Georgia – Screenwriting from Iowa (2024)

FAQs

What bench did Forrest Gump sit on in Savannah? ›

Forrest Gump made Chippewa Square famous with its bench scenes, where Forrest waited for the bus. They actually used at least four fiberglass benches while filming these scenes on the square. One of which was donated to the city and moved into the Savannah History Museum.

Is Forrest Gump's bench still there? ›

The bench that Hanks/Forrest sat on was actually a movie prop that has since been placed in the Savannah History Museum. But the location of the bench for the movie in Chippewa Square is still a popular spot for photographs.

How to find the Forrest Gump bench? ›

This spot was only used as a bus stop during the filming of Forrest Gump. You can find the bench today at the History Museum at the Visitor Center on MLK Blvd. Now, continue walking to the front of the monument in the center of Chippewa Square.

What Forrest Gump scene was filmed in Savannah Georgia? ›

"Forrest Gump." "Forrest Gump" made Chippewa Square famous while sitting on a bench and sharing his life story with others waiting for the bus.

Why did they remove the forest Gump bench? ›

Later then bench that was placed back for tourists was removed (probably because it was faux historical) and placed in the Savannah History Museum. But the church is still there. In fact, Independent Presbyterian Church has been a congregation since 1755.

Can you sit on the Forrest Gump bench? ›

The donated bench found its eventual home in the Savannah History Museum, where it remains today. While sitting on the bench is not allowed at the museum, fans of the movie can see the square and visit the bench itself by scheduling a Forrest Gump Film Tour.

What was Forrest Gump's disability? ›

She intended his name to be a reminder that "sometimes we all do things that, well, just don't make no sense". Forrest was born with strong legs but a crooked spine. He was forced to wear leg braces which made walking difficult and running nearly impossible.

Where is the real Forrest Gump house located? ›

The Gump family home set was built along the Combahee River near Yemassee. Since the home was hastily built and not up to code, it was torn down after filming. The live oak featured prominently in the film is located near the entrance of the Carolina Shores subdivision in Beaufort.

Who all turned down Forrest Gump? ›

John Travolta was reportedly in consideration to play Forrest Gump in the film of the same name, but turned down the part.

Who is the lady on the bench in Forrest Gump? ›

Dialect coach and actress on Broadway and in film, best known for her performance as the Elderly Southern Lady on the bench with Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (1994), Dunfee began her professional career at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 1939 where she was discovered by.

Where is Jenny buried in Forrest Gump? ›

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2015 that the massive oak tree where Forrest and Jenny first fall in love and where Jenny is buried is on a part of the property now known as Plum Hill Plantation.

Where was most of Forrest Gump filmed? ›

Forrest Gump Locations

Even the Forrest Gump film scenes of the fictional town of Greenbow, Alabama, were in Varnville, South Carolina. Major chunks of the Forrest Gump production were shot in and around the parts of Beaufort in South Carolina, areas of North Carolina, and coastal Virginia.

Is the Forrest Gump bench still there? ›

Savannah History Museum

Among the highlights in the museum are an antique cotton gin, one of Johnny Mercer's Oscars and Juliette Gordon Low's family carriage. But it's Forrest Gump's bench that the museum is best known for, left behind from the film production.

Where is the oak tree from Forrest Gump? ›

You'll find Bluff Plantation in all its lush glory at 3547 Combahee Road in Yemassee, South Carolina. One of the most precious scenes in the beginning of the movie is when Forrest and Jenny climb a tree and read a book together in order to escape life's troubles. The tree can be found at 2979 Combahee Road in Yemassee.

What bridge did Forrest Gump run across? ›

In another scene, Forrest runs across a stone bridge, with jagged snow-covered mountain peaks in the background. This scene was filmed at the St. Mary Entrance to Glacier National Park. The famous Going-To-The-Sun Road, which crosses Glacier Park, runs from St.

What are the 22 squares in Savannah? ›

Summary
#NameIntersection
1.FranklinMontgomery Street and West St. Julian Street
2.EllisBarnard Street and West St. Julian Street
3.JohnsonBull Street and St. Julian Street
4.ReynoldsAbercorn Street and East St. Julian Street
14 more rows

What is the implied illness that Jenny has? ›

Jenny Dies From Hepatitis C In The Forrest Gump Books

That said, what's clear is that Jenny dies of Hepatitis C in the second book, while she dies of AIDS in the movies, even though it was only implied. Notably, Hepatitis C was discovered in 1989, which is why the doctors could do little for Jenny in the '80s.

What was filmed in Savannah, GA? ›

9 Famous Movies Filmed in Savannah & Tybee Island
  • Forrest Gump (1994) Forrest Gump is arguably the most iconic movie filmed in Savannah, Georgia. ...
  • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) ...
  • The Last Song (2010) ...
  • Something to Talk About (1995) ...
  • Magic Mike XXL (2015) ...
  • Glory (1989) ...
  • The Longest Yard (1974) ...
  • Baywatch (2017)

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