"The Way" - The story behind the film.

[Peregrinopaul]

If you, like me, are very fond of The Way, you will be fascinated to read this memoir by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It's basically their life story, interspersed with chapters about the making of the film, a process which obviously meant a great deal to both of them
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There is an interesting chapter about filming the backpack in the river scene.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

@Peregrinopaul you should repost this to another of today's threads, Locations used in The Way https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/locations-used-in-the-way.52337/

 

[grayland]

Don't lose sight of the fact that it is just a fictional movie.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Apparently the fact that it's fictional doesn't diminish its appeal.

 

[RJM]

Don't lose sight of the fact that it is just a fictional movie.

Aren't all movies fictional? Even the ones based on actual events are just the writer's and director's interpretation of what happened.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed "The Way". I walked the Camino Frances before it came out, and sure I saw it wasn't a documentary about the Camino, but it was still enjoyable.

 

[Terri B]

I've just bought it, looking forward to reading it.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I've just bought it, looking forward to reading it.

i'm confident that you will, Terri. Martin Sheen has had an interesting life. I remember seeing him in his first role in Terrence Mallick's "Badlands" back in the '60's. Quite a debut, in a classic film.

 

[DeansFamily]

We viewed "the Way" before and our Camino. As we walked we debated which location was the "bridge scene", we recognised other locations, my daughter was on alert for gypsies in Burgos.....and we had our own "crazy Alburgue owner" too. It may be fictional but what an enjoyable movie. And when anyone asks us what the Camino is all about I point them to SBS on demand (only in Australia) then they get it..

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Although a fictional movie, I think I remember seeing an interview with Martin Sheen and son, stating that a variety of pilgrims were interviewed first to get some of their personal stories, which were then referred to when writing the movie script.

 

[Mark T17]

Hi Deans, I read somewhere that the bridge scene was filmed some distance away from the Frances route because they couldn't find a stream that was flowing fast enough. I also noticed a lot of scenes in the movie seem to have been filmed walking in the opposite direction - must have been something to do with the light. BTW I did have my own "Tom moment" when I fell into a creek crossing about halfway to Zubiri on day 1! The movie is also on Netflix and Youtube.

 

[DeansFamily]

We thought Zubiri or Larasoanna might be where the bridge was, but now my question has been answered . We found the YouTube version had been blocked when we searched, and we aren't Netflix savvy yet.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

In the memoir, Martin gives a blow-by-blow account of the backpack-in-the-river scene There were multiple takes, the original one done by a stuntman, who ruined it by turning his face to the camera while in the water, then refused to do it again. Taylor, Martin's grandson, persuaded him to do it himself, twice!
As Jack says in the movie, "Pilgrims must suffer".

 

[Saint Mike II]

If you click on the link to the earlier post about "The Way" locations you will see that the "bridge scene" was filmed some 15-20 km east of Pamplona (or there abouts). As for walking the wrong direction, in the DVD extra they discuss the amount of external lighting they used to film many evening scenes. So in many cases it was necessary to "walk backwards" (eg the departure scene from Torres del Rio). Other scenes - eg Toms arrival into Pamplona or the groups departure from O'Cebriero were they are walking back towards La Faba, these changes done for "artistic licence" and to produce a better shoot. Remember - its just a movie!! Cheers

 

[Peamountain]

If you, like me, are very fond of The Way, you will be fascinated to read this memoir by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It's basically their life story, interspersed with chapters about the making of the film, a process which obviously meant a great deal to both of them
.View attachment 38725

View attachment 38726
I liked the book very much, too
There is an interesting chapter about filming the backpack in the river scene.

 

[naplesdon]

Hi Deans, I read somewhere that the bridge scene was filmed some distance away from the Frances route because they couldn't find a stream that was flowing fast enough. I also noticed a lot of scenes in the movie seem to have been filmed walking in the opposite direction - must have been something to do with the light. BTW I did have my own "Tom moment" when I fell into a creek crossing about halfway to Zubiri on day 1! The movie is also on Netflix and Youtube.

Correct. I also read the golf course in the film was not in California, it was the golf course at the struggling, half abandoned vacation home development in Ciruena.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Joe and I were extras in the movie.
Both father and son were so gracious - we just loved them.
I'll be interested in reading this.
Thanks.

 

[alexwalker]

Correct. I also read the golf course in the film was not in California, it was the golf course at the struggling, half abandoned vacation home development in Ciruena.

The only good thing about that place is that the golfclub bar sometimes is open for a beer... Other than that it is a somewhat spooky place...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The only good thing about that place is that the golfclub bar sometimes is open for a beer... Other than that it is a somewhat spooky place...

Very spooky indeed. I saw no activity. You must have been quite thirsty to stop in.

 

[alexwalker]

Very spooky indeed. I saw no activity. You must have been quite thirsty to stop in.

Always. Never wrong to have a glass of Peregrino gasolino...

 

[Kathor1]

Thanks to @Bert45's effort and the effort of others, we know exactly where the golf course scenes were shot: Near Madrid, at the Real Club De Golf La Herrería, Ctra Robledo de Chavela, s/n, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/locations-used-in-the-way.67359/post-844164

 

[FourSeasons]

The only good thing about that place is that the golfclub bar sometimes is open for a beer... Other than that it is a somewhat spooky place...

So spooky, like a ghost town.

 

[FourSeasons]

Joe and I were extras in the movie.
Both father and son were so gracious - we just loved them.
I'll be interested in reading this.
Thanks.

Where, where are you in the film? It's time for my annual viewing and I want to look for you.

 

[SabsP]

The only good thing about that place is that the golfclub bar sometimes is open for a beer... Other than that it is a somewhat spooky place...

Very friendly waiting staff at the bar of the golfclub! To be repeated.
Cleanest bathrooms I found on any Camino btw.

 

[trecile]

Very spooky indeed. I saw no activity. You must have been quite thirsty to stop in.

I've stopped at the golf course bar three times.
Once for lunch, once just for a drink, and once just to use the bathroom.

 

[grayland]

i have stopped for lunch. Nice place and there were an average number of people having lunch and drinks. No pilgrims that we noticed.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've stopped at the golf course bar three times.
Once for lunch, once just for a drink, and once just to use the bathroom.

I walked past in April both times. Possibly there was not any activity going on that early in the season, but I'm not sure. Everything looked "dead" everywhere in that village.

 

[naplesdon]

Like La Rioja Golf Course, I have several failed real estate development on my resume. As their architect, I experienced several crushing recessions and some badly conceived project based on lousy market studies. Most notably I was with the Sea Pines Company at Amelia Island in 1973, the year we opened for business was the year the gas crisis happened. It bankrupt the project and the entire company eventually. From what I have heard this is the same fate this golf course community suffered. There was an era of very easy money when Spain joined the EU and vacation real estate developments popped up everywhere. The problem is if the marketing studies say there a potentially 10,000 buyers of seaside and golf course weekend and vacation homes and everyone and his brother in the construction business decides this is their opportunity to hit it big, you suddenly have hundreds of thousands of units on the market.

BTW, I recently learned that Emilio Esteves has moved to my home town of Cincinnati. I was living there during 2018 and 2019 and wish I had know that. He filmed a movie in Cincinnati recently called "The Public" it has a very strong socially conscious statement.

 

[RJM]

Like La Rioja Golf Course, I have several failed real estate development on my resume. As their architect, I experienced several crushing recessions and some badly conceived project based on lousy market studies. Most notably I was with the Sea Pines Company at Amelia Island in 1973, the year we opened for business was the year the gas crisis happened. It bankrupt the project and the entire company eventually. From what I have heard this is the same fate this golf course community suffered. There was an era of very easy money when Spain joined the EU and vacation real estate developments popped up everywhere. The problem is if the marketing studies say there a potentially 10,000 buyers of seaside and golf course weekend and vacation homes and everyone and his brother in the construction business decides this is their opportunity to hit it big, you suddenly have hundreds of thousands of units on the market.

BTW, I recently learned that Emilio Esteves has moved to my home town of Cincinnati. I was living there during 2018 and 2019 and wish I had know that. He filmed a movie in Cincinnati recently called "The Public" it has a very strong socially conscious statement.

This interview is a couple of years old but it also discusses his filming of The Way and living in Ohio.

Emilio Estevez on His New Project, "The Public"

Emilio Estevez may be best known for his role in classic teen films like “The Breakfast Club”, but his new work has a more literary and socially conscious ambition: “The Public” – which he wrote, directed, and starred in – is a story of social activism and civil disobedience, set in Cincinnati...

www.pbs.org

 

[RJM]

Very friendly waiting staff at the bar of the golfclub! To be repeated.
Cleanest bathrooms I found on any Camino btw.

Stopped there myself a couple of times. drank a cold beer, used the facilities and replenished my water bottles. Don't know if they have a sello or not, but a sello with a golfing theme to it would be very cool.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Where, where are you in the film? It's time for my annual viewing and I want to look for you.

:::maniacal laughter::::Before the movie came out, Joe and I got a copy and watched, hoping to see ourselves. But we didn't.
So we watched it again and didn't
So we watched it again, and went screen by screen in the parts where we had spent hours filming.
Finally, we saw Joe.
And I'm hidden behind him.
So there went my movie career.

By the way, they were supposed to pay us each €1 a day.
We never got that, but they DID give us a lovely lunch.

As to where we are, we are in the scene where they are walking up to the Cathedral doors.
We are also in the botafumerio scenes. But good luck!
The BEST shot I got was the photo of Martin Sheen and I after filming one day.
You can see it on the FAQ page of my website:
Martin Sheen and I

 

[FourSeasons]

:::maniacal laughter::::Before the movie came out, Joe and I got a copy and watched, hoping to see ourselves. But we didn't.
So we watched it again and didn't
So we watched it again, and went screen by screen in the parts where we had spent hours filming.
Finally, we saw Joe.
And I'm hidden behind him.
So there went my movie career.

By the way, they were supposed to pay us each €1 a day.
We never got that, but they DID give us a lovely lunch.

As to where we are, we are in the scene where they are walking up to the Cathedral doors.
We are also in the botafumerio scenes. But good luck!
The BEST shot I got was the photo of Martin Sheen and I after filming one day.
You can see it on the FAQ page of my website:
Martin Sheen and I

Yay!!! What a great story, cherished memories. You betcha I’ll be looking for you. Lights, camera, action…I love it. Beautiful photo of the two of you.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

:::maniacal laughter::::Before the movie came out, Joe and I got a copy and watched, hoping to see ourselves. But we didn't.
So we watched it again and didn't
So we watched it again, and went screen by screen in the parts where we had spent hours filming.
Finally, we saw Joe.
And I'm hidden behind him.
So there went my movie career.

By the way, they were supposed to pay us each €1 a day.
We never got that, but they DID give us a lovely lunch.

As to where we are, we are in the scene where they are walking up to the Cathedral doors.
We are also in the botafumerio scenes. But good luck!
The BEST shot I got was the photo of Martin Sheen and I after filming one day.
You can see it on the FAQ page of my website:
Martin Sheen and I

Great picture. A few years ago a friend ran into him at mass in Malibu, CA and said he was gracious and happy to take a picture with her. I’m a fan. Loved him in West Wing as well.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Great picture. A few years ago a friend ran into him at mass in Malibu, CA and said he was gracious and happy to take a picture with her. I’m a fan. Loved him in West Wing as well.

Yes, he was just a lovely person. He spent a LOT of time talking with locals, photos, etc. Really a nice guy. So was his son.

 

[FourSeasons]

Yes, he was just a lovely person. He spent a LOT of time talking with locals, photos, etc. Really a nice guy. So was his son.

I too had the pleasure of meeting him on set at Universal in 1992/93. I was working on Star Trek Deep Space Nine and he came on set just passing through. I turned around and he was right there. I said to him, "Hi, It's so nice to see you." He looked at me like, do I know you.? I must know you." We greeted one another and shook hands then chatted for a few minutes. Yes, a very nice man and since my mom was a huge fan, she was so excited when I told her I had made his acquaintance.
I don't have a picture of him and I together but here's a photo of me after a 16 hour day on the set.

 

[Canada Wanders]

There has been so many discussions on forum about this movie. Many positive, some not so.
In the end, IMHO,a movie is a story, often a story trying to pass on a lesson or just an entertainment. Is the movie an exact representation of the Camino? No.
Is it an entertaining view of the amino…yes.
My wife and I watched it first after she talked me into a hair brained scheme she had about walking across a country with a black pack, which I have been on record as saying that I have done that, and it is no fun … but a smar man humours a wife, and then he leans a lesson. The movie was fun to watch, but some things made more sense after we walked our Camino.
As an example….at the end, in hotel where they all have super rooms, but all end up in his room? Made zero sense to me…until after I had walked, and experienced the gathering of souls along the way, seemingly called together into a small space to share the day.
Just my take on it.

 

[RJM]

:::maniacal laughter::::Before the movie came out, Joe and I got a copy and watched, hoping to see ourselves. But we didn't.
So we watched it again and didn't
So we watched it again, and went screen by screen in the parts where we had spent hours filming.
Finally, we saw Joe.
And I'm hidden behind him.
So there went my movie career.

By the way, they were supposed to pay us each €1 a day.
We never got that, but they DID give us a lovely lunch.

As to where we are, we are in the scene where they are walking up to the Cathedral doors.
We are also in the botafumerio scenes. But good luck!
The BEST shot I got was the photo of Martin Sheen and I after filming one day.
You can see it on the FAQ page of my website:
Martin Sheen and I

I fetched my DVD copy of the movie and looked for you.

 

[Saint Mike II]

If you, like me, are very fond of The Way, you will be fascinated to read this memoir by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It's basically their life story, interspersed with chapters about the making of the film, a process which obviously meant a great deal to both of them
.View attachment 38725

View attachment 38726

There is an interesting chapter about filming the backpack in the river scene.

I have just finished reading this book. It was a very in depth, personal account, by both men about their lives as children, teenage boys, men and then as fathers. If you are looking for a different biography I recommend it.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hi Deans, I read somewhere that the bridge scene was filmed some distance away from the Frances route because they couldn't find a stream that was flowing fast enough. I also noticed a lot of scenes in the movie seem to have been filmed walking in the opposite direction - must have been something to do with the light. BTW I did have my own "Tom moment" when I fell into a creek crossing about halfway to Zubiri on day 1! The movie is also on Netflix and Youtube.

You are correct on all aspects. I have the DVD which has a number of additional features. In it Emilio explains that they had very little additional light equipment and had to use to natural light whenever possible. Also it was, for technical or esthetics better to film the pilgrims walking East rather than West. Cheers

 

[Bert45]

Correct. I also read the golf course in the film was not in California, it was the golf course at the struggling, half abandoned vacation home development in Ciruena.

I don't know where you got that idea, biarritzdon. It was here: Playing golf at Real Club De Golf La Herrería, Ctra Robledo de Chavela, s/n, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain.

 

[Bert45]

@Peregrinopaul you should repost this to another of today's threads, Locations used in The Way https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/locations-used-in-the-way.52337/

This is the updated version with many more locations: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/locations-used-in-the-way.67359/#post-855449

 

[strayukk]

We watched The way the other night, having walked from Sarria to Santiago at the end of March, expecting to spot a couple of places on the route, But no, the last couple of hundred Km were missed, apart from the shot from the Hill of Joy. They must have used a BIG telephoto lense too, because it took us a couple of minutes to spot the cathedral spires when we got there (we're both in oyr 60's).
8X camera zoom.

They could have least done a scene in the "Beer shrine".

And to make matters worse they ended up in Muxia. We went to Fisterra.

But we did enjoy the film.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Nice photos! I loved the film as it inspired me to walk the Frances and empowered me to think I could "do it"!
I didn't mind that it takes twists and turns occasionally from "the real thing", as it was very entertaining and touching to me.

 

[strayukk]

I was being tongue in cheek.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was being tongue in cheek.

I did understand that, and thought your comments were humorous. I'm also a lover of tongue in cheek and just wanted to add "a bit" more to your post.