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A new movie, filmed largely at Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts will be released nationwide sometime in the spring of next year.
The movie, The Lightkeepers, stars talented actor Richard Dreyfuss of Jaws and Mr. Holland’s Opus fame along with Blythe Danner, Tom Wisdom and Mamie Gummer who is the daughter of actress Meryl Streep. Also appearing in the film is Ben Dreyfuss in his first on screen appearance in a movie with his famous father.
This romantic comedy, set in 1912, is a charming and witty tale about an endearing curmudgeon lighthouse keeper Seth Atkins, played by Richard Dreyfuss, and his assistant. The two men, who have sworn off women because of past relationships, must confront two beautiful women who move into a cottage near the lighthouse.
The movie is the second film to be directed by Daniel Adams on Cape Cod, a place that the director endears close to his heart. It is the second film in a trilogy of Cape-centric movies based on Joe Lincoln’s classic novels.
Since the story takes place on scenic Cape Cod the filming stayed true to the Cape and features several locations along its beautiful shores. Scenes were filmed outside and inside the light keeper’s house, as well as at the top of the tower at Race Point Lighthouse. Some modifications had to be made, such as covering up the propane tanks with a wood pile, to give the station an authentic period appearance. Unfortunately, Race Point Lighthouse no longer has its Fresnel lens. The original lantern room from nearby Chatham Light, with its Fresnel lens, now on display on the grounds of the Chatham Historical Society’s Atwood House had to substituted.
Since the director wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, filming took place regardless of the weather. Scenes were shot in the day, at night, in the rain and in the sunlight. Also used in the film were several horses, a dog and even a 10-pound lobster.
Getting all the movie equipment and cast to the remote lighthouse across two miles of sand dunes every day was no easy task. However, the volunteers of the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, under the direction of Jim Walker, with their fleet of 4 wheel drive vehicles easily managed
the project. They’ve had plenty of experience over the years, first with the restoration of the lighthouse and now in transporting overnight guests to the lighthouse.
The Director, Daniel Adams, in describing The Lightkeepers, said, “This is old fashioned family entertainment that offers a stark contrast to – and a chance to reflect upon – today’s values and culture.”
After the filming of The Lightkeepers was completed, Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss traveled to Maine and spoke at a convention of the Maine State Bar Association where he said he has now retired from acting to focus on creating a civics curriculum that he’d like to see implemented nationwide in public schools.
Dreyfuss wants American civics taught and re-taught to students. He admits he might be fighting for a lost cause, comparing his efforts to the Frank Capra classic film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” but believes it’s a cause worth fighting for. The cause he refers to is that people control this country, “We are actually the sovereign power here. How much money, time, effort and creativity goes into distracting us from that.”
Just like the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear, Richard Dreyfuss is a true patriot. This is one movie we can’t wait to see!
This story appeared in the
September 2009 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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