Dante's Peak is a 1997 disaster thriller directed by Roger Donaldson and written by Leslie Bohem. It stars Pierce Brosnan as volcanologist Harry Dalton and Linda Hamilton as small-town mayor Rachel Wando.
The film depicts a series of dramatic events triggered by the violent eruption of a dormant volcano near Dante's Peak. Known for its realistic depiction and great acting, the film follows Harry, Rachel, and her family as they brave the disaster.
The small-town setting of Dante's Peak was filmed in Wallace, Idaho, while Mount St. Helens in Washington and Agua Dulce, California, were used for intense, action-packed scenes.
Harry Dalton, the protagonist, is dispatched to the Washington town of Dante's Peak to look into strange seismic activity. As he warns the townspeople of a volcanic eruption, his supervisor, Dr. Paul Dreyfus, is skeptical.
Exploring all the filming locations of Dante's Peak
Dante's Peak was filmed at several breathtaking sites across the United States.
Wallace, Idaho
The fictional Dante's Peak was primarily set in the town of Wallace, Idaho. This small village in the Silver Valley served as the ideal setting for the movie's depiction of a sleepy settlement beneath the shadow of a dormant volcano.
Wallace was used as the filming location for scenes that showcased the town's attractiveness and the mayhem that followed the eruption. The pivotal town meeting scene, where residents are first warned of the impending disaster, was also filmed in Wallace, Idaho. The local high school served as the venue for the chaotic meeting, where panic ensued following an earthquake.
Mount St. Helens, Washington
Mount St. Helens in Washington played an important part in creating the film's volcanic environment. While much of the volcanic activity was generated digitally, the famous volcano served as the ideal real-life reference.
To add even more authenticity to the film, some scenes were filmed at the crater of Mount St. Helens, especially the one where Harry and his team investigated the volcano.
Agua Dulce, California
Agua Dulce, California, was used to film one of the movie's most emotional scenes—the death of Harry’s fiancé, Marianne. The location provided a suitable landscape for the dangerous and chaotic escape attempt, where Marianne meets her tragic end. The digital effects were seamlessly integrated with the real-world scenery, creating a harrowing and intense experience for the viewers.
Baker Palm Springs, Washington
The eerie hot springs where Harry and the group discover two scalded bodies were filmed at Baker Palm Springs in Washington. This location was ideal for depicting the ominous signs of the impending volcanic disaster. The scenes shot here added a sense of dread and foreboding, setting the tone for the subsequent events in the film.
When Harry joins Rachel and her family to explore the base of the volcano, the landscape of Baker Palm Springs was used to bring the scene to life. The discovery of dead animals and the realization of the danger lurking beneath the surface were filmed in this remote and rugged location.
Sagle, Idaho
The dramatic escape on a motorboat as the characters flee from the erupting volcano was filmed at Mirror Lake in Sagle, Idaho. This location was chosen for its serene yet treacherous waters, which turned deadly due to the volcanic sulfuric acid in the movie.
The surrounding area, including Ruth’s house, was also filmed here, providing a fitting setting for one of the film's most intense sequences.
Dante's Peak uses real-world sites to make its plot genuine and immersive. Wallace, Idaho, and various sites in Washington and California helped bring the movie to reality. It is available for streaming on Netflix.