Filmed in Defiance? - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2007) Discussion

[–] ssweet-3 19 years ago

Unfortunately, the film industry does not come to the little towns to make the movie true to life. I live in Defiance and knew the Ryan family. Went to school with the kids. There's nothing in the movie from the real Defiance, but they did try to recreate the Chief Supermarket shopping spree by using old blueprints from the original Chief. There is a bridge that goes out of town like in the movie (we're at the confluence of the Maumee and the Auglaize), but there was never a sign that said "Defiance a good place to live." There WAS one on a building for ten or so years that said "Defiance a great place to live" but the building burned down last year.

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[–] kaufmancat 19 years ago

I lived in Defiance, OH from 1997 to 2000. I disagree that it "has no character" as stated by another post. The character of Defiance is in its people, who are very welcoming and friendly. They don't care that Defiance has less to offer than larger towns, they like it that way as they say, " A small town is like a large family."

I am sorry to hear that the builing with the slogan burned down, I remember that fondly. When I heard about the book I thought it ironic when it became popular, because Defiance didn't even have a bookstore when I lived there, but they do have a beautiful library. I look forward to seeing the movie, but it would have been nice if they would have at least used some shots from the actual countryside.

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[–] bedshaw1 19 years ago

I would say that they missed the boat by not filming in Defiance. My wife is from Bryan and between those two towns, I would say that you could not find a better place that captured the essence of small-town America.

We enjoy at least two trips a year to Van Wert and Williams County. If the job market was a little better, we would probably move back to Bryan.

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[–] mjd-15 19 years ago

No it was filmed in Toronto, Canada--I had a client in the movie (Tuff)

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[–] asiandoll_12000 19 years ago

I grew up in Defiance also. A lot of my family still live there. The town has changed drastically since the 50's. I am sure that it would have been hard to re-create the look back then. I am sure that with the magic of the camera they would have done a good job. Regardless, I am still looking forward to seeing the film.

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[–] turbozamboni 19 years ago

WOW, I had no idea that this many people have realtions with Defiance. My grandparents met in Defiance and had my mother and several of my aunts there before moving to Colorado. Well my mom will be a little disapointed that the filming did not take place in her home town. Thanks for the info on the filming.

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[–] NoNicky 19 years ago

Adding my two cents to what was already said.

I've lived in Defiance since I was 2. We moved here in 1964 for a better life. It was much better than the small town my parents were from in the south could have ever offered us.

For the person who asked, the other film set in Defiance was "House Arrest" starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Pollack. At the time they said "Defiance didn't look enough like Defiance to use." I'm still scratching my head over that statement.

People can trash Defiance all they want. Yes, there are some negative things about it. There are negative things about any town. However, I've been to the "big city" and I've been to other small towns. I always wind up thinking the same thing. For all of our problems Defiance has much more going for it than any other community of the same size. It has friendliness and caring people you won't meet in the big city. It's large enough that you won't get quite as bored as you would in a small town. There is plenty to do if you know where to look.

Washington Ave has been much busier lately. People have been driving past to see what the Ryan's house looks like now. It's a little annoying at times. I've had to ask TV crews to move so I could get in my driveway and will admit I had my dander up a bit when they told me to wait. "You wait, buddy, this is my house and I want in my driveway." No, I do not live in the house the Ryan's did but near it.

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[–] SpeedySmed2 19 years ago

http://www.defiancetourism.com/

...was just reading all of these comments...and then found the town website.

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