The "ABCs of BBM": Round 965! (Rules in first post)

[Meryl]

In the quest to find the site where the memorable final meeting of Ennis and Jack was filmed, visitors to Alberta will be led to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, driving past Lower Kananaskis Lake and arriving at last at Upper Kananaskis Lake, better known to Brokies as the "I Did Once" Lake.

[Toast]

The scene requiring Jack Twist to untangle the Chilean herd, which mixes in with Aguirre's sheep after "Ennis spent the whole night with Jack in the main camp," was filmed here on the Stoney Native Reservation.

Location: Morley area, Stoney Native Reservation
Site Name: Sheep Tangle
 
Travel Directions:
From Hwy 1, take Morley Exit, north 3.6 km to Hwy 1A, turn left (west) on 1A, 12 km to “Buffalo Paddock” sign. Turn left (south) at the “Peacekeepers” building, 0.8 km to gate, 0.4 km to fork, take left branch of fork, go 1.5 km to site, which is to the right (south) of the road. Note: The last 1 km of this road is rough. Walk it if your vehicle can’t stand it.

The park is officially closed during wintertime though access by foot is feasible, weather permitting. You might want to contact Ron Stonier, (403) 813-1921, for access arrangements, which may require payment of a $5 fee. Security guards in the area have been known to save paperwork by collecting fees from visitors on the spot.

Remarks:
The Sheep Tangle, set near Buffalo Paddock on the Stoney Reservation near the Bow River, illustrates the observation contained in the story, “In a disquieting way everything seemed mixed.” (Never mind that 19-year-old Jack's use of the unexpected adjective “Chilean” is rather disquieting in itself!)

Important:
Always obtain appropriate permission before entering private property and native reserve lands.

Quotation:
“We gotta stick this out, Jack.”

[Fran]

Alberta flaunts cowboy image in Manhattan
February 24, 2006

Alberta – still riding the success of  Brokeback Mountain – has dispatched a small herd of cowboys to Manhattan in hopes of roping in some tourists.  About 10 authentic Alberta rodeo stars and ranch hands were hired along with some ruggedly good looking American actors and models to wander the streets of Manhattan passing out brochures in the shape of cowboy hats and T-shirts to passersby.

The hired hands will also be demonstrating roping skills at Grand Central Station and other New York City landmarks as part of a major travel show there this weekend.

The trip was organized by Travel Alberta as part of its efforts to promote tourism in the western province.

Noelle Aune, a spokesperson for Travel Alberta, say the agency has used cowboy themes in the past but figures the success of the gay cowboy romance,  Brokeback Mountain, will further their cause.

"We're delighted that  Brokeback Mountain was filmed in Alberta and we certainly sort of see the magnificent unspoiled scenery as part of Alberta and the major star in the film."

-- CBC News

[memento]

Location: Queen’s Hotel, 207 24th Street, Fort Macleod, AB
GPS:   49d 43m 32.46s    -113d 24m 29.70s
Map/Satellite Image: Google Link
Site Name: Cassie’s Bar

Travel Directions:
Navigation in Fort Macleod is made interesting by the fact that most streets have at least two names. Nonetheless, the town is small enough so that you are never lost. The Queen’s Hotel is on the northeast corner of Haultain Street (2nd Avenue) and Col. Macleod Boulevard (24th Street).

Remarks:
Why can Fort Macleod fairly claim to be “home” to Brokeback Mountain? Part of the answer lies in the town's history.

Fort Macleod, like many railroad towns in the western U.S., had a stormy relationship with the railroad. In 1912, following protracted disputes over rights-of-way and freight rates, the railroad moved operations, and approximately 200 jobs, to neighboring Lethbridge. Consequently, with the outbreak of World War I and extending into the 1920s, Fort Macleod experienced a severe depression. By 1924, the town was bankrupt. A bail-out loan by the Provincial government required that the town could not incur debt for any new capital expenditure for 50 years.

As a result of this effective prohibition on growth, virtually no new construction occurred in the town's Main Street district until the early 1970s. Downtown Fort Macleod retains its vintage flavor, a quality that appealed to the producers of Brokeback.

Quotation:
“Tryin’ to get a foot rub, dummy!”

[FindingBrokeback.com]

[southendmd]

Site Name: Twist Ranch (Exterior)
 

Travel Directions:
Follow Hwy 9 (also known as Township Road 282) 6.5 km east of Beiseker to Range Road 252 (watch for the brown “Grande Ole West Villa Ranch” sign). Turn right (south) onto Range Road 252, go 1.6 km. The ranch is behind the overgrown thicket on the east (left) side of the road.
Remarks:
The owner of the Twist Ranch vividly recalls the commencement of shooting activity at this otherwise desolate and inherently lonely place.

“It was July 20, 2004, when the circus arrived (circus is the industry term for the caravan of production vehicles and crew). Twenty or so tractor trailers, barbeques, power generators, cranes, everything you can imagine. More than 100 people, easy. Security was tight; they had to block the highway,” he said, referring to a nearby two lane road.

Also of interest: Before shooting, crews spent months restoring the house which had literally fallen down on itself. Extensive roof and carpentry work was required, the exterior façade and the rooms used in the film were plastered and painted. The green grasses and trees were treated with a desiccant in order to give them a brown / yellow hue. A small cemetery (which can be seen in some promotional footage, but not in the film) was erected to the left (south) side of the house.

“They must have driven that truck up to the house 20 times to get the shot they wanted,” he recalls.

Important:
Always obtain appropriate permission before entering private property. Those planning to enter should bring flashlights and be cautious of loose or missing floorboards and railings. The building has been the subject of pilferage and vandalism. Please leave all that you find intact out of respect for the history - both real and fictional - of this powerful place.

This picture is from our friend fritzkep, who was in Alberta earlier this month.  This is all one can see of the Twist ranch now:

[Toast]

Location: Upper Kananaskis Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Site Name: "I Did Once" Lake

Travel Directions:
Follow Hwy 40 south to the Upper Kananaskis Lake turnoff. Use the Upper Lake parking area, just east of the boat launch.

Remarks:
“All we got now is Brokeback Mountain. Everything is built on that,” Jack proclaims as he points to Mount Lyautey, one of at least five different “Brokeback Mountains” used in the film. No visit to this site is complete without rereading (or if you are really in deep, reciting) the remarkable dialog from Ennis and Jack’s last scene together. When you are finished, drive off via that same sad, curving road that Ennis used.

Quotation:
“I wish I knew how to quit you.”

[FindingBrokeback.Com]

[Fran]

To visit actual movie sites, saddle up and mosey up the Rockies to Canada.  Along with Heath and Jake, the other major star of the soul-stirring cowboy romance is the province of Alberta.  Wyoming's picture-perfect stand-in captures the longing that suffuses Lee's cinematic wonder.

-- Aefa Mulholland, PlanetOut.com

[memento]

Site Name: Motel

Travel Directions:
From Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy) take Hwy 9 north to the intersection of Hwy 72. The motel is on the left next to the Esso station.

Remarks:
Friendly Joanne, (403) 947-2555, runs this simple but spotless refuge for frustrated husbands and their devoted fans. Though only the exterior was used in the making of the film, there is certainly no harm in bringing someone dear to you and reliving some of Jack and Ennis’ happiest moments inside.

[Toast]

Jack could not know the ultimacy of Ennis's departure, but something dies in his face as he watches the pickup disappear around the curve in the highway:

Location: Upper Kananaskis Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Site Name: "I Did Once" Lake
 
Remarks:
In Greek drama, a tragic figure is a person who, through a character flaw, is brought lower than that flaw would otherwise merit. Is Jack a supremely tragic figure, or is he a victim? Some see a character flaw in Jack's sexual infidelity (whatever its extent); others see this behavior as a natural reaction to the more or less impossible circumstances of his world.

Jake Gyllenhaal, once asked about Jack Twist's fate, replied famously, “Jack died when Ennis left.”

As we leave Jack, it is hard to focus upon anything other than his youthful energy and forceful spirit. He showed Ennis the tireless patience and sensitivity of a man deeply in love. Jack consistently sought the best in life, refusing society's unrelenting urge to accept “beans.” Derided, humiliated as a dreamer, a “fuck up,” a “pissant,” Jack remained proud, hopeful, and strong. Until now.

Quotation:
“I wish I knew how to quit you.”

def - The state or degree of being final.

[Fran]

In the kitchen at the elder Twists' house, Ennis had to endure OMT as he spoke vituperatively about Jack's ideas that had never come to pass.

Site Name: Twist Kitchen

Travel Directions:
Follow Hwy 9 (also known as Township Road 282) 6.5 km east of Beiseker, AB to Range Road 252 (watch for the brown “Grande Ole West Villa Ranch” sign).  Turn right (south) onto Range Road 252, go 1.6 km.  The ranch is behind the overgrown thicket on the east (left) side of the road.

Remarks:
The cupboards and counters are there, but sadly, Roberta Maxwell is gone.  It was here that Jack’s mother became Ennis’ mother.  Moms!

[FindingBrokeback.com]