Vasquez Rocks CA, USA

 
Inspired by the success of sitcoms on American television, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna created THE FLINTSTONES, a cartoon series set in the Stone Age but with a clear nod to contemporary America. From its first broadcast on 30 September 1960, the series was a huge success. A total of 166 episodes were produced over six seasons.

The Flintstones, 1:22:56

In the 1990s, many old series were adapted into feature films, including The Flintstones. This time, it was not a cartoon but real actors with computer graphics and puppets made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The rights were acquired by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. He suggested John Goodman for the role of Fred Flintstone, a bronto-crane operator who lives in Bedrock with his wife Wilma (Elizabeth Perkins) and daughter Pebbles (Elaine and Melanie Silver).

Fred is good friends with his neighbour Barney Rubble (Rick Moranis), who is married to Betty (Rosie O'Donnell).

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

Fred and Barney are also colleagues and work for gravel company Slate & Co. Filming took place from 17 May to 20 August 1993, including on location shoots in California and Utah. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area was chosen as the location for the town of Bedrock, see also Vasquez Rocks CA, USA. Before the set was dismantled, visitors were allowed to tour the location. An amateur video dated 29 May on Dailymotion indicates that scenes at the rock formations were filmed in May.

Vasquez Rocks first appears when Fred and Barney are driving home. Just like in the cartoon, the 'flintmobile' is propelled by the feet of its passengers. When they arrive at Fred's house in Bedrock, the rock formations can be seen from the other side.

The Flintstones, 0:04:35

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:05:03

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:05:40

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:06:12

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:25:30

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

Later in the film, Fred is barbecuing. While he is talking to Barney, Dino, Fred and Wilma's pet dinosaur, secretly takes a piece of meat from the grill.

The Flintstones, 0:45:05

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:45:37

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The sunrise was also filmed at Vasquez Rocks, again from the same angle as when Fred and Barney were sitting in the car.

The Flintstones, 1:14:08

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

In addition to filming on location, scenes were also shot at Universal Studios, approximately 55 kilometres (35 miles) south of Vasquez Rocks. In 1996, during our first visit to America, we visited Universal Studios Hollywood. During the Studio Backlot Tour, a guided tour of the studio grounds by tram, we saw the town sign for Bedrock among the film sets.

The Flintstones, 0:03:09

Universal Studios Hollywood, 8 October 1996

In 2023, we visited Universal again, including the Studio Backlot Tour. Among the vehicles from Back to the Future and Harry Potter, among others, was Fred Flintstone's car, but if you look closely, it is not the car from the film.

The Flintstones, 0:03:58

Universal Studios Hollywood, 21 July 2023

Screenshots © Universal City Studios/Amblin Entertainment