The Absurdity of History: When Film Meets Reality at Montacute House
There’s something undeniably captivating about watching history come alive on screen, but what happens when the line between past and present blurs in the most unexpected ways? Take Montacute House, a National Trust property in Somerset, which recently played host to the filming of Savage House. Personally, I think this isn’t just another story about a historic site being used as a film set—it’s a fascinating intersection of art, history, and the sheer absurdity of human life.
One thing that immediately stands out is the logistical challenge of filming in such a location. Gareth Parker, the property operations manager, described it as a “considerable logistical undertaking.” What many people don’t realize is that filming in a historic property isn’t just about setting up cameras and lights; it’s about preserving the integrity of the site while bringing a story to life. A detail that I find especially interesting is Parker’s mention of an “enormous heap of manure and rubbish” outside the Old Kitchen. It looked so real that they expected it to smell. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a perfect metaphor for the film itself—a story that dives into the absurdity and extremes of historical life.
Claire Foy, who plays Lady Savage, described the film as “absurdist,” and I couldn’t agree more. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the film reflects the realities of the past: the lack of personal hygiene, the bizarre diets, the sheer chaos of it all. From my perspective, this isn’t just a period drama; it’s a commentary on how far we’ve come—and how strange our ancestors’ lives must have seemed. What this really suggests is that history isn’t always the polished, romanticized version we see in textbooks. It’s messy, it’s extreme, and it’s often downright absurd.
Montacute House itself is no stranger to the spotlight. It’s been featured in productions like Sense and Sensibility, The Libertine, and Wolf Hall. But what sets Savage House apart is its willingness to lean into the absurd. In my opinion, this is where the film shines—it doesn’t shy away from the oddities of the past. Instead, it embraces them, creating a narrative that feels both authentic and surreal.
This raises a deeper question: Why are we so drawn to these historical extremes? Is it nostalgia, or is it a way to make sense of our own lives by comparison? Personally, I think it’s the latter. When we see the chaos of the past, it makes our modern conveniences and norms feel all the more significant. What many people don’t realize is that these films aren’t just entertainment—they’re a lens through which we examine our own humanity.
If you take a step back and think about it, the choice of Montacute House as a filming location is no accident. Its grandeur and history provide the perfect backdrop for a story that’s both larger-than-life and deeply human. A detail that I find especially interesting is how the house itself becomes a character in the film, its walls echoing the absurdity of the narrative.
Looking ahead, I can’t help but wonder how future productions will interpret history. Will they continue to lean into the absurd, or will they romanticize the past? From my perspective, the success of Savage House suggests that audiences are ready for more honest, unfiltered portrayals of history. What this really suggests is that the past isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a mirror reflecting our own complexities and contradictions.
In the end, Savage House isn’t just a film; it’s a reminder of how strange and wonderful history can be. And Montacute House? It’s more than just a location—it’s a living, breathing testament to the absurdity of it all. Personally, I think that’s something worth celebrating.
