Public Enemies at Mirror Lake State Park
On July 1, the film Public Enemies opens in theaters. The Depression-era film stars Johnny Depp as famous bank robber John Dillinger, and Christian Bale as the FBI agent who tracks him down. For several evenings in late April and early May 2008, a number of gunfight scenes and car chases were filmed at Mirror Lake and the surrounding area.
Period cars from the 1930's line the entrance to Mirror Lake State Park.
DNR Photo
Upon agreeing to host some filming for the movie, Paul Zajackowski, property manager for Mirror Lake State Park, had three objectives; to ensure the safety of the visitors and the crew during the filming, to avoid disrupting the normal park activities, and to protect the natural resources in the park.
Staff from Lake Kegonsa, Governor Nelson, Governor Dodge, and Devil’s Lake state parks helped the Mirror Lake staff inform every visitor about what to expect on their visit (from gunshots, generators, to increased foot and vehicle traffic, to bright lights throughout the night) and were available for visitor support during this unique park experience. The Friends of Mirror Lake lent their pontoon boat to the crew and helped set up some scenes.
The set was closed off while scenes were being filmed at the park, but visitors who hike the Echo Rock Trail at Mirror Lake will recognize the hilly terrain in the film. Fern Dell Road was also used for a car chase scene and shootout.
Wisconsin's Gangster Tour
In additon to filming in and around the park, scenes for the movie were also filmed in Columbus, Darlington, Madison, Manitowish Waters, Milwaukee and Oshkosh. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism has created a "Ganster Tour" listing the fliming locations for Public Enemies as well as the Wisconsin destinations of other notorious gangsters like Al Capone.
Wisconsin's Gangster Tour [exit DNR]
For more information about Mirror Lake State Park, ask Paul Zajackowski , property supervisor, (608) 254-2333.
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