
Many people will recognize the movie “The Iron Giant”. The 1999 animated film has become a classic, and is a beloved children’s movie. But what people may not know is that it takes place in the fictional town of Rockwell near Portland, Maine. The movie was based loosely on the British novel The Iron Man, but director Brad Bird chose to set the film in 1950’s Maine, during the Cold War and the height of fear of Russian attack. In an interview, Bird claimed that the “Norman Rockwell idyllic” setting served as a beautiful contrast to the Cold War tensions present in the hearts of everyone – clearly, Bird is a fan of the beautiful Maine landscapes!
Desowitz, Bill (October 29, 2009). “Brad Bird Talks ‘Iron Giant’ 10th Anniversary”. Animation World Magazine.
Image Source: CinemaBlend.com https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2433149/why-the-iron-giant-isnt-getting-a-sequel