David Cronenberg’s gripping thriller about the Russian mob is set in the shadowy underworld of London – filming across the capital, from a Clerkenwell restaurant front to the bathhouse of its unforgettable, brutal fight.
Where was Eastern Promises filmed?
Eastern Promises was filmed across London – Clerkenwell, Greenwich and the East End.
Every Eastern Promises location, explained
1
The Russian restaurant – Clerkenwell
The mob’s restaurant front used a church exterior in Clerkenwell, London.
2
The bathhouse
The film’s shocking naked knife fight used a London bathhouse.
3
The East End – Hackney
Street scenes used Broadway Market and Hackney in east London.
4
The wider city
The film moves through Greenwich and the streets of London.
Planning a visit
London – from Clerkenwell to the East End – is the film’s real, atmospheric, accessible setting.
Eastern Promises Fun Facts
1
Filmed in London The Russian-mob thriller used the real streets of London.
2
The bathhouse fight The film’s brutal, naked knife fight became notorious.
3
A Cronenberg-Mortensen team-up It reunited David Cronenberg with Viggo Mortensen.
4
Mortensen's tattoos The elaborate Russian prison tattoos were central to the role.
5
An Oscar nod Viggo Mortensen earned an Academy Award nomination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Eastern Promises filmed?
Across London – Clerkenwell, Greenwich and the East End.
Is it set in London?
Yes – in the city’s Russian-mob underworld.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Clerkenwell and the East End are accessible.
Who directed Eastern Promises?
David Cronenberg.
Who stars in it?
Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.
