Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Call me paparazzi. Yes, this image features a prolific motion picture background cast member. I’m not writing about anyone who might happen to be in any of the vehicles pictured in today’s photo. I’m talking about the Ben Franklin Bridge that connects Camden, New Jersey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bridge has appeared in background shots and cameo roles in several motion pictures set in Philadelphia. This view gives us a glimpse of the City of Brotherly Love behind the cars and underneath the arches on the left.
The span has appeared in several films, adding to its cinematic history and cultural significance. Here are a few notable movies that feature the Ben Franklin Bridge:
- “Witness” (1985): This thriller directed by Peter Weir stars Harrison Ford as a detective investigating a murder in an Amish community. The Ben Franklin Bridge is featured during a pivotal scene where Ford’s character confronts the culprits on the bridge’s pedestrian walkway.
- “National Treasure” (2004): In this adventure film starring Nicolas Cage, the Ben Franklin Bridge appears as one of the landmarks visited by the characters in their quest to find hidden treasure. It is shown in several scenes, including a car chase across the bridge.
- “Limitless” (2011): This science fiction thriller stars Bradley Cooper as a struggling writer who gains superhuman abilities through a mysterious pill. Cooper’s character is shown running across the Ben Franklin Bridge as part of a pivotal scene.
- “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012): Directed by David O. Russell, this romantic comedy-drama features the Ben Franklin Bridge in several scenes. The bridge serves as a backdrop to various moments in the story, including a climactic scene where the characters played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence meet near the bridge.
- “Dead Man Down” (2013): Starring Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace, this action thriller includes the Ben Franklin Bridge in its setting. The bridge is featured in a car chase sequence, highlighting its architecture.
One notable movie that was shot in Philadelphia but didn’t include the bridge as a background actor is “Rocky” (1976), however, the bridge was featured in “Rocky II” (1979) in a montage showcasing various locations in Philadelphia. Rocky II was the only movie in the series to include a shot of one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable landmarks.
The bridge is supported by its two main towers, one located in Philadelphia and the other in Camden, New Jersey. These towers are constructed using steel and rise to a height of 382 feet (116 meters) above the typical high water level. The main span, which is the distance between the two towers, measures approximately 1,750 feet (533 meters). Its total length, including approaches on both sides, is around 9,573 feet (2,918 meters).
The final design provides six lanes of traffic, two tracks for subway/elevated trains, two tracks for streetcar/trolley operation, and two walkways for pedestrians. The pedestrian lanes are used by bicycle riders, walkers, and joggers and are visible in the photo above the roadways on either side. The train tracks run on both sides of the roadways underneath the pedestrian walkways. More facts about the bridge and its construction can be found here. As Janet noted in the comments, there is a toll when coming from the New Jersey side. No toll coming in the other direction.
About the photo: Normally on our fall trips, Lynn and I ride in the rear seats of my niece and her husband’s SUV. I usually capture images out of the left-side rear window. For whatever reason, I was riding shotgun position as we approached the bridge. Cleaning the windshield at fuel stops is my usual duty and it was freshly cleaned when we filled the SUV up with fuel that morning. The light and angles were right to minimize reflections and I got a nice panoramic view of the bridge as we crossed. Using Adobe Lightroom, I cropped out the hood at the bottom of the shot, most of the car on the right, and adjusted for a slight tilt. I then sent it off to Luminar Neo for final tweaks. I added just a bit of structure and used the Enhance AI tool to increase the contrast. You can pixel-peep at the image in 2K HD on my Flickr site by clicking on the image above.
I encourage fellow bloggers to create their own Cellpic Sunday posts. I never have a specific topic for this feature, and the only rules are that the photo must be captured with a cell phone, iPad, or another mobile device… If you have an image from a drone or even a dashcam, that’s acceptable as well. The second rule is to link your challenge response to this post or leave a comment here with a link to your post in the comment. Oh, and, you don’t have to post it on a Sunday.
John Steiner
[…] Johns Cellpic Sunday […]
Bridge photos are always a winner John. This is rather spectacular 🙂
Thanks. I am always impressed by bridge designs, no matter their size.
I was wondering whether you stuck a camera to your windshield until I got towards the end of the post.
I haven’t entered a cellpic photo in a long while, so here are four: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2023/07/09/tofu-for-lunch/
[…] For Debbie’s One Word Sunday and John’s Cellpic Sunday. […]
What a gorgeous picture John!
My entry for Cellpic Sunday is here:
Great photo! Thank you for sharing the extra details. Cheers!
Thanks. I enjoyed the research on this post. It is an interesting bridge.
Researching is so much fun on these great places of interest.
I like the symmetry
Thanks, Sarah!
[…] Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday […]
An iconic bridge indeed, John. Your version is quite lovely with the clouds, and the feeling of motion toward the end point. Here is mine, and yours is also blue! https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/07/09/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-blue-is-my-world/
Thanks, Terri. I was surprised when I did the research on the bridge to find out its history as a movie icon. 🙂
Awesome cinematic view of the bridge. We were just there again this week. Did you get to the steps from the Rocky movie?
[…] Steiner, the blogger behind Journeys With Johnbo, has this prompt he calls Cellpic Sunday in which he asks us to post a photo that was taken with a cellphone, tablet, or another mobile […]
I love a good bridge!!
And so do I. 🙂
You forgot to mention that if you’re coming into Philadelphia from New Jersey, it will also cost $5 each time (or perhaps more by now.) Leaving is free.
I did forget. I’ll edit the post. 🙂 Thanks, Janet!
Sounds like the City of Brotherly Love loves everyone except those from New Jersey! 😀
Oh, no, they love them for all the money from the tolls!
😀
It does, indeed! >grin<
Wow, awesome bridge pic, John! I have a kitty pic coming up…
Thanks! Looking for it!
[…] Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday. […]
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Beautifully composed shot, John! It is as if we’re driving into a movie along with you!
Thanks, Dries!
I love all the information. I’ve seen most of those movies, but never paid attention to the bridge. I love you attention to details. Great post. Mine is coming tomorrow. 🙂
Thanks, Marsha. I’ll look forward to seeing it.
I bet your ears were burning this morning. Terri and I were talking about always linking to Sunday Stills. BTW, are you or Lynn allergic to cats? We are considering whether or not to take our cat to Scottsdale with us since we are staying there for a bit this winter. Of course we will take our ultra vacuum cleaner and clean up after her. I also need to check to see if the new furnace has a built in air purifier.
We aren’t. Not a problem. Thanks for thinking about us.
OK great. That makes it easy, then. Moji gets to go to Scottsdale.
[…] Photobyjohnbo-Cell-Pic-Sunday23-0709 […]
Great cell shot, John!
Thanks, Amy! I was lucky to be in the right front seat.
Love this The Ben Franklin Bridge and thank you for the story.
Amazing wide angle and vanishing point effect!
Thanks, Philo. It turned out OK for a shot through a car window. 🙂
And your habit of keeping the glass window clean, makes the click shine!😀
[…] ✅John S’s Cellpic Sunday […]
Love the clouds in the photos, John!
It was a beautiful day!
Thanks, Siobhan, the skies are beautiful on calm mornings, but also when they are angry!