Celebrating 30 Years of Jumanji: A Small Town’s Heartwarming Connection with Robin Williams and His Iconic Film
Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, Kirsten Dunst and Robin Williams in "Jumanji".
Credit:
TriStar/Getty
‘Jumanji’ Celebrates 30 Years: A Look Back at Its Impact on Keene, New Hampshire
KEENE, N.H.— The adventurous film Jumanji, released on December 15, 1995, officially turns 30 this year, marking a significant cultural milestone. The movie starred icons such as Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, and Bradley Pierce, captivating audiences worldwide.
Filmed in Keene, New Hampshire, the production took place in November 1994, transforming the small town into the fictional setting of Brantford and offering residents a rare opportunity to participate as extras. For Keene’s nearly 35,000 residents, it was an exciting chapter in their community’s history.
Randy Filiault, then a newly elected city councilor, vividly recalls the moment when the film’s production team announced the star cast. "We said, by the way, who’s really starring in this? He goes, ‘Well, we just signed Robin Williams.’ There was silence in the room because, A, we realized this is going to be a big film and, B, it’s like, how the heck are we going to do this?" he said in a recent interview.
On November 15, 1994, Keene’s mayor, William F. Lynch, ceremoniously presented Williams with a large, gold-plated key to the city, eliciting laughs from the audience. Williams humorously referred to Lynch as “the mayor of Munchkinland,” acknowledging the height difference between them.
Williams further entertained the crowd, joking, "If you hear a noise at your door tonight, it’s me. It’s a big key and somewhere there’s a big lock." His 20-minute interaction with attendees reflected his genuine appreciation for the community.
The film’s final day of shooting involved over 150 local extras, contributing to scenes where creatures escaped the board game, creating a lively atmosphere in the town’s Center Square.
Today, the Parrish Shoes sign remains a landmark in downtown Keene. It served as a gathering place for residents who mourned Williams after his passing in 2014. Community members and visitors honored the beloved actor with candles, flowers, and heartfelt notes, recalling the joy he brought during filming.
This summer, the town celebrated Jumanji‘s legacy with a three-day festival from June 20-22, featuring interactive exhibits, screenings, and themed activities that highlighted the film’s impact on Keene’s history.
As residents reflect on the film’s 30-year anniversary, the bond created during its production continues to resonate, illustrating the lasting influence of Jumanji on this small New England town.
