The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland Starring Role: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
This Sir Norman Foster-redesigned Zurich property was featured in the
acclaimed U.S. version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo starring Daniel
Craig. The American version of this successful book dramatisation featured The Dolder Grand in its climatic
scenes when the main character, Lisbeth,travels to Zurich to conduct some secret
financial transactions. In October 2011, director Fincher arrived in Zurich to
scout locations for these scenes, and chose The Dolder Grand; he then visited
again with a larger team to discuss logistics for the shoot. The actual filming
took place over two days in December 2010, with a crew of 60 and about 40
extras. Featured areas including the façade and driveway, the reception, a
guest floor corridor, and the Masina Suite, which had to be transformed for the
filming, with the living room sofa and pool table taken out to make room for a
bed. (As the hotel is non-smoking, the shots of Lisbeth puffing in her suite
were added digitally in post-production.) For part of the shoot, the whole
lobby and reception area had to be blocked off - but thanks to the organization and
professionalism of the crew, most guests did not even notice that a major U.S.
movie was being made. In addition to showcasing these areas of the hotel, the movie mentions the hotel by name and features
several staff members, too. In one scene, the receptionist (played by real-life
Dolder receptionist, Vanessa Kellerhals) says," Welcome to The Dolder Grand",
when Lisbeth checks in. Hotel departments like housekeeping and engineering
were also involved in helping the shoot run smoothly.