Napoleon Dynamite: Filming Locations in Preston, Idaho

Napoleon's school days are spent dealing with bullies and playing tetherball by himself. The film's big finish is the school election: Pedro gives a despondent speech, then Napoleon, wearing a "Vote for Pedro" shirt, does his dance routine to Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat" and receives a standing ovation. Director Jared Hess shot the film in Preston in July 2003, in just 23 days and on a budget of $400,000, while generous locals gave the crew housing and food. Preston High School stands a few blocks from U.S. Highway 91.

Visitor guidance: A working school: view the exterior from the street.

The chain of events that brings Uncle Rico to Preston starts here. Grandma Carlinda breaks her tailbone and asks Rico to look after Napoleon and Kip while she recovers. Film-location guides place the accident at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, 11,000 acres of white sand about eight miles west of St. Anthony and a favourite with dune-buggy fans. It lies well away from Preston itself.

Location precision: The film's accident scene is placed here by a location guide; the exact spot in the dunes is not given, so no pin is set.

Back in Preston, the bowling alley is where Kip and Uncle Rico plan their sure-fire business venture: a get-rich-quick scheme of selling items door-to-door. It goes badly for Napoleon, as Rico tells Trisha's mother embarrassing stories about him while making a sale. The location guide lists Pop'n Pin Lanes at 411 South Highway 91 in Preston.

Location precision: The place is not in map data under its name; the guide gives only a Highway 91 address, so no exact pin is set.

To make some money, Napoleon takes a job on a chicken farm, but he makes very little: he and his friends earn six dollars. The location guide identifies the farm as Ritewood Egg Co, on South 4000 East in Franklin, Idaho. The pin marks only the road named in the guide, not the buildings seen on screen.

Location precision: The pin marks South 4000 East, the road named in the location guide, not the farm buildings.

Napoleon buys his awesome suit at the Deseret Industries thrift shop on South State Street in Preston. According to the location guide, the store furnished most of the film's wardrobe, which suits a story set in the 2004-05 school year but full of touches harking back to the 1970s.

Visitor guidance: A working thrift shop on South State Street; browse it as an ordinary customer.

Two months after the election, Kip and LaFawnduh get married, and Napoleon arrives on a stallion he tamed for the couple to ride out on. The wedding scene was shot months after the rest of the film was finished, at Lamont Reservoir, a couple of miles east of Preston.

Location precision: The guide gives only a rough location east of Preston, so no exact pin is set.