Folklore

Captiva in Name—But Where Were the Cameras?

The feature film Captiva Island, starring Ernest Borgnine, was made in 1994, but almost all of its filming took place away from the island whose name it carried.

Directed and co-written by Southwest Florida filmmaker John Biffar, the family comedy follows a teenager whose Florida vacation takes an unexpected turn as he finds friendship, romance, and a fresh outlook through encounters with some colorful older residents. Alongside Borgnine, the cast included Arte Johnson, Bill Cobbs, and barefoot water-skiing personality “Banana George” Blair.

Despite the title, Goodland, a fishing community near Marco Island, stood in for Captiva Island town. Filming also took place in Fort Myers. A May 3, 1994, article in The Islander reassured residents that they need not worry about film crews disrupting Captiva: almost all filming would occur elsewhere.

The movie marked Biffar’s first feature film. By mid-June 1994, local newspapers reported that shooting had wrapped, and he was working on editing and music at studios at Universal in Orlando.

Later that year, the film received a festive Florida premiere at Fort Myers’ historic Arcade Theater. A December 23, 1994, Island Reporter article described searchlights, limousines, and a street-party celebration attended by about 1,200 people. Although commonly listed as a 1995 release, the movie had already made its local debut in December 1994.

Captiva Island subsequently reached audiences through theatrical showings and cable networks, including HBO and Showtime—carrying Captiva’s name well beyond Southwest Florida.