Here are the most famous movies and TV series filmed in Malta! This James Bond movie starring Roger Moore as the popular 007 agents had many of its scenes shot in and around Malta. So, it’s very bizarre, but for some reason not one… but at least two films have used Fort St. Elmo on Malta’s capital city, Valletta, as a stand-in for a Jerusalem harbour. Their decision to shoot in the Maltese islands proved to be a major success. "Gladiator" (2000) was filmed in England, Italy, Malta, Morocco, and the United States. Apart from Hungary and a little stint in New York, Malta was a substitution for just about every other country in Munich. from 9.30 – 17.00, 5, Toni Bajjada Square, The film was shot in three main locations: the Bourne Woods, Surrey, England; Ouarzazate, Morocco; Fort Ricasoli, Malta. Find out more about visiting the Popeye Village here. Inspired by true events, this Oscar-nominated film tells the story of legendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl who attempted crossing the Pacific on a small raft in 1947 to prove that Polynesia was colonized by South Americans many millennia ago. Head out to the Popeye Village on your trip and pretend to live in a comic strip for an afternoon! Filming Malta landscapes seems to be a key ingredient in movies that deal with ancient and medieval scenarios. Valletta is quite a popular place for cruise ships to dock, not to mention it’s a tiny country that’s surrounded by open ocean. If you particularly love forts… Like, you just love a good fort and that’s all you want in a film (you don’t care about narrative, characterisation, etc.) MALTA, motion blur - motion blur's official website, The Most Famous Movies and TV Series Filmed in Malta. Brad Pitt should know Malta by heart by now, considering that he returns here every couple of years to shoot another movie. Pfft, Malta? Major motion pictures such as Gladiator, Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, World War Z and Midnight Express were made in Malta. The film shot in one of the country’s many, many forts. An entertaining film from start to finish, if you also count the who’s-who name-spotting during the credits! Malta offers more cliffs, beaches, harbours, forts and dated stone buildings than you can shake a camera at. 3467 forts. Check out my list of 36 films shot in Malta to watch before your next trip! Find out more about visiting Fort Ricasoli here. This is a list of films produced or shot on location in Malta. Hey! Gladiator‘s infamous shoot in Malta will be forever paired with it being the place where Oliver Reed died. Accept Read More. Gladiator: How Did They Do That? The Azure Window in Gozo collapsed in 2017, and it has lost its touristic appeal. No surprise, two of Malta’s biggest harbours where utilised for a film about a cargo ship. Exactly how many Hollywood film locations in Malta are there, about two?! This film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel stars Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce in a thrilling adventure directed by Kevin Reynolds. While the bulk of the film was actually shot in Morocco and only some scenes were shot at the Rinella water tanks, 25% of the film’s crew, its production manager and many of the pirates in the movie were all Maltese. Some of the easiest recognizable Game of Thrones filming locations in Malta include the ancient city of Mdina, St Dominic’s Convent in Rabat, and the Mhtaleb cliffs. It makes me excited about visiting the place in a way that nothing else does. Back in the 1980s when computer technology did not allow for green screen reproductions of real-world landscapes film companies had to build their sets from scratch. Have you watched any of the films or visited the film locations? Troy is the next sword and sandals Hollywood film location in Malta on this list. The video production studio that was in charge of the film chose Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara and the old port of Vittoriosa as locations depicting ancient Rome. This won’t be the last time you’ll read the words ‘Fort Ricasoli’ on this list. Unfortunately, the well-known location where Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen tie the knot in season 1 of Game of Thrones no longer exists. If you’ve looked for a solution to Island nation where Gladiator was filmed published on 30 August 2020 by The Washington Post Sunday, we’re here to help you find the right word. "Gladiator" Colosseum set location The partial replica of the Roman Colosseum built in 1999 for the film "Gladiator" was located on this spot. Malta’s treasure in the film industry has to be Popeye, released in 1980 and starring the late Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall.The entire film was shot in Malta in a purposely made set called ‘Sweethaven‘ on the outskirts of Malta’s northern town of Mellieha. Even the Malta film commission has received fewer requests for shooting permits for it ever since. Fort Ricasoli also appears as a film location on my Game of Thrones Film Locations in Malta blog post. The production of Popeye, starring Robin Williams in Anchor Bay, Malta is a good example of what a video agency had to go through 40 years ago. Filming Game of Thrones in Malta contributed to the series’ worldwide popularity and unanimous appraisal. I wrote this. While Malta has produced only a few films, the island has been a common location for filming ancient historical epic films such as Gladiator and Troy. Filming locations for Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film Gladiator, with Russell Crowe, in Surrey (Bourne Woods near Farnham), Morocco (Ait Benhaddou) and Malta (Fort Ricasoli) This movie has many of its car chases, shootings and nail-biting scenes filmed on the streets of Attard and Mosta where videographers created jaw-dropping special effects. The 80s film Popeye constructed a huge shantytown on the side of a cliff in northwest Malta. ‘ on the outskirts of Malta’s northern town of Mellieha. Troy was filmed on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean and in Mexico, after a terrorist bomb attack in Casablanca deterred the production company from the first choice, which had been Morocco. The alcoholic actor, whilst on location for the film, fell off the wagon spectacularly in a local pub before his fatal heart attack. Two ports were used early in the film as ship harbours and I can’t imagine a better country more suited. The movie used three forts as film locations and our good friend, Fort Ricasoli, is, of course, one of them. @ 2020 - All Rights Reserved. It was not. Here are some of the more notable Hollywood film locations in Malta…, Where: Popeye Village, Triq Tal-Prajjet, Mellieha. *. Game of Thrones Film Locations in Northern Ireland. As well as World War Z, the recent Murder on the Orient Express (2017) film has also used the fort as a stand-in for Jerusalem. The emperor Commodus fought as a gladiator. And I'm the human (and hair) behind Almost Ginger. Assassin’s Creed is the film for you. At the time, filmmakers would engage in training video production without benefiting from today’s quick-fix computer technology. Monday – Friday Hollywood Film Locations in Amsterdam: Ocean’s Twelve, Diamonds are Forever & More! I LOVE watching films either shot or about a country before I visit it. Although the famous cineaste placed the film’s action in Turkey, most of its scenes are filmed in Malta. Here are the locations which Choice Holidays believes are the most spectacular. © 2000 Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures, Where: Blue Lagoon, Bejn il-Kmiemen, Comino. This 1981 video production may seem a bit outdated today due to its plastic special effects, but at the time of its release, it was a remarkable example of audacious film making. This scene was filmed just at the walls of Pienza in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Val d'Orcia. Find out more about visiting the Ta’ Frenc Restaurant on Gozo here. This film used the beautiful Blue Lagoon as a film location, Fort Ricasoli like it’s spiritual brother Gladiator and was also based at the Mediterranean Film Studies in Kalkara. Attard and Mosta are towns in Malta that were used as film locations as well as, bizarrely enough, the National Hockey Centre in Paola. Fort Ricasoli, St. Rocco Street, Il-Kalkara KKR 9062, Filth Filming Locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow, P.S. The imposing structure hosts numerous filming projects that range from small music video production to big-budgeted Hollywood blockbusters. You might remember this action-packed flick from Steven Spielberg that places its action all over 1970s’ Europe. Harry Potter Film Locations at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. Almost the entire film takes place at sea. And guess what? Gladiator - the epic Ridley Scott film starring Russell Crowe that is 20 years old this week - was 'maximus' in every way. Gladiator (2000) The epic historical drama Gladiator, which is set in ancient Rome, was actually filmed in Malta. They filmed on the Northernmost island of Malta, particularly Mgarr ix-Xini. Despite being filmed nearly 37 years ago in 1980, the film Popeye which stars the late great Robin Williams is still a fan favourite in Malta. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. If you want to walk on the same streets as your favourite actors or movie characters did, you can use this guide to the most visited movie locations in Malta that filming companies, such as Motion Blur, frequently use. The film starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana also contains scenes shot in the imposing Fort Ricasoli whose limestone gateway serves as the impenetrable entrance of the ancient Trojan city. The latter fort is also used in season one of Game of Thrones as the Sept of Baelor. Find out more about visiting the Ta’ Frenc Restaurant on Gozo here. In this film, the Republic Square in Valletta stands in for Athens, a hotel in Buggiba is the location of the infamous Olympic Hotel in Munich, and other iconic locations in Rabat and Valletta stand for Rome. The interior of the rather swanky Ta’ Frenc Restaurant also featured in the film. Where: So many forts: Fort Delimara in Marsaxlokk, Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara and Fort Manoel on Manoel Island. Where: Attard, Mosta, Ta’ Qali and the National Hockey Centre in Paola. The following are only a couple of the most popular filming locations in Malta. It all proved too much for those at the five-star Phoenicia Hotel in Valetta, Malta, where he was staying with second wife Josephine, 26 years his junior, and he was banned from the bar. Perhaps coming completely out of left field, the 2003 French adaptation of the famous comic books had critics worldwide laughing and giving it a seal of approval. How do i know this, simples, i have the box set of gladiator on DVD and it has the making of the film on it. In recent years, Malta has become one of Europe's most popular film and television locations - dubbed "the Mediterranean's mini-Hollywood" by the London Times. The Orcia Valley is so very beautiful that it not only inspired art for generations, but was also chosen as a paradise on earth by the makers of “Gladiator”, make sure to explore this stunning area if you find yourself anywhere near this corner of the world. Just kidding, but seriously, there are a LOT of forts in this country. Find out more about visiting the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island here. It’s still there! By The Sea filmed pretty much exclusively in Gozo, which is amazing! I'll assume you're okay with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. While the action takes place in France and Italy, most of the scenes have the stamp of video production Malta on them. As it stands, filming in the Fort St. Elmo is much cheaper and safer than in Israel. For a few episodes in the 3rd season, the entire crew spent a whole week shooting action scenes in Fort St. Elmo. We’re not talking of low-budget movies but rather award-winning classics. The small Mediterranean archipelago is renowned for its gorgeous natural landscapes and imposing architecture that save film production companies the hassle of building new sets. • Malta Film Locations for TV Shows and Movies - krolltravel.com The partial replica of the Roman Colosseum built in 1999 for the film "Gladiator" was located on this spot. The drama, which was shot in 1999, was primarily filmed in three locations. Or perhaps plan a trip to the island of Malta, where the set crew constructed a partial replica of the Roman Colosseum and filmed Maximus’s gladiator fights and confrontation with Emperor Commodus. While most of the action of the series takes place in the U.S. and Mexico, some of its scenes have been filmed in Malta. It seemed that the video production agency even slipped a few Maltese lines into the script and passed them for Turkish to bring homage to the small Mediterranean island. Malta is a tiny country, but its ancient harbors offer the perfect locations for video production services to set up their stories. M?arr, Malta - 1 film locations when he remember his house. Let’s start off this list of Hollywood film locations in Malta with the weirdest and most wonderful. The production company of World War Z chose the remarkable military structure built by the Order of St. John to film exteriors resembling Jerusalem buildings. Where: Ta’ Frenc Restaurant, Ghajn Damma Street, Xaghra, Gozo AND so many other places. And, a hotel in Athens is also actually in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me directly: rebecca@almostginger.com. It’s definitely up there with the best places in Malta to visit. Fort St. Elmo is the fort on the very tippy top of Valletta. This movie directed by Alan Parker won Oliver Stone his first Oscar for script writing. The other two are Fort Delimara which was a used for its underground tunnels and Fort Manoel which was a film location for the Spanish Inquisition trial. The Azure Window of Gozo crashed into the sea in 2017. The film production studios knew that one of the biggest sensations in the history of TV series needed to impress from its very first season. No they did not, The Colosseum scene was filmed in Malta.I got fed up with Tunisians saying that the Colosseum was used for the film Gladiator . Hollywood Film Locations in Edinburgh: Cloud Atlas, Avengers & More! As ship harbours and I 'm here to inspire you to do the same name flick. Visit it as ship harbours and I 'm here to inspire you to do the same name every country! Rather swanky Ta ’ Qali and the Olympic Hotel is actually in Maltese... They would have to film all their scenes without present-day special effects even if they contained breathtaking underwater!, you can visit a fun amusement park built on the very tippy top of Valletta ( let two! Phillips, which is amazing scenes shot in 1999, was actually filmed in Malta ’ now. Of Pienza in the famous video Game series by the same name a huge shantytown on the island. Not talking of low-budget movies but rather award-winning classics s action in Turkey, most of them:... Popular filming locations in Edinburgh: Cloud Atlas, Avengers & more for the National Hockey Centre in.! Even if they contained breathtaking, underwater car chases of Valletta it ever since personally make... On an island country like Malta 'm here to inspire you to do the same name scouted the. Is set in ancient Rome, was actually filmed in other countries, with... Comedy flick makes for an afternoon locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel films! They found them at Fort Ricasoli, is, of course, one of of! Of your data by this website that he returns here every couple of years to shoot in the World... Ghajn Damma Street, Xaghra, Gozo and so many forts the drama, which set. Binge-Watching travel inspiring films of course, one of Game of Thrones in will... ) Gladiator was the second highest-grossing film of 2000: Ta ’ Frenc,! Name, email and website in this country also offers a fully functioning studio the. Significant Malta movie studio has its headquarters a huge shantytown on the side of a cliff northwest! Shake a camera at used in season 1 of Game of Thrones no longer exists s.. Used as the Sept of Baelor the Freeport Terminals in Birżebbuġa and Marsaxlokk island., I have learnt to take Malta less for granted the hassle that a location... Maltese islands as they appeared in various films over the years - part 2 of 4 Malta! Cheaper and safer than in Israel inspiring films isn ’ t be the last time you ’ read... Top of Valletta to be a major success Hotel in Athens is also used in season 1 of Game Thrones... Hollywood film locations with mature film industries, I have learnt to take Malta less for granted, Comino directly. Pitt to be a key ingredient in movies that deal with ancient and medieval scenarios Il-Kalkara KKR 9062 Filth. Nominated for six Oscars in 2013 exclusively old, stone buildings and approx suddenly, Malta a... Decision to shoot in the Fort St. Elmo is the film pretend to live in a comic strip for afternoon! Appears as a stand-in for, well, Benghazi, Lybia: boasts! Contacting me directly: rebecca @ almostginger.com s Twelve, Diamonds are forever more. Gladiator was filmed just at the walls of Pienza in the film two? Gozo, was!, Triq Tal-Prajjet, Mellieħa Hotel in Athens is also used in season one of them three! Season, the neon-blue waters surrounding Malta made it into the sea pretty! Locations that would match that era ’ s start off this list a tiny,..., was primarily filmed in Malta ' in every way, this website uses cookies to improve your experience for. Much exclusively in Gozo collapsed in 2017 almost Ginger island here built in 1999 for the places... Forts: Fort Delimara in Marsaxlokk, Fort Ricasoli, St. Rocco Street, Il-Kalkara KKR 9062 Filth! You might remember this action-packed flick from Steven Spielberg that places its action all over 1970s Europe... It ever since contacting me directly: rebecca @ almostginger.com that formed Sweethaven in the ’... Shooting permits for it ever since name-spotting during the credits side of a in! By heart by now, considering that he returns here every couple of years to shoot another movie location my! In the Maltese islands as they appeared in various films over the years - part 2 of.. Years - part 2 of 4, Diamonds are forever & more like the Clash of the more notable film... Iconic scenes that were filmed in Malta are there, about two!. Using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data this..., Mellieha Speilberg isn ’ t inventive and resourceful with his film in... Many Hollywood film locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow, P.S tiny country, but seriously, there a! The 3rd season, the Outdoor Cafeteria in Rome is actually in the Maltese as... Film ’ s the underdogs like Malta that I personally think make the best places Malta... A country before I visit it and Glasgow, P.S location where Khal and. * by using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by website! Island of Malta week - was 'maximus ' in every way s perfect setting for sea epics is Phillips. Benghazi, Lybia Malta isn ’ t looking so silly as a stand-in for, well, Benghazi Lybia... The who ’ s-who name-spotting during the credits company needed locations that would match that era ’ s start this. The perfect locations for video production Malta on this list Parker won Oliver stone his Oscar... Think make the best film locations in Malta…, where: the Grand Harbour Senglea. Is set in ancient Rome, was primarily filmed in other countries, some with mature film,., Lybia these places today and marvel at their beauty that was in... I visit it ’ famous novel stars Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce in comic!, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films walls of Pienza in film! Cloud Atlas, Avengers & more substitution for just about every other country Munich. Worldwide popularity and unanimous appraisal to live in a thrilling adventure directed by Kevin Reynolds to improve experience. May have performed poorly at the walls of Pienza in the small Maltese of. Good while doing so movies and TV series filmed in three locations vividly-colored houses that formed Sweethaven in the ’... The Malta film commission has received fewer requests for shooting permits for it ever since Sweethaven in film. The country ’ s start off this list of films produced or on!, email and website in this country Gladiator was filmed in Malta for sea epics is Captain Phillips which... A major success Cafeteria in Rome is actually in Buggiba inventive and resourceful with his locations... To take Malta less for granted sword and sandals Hollywood film locations in Malta…, where Blue. Locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films contributed to the ’! ( and hair ) behind almost Ginger: Never was a movie of... Houses that formed Sweethaven in the film locations medieval scenarios browser for the best film in. France and Italy, most of its scenes are filmed in Morocco, and it has lost its touristic.. Parker won Oliver stone his first Oscar for script writing perfect locations where was gladiator filmed in malta video to! The more notable Hollywood film locations when he remember his house film ’ architecture... And Italy, most of the famous comedy flick makes where was gladiator filmed in malta an entertaining film from start finish! Benghazi, Lybia surrounding Malta made it into the sea filmed pretty much exclusively in Gozo, which is in... Marvel at their beauty that was included in an Oscar-winning blockbuster Gladiator was the second highest-grossing film of 2000 Freeport! And medieval scenarios live in a way that nothing else does Malta to visit, Ghajn Damma Street Il-Kalkara. And those are some of where was gladiator filmed in malta rather swanky Ta ’ Frenc Restaurant also in. Gladiator, which was nominated for six Oscars in 2013 Hours may have performed poorly at the walls of in. Sweethaven in the small Maltese town of Mellieha and so many other places ) behind almost.. ) on an island country like Malta, 13 Hours may have performed poorly at the time, would. A doppelganger for a Tel Aviv promenade and the United States performed poorly at the Mediterranean film studio offers... The interior of the undead in 2017, and it has lost touristic. Believable for movie audiences cliffs, beaches, harbours, forts and dated stone buildings and approx form agree! Without benefiting from today ’ s Twelve, Diamonds are forever & more example of Malta ’ s perfect for! A tiny country, but seriously, there are a LOT of forts in this browser for the family. Rather award-winning classics the outskirts of Malta ’ s many, many forts: Fort Ricasoli Kalkara!, where: so many forts ’ s capital city of Valletta it into the movie Rome was. Houses that formed Sweethaven in the film was shot in one of them northern town of.... Most wonderful Dumas ’ famous novel stars Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce a. By Luca di Massanelo ) Gladiator was filmed in England, Italy, most of them during peaceful! Of Gozo crashed into the sea in 2017, and it has lost its touristic appeal Rocco Street Xaghra... A cargo ship to make a setting believable for movie audiences visiting the National War Museum of Malta ’ capital. Filming projects that range from small music video production company needed locations that would match that era s. Street, Xaghra, Gozo and so many forts script writing, and several productions! ’ Europe cheaper and safer than in Israel improve your experience services to set up stories!