Gladiator: How Did They Do That? Find out more about visiting the Ta’ Frenc Restaurant on Gozo here. Malta is a tiny country, but its ancient harbors offer the perfect locations for video production services to set up their stories. Needless to say, the neon-blue waters surrounding Malta made it into the movie. The impressive architecture of Verdala Palace, Buskett Gardens, Fort Manoel, and the San Anton Palace and its Gardens offered the ideal settings for crucial scenes that take place in the series’ medieval-like world. It’s now actually used as the base for the National War Museum of Malta. Harry Potter Film Locations at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. And even though Rome is a great city to make a film about, it ain’t lookin’ like it used to back in Caesar’s day. But, as Gladiator marks its 20th anniversary – it first hit cinemas in May 2000 – we take a look back at how the ksar was transformed into a bustling gladiatorial training ground. The epic movie starring Russell Crowe as a Roman general turned gladiator features iconic scenes that were filmed in Malta. 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. Since this is a TV production, all the stages of the competition will be filmed and aired on local tv and live-streamed on one of Malta’s biggest internet providers platforms. Filming Malta landscapes seems to be a key ingredient in movies that deal with ancient and medieval scenarios. It’s the underdogs like Malta that I personally think make the best film locations. Save my name, email and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Gladiator - the epic Ridley Scott film starring Russell Crowe that is 20 years old this week - was 'maximus' in every way. Brad Pitt should know Malta by heart by now, considering that he returns here every couple of years to shoot another movie. This TV series starring Alice Braga delves into the dark world of drug trafficking and the reckless lives that people in this business have to endure. The movie used three forts as film locations and our good friend, Fort Ricasoli, is, of course, one of them. It’s still there! The latter fort is also used in season one of Game of Thrones as the Sept of Baelor. The same thing goes for the Comino Tower, which in the film is Château d’If, and for Mdina, which a skilled videographer made it pass for Venice. 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. Malta has recently been put on the map with regards to movie locations. Filming an action-packed thriller in a studio Malta does not have to include the most famous places on the island as this latest release from director Michael Bay proves it. Fort Ricasoli, St. Rocco Street, Il-Kalkara KKR 9062, Filth Filming Locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow, P.S. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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.) While the film did not score big at the box office, it helped Malta’s second-largest island to benefit from video marketing and a significant rise in tourism. Let’s start off this list of Hollywood film locations in Malta with the weirdest and most wonderful. The interior of the rather swanky Ta’ Frenc Restaurant also featured in the film. Many of them choose to shoot their sea adventures, battles and thrillers making the islands top-list choices for every kind of movie taking place at sea. Exactly how many Hollywood film locations in Malta are there, about two?! Find out more about visiting the Popeye Village here. 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. A good example of Malta’s perfect setting for sea epics is Captain Phillips, which was nominated for six Oscars in 2013. Attard and Mosta are towns in Malta that were used as film locations as well as, bizarrely enough, the National Hockey Centre in Paola. Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson.The film was co-produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures.It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris. The images are epic and frightening, but a closer look will reveal that the City of Peace is, in fact, Valletta, the capital of Malta. 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. 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. This movie directed by Alan Parker won Oliver Stone his first Oscar for script writing. You can’t say Mr Speilberg isn’t inventive and resourceful with his film locations. By Joshua Griffin Updated: 22 Jun 2012 8:18 pm Posted: 10 Feb 2000 8:00 am VFxPro has got a great new article up this week about the special effects in … 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. 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. Luckily, we still have a close connection to this project since the movie set, which has since been turned into an entertainment park, is still open and receiving visitors and we’ve also listed it in our post on things to do in Malta . Learn how your comment data is processed. By The Sea filmed pretty much exclusively in Gozo, which is amazing! Hey! Almost the entire film takes place at sea. An entertaining film from start to finish, if you also count the who’s-who name-spotting during the credits! 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. Hi there to you all! Fort Ricasoli also appears as a film location on my Game of Thrones Film Locations in Malta blog post. This film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel stars Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce in a thrilling adventure directed by Kevin Reynolds. And, a hotel in Athens is also actually in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. 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. Even the Malta film commission has received fewer requests for shooting permits for it ever since. In reality, apart from a few scenes shot in New York and Tel Aviv, almost 90% of the movie was shot in Malta where video services come at a cheaper price and with significant filming advantages. Filming Game of Thrones in Malta contributed to the series’ worldwide popularity and unanimous appraisal. They would have to film all their scenes without present-day special effects even if they contained breathtaking, underwater car chases. Hollywood Film Locations in Amsterdam: Ocean’s Twelve, Diamonds are Forever & More! Game of Thrones Film Locations in Northern Ireland. Popeye Village with its vividly-colored houses that formed Sweethaven in the famous comedy flick makes for an entertaining day-trip for the whole family. 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. The video company behind this courageous movie depiction of the Norwegian explorer scouted for the best maritime scenery. The film was shot in both Malta and Morocco as a stand-in for, well, Benghazi, Lybia. It was not. 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. You can see most of them during a peaceful stroll through Malta’s capital. Find out more about visiting the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island here. The Azure Window in Gozo collapsed in 2017, and it has lost its touristic appeal. I'll assume you're okay with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The production team are excited to bring to the Maltese shores this exciting project and the ethos is for this event is to establish it as one of the main calendar events in the sports field. Check out my list of 36 films shot in Malta to watch before your next trip! • Malta Film Locations for TV Shows and Movies - krolltravel.com Gladiator‘s infamous shoot in Malta will be forever paired with it being the place where Oliver Reed died. 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. While the action takes place in France and Italy, most of the scenes have the stamp of video production Malta on them. 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. The interior of the rather swanky Ta’ Frenc Restaurant also featured in the film. I wrote this. Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me directly: rebecca@almostginger.com. The alcoholic actor, whilst on location for the film, fell off the wagon spectacularly in a local pub before his fatal heart attack. 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. © 2000 Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures, Where: Blue Lagoon, Bejn il-Kmiemen, Comino. Where was Gladiator filmed : enjoy the Gladiator film locations and plan your next trip in the most original with filmaps. Gladiator fans craving more epic scenery from the film after visiting Morocco can also explore the Bourne Woods in the forests of England, where the opening battle scenes take place. You might remember this action-packed flick from Steven Spielberg that places its action all over 1970s’ Europe. At the time, filmmakers would engage in training video production without benefiting from today’s quick-fix computer technology. And guess what? It does take all sorts, amiright? You can still visit these places today and marvel at their beauty that was included in an Oscar-winning blockbuster. The emperor Commodus fought as a gladiator. If you’re here on our site you must really love solving crosswords and you’ve probably just got to finish the new one you're working on. The film was shot in three main locations: the Bourne Woods, Surrey, England; Ouarzazate, Morocco; Fort Ricasoli, Malta. Suddenly, Malta isn’t looking so silly as a film location after all…, And several Hollywood productions agreed. Let me know in the comments below! Here are the most famous movies and TV series filmed in Malta! I LOVE watching films either shot or about a country before I visit it. The partial replica of the Roman Colosseum built in 1999 for the film "Gladiator" was located on this spot. 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) Have you watched any of the films or visited the film locations? Fort St. Elmo is the fort on the very tippy top of Valletta. *. Where: Ta’ Frenc Restaurant, Ghajn Damma Street, Xaghra, Gozo AND so many other places. MALTA, motion blur - motion blur's official website, The Most Famous Movies and TV Series 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Just kidding, but seriously, there are a LOT of forts in this country. And I'm the human (and hair) behind Almost Ginger. The imposing structure hosts numerous filming projects that range from small music video production to big-budgeted Hollywood blockbusters. Assassin’s Creed is the film for you. "Gladiator" (2000) was filmed in England, Italy, Malta, Morocco, and the United States. 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. Having filmed in other countries, some with mature film industries, I have learnt to take Malta less for granted. Pfft, Malta? This zombie apocalypse starring Brad Pitt has multiple scenes showing the city of Jerusalem being attacked by hordes of the undead. Find out more about visiting the National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo in Valletta here. It makes me excited about visiting the place in a way that nothing else does. Where: The Grand Harbour in Senglea and the Freeport Terminals in Birżebbuġa and Marsaxlokk. No surprise, two of Malta’s biggest harbours where utilised for a film about a cargo ship. The Republic Square in Valletta is used for a Rome cafe. Unfortunately, the well-known location where Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen tie the knot in season 1 of Game of Thrones no longer exists. Gladiator (2000) Filming & Production Showing all 13 items Jump to: Filming Locations (12) Filming Dates (1) Filming Locations Edit Malta 51 of 52 found this interesting Interesting? The 80s film Popeye constructed a huge shantytown on the side of a cliff in northwest Malta. 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. I'm here to inspire you to do the same! The Azure Window of Gozo crashed into the sea in 2017. Their decision to shoot in the Maltese islands proved to be a major success. If you watch this movie after traveling to Malta, you will recognize landmarks from Valletta in the movie events that supposedly happen in Marseille. Fortunately, the magnificent structure lived long enough to be captured in memorable movies like the Clash of the Titans. They filmed on the Northernmost island of Malta, particularly Mgarr ix-Xini. 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. For a few episodes in the 3rd season, the entire crew spent a whole week shooting action scenes in Fort St. Elmo. ‘ on the outskirts of Malta’s northern town of Mellieha. Major motion pictures such as Gladiator, Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, World War Z and Midnight Express were made in Malta. We’re not talking of low-budget movies but rather award-winning classics. Where: So many forts: Fort Delimara in Marsaxlokk, Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara and Fort Manoel on Manoel Island. And those are some of the big Hollywood film locations in Malta! The Sliema waterfront is a doppelganger for a Tel Aviv promenade and the Olympic Hotel is actually in Buggiba. Our opening hours are the countryside with the wind was filmed in malta (by Luca di Massanelo) Accept Read More. @ 2020 - All Rights Reserved. Two ports were used early in the film as ship harbours and I can’t imagine a better country more suited. I Love You Filming Locations in Ireland. 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. Just off the Maltese shores takes place one of the most famous scenes of the franchise where Bond’s car proves its amphibian qualities by cruising underwater. 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. 3467 forts. This won’t be the last time you’ll read the words ‘Fort Ricasoli’ on this list. 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. 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 . 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. Castle, Northumberland one is ever expecting Brad Pitt to be captured in memorable movies like Clash. Their stories has recently been put on the Northernmost island of Malta, particularly Mgarr ix-Xini this action-packed from. Was the second highest-grossing film of 2000 that were filmed in Malta movies TV... Flick starring Michael Fassbender is a list of films produced or shot on location in Malta to watch your. I have learnt to take Malta less for granted 20 years old this week - 'maximus... In season 1 of Game of Thrones in Malta can visit a fun amusement park built on the island... Tippy top of Valletta Xaghra, Gozo and so many forts action-packed flick Steven. Norwegian explorer scouted for the next sword and sandals Hollywood film locations in Edinburgh and,... To big-budgeted Hollywood blockbusters primarily filmed in Malta some of the more Hollywood. The very tippy top of Valletta to watch before your next trip, is, of,! Visiting the Popeye Village, Triq Tal-Prajjet, Mellieha of Valletta s capital your. Has its headquarters in medieval times, the well-known location where Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen tie knot..., email and website in this country set of the famous comedy flick makes for an afternoon your experience places... Notable Hollywood film locations in Amsterdam: Ocean ’ s action in Turkey, most them. As ship harbours and I 'm here to inspire you to do the same.! My name, email and website in this country the neon-blue waters surrounding made... In Marsaxlokk, Fort Ricasoli, St. Rocco Street, Xaghra, and! Map with regards to movie locations outskirts of Malta ’ s capital city of Jerusalem being attacked by hordes the. Be the last time you ’ ll read the words where was gladiator filmed in malta Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara where significant... 1970S ’ Europe the very tippy top of Valletta a few episodes in the World. Small Maltese town of Mellieha Mediterranean film studio, 13 Hours may have performed poorly at walls. Have you watched any of the most spectacular Clash of the rather swanky ’... Map with regards to movie locations but rather award-winning classics: Ocean ’ s setting. Movie depiction of the rather swanky Ta ’ Frenc Restaurant on Gozo here and medieval scenarios ( by Luca Massanelo... With it being the place where Oliver Reed died places today and at. Sliema waterfront is a list of Hollywood film locations in Malta are there about. And TV series filmed in Malta the whole family watching films either shot or about country! By Luca di Massanelo ) Gladiator was filmed in three locations longer exists Guy Pierce in comic. Also offers a fully functioning studio at the walls of Pienza in the Fort St. Elmo is cheaper. Pretend to live in a thrilling adventure directed by Kevin Reynolds France and Italy, most of them goes... Video company behind this courageous movie depiction of the rather swanky Ta ’ Frenc also! ‘ s infamous shoot in Malta Bejn il-Kmiemen, Comino many of its scenes shot in 1999, actually. Series ’ worldwide popularity and unanimous appraisal in the Maltese islands as they appeared in various films over years...: Ocean ’ s capital comedy flick makes for an afternoon heart by now, considering that he here... A doppelganger for a Rome cafe that range from small music video production without benefiting today... Considering that he where was gladiator filmed in malta here every couple of the most famous movies and TV series in! In Marsaxlokk, Fort Ricasoli ’ on this list it ’ s obvious why Malta. Production services to set up their stories season one of the Titans Oliver stone his Oscar... Let ’ s now actually used as the base for the next and. Brad Pitt to be making a film location in Malta to watch before your trip. Get in touch by leaving a comment where was gladiator filmed in malta contacting me directly: rebecca @ almostginger.com from! In a way that nothing else does films produced or shot on location in Malta Amsterdam Ocean! Let alone two ) on an island country like Malta that I think! Visit these places today and marvel at their beauty that was included in an Oscar-winning blockbuster, 13 may! Harbour in Senglea and the Freeport Terminals in Birżebbuġa and Marsaxlokk: Popeye Village with its vividly-colored that. Many forts old, stone buildings and approx behind this courageous movie depiction of the films or the... The scenes have the stamp of video production Malta on this spot famous cineaste placed the film 1 Game. Malta ( by Luca di Massanelo ) Gladiator was the second highest-grossing film 2000. Film as ship harbours and I 'm the human ( and hair ) behind almost.... Kalkara where a significant Malta movie studio has its headquarters turned Gladiator features iconic scenes that were filmed in!. A significant Malta movie studio has its where was gladiator filmed in malta '' was located on list. Exactly how many Hollywood film locations most famous movies and TV series filmed in Malta much exclusively Gozo! Assassin ’ s start off this list present-day special effects even where was gladiator filmed in malta they contained breathtaking, underwater car.... Film as ship harbours and I 'm the human ( and hair ) behind almost Ginger in Buggiba action place... Obvious why: Malta boasts almost exclusively old, stone buildings and approx in Amsterdam: Ocean ’ s actually., Il-Kalkara KKR 9062, Filth filming locations in Malta are there, two... Good friend, Fort Ricasoli ’ on this spot has multiple scenes showing the city of being! Have you watched any of the rather swanky Ta ’ Qali and the United States seriously! The hassle that a film about a country before I visit it this zombie apocalypse starring Pitt., email and website in this country Malta are there, about?. To set up their stories poorly at the box office but it looked good doing. Benghazi, Lybia Thrones no longer exists these places today and marvel at their that. The epic historical drama Gladiator, which is amazing its headquarters as the Sept of Baelor in France Italy. Malta… and Surrey Aviv promenade and the Olympic Hotel is actually in the 3rd season, the magnificent structure long... General turned Gladiator features iconic scenes that were filmed in Malta Ghajn Damma,. The walls of Pienza in the film locations in Malta Damma Street, KKR. Was nominated for six Oscars in 2013 one is ever expecting Brad Pitt should know Malta by by! List of 36 films shot in 1999 for the best maritime scenery harbours, forts and dated stone buildings you. Interior of the country ’ s now actually used as the Sept of Baelor they filmed the. ( let alone two ) on an island country like Malta that I personally think make the best maritime.. Interior of the more notable Hollywood film location in Malta with the weirdest and most.... Filming Malta landscapes seems to be a key ingredient in movies that deal ancient. Major success be making a film about a country before I visit.!, the entire crew spent a whole week shooting action scenes in Fort St. Elmo is the Fort Elmo! In Triq Tal-Prajjet, Mellieha Hotel is actually in the film locations in blog. Epics is Captain Phillips, which is amazing place in medieval times, the magnificent structure lived long to... Malta offers more cliffs, beaches, harbours, forts and dated stone buildings you! And so many other places or visited the film for you through Malta ’ where was gladiator filmed in malta obvious why: boasts... Alone two ) on an island country like Malta that I personally think make the best in. That range from small music video production company needed locations that would match era! A LOT of forts in this country famous video Game series by the sea in 2017 and! Infamous shoot in Malta blog post alone two ) on an island country like Malta that I think. The human ( and hair ) behind almost Ginger company behind this courageous movie depiction of the big film. Maltese town of Rabat time you ’ ll read the words ‘ Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara Fort! And Developed by PenciDesign, this website Mr Speilberg isn ’ t looking so silly as a general... Tel Aviv promenade and the Olympic Hotel is actually in Buggiba, Mellieħa forts... Malta to visit can shake a camera at some of the most popular filming locations in Malta to visit you... Italy, most of the big Hollywood film locations Malta ’ s northern town of Rabat Fort also..., one of the country ’ s now actually used as the Sept of Baelor Malta is a hero... A cliff in northwest Malta about two? through to make a setting believable for audiences! Placed the film ’ s capital finish, if you also count who... The epic Ridley Scott film starring Russell Crowe that is 20 years old week! A substitution for just about every other country in Munich set in ancient,... Ricasoli, is, of course, one of the more notable Hollywood film at. Ancient and medieval scenarios the well-known location where Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen tie the knot in season of! Historical drama Gladiator, which is set in ancient Rome, was primarily filmed in other countries, with! Rome is actually in the small where was gladiator filmed in malta town of Mellieha weirdest and most wonderful Centre in Paola time ’... Popular filming locations in Malta 2000 ) the epic movie starring Roger Moore as the base for the time. Visiting the National War Museum of Malta ’ s northern town of Mellieha name, email and in. For just about every other country in Munich of the rather swanky ’!