Visiting the Movies: Where Did They Film That?

November 20 2009 by Julie Drossos

Versasca-Dam-wr.jpgHave you ever found yourself sitting back and enjoying a great flick and wondering where a particular scene or battle is filmed? You'd be surprised by where a lot of epic movie scenes are filmed, and even more surprised that you can visit many of these locations yourself.

Because I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I'll start here. You may or may not know that Vancouver is often referred to as "Hollywood North", due to the huge amount of movies and television shows that are filmed here. Juno, X-Men, Fantastic Four, The X Files (often filmed at my alma mater - Simon Fraser University), 88 Minutes and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants are just a few pieces filmed in my hometown. No doubt you haven't escaped the Twilight hype... well neither has Vancouver, since Twilight: New Moon - recently released - was also filmed in Vancouver. Much of the movie was filmed in historic Stanley Park - one of the world's most renowned and luscious parks - and even in my own neighborhood of Kitsilano. The hype over the "Twilight" presence in Vancouver is so big that a tour company has even launched "Twilight Tours Vancouver", a formal tour company that will "provide movie fans who love the 'Vampire, Werewolf and Human Love Story' a first hand look at the locations used in bringing the stories to the big screen." The tour is six hours long and costs $159 for adults and $119 for kids 12 & under.

If you have seen Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky", quite likely the scene that sticks out in your mind the most is the infamous training scene where Rocky powerfully jogs up the stairs in his "Gonna Fly Now" montage. Whether you want to re-enact the scene yourself and capture it on film (and believe me, more people than you might think do just that!) or you just want feel like a stimulating day of art, consider a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This museum was founded over 125 years ago, and it is one of the largest museums in the United States. One word of advice if you do want to live your own little "Rocky" moment - there are a daunting 68 steps to the top... so if you want to really nail the scene I suggest you wear a good pair of runners and have a full tank of energy.

If you've seen the movie Mamma Mia you've probably developed a strong desire to visit beautiful Greece with its piercing blue water and picturesque white buildings. Lucky for the cast (which included Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan), the movie was filmed on location in Greece, specifically on the islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. Skopelos is where you can find the breathtaking church where the wedding scene takes place--it's called Agios Ioannis Prodromos Monastery, perched on top of a 100-metre promontory. The scene featuring the cast breaking out into "Does your Mother Know" is filmed at the stunning Kastani Bay and beach.

If you're a 007 fan you've seen Goldeneye (back in the Pierce Brosnan days) and there's a good chance you vividly remember the opening scene, where 007 breaks into a Russian secret base within a dam. Bond dives fearlessly off of the precipice he gallantly stands atop, and plunges 220 meters straight down on a bungee cable. This particular scene was voted "Best Movie Stunt of All Time" in 2002, and it set a new world record for bungee jumping from a fixed object. It's located at the Verzasca Dam, located in the Ticino Valley in Switzerland (in the movie they're supposed to be in Russia). If you're daring enough to re-enact this scene yourself, believe it or not, you can! Visit this site for information on how you can make your 007 thrill-seeking fantasy a reality. According to the daredevils that have experienced this crazy adventure, the scenery is breathtaking - Swiss Alps on one side, the beautiful lake on the other side, and the raging river below as your enjoy your freefall.

Have you visited a cool destination you've seen in a movie?

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