UNESCO’s world heritage “Wadi Rum” has been used for movies for many years. “Lawrence of Arabia” (1960) is well known for using this location, and the red sand makes it a popular location for films that appear to have been shot on Mars (“The Martian”). In 2016 the crew for Rogue One turned Wadi Rum […]
Game of Thrones – Morocco – Aït-Ben-Haddou
A fortified city in the middle of the dessert, Aït-Ben-Haddou is on the UNESCO world heritage list. And even though at is a world famous monument, it has been seen in many, many films and TV productions. Recently in “Game of Thrones”, but it has also been used in : “The Jewel of the […]
Exodus – Spain
Although the Bible says Mozes escaped from Egypt with 600,000 slaves, Ridley Scott and his crew choose Spain as the main location for filming the exterior desert scenes (interiors were shot in the UK at Pinewood Studios). Most of the movie was filmed in Almeria (Tabernas). Tabernas has been used for other movies, like classic […]
Doctor Who – Dubai
A long way from the usual filming location in Wales, the Doctor Who crew went to Dubai for filming one of the last specials with David Tennant as the Doctor. The “Planet of the Dead” special was chosen to be filmed in Dubai because the emirate had a substantial film infrastructure and provided a unique […]
Jurassic Park – Red Rock Canyon
While most exteriors of the movie “Jurassic Park” were filmed on the tropical island of Kauai, the location of the Badlands, where the raptor skeleton was found, was filmed on the US mainland in the Mojave Desert. Only accessible by 4×4 the location near ridgecrest can be found, dinosaur fossils however… not.
Quantum Of Solace – Paranal Observatory
The 2008 James Bond film “Quantum Of Solace” was recorded partly in the Chili dessert at Paranal Observatory. They filmed there for about twelve days and the location was chosen to resemble Bond’s rigid emotions and being on the verge of committing a vengeful act.
A New Hope – Chott el-Djerid
Flat as a pancake, this location was used for the Original Star Wars. Chott el-Djerid dessert is now a military highway, but still known as “Star Wars Canyon”. Also here is the Moss Eisley overlook and where the attack of the Sand People was filmed.
The Force Awakens – Rub’ al Khali desert
They needed sand for “The Force Awakens”, lots of sand, so why not go to the biggest desert in the world in the Arabian Peninsula? Rub’ al Khali desert is the largest sand desert in the world and is used as planet Jakku (and the actors say it was HOT HOT HOT!). Luxury resorts are nearby […]
The Phantom Menace – Ksar Hadada
A national monument in the Tunesian dessert was again used in “the Phantom Menace”. The buildings in Ksar Hadada were supposed to be the small town of Mos Espa. It has also become a Hotel.
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