Here’s a colourful, eclectic collection of films shot on location in Morocco’s medinas, desert and mountains. It’s not a ‘top-ten’, simply a list of suggested viewing and we think this has something for everyone!
We have to thank our clients (the Hunters) for proposing we compile a list like this. We are always fascinated to know which Morocco-based films have encouraged you to travel here – please let us know. The film that inspired desert travel in me as a child was filmed in Tunisia (see below).
All photographs courtesy of IMDB.com
Whether you’ve already visited Morocco or are about to, or just have a passing curiosity, we think Morocco offers a pretty spectacular and exotic backdrop (which seems to double-up well as the Middle East). Who can’t resist a thrilling chase scene through a labyrinthine medina or a panorama across a vast, other-worldly landscape?
All photographs courtesy of IMDB.com
Even if you just watch one or two of these (or skip to the parts filmed in Morocco), you should be inspired to see more of Morocco for yourself. There are of course countless other films we could mention, and, more recently, international TV series. Long may it continue and thrive.
Lights, camel…action
- The Hitchcock classic: The Man Who Knew Too Much 1956 (filmed over 60 years ago, not much changed in the Marrakech medina)
- The epic: Lawrence of Arabia 1962 (the Sahara of course, Zagora-way)
- The modern classic: Gladiator 2000 (an amphitheatre was constructed at Ait Ben Haddou for the film)
- The tense drama: Babel 2006 (villages and mountains)
- The action-packed: The Bourne Ultimatum 2007 (medinas and rooftops)
- The British one: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen 2011 (mountain reliefs near Ouarzazate, pre-Sahara) one of our favourites
- The French one: La Source des Femmes 2011 (villages and mountains)
- The latest blockbuster: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation 2015 (medinas, mountains, the open road)
- The bohemian one: Hideous Kinky 1998 (medinas, souks, the open road)
- The ‘red herring’: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 (filmed in Tunisia and with some wonderful medina, rooftop and desert scenery that does conjure up Morocco)
- The wooden spoon: Sex and the City 2 2010 (medinas, luxury hotels)
- Coming soon: the next James Bond film, Spectre 2015
- And the new classic: The Game of Thrones 2011 TV series (filmed in several different locations in Morocco)
If you would like to visit any of the locations – get in touch with us and we’ll create you an itinerary.