There may not be a continent on the planet with a wider mix of history and culture than Europe. With such a fine blend of the classic and the modern it is no surprise that so many big production companies and filmmakers decide to set many of their motion pictures across the continent. With many of the locations still standing, it makes for the perfect excuse to take a European holiday and visit many of the greatest locations in movie history. Remember to renew you existing E111 card when making your travel arrangements, so that you won’t be expected to pay any hefty medical bills should you require treatment on holiday. The application is quick and easy, and once you’ve been approved you can look forward to seeing some of the top locations from these movies.
Italian Job
As the title suggests, this original British caper is filmed and set throughout Italy. The opening sequence was filmed on the Great St Bernard Pass in Aosta, while the majority of the chase sequence, in the third act, was filmed throughout much of Turin. It is interesting to note that the productions company were offered an unlimited number of supercharged Fiats plus $50,000 if they would replace the Minis with Fiats. The filmmakers felt that the plot had an overall ‘us vs. them’ feel and declined the offer, sticking with the Minis, which were still a British brand at the time. The biggest talking point of the film has always been the literal cliff-hanger with the getaway bus dangling over the edge of a cliff with Charlie, his men and the stolen gold bullion inside.
James Bond
Across 54 years (and counting) and 24 movies with six different lead actors, James Bond is quite the jet-setter having practically everywhere on the globe. Europe remains the most visited continent for agent 007 with numerous trips to Italy, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece and Germany. Some of the most memorable Bond moments include the ski chase down Piz Gloria in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ and the chase up the Eiffel Tower in A View To A Kill.
Midnight In Paris
With his directorial debut in 1966, you’d have thought that Woody Allen would have run out of things to say before making his 42nd film, Midnight In Paris, in 2011. The film opens with a three minute postcard style montage that shows off Paris as a magical city where anything can happen. The film has a similar set up to the British sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart, where the protagonist finds he can travel back in time where he falls in love with a girl of the era, leaving him with little reason to return to his present day. This film is a love letter to the French capital, where Allen and his cinematographer, Darius Khondji both keen to show off the many sights of Paris including John XXIII Square, Montmartre and the Palace of Versailles.
