Movie locations around the world part 4

This is part 4 of my quest for finding movie locations around the world. Left images are from the actual films and to the right are my visits to the spots.

You may also be interested in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9 and Part 10.

Star Wars Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars Episode 2: Villa del Balbianello, Italy

Since most environments in the prequel trilogy are computer rendered, it’s rare to find a real location. The beautiful Villa del Balbianello overlooking Lake Como in northern Italy is used as a lake retreat on Naboo. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) marry on the terrace outside the villa, facing the lake.

Star Wars Episode 2: Villa del Balbianello, Italy

Several other scenes were also shot at the villa, including Anakin meditating in the sunrise before getting a “soothing presence” by Padmé.

Star Wars Episode 2: Plaza de España, Seville

Anakin and Padmé arrive at “Naboo”, which just happens to be the vast Plaza de España in Seville.

Star Wars Episode 2: Plaza de España, Seville

They take a long detour just to show off the impressive columns, or simply for Anakin to have something more to whine about.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

The World Is Not Enough: Iparraguirre Kalea, Bilbao

James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) escapes from the baddies in his usual relaxed style by lowering himself down from the balcony of a “Swiss bank” opposite the large terrier sculpture, standing in front of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The World Is Not Enough: Puente de la Salve, Bilbao

Bond proceeds to make his escape by heading north across the bridge next to the Guggenheim Museum.

The World Is Not Enough: Eilean Donan castle, Scotland

The picturesque Eilean Donan castle is used as “MI6 Headquarters”. It was also featured more prominently in Highlander.

Sound of Music (1965)

Sound of Music: Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg

Salzburg in Austria is full of locations for this classic movie from 1965. This first location is the scene where Maria (Julie Andrews) is leaving the Nonnberg Abbey. This is an actual Benedictine monastery within walking distance from the city center.

Sound of Music: Residenzplatz, Salzburg

Maria arrives at Residenzplatz and splashes water at the horse statue.

Sound of Music: Monchsberg, Salzburg

Maria and the von Trapp children are walking along the Monchsberg terrace, with great views of the city.

Sound of Music: Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg

Maria and the children are dancing at the entrance to Mirabell Gardens, easily identified by the statues.

Sound of Music: Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg

Maria and the children are singing Do-Re-Mi at the famous steps in Mirabell Gardens.

Sound of Music: Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg

The von Trapp children are arriving at Nonnberg Abbey in search of Maria.

Sound of Music: Felsenreitschule, Salzburg

The von Trapp family are singing together at the Felsenreitschule. Exactly 50 years later I had the privilege of attending the anniversary gala where the original child actors sang together with the real von Trapp children at the same spot.

In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges: Rozenhoedkaai, Bruges

This movie is the ultimate poster boy for this cozy town. It all starts when Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) arrive at Rozenhoedkaai and stops to admire the buildings along the canal.

In Bruges: Groote Markt, Bruges

Ray is having a bad time at a bench on Groote Markt, before he verbally assaults random American tourists.

In Bruges: Minnewater Bridge, Bruges

Their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) comes to Bruges to fix the situation. He arrives by crossing Minnewater Bridge, where this distinctive tower can be seen.

Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually: Gabriel’s Wharf, London

Daniel (Liam Neeson) is having a talk with his son Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) on a chilly bench next to the Thames.

Love Actually: Barge House Street, London

Mark (Andrew Lincoln) had a awkward meeting with Juliet (Keira Knightley) and dashes out of his apartment…

Love Actually: Oxo Tower Wharf, London

…to have a nervous breakdown among Christmas shoppers at Oxo Tower Wharf…

Love Actually: Queen’s Walk, London

…before making a shortcut through Oxo Tower onto Queen’s Walk, where he moodily drags his hand along the stone wall.

Love Actually: St Luke’s Mews, London

But Stalker Mark doesn’t give up, so he visits Juliet outside her apartment in Notting Hill with creepy messages.

Lola Rennt (1998)

Lola Rennt: Oberbaumbrücke, Berlin

This German film from 1998, also known as Run Lola Run, makes poor Lola (Franka Potente) run all over Berlin. Here she is running along the covered bridge Oberbaumbrücke, a beautiful landmark crossing the river Spree.

Stagecoach (1939)

Stagecoach: Monument Valley, Arizona

John Wayne stars as Ringo Kid in one of the classics of the Western genre, directed by John Ford.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Rebel Without a Cause: Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

Griffith Observatory is probably best known for the two scenes in Rebel Without a Cause featuring James Dean. A large bust of Dean has been placed on the west side.

Star Trek 4 (1986)

Star Trek 4: Columbus Ave, San Francisco

Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew roam around in 1980s San Francisco. The flatiron type building in the background, Sentinel Building, is where Francis Ford Coppola had his office and the Star Wars soundtrack was mastered in the basement.

Cast Away (2000)

Cast Away: Red Square, Moscow

Tom Hanks plays the overly ambitious postman, who starts the movie with a job just outside the Kremlin Walls on the Red Square of Moscow. The historic Kremlin Clock on the Spasskaya Tower can be clearly seen in the background.

Sex & The City (2004)

Sex & The City: Central Park, New York

Carrie and the gang can be seen all over New York during the seasons. One of the few times she leaves the pavements and the restaurants is for a walk in Central Park.

Sex & The City: Pont des Arts, Paris

Carrie and Mr Big end up in Paris, with the romantic Pont des Arts as their spot.

Entrapment (1999)

Entrapment: Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur is a centerpiece of the movie. This is the skybridge between the towers, where MacDougal (Sean Connery) and Baker (Catherine Zeta-Jones) are trying to escape.