Matamata's lead tourist attraction reviewed by folk from the Shires
Star Wars Sets, Matmata, Southern Tunisia
George Lucas was absolutely captivated with this part of the world, so much so that he borrowed liberally from local place names (Tataouine) and local architecture to create his world of Tatooine.
The Hotel Sidi Driss (yes, you can even stay here) is a series of deep pits linked by tunnel corridors, with side rooms scooped out of the earth. The largest still retains much of the original set dressing. The location was later refreshed to film scenes for Revenge of the Sith. You can also explore the town of Mos Epa.
Tours are available in Tozeur to Ong Jemal and Mos Espa, which are not accessible by public transport. Some tours include this spot only as part of a longer itinerary, so if you're on a fan pilgrimage, make clear to your driver that you don't want to be hurried along after just five minutes. This location has many treasures.
The Henry River mill village, Asheville, North Carolina The Hunger Games
The Henry River mill village has been abandoned since the 1970s. It came back to life briefly for filming of the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games in 2011, serving as Katniss' home of District 12. Located about an hour east of Asheville along I-40 (near Morganton).
Sweethaven Popeye Village, Anchor Bay, near Mellieħa, Malta
Popeye Village, also known as Sweethaven Village, is a purpose-built film set village, now converted into a small fun park, consisting of a collection of rustic and ramshackle wooden buildings. It is located at Anchor Bay, 3 kilometres from the village core of Mellieħa, Malta.
Over the years, Ouarzazate has served as a shooting location for Alexander the Great, Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Babel, The Mummy, Star Wars, The Living Daylights, Kundun and many others, including Gladiator and Body of Lies.
Cypress Gardens has made a name for itself as the filming location for part of the famous films The Patriot, Cold Mountain and a little film called The Notebook.
Specifically, the area was used to film the scene where Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams paddle through lily-pad- and duck-filled swamps before the rains come and they must rush home. It is popular with couples.
Dingle Ireland, The Irish village from Ryan's Daughter
Ryan's Daughter is a 1970 British epic romantic drama film directed by David Lean. Local publican, widower Tom Ryan, is bored with life in Kirrary, an isolated village on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland.
The school house still stands between the road and the cliff edge at Dunquin, and yes you can walk across and go in, it is a total ruin but still recognisable. The bus stop is at Clogher Head, the best preserved reminder of the film is the steep road down to the beach at Couminole, many of the scenes from the film were filmed here. There is a memorial stone situated above the beach to commemorate this.
The exterior set for the long-running television show M*A*S*H was filmed in a Korea-resembling corner of the park. While the medic tents have been removed, the location is still recognisable, and Malibu Creek State Park has gone above and beyond to create a rich experience for hikers.
The M*A*S*H set is located along Crags Road, the main hiking trail through the park.
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12 Monkeys was shot in The Eastern State Penitentiary, also known as ESP, a former American prison. It was operational from 1829 until 1971.
Notorious criminals such as Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton were held inside its wagon wheel design. At its completion, the building was the largest and most expensive public structure ever erected in the United States, and quickly became a model for more than 300 prisons worldwide.
The prison is currently a US National Historic Landmark, which is open to the public as a museum for tours seven days a week.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider high kicked this religious site into global fame, but it was always an icon. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found: the spectacle of the trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors. UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992.
It is unclear if the set is still standing, despite some promising Internet clues. Consider the memorial for the real Płaszów camp. While going through the area you will see the haunting memorial for the people killed by the Nazis in the camp between 1943 and 1945.
Babelsberg Film Studio in Potsdam-Babelsberg outside Berlin, Germany, is the oldest large-scale film studio in the world, producing films since 1912. With a total area of about 460,000 square metres and a studio area of about 25,000 square metres it is Europe's largest film studio.
Hundreds of films, including Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel were filmed there. More recent productions include V for Vendetta, Captain America: Civil War, Æon Flux, The Bourne Ultimatum, Valkyrie, Inglourious Basterds, Cloud Atlas, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Hunger Games, and Isle of Dogs.
