The Maltese Islands: 99 years of Filmmaking History.

The Maltese Islands: 99 years of Filmmaking History.

BEGINS

It all started in 1926, with the silent film “Sons of the Sea,” a tale of two young men eager to join the Navy with Malta chosen partly due to the presence of the Admiralty. From these earnest beginnings, Malta became become a bastion of big-budget filmmaking. It is the ideal choice for Hollywood blockbusters and is home to Malta Film Studios, one of the largest film production complexes in the world.

Let us take a journey through a country that has served as the dream location for filmmakers far and wide….

Gladiator (2000)

Where else to begin? Directed by Ridley Scott, gaining 12 Oscars nominations and winning five, it stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, an ex-general forced to become a Gladiator. This epic production put Malta on the map as a filmmaking Mecca. Vast sets were developed on the remains of Fort Ricasoli, including a reproduction of the Colosseum and other iconic Roman Empire buildings.

With a welcome return to Malta, Ridley Scott has once again chosen the islands for the second instalment of this legendary tale, with Gladiator 2 being released in November 2024.

Popeye (1980)

Malta was chosen as the location for Robert Altman’s multi-million-dollar blockbuster. It all began in June 1979, when a dedicated construction team embarked on a seven-month journey to recreate the whimsical Sweethaven Village. But this wasn't your ordinary construction gig – they were on a mission to make it look just like the fictional setting, even building a huge breakwater in Anchor Bay. This enormous project took 165 builders to craft this cinematic wonder of 19 brightly coloured houses, which today is one of Malta's premier tourist attractions.

Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)

This is a kick-ass ride through the streets of Valletta! Owen Grady (played by our own favourite “Hollywood Chris,” Chris Pratt – sorry Thor Hemsworth and Captain Evans). Grady races through Valletta’s narrow streets on a motorbike being chased by some incredibly angry (and hungry) Atrociraptors.

Hold on tight as the thrills unfold across various iconic locations in Valletta and Floriana. St. Ursula Street and St. George’s Square both set the scene for this heart-pounding motorbike chase, creating a cinematic spectacle. And for a jaw-dropping scene featuring Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas-Howard), the action shifted to none other than St. Lawrence Church in Birgu.

Admittedly, the scene where a T-rex gobbles up a random person on an e-bike in St George’s Square was (and still is) oddly satisfying.

World War Z (2013)

Brad Pitt. Zombies making ant-style mountains that can scale city walls. Need we say more?

Doubling for Jerusalem, Valletta was used to film the now iconic zombie ant climb scene with stunning aerial scenes featuring the Triton Fountain and St Joseph High Road giving the viewer a front-row seat to the movie's magic.

For scenes featuring a sea of refugees at Wine Wharf in Xatt L-Ghassara Ta’ L-Gheneb in Valletta and along Triq il-Vittmi Furjanizi tal-Gwerra on Pinto Wharf as well as filming at Fort St Elmo. Malta Airport was transformed into Atarot International Airport with the hustle and bustle of a crowded checkpoint.

Midnight Express (1978)

Controversial, in more ways than one. This classic was directed by Alan Parker with the screenplay written by Oliver Stone. It follows the story of Billy Hayes (played by Brad Davis), taken from Hayes’ own memoirs as a young American student imprisoned in Turkey for smuggling hashish. This often harrowing tale describes Hayes’ ordeal in ‘Sagmalcilar Prison’ in Istanbul.

The Turkish government refused permission to film in Turkey (no surprise as they were less than pleased with the movie’s portrayal of Turkey’s penal system), so the film was entirely shot in Malta with Fort St Elmo serving as the prison itself. Malta airport was used to film the scene where the hash was discovered.

Trying to outsmart the authorities and identify his drug dealer, Valletta market on Merchants Street was transformed into a souk. This chase takes a dramatic turn on St. Paul Street, Valletta, as he desperately attempts to evade capture. The 17th Century Dominican Monastery on Triq Il-Kullegg in Rabat was used for Billy’s trial and retrial.

Napoleon (2023)

Starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Ridley Scott, Fort Ricasoli in St. Rocco Street, Kalkara, Malta, was selected to authentically depict the 1793 Siege of Toulon. Other scenes were filmed at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, also known as St. Paul's Cathedral or the Mdina Cathedral, located at 2 Triq San Pawl in Mdina, Malta.

The Count of Monte Christo (2002)

Starring Jim Caviezel as the Count, Guy Pearce, and Richard Harris, most of this epic was filmed in Malta with Valletta serving as Marseilles. The Grand Harbour was chosen as it is one of the few ports deep enough to handle the enormous sailing ships of the period. Other locations included Fort St Elmo, St Mary’s Tower in Comino, and the Azure Window of Gozo.

Other Honourable mentions….

Munich (2005), directed by Steven Spielberg, Sliema, was used to portray scenes set in the Middle East and the Mediterranean for a uniquely captivating and realistic tale of Mossad operations following the 1972 Munich Olympic Games massacre.

For Captain Phillips (2013), starring Tom Hanks, the production team used Malta Film Studios’ 300-foot wide Shallow Tank. They also filmed in Boiler Wharf in Valletta’s Grand Harbour, and Malta Freeport Terminals in the Port of Marsaxlokk, which added a further maritime touch.

In Assassins Creed (2016), the action took us to Fort Manoel with additional footage shot in Valletta.

Directed by Michael Bay, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016), starring John Krasinski, Malta was used to depict a restive Libya with filming taking place in Valletta and Ta' Qali, an expansive open area between Attard and Mosta.

In Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Kenneth Branagh led an ensemble cast, including Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp, with Valletta Harbour serving as a backdrop. Authentic set construction created an enchanting ambience, which immersed viewers in Hercule Poirot’s world.

ENDS (1031 words).