Movies Filmed in Malta

Hollywood. New York. Malta…

You didn't realize that these little Mediterranean islands had starred in many top movies? With their good climate, picturesque settings, and many varied locations, the islands of Malta, Comino, and Gozo have starred in many films and television shows . Also, Malta is home to the Mediterranean Film Studios which, since 1963, has offered a shallow water tank for filming water scenes.

You might have seen Malta in films and TV shows including:

Troy. The 2004 blockbuster starring Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom is bringing the attention of the world to Malta. Much of the film was set at Fort Ricasoli as well as Mellieha. Some scenes were also filmed on Comino.

A Different Loyalty. The 2004 romantic thriller starring Sharon Stone was filmed at Fort St. Elmo, which doubles in the movie for the city of Beirut. Some of the movie was also shot on the Golden Sands Beach.

Alexander. This 2004 film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, and Angelina Jolie includes scenes of Valletta's Grand Harbour, doubling for the ancient port city of Alexandria.

Cutthroat Island. This 1995 pirate film starring Geena Davis and Matthew Modine was filmed on the waterfront of Vittoriosa in front of the Maritime Museum. Other scenes were shot in Mdina, Fort St. Elmo, and the Dingli Cliffs. The Mediterranean Film Studios also provided their water tanks for sea scenes.

Gladiator. And you thought Russell Crowe was doing those gladiator scenes in Rome's Colosseum? He was actually at a replica of the famous Roman structure built at Fort Ricasoli. A night scene was filmed outside Vittoriosa at Couvre Port.

Popeye. This 1980 production starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall not only built a set, they left it in place, later to become Popeye Village near Mellieha. The popular family attraction now includes a film about the making of the movie here.

The Count of Monte Cristo. This 2002 production transformed Valletta and Vittoriosa into Marseille. And remember the scene with the lovemaking on the rocks? That was filmed just below Fort St. Elmo in Valletta. St. Paul's Cathedral in Mdina also starred in the movie as well as the island of Comino where St. Mary's Tower was used as the Chateau d'If.

Swept Away. Madonna and Guy Ritchie's 2002 movie included scenes in both Comino and Malta. Vittoriosa doubles for an Italian port in part of themovie. Madonna goes snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon on Comino.

Also filmed in Malta:

• Midnight Express (1978). Scenes were shot at Fort St. Elmo.
  
• Pinocchio (2002) This film included scenes shot at the Mediterranean Film Studios.
  
• Raise the Titanic (1980) The Mediterranean Film Studios also starred into this film.
  
• U-571 (2000) Starring Matthew McConnaughey, Bill Paxton, Jon Bon Jovi, and Harvey Keitel, this film used the tanks of the Mediterranean Film Studios. You'll also see a nighttime scene shot in the Grand Harbour of Valletta.
  
• Orca: Killer Whale (1976)
  
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003). This Sean Connery movie was filmed at Xlendi on the island of Gozo; a submarine scene was filmed at the Mediterranean Film Studios.
  
• White Squall (1996). The violent storm you see in this Jeff Bridges movie was filmed at the Mediterranean Film Studios.
  
• Helen of Troy (2003) This mini-series was filmed at Fort Ricasoli as well as the Blue Lagoon on Comino.

Want to know more about Malta's movie industry? Check out the Malta Movie Map at www.visitmalta.com.

Photo of the Citadel on Gozo courtesy Malta National Tourism Office