Costa Blanca: Setting for several films with international actors
Costa Blanca: Setting for several films with international actors
The Costa Blanca attracts millions of tourists every year and has also been the setting for numerous film productions. From the late 50s to the present day, renowned directors and international actors have found in this region the perfect place to tell memorable stories on the big screen.
These international films shot on the Costa Blanca featured world-renowned actors and figures, including Oscar winners and others widely recognized. Among them are: Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Gina Lollobrigida, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Liam Neeson, Mia Farrow, Yul Brynner, Kirk Douglas, Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Lee, Francisco Rabal, Terence Stamp, Robert Ryan, Franklin J. Schaffner, George C. Scott, Michael York, Faye Dunaway, Robert Fuller, Warren Oates, Claude Akins, Sigourney Weaver, Henry Cavill, Gérard Depardieu, Clovis Cornillac, Alain Delon, José García, Elsa Pataky, Mónica Cruz, Santiago Segura, Vanessa Hessler, the football player and trainer Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker and the F1 pilot Michael Schumacher.
HERE: Unique tour to explore the hidden inland treasures on the Costa Blanca
The cinematic appeal of the Costa Blanca
The diversity of the Costa Blanca‘s landscapes is one of the main reasons that attracts the national and international film industry. Its golden beaches, spectacular cliffs, charming Mediterranean villages and modern infrastructure make this region an ideal setting. In addition, the ease of filming and the sunny climate for much of the year are key factors for production teams to choose to film here.
Iconic films shot on the Costa Blanca
- 1959 “Captain Jones”: Directed by John Farrow and starring Mia Farrow, Robert Stack and Bette Davis, this biopic about John Paul Jones included scenes shot in the port of Denia.
- 1962 “The Infernal Frigate” (Billy Budd): Directed by Peter Ustinov and starring Terence Stamp and Robert Ryan, this British film included maritime scenes in which the profile of Montgó can be seen from Javea.
- 1966 “Cervantes”: With Horst Buchholz in the main role and the participation of Gina Lollobrigida and Francisco Rabal, this film used the port of Denia to recreate the city of Algiers during the time of Miguel de Cervantes’ captivity.
- 1966 “The Return of the Magnificent Seven”: Starring Yul Brynner, Robert Fuller, Warren Oates, Claude Akins and Julian Mateos, and directed by Burt Kennedy. This sequel to the famous western was filmed in Agost, where the town was transformed to simulate a Mexican town.
- 1970 “Patton”: Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring George C. Scott in the lead role, this war film included scenes shot in La Mata, Torrevieja, depicting World War II battles.
- 1970 “Count Dracula”: Directed by Jesús Franco and starring Christopher Lee playing the famous vampire, this adaptation directed by Jesús Franco used Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante as one of its main locations.
- 1971 “The Lighthouse at the End of the World”: Based on the novel by Jules Verne, it featured Kirk Douglas and Yul Brynner in the lead roles. Some scenes were shot on the coast of Jávea, although the landscape is hardly recognizable.
- 1989 “The Return of the Musketeers”: This Spanish-French-British co-production, directed by Richard Lester, features a star-studded cast including Michael York, Faye Dunaway and Christopher Lee. Although not all locations are specified, it is known that part of the film was shot in Javea and Denia.
- 2006 “Asterix at the Olympic Games”: The most expensive film in European cinema (in those years) was directed by Frédéric Forestier and Thomas Langmann. It was largely filmed in the Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante, in Petrer, Santa Pola and the Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante. The main characters were Gerard Depardieu, Clovis Cornillac, Alain Delon, José García, Elsa Pataky, Mónica Cruz, Santiago Segura, Vanessa Hessler, Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker and Michael Schumacher.
- 2009 “My Life in Ruins”: This American comedy starring Nia Vardalos or the intervention of Richard Dreyfuss was filmed in several towns on the Costa Blanca and a scene at the Miramar hotel in Javea.
- 2012 “The Cold Light of Day”: Starring Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver and Henry Cavill. This action film included scenes filmed in Javea, highlighting its coastline in Cala Granadella and urban landscapes or also in Moraira.
- 2013 “The Counselor”: Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. In this thriller film there were several scenes in Alicante, including the Town Hall Square, the IFA warehouses and San Vicente del Raspeig.
- 2014 “Taken 3”: American production by Olivier Megaton starring Liam Neeson. Some sequences of this film were recorded in the Ambolo cove in Javea.
Sources: The information for this post was found thanks to the websites and books:: CostaBlanca.org, Javea.com , Denia.net and the book “Dénia, Ciutat de Cine”
The Costa Blanca, a destination for film buffs
The importance of the Costa Blanca in cinema lies not only in the films that have been shot there, but also in the opportunity it gives visitors to relive those scenes in real life. Places such as the Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante, Javea and its Granadella cove or the beaches and port of Denia allow tourists to feel part of a film set. With its natural and cultural wealth, the Costa Blanca continues to attract not only tourists, but also producers and directors looking for unique settings. The region has established itself as a reference point for the film industry, combining history, beauty and modernity in every corner.
Recording of a motion pictures with international actors on the Costa Blanca – www.experienciascostablanca.com
The Costa Blanca is much more than a tourist destination: it is an open-air film set that has left its mark on the history of the seventh art.
If you are a film lover and are looking for a place that combines culture, nature and glamour, this corner of the Mediterranean awaits you with open arms.