International filmmakers have used the views of the Greek islands many times in the past and present for successful films. The wonderful landscapes and environment of the Greek islands have created a winning combination for local tourism and movie theaters.
In the list below you can find some of the films made in the Greek islands. Let’s examine the films one by one and recall the films on the Greek islands. Who knows, maybe you want to go and see these places where world civilization started.
Hydra in Young on a Dolphin (1957)
“Young on a Dolphin” is the first international film shot in Greece. The main roles are Sophia Loren, Alan Led and Clifton Webb. Lorraine, a poor diver who lives on the fishing island, sang Takis Morikis’s famous song “What is love” (Ti ine afto pou to lene aghapi) in Greek, and I was surprised that millions of fans would sing with her. Later, distinguished artists and intellectuals chose this island in the Saronic Gulf as their favorite holiday destination. The popularity of the island continued throughout the 60s and Leonard Cohen bought a house in Hydra.
Amorgos in Luc Besson’s Big Blue (1988)
“The Grand Blue Le is a fascinating French film about the friendship between two divers. All the dive scenes were shot in the deep blue waters of the beach of Agia Anna of Amargos Island, which is still a favorite for sports lovers. Amorgos is inevitable to visit many bars bearing the name of the film, one of which is located in the port of Katapola. The movie is shown every day with subtitles in many languages.
Kastellórizo in Mediterraneo (1991)
The Italian bitter-sweet film won an Oscar. The film depicts soldiers trapped in Kastellórizo on the Dodecanese Islands in 1941. One of the soldiers falls in love with a girl from the island and continues to live there forever. Despite the end of the Second World War, thanks to the film, Italian tourists continue to occupy the island to this day.
Kefalonia in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001)
During the Second World War, an Italian soldier (Nicolas Cage) fell in love with a Greek girl (Penelope Cruz) on the island of Kefalonia in the Ionian Gulf. This film made the island even more popular for Italian tourists. (Kefalonia is much closer to Italy than Kastellorizo). The film also showed Kefalonia’s natural beauty to audiences all over the world.
Crete in Zorba (1964)
Lila Kedrova’s famous dance scene on the beach is awarded an Oscar… and probably shows Dasan’s Oscar-winning film “Never on Sunday ”, showing the free life of the Greeks. The character of Anthony Quinn Zorba and Alan Bates are stars of the film, shot in the Chania region of Crete as an alter ego of writer Kazancakis. Today you can join the best sirtaki show in Crete near Platanais (the most popular place for entertainment and nightlife on the island) and watch live performances of the film’s most famous scenes with Mikis Theodorakis music.
Mykonos in Shirley Valentine (1989)
England’s middle-aged housewife (Pauline Collins), who is bored with her husband and life, goes to the Greek island of Mykonos for a summer vacation, where she begins to have love with a mustache taverna local owner (Tom Conti). The film was nominated for an Oscar and won the BAFTA award, making Agios Ioannis the most visited touristic place for years.
Rhodes in Navarro’s Guns (1961)
British soldiers are fighting against the Nazis and attempting to blow up the ar Navarre Cannons (actually Rhodes, the twelve largest islands). The film depicts the famous cultural sites of Rhodes, and today it has a beach named after Anthony Quinn (the actor never managed to buy the place he wanted on this island). Rhodes continues to be the top destination for tourism and film shooting. Numerous Greek and foreign films have been filmed from Navaron, featuring famous actors such as Roger Moore, Teli Savalas, Claudia Cardinale, Jacqueline Bizet, Ben Kingsley and Helen Mirren.
Corfu in For Your Eyes Only (1981)
James Bond’s twelfth film “For Your Eyes only” was shot in part in Corfu (and Meteora). The most famous British secret agent falls in love with another Greek beauty, Melina. On the island of Corfu, Melina thinks of the past of the Empress of Austria, Sissi on the Ahilion terrace. Roger Moore, on the other hand, is strikingly buying Teotokis wine instead of Martini (his unmistakable), his protective drink. Teotokis Winery really exists, but it is not as well known as the film shows! On the other hand, Corfu has always been the British favorite (at least for those who want to play cricket in the central square of Corfu).
Santorini in Summer Lovers (1982)
While Santorini was a popular destination for Greek holidaymakers, it transformed the American erotic triangle into the famous Island of Romanticism in a hippie style. The film was shot in Mykonos, Delos and Crete, but Santorini won the hearts of Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah and Valerie Kenesan “lovers”. They had a lot of fun with the Greeks coming on vacation behind the camera. The house of “Lovers bulunan in Oja village is used as a souvenir shop today. The name of the shop (can’t be different, of course?). Summer Lovers!
Skopelos in Mamma Mia (2008)
Stars such as Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan take part in a nostalgic musical about the summer adventures of a mother and daughter. The filmmakers found a new discovery: the Aegean islands discovered the beautiful island of Skopelos in Sporades. However, the island is called Kalokeri in the film. Kalokeri means Greek summer. Kastani beach never expected to be so intertwined with ABBA music, playing the (unforgettable) songs of the only bar band there today.
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