What to Watch: Films That Will Inspire Adventure
Crystal clear waters, breathtaking mountain scenery, fields of stunning wildflowers…the movies know how to capture our hearts when it comes to location. Some also inspire adventure, making us want to pack our bags, quit our jobs and set up somewhere completely new – discovering the local customs and wilder side of life across the globe.
So when it comes to movies, which one will stir up a sense of adventure in you? We’ve taken inspiration from this fun roundup on the holiday site Travel Republic, so if you’re thinking about taking a trip, these are the ones to add to the list.
The Beach
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle
- Where was the film shot? Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Those stunning scenes featuring azure waters, sun kissed sand and tropical plant life were all filmed in beautiful Maya Bay, and you can actually plan a trip there. It simply involves taking a boat from the neighbouring island in the Krabi province of Thailand, then you can spend the day there imagining you’ve made the trip to set up shop and escape the hustle and bustle of life forever.
Cocktail
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Shue
- Where was the film shot? Jamaica
When it comes to an idyllic beach paradise, you can’t get much better than Jamaica. The film Cocktail stars a young Tom Cruise, mixing up drinks in this wondrous location. It’s an island featuring a rich topography of lush green rainforests, white sandy beaches and stunning mountain ranges, but many remember Cocktail for the waterfall scene filmed in Reach Falls. Pretend to be the smooth talking bar tender and take a dip in the falls or an intrepid adventurer exploring the tropical location.
Wild
- Starring: Reese Witherspoon
- Where was the film shot? Several locations in California and Oregon
Nancy Haecker, location manager for the film, won the award for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Film and it’s easy to see why. Wild instills a sense of adventure in us, inspiring us to get out and explore the world. The breathtaking scenery we witness in the film includes Crater Lake in Oregon, The Mojave Desert in California and Mount Hood in Oregon – where the famous boot drop scene takes place, leaving Reese Witherspoon’s character having to make a makeshift boot with sandals and duct tape. The locations in the film are easy to find but require strong willpower and physical fitness to experience firsthand.
Lord of the Rings
- Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen
- Where was the film shot? Several locations in New Zealand
Nowhere could better capture the wonders of Middle Earth than the green, rolling scenes and incredible mountain ranges of New Zealand. A visit to this beautiful country and its remote locations can make it feel like you are the first to explore it – perfect for the daring adventurer. You can actually visit the Hobbiton movie set to see the quaint round doors nestled in the hills, and plan a trip to Nelson Lakes National Park where Aragorn helps the Hobbits escape from the Black Riders through Chetwood Forest, in the first film.
Feeling inspired? Plan a trip to one of these stunning locations and discover somewhere new.
