Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Stars reveal the films that have inspired their holidays
MANY a trip has been inspired by a beguiling backdrop or glamorous location featured in a movie.
And now stars, including actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Colin Firth and Orlando Bloom, have revealed which movies have influenced their travel plans.
Paltrow said the comedy classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels gave her the “urge to feel the breeze of the south of France in the summer”, while Colin Firth – whose wife is Italian – said La Dolce Vita made him want to go to Rome and jump into the Trevi Fountain, or “at least watch someone else do it”.
Actor Orlando Bloom singled out New Zealand, where he filmed The Lord of the Rings, as the “most beautiful, magical place”.
And The Hobbit, which is also based on JRR Tolkien’s famous book, has inspired Olympic gymnast Louis Smith to visit the country: “I literally want to check out all of the parts of the film, go and visit the Shire and see it all in real life”, he said.
For comedienne Ruby Wax, it was The Piano that made her want to travel to New Zealand: “It’s a romantic drama that really made me want to see New Zealand. When I finally did it was every bit as jaw dropping as it looked in the film. It’s so virgin and green.”
The stars revealed their choices as part of a campaign to launch British Airways’ pop-up film event Silent Picturehouse.
In a survey of 2 000 people, the airline found that about 40 percent of filmgoers had been influenced to travel by what they see on the big screen.
The Beach, which was based on Alex Garland’s novel and set in Thailand, was voted top by women and named the most inspiring movie overall, while men nominated The Hangover as their first choice, and the over-45s voted for romantic comedy Shirley Valentine.
Films including The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which was filmed in Jaipur, India, In Bruges, and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which showcased Greece’s stunning coastline, also made it into the list.
US Open champion Justin Rose said he had been inspired to visit the Czech Republic after seeing the James Bond film Casino Royale. He said of the dramatic landscapes: “They are so mysterious.”
A childhood favourite is also responsible for actress Kara Tointon’s love of Austria. She says: “We watched The Sound of Music constantly while growing up. The opening credits transport you through these incredible crane shots flying through the Alps and over Salzburg before Julie bursts into The Hills Are Alive.” – Daily Mail
The Sound of Music RUGGED: Lord of the Rings fans can appreciate the natural beauty of New Zealand and Mount Aspiring National Park on South Island.