World Film Locations: Malta

Since 1925 Malta has served as a film location for both big budget studio productions and independent productions from virtually all over the world. Sometimes it has played itself, as in Malta Story, Black Eagle and Mackintosh Man; on other occasions it has doubled for a myriad of locations including Troy, Italy, France, Alexandria, Palestine, Israel and Warsaw, as well as for different periods of time: from the Ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome and Egypt to the 1960s. The locations offered by Malta range from grand fortified harbours, impressive cliffs, tranquil sheltered bays, quaint old villages to ultra-modern interiors, magnificent Baroque palaces, terraced fields and ancient walled citadels. Its magnificent water tanks, perfect for filming scenes set on the ocean, have also been a draw for many international directors.World Film Locations: Malta explores the rich terrain of this micro-Mediterranean state, and the development of Malta’s striving film-servicing industry.Also under the spotlight is the amateur Maltese film making, which is still considered to be in its infancy. Extensively illustrated with films stills, location photos and maps, this is a must-read for tourists, film enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Malta has served as a beautiful backdrop for films for nearly as long as there has been a film industry. This entry in the World Film Locations series traces the history of Malta on screen, from big-budget blockbusters to modest indie pictures. The locations Malta offers range widely, from grand fortified harbors and stunning cliffs to quaint villages and Baroque palaces. That diversity has enabled the island to double for countless locations, including ancient Troy and Alexandria, as well as Greece, Israel, and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, while its well-known water tanks have proved to be perfect for shooting ocean scenes. Packed with illustrations,World Film Locations: Malta examines a number of films made in Malta to date, and will be a must-read for tourists, film buffs, and scholars alike.