Its natural beauties Greece they are many. The sun, the blue of the sky and the sea, the landscapes, the cultural monuments and the history of the country itself attract the interest of millions of tourists every year. For many years, however, they have also attracted his interest Hollywood, since several productions have been shot in Greece.
In fact, most of them have taken place in Greek islands, since their special beauty is an ideal natural setting for productions. Although in recent years due to bureaucracy, there are few foreign productions in Greece. Although efforts are now being made to overcome obstacles and the country to host more foreign productions, interest has never diminished.
But let's remember which famous movies (some of them "broke" and the box office) were shot on Greek islands and advertised their beauties abroad.
This is the first major American production shot in Greece, starring her Sophia Loren. After all, the scene where the Italian actress comes out of the sea with her wet transparent dress on her shores Hydra, have remained in the public consciousness. But he also established Lauren as a symbol of sex.
The film was shot in 1957 and in addition to Hydra, it was shot in Poros, the Acropolis and Meteora. The windmill where Phaedra lives, the protagonist still exists today in Hydra, while a statue has been erected next to it, thus honoring the film, which made the then relatively unknown Hydra, famous on the world tourist map.
In fact, in the film, Costas Tachtsis worked as an assistant director, Thanasis Vengos as a technician in the workshop, while in the film the great Alexis Minotis also played, where he played Nantapoulos, an agent of the Greek government.
The film that captures the Greek soul in all its glory, in the film of Michalis Kakogiannis and which was based on his famous book Nikos Kazantzakis. The protagonist, Anthony Quinn, who loved Greece and gave flesh and blood to Alexis Zorbas in a unique way.
The shooting took place in Crete, while the famous scene where o Zorbas dances sirtaki (and made this dance famous in the ends of the world) was filmed on the beach of Stavros, in Chania. The music is by Mikis Theodorakis, while the film stars Irini Pappas (in the role of the widow who falls in love), but also Sotiris Moustakas.
Another film that wrote its own cinematic story and was shot in Rose starring Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn. While the film was being shot, it had attracted the attention of the foreign press - due to the glamorous names that starred in it.
And there were many celebrities who were on set, while the then Queen Frederick and Princess Irene and Sophia paid a visit to the workshop. In the "Cannons of Navarrone", which is a war film, hoplites of the Greek gendarmerie played the role of German soldiers voluntarily.
Here the most well-known background has to do with him Anthony Quinn. Enchanted by the beauties of Rhodes, the famous actor wanted to buy a bay which is located just 3 km from Faliraki and it is a beach with pebbles, pines and turquoise waters. His goal was to create a relaxing space for actors and moviegoers in general. The Greek state initially assisted in this initiative and was granted the land for a symbolic amount for the time. However, bureaucratic hurdles arose along the way and the beach never became owned by Quinn. However, the residents of Rhodes still call the bay "Anthony Quinn beach".
One of the most famous and successful and relatively recent Hollywood films shot in Greece. And specifically in Skopelos, which they advertised around the world, making foreigners enchanted by the natural beauties of the island.
The famous musical, starring her Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, in addition to Skopelos he had shootings and Skiathos and Pelion. After the screening of the film, tourism in Skopelos and Skiathos increased significantly, with tourists wanting to get to know these enchanting places up close. And more to see up close and be photographed in the church of Agios Ioannis at the top of a hill, with the 202 steps.
Let's say that in 1028 his sequel was shot Mama Mia with the same cast, but due to bureaucracy, the shooting took place in Croatia.
Also, a well-known Hollywood movie that was a huge success and gave a big boost to tourism Kefalonia. Starring in it o Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz, who loved the island. The shooting took place in Sami, Antisamos, in the area of Dichalia, Agia Efimia but also in the famous beach of Myrtos.
Many Greek actors also starred in the film, such as Irini Pappas, Gerasimos Skiadaresis, Michalis Giannatos, Emilios Cheilakis, Dimitris Kamberidis, Katerina Didaskalou and others.
The movie that made her famous Amorgos and its beauties while it was an occasion for the French to love the island, who still come to it today. The protagonists are Jean-Marc Barr and Jean Reno, while filming took place, among others, on Magganari beach in Ios, Amorgos and Naxos. Two of the attractions we see in the film are the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa and the shipwreck "Olympia" in Amorgos.
The film that made her famous abroad Vana Barba, but also the beauties of Kastelorizo. In fact, he won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
The plot unfolds in World War II, where a group of Italian soldiers are stranded on an Aegean island and, influenced by the locals, throw it in the dolce vita, but in Greek. In the film, Vana Barba plays the prostitute, Queen.
And the legendary agent James Bond found in Greece. The film starring Roger Moore was shot in 1981 with scenes in Meteora and Corfu.
In fact, in Meteora there were reactions from the church and the monks of the monasteries.
Three lovers, a couple from America and a French tourist get involved in a love game against the backdrop of the Greek islands. The film was shot in Santorini, Crete and Mykonos, starring Daryl Hanna and Peter Gallagher.
The young man then - and unrecognizable - also participates in it. Vladimir Kyriakides, who, as he has confessed, received a respectable amount for the time.
One of her most famous roles Angelina Jolie is that of Lara Croft in the action movie based on the Tomb Raider video game. An earthquake in Santorini is the occasion for the appearance of an ancient temple, where Alexander the Great had well hidden a secret map, which reveals where the Pandora's box is. And it was the occasion for the second film for Lara Croft to come to the Greek island.
The shooting took place in Oia, while Katerina Tsavalou and Marina Kalogirou are taking part in the opening wedding. In fact, during the filming, Jolie had just adopted her son, Maddox, and the paparazzi's interest was focused on her.