Hollywood in Malta

With its good climate and picturesque settings, Malta, along with Comin and Gozo has starred in many films and television shows. Malta is home to the Mediterranean Film Studios which, since 1963, has offered a shallow water tank for filming water scenes.

Troy - The 2004 blockbuster starring Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom is bringing the attention of the world to Malta. Much of the film was set at Fort Ricasoli as well as Mellieha. Some scenes were also filmed on Comino.

A Different Loyalty - The 2004 romantic thriller starring Sharon Stone was filmed at Fort St. Elmo, which doubles in the movie for the city of Beirut. Some of the movie was also shot on the Golden Sands Beach.

Alexander - This 2004 film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, and Angelina Jolie includes scenes of Valletta's Grand Harbour, doubling for the ancient port city of Alexandria.

Cutthroat Island - This 1995 pirate film starring Geena Davis and Matthew Modine was filmed on the waterfront of Vittoriosa in front of the Maritime Museum. Other scenes were shot in Mdina, Fort St. Elmo, and the Dingli Cliffs. The Mediterranean Film Studios also provided their water tanks for sea scenes.

Gladiator - And you thought Russell Crowe was doing those gladiator scenes in Rome's Colosseum? He was actually at a replica of the famous Roman structure built at Fort Ricasoli. A night scene was filmed outside Vittoriosa at Couvre Port.

Popeye - This 1980 production starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall not only built a set, they left it in place, later to become Popeye Village near Mellieha. The popular family attraction now includes a film about the making of the movie here.

The Count of Monte Cristo - This 2002 production transformed Valletta and Vittoriosa into Marseille. And remember the scene with the lovemaking on the rocks? That was filmed just below Fort St. Elmo in Valletta. St. Paul's Cathedral in Mdina also starred in the movie as well as the island of Comino where St. Mary's Tower was used as the Chateau d'If.

Swept Away - Madonna and Guy Ritchie's 2002 movie included scenes in both Comino and Malta. Vittoriosa doubles for an Italian port in part of themovie. Madonna goes snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon on Comino.

Also filmed in Malta -
- Midnight Express
- U-571
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- White Squall
- Helen of Troy