Movies to Inspire your next Travel Adventures
Have you ever seen a place, country, locale, landscape, city in a film and thought to yourself “I would love to visit.”? How about going back to a comfort film to watch during long flights or wait times at the airport? We’ve compiled a short list of just such films to help make a good holiday great, or to help inspire the next one.
Raiders Of the Lost Ark
Now here’s one that will forever stand the test of time. With more iconic cinematic moments to count, it’s hard to say something about Spielberg’s globe-trotting classic that hasn’t already been said, but one thing is for certain, seeing those famous map sequences play over John William’s brilliant Indy theme never gets old!
Lost in Translation
A down to earth film about the unpredictable nature of traveling to a new country. While the film uses its setting to convey a feeling of isolation, the beautiful and unlikely relationship that blossoms in the film’s stunning Tokyo aesthetic makes this one a must watch.
Hunt for the Wilder People
Arguably the catalyst for Taika Waititi’s career is this light-hearted picture that is difficult to label. Carrying elements of drama, and comedy, this coming-of-age father-son adventure takes the viewer on a majestical tour of the Auckland wilderness. Truly one for the lovers of jaw dropping scenery!
Six days Seven Nights
Another Harrison Ford flick, this time as a crusty cargo pilot opposite Anne Heche in a jam-packed romantic comedy action adventure that has a little something for everyone. Here, two people of different backgrounds and ages are forced to cooperate and survive after finding themselves on a deserted island.
The Terminal
An Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport and must take temporary residence there. If time at the airport has ever seemed frustrating or stressful, then look no further than Viktor Navorski’s story to put your nerves at ease! Here, the compressed universe of the terminal is presented as a richly complex world of absurdity, generosity, ambition, amusement, status, serendipity… and even romance! Starring Tom Hanks and directed by Stephen Spielberg this cinematic dark horse is more than worth a traveller’s time.
Planes Trains and Automobiles
All that Neal Page wants to do is to get home for Thanksgiving. When bad weather cancels his flight, he decides on other means of transportation. As well as bad luck, Neal is blessed with the presence of Del Griffith, a shower-curtain-ring salesman and all-around blabbermouth who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or company. A light-hearted comedy that shows even if everything goes wrong the people, you’re with make everything better.
The Motorcycle Diaries
A beautiful film based on the memoirs of Che Guevara, this dramatisation of a motorcycle road trip will take you to incredible places in South America. Two lads encounter hunger, accidents, lusting after women at every stop, ingratiating panhandling, and the gradual revelation of the quality of life of the indigenous peoples. The camera work, musical scoring, the obvious commitment on the part of everyone involved - every aspect of The Motorcycle Diaries is exactly right and a must watch for any travel enthusiast.
Death on the Nile (1978)
Although there have been many versions of this, one of Agatha Christie’s best works, the ’78 rendition of the classic mystery features fine Egyptian scenery, Oscar-winning costumes, and a complementary music score to make this a must watch.
The Bucket List
Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. This one stars two fantastic actors, in Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and tells a story about the journey of finding friendship, discoveries and redemption. There are some laugh out loud moments and one-liners, and strong moments of drama given the films topics. It is a combination of road trip, buddy film, and coming of age - very refreshing for two senior citizens and makes for a wholesome watch!
The Beach
Based on a novel by Alex Garland and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, ‘The Beach’ follows the story of Richard, a nicotine addicted traveller who finds a map that supposedly leads to an island rumoured to be a solitary paradise. The film showcases beautiful Thailand scenery in visceral dreamlike scenes that puts the viewer in the shoes of the traveller.
Out of Africa
It would be difficult to have a list of travel films and not include this classic. Commonly seen as one of the best of its genre, Meryl Streep stars alongside Robert Redford in a film in which the performances, musical score and African landscape are all virtues in equal measure. Based on a true story, a Danish baroness has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big game hunter. This multiple Academy Award winning film, including those for Best Picture and Best Cinematography, will forever be seen as Sydney Pollack's masterpiece and a classic of our times.
Ticket to Paradise
George Clooney and Julia Roberts together again in this new romcom. A divorced couple teams up and travels to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago. A good way to briefly escape all the realistic geo-economic-political intrigue of current events and be transported to a beautiful island beach with amazing sunsets. We deserve it.
Slumdog Millionaire
A unique film that embraces the style of Indian Bollywood cinema. That said, Director Danny Boyle mixes in a distinctly Western style of filmmaking, one that leaves out the tragic love story, the song and the dance common in Bollywood, for a film that tells the story of a Mumbai teenager reflecting on his life after being accused of cheating on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”. Truly one that transcends cultures by asking questions of fate, righteousness, greed, and even urban sprawl.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways. An absolutely stellar cast are well served by an intelligent witty script with some killer one-liners which are guaranteed to laugh out loud. Only occasionally does it get sentimental, but the seductive nature of India weaves its spell not just on the characters but also on us.
Australia
Set in northern Australia before WWII, an Englishwoman who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stockman in order to drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscapes. Australia is a totally unashamedly romantic adventure film painted on a huge canvas and a tried-and-true romantic adventure period piece.
