[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
We took a trip to the Ksar of Aït-BenHaddou, which is one of the most impressive settings in Morocco and even part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List to find out about Sahara desert Movies. This unique fortress stands out on the doors of the Sahara Desert like a thrilling underworld. As it happens, we have also come to an African Hollywood as you will not realise how many times you have seen this landscape due to the amount of films shot here in Aït Benhaddou. Want to see where these incredible movies were filmed? Join us on a trip to Morocco.
Citadel or Castle?
In reality, the Kasbah appears to be the biggest and most exotic of the country, and it is where we are that is known as the Route of the Thousand Kashbahs. However, we do have similar settings in Europe, this is because what Arabs call a Kasbah would be a citadel to us which are highly common especially in Spain, taking the incredible Al-Andalus for example.
Although the name kasbah is linked to Aït Benhaddou, it’s true that for many art historians it’s more apt to refer to this fortress as Ksar or Ksour, which are Arabic terms that can be translated as «castle». Many Sahara desert Movies were filmed near here.
Citadel or Castle, the truth is that the grandeur and mystery that surrounds Aït Benhaddou has become a perfect location for the filming of blockbuster movies and other well-known TV series. As mentioned earlier, it would surprise you to find out how many times you have seen a snapshot of these great locations whilst watching your favourite movies.
The Desert’s Gate
The magic is just undeniable, if we keep in mind that to arrive in Aït Benhaddou and to know the area in which so many films have been shot, we have had to go around either Uarzazat or Ouarzazate. We are also incredibly close to the Atlas Mountains, a location incredibly popular with the most adventurous travellers. Furthermore, the province has a perfect name given its location, as Uarzazat has a literal translation of «noiseless» and soon you will understand the reason for this, you will also be able to imagine why this place is known as the Gateway to the Desert.
The colour of the African landscape shows the reason why this area is called the «red earth» and for this reason you will never forget it, as it happens to all of us who travel this beautiful continent… and this is what happened to a good number of film-makers who fell head over heels with this beautiful setting.
Aït Benhaddou portrayed in film
The existence of Moroccan Hollywood is not new. Films as legendary as Lawrence of Arabia or Cleopatra were partially filmed in Aït Benhaddou. In fact, the industry started acquiring a certain importance and built various cinematic studios in the area: Atlas Corporation Studios, the first cinematic studio built in Maghreb, and CLA Studios.
In any case, nowadays, anything that hints towards sand, desert, marine wars… Palestine, Afghan, Iraqi settings….everything passes through Aït Benhaddou. Let’s get down to the list of Sahara desert Movies!
1954
Source: imdb.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
1962
Lawrence of Arabia
1963
Sodom and Gomorrah
1967
Oedipus Rex
1970
Patton
1975
The Man Who Would Be King
1976
The Message
1981
Time Bandits
1982
Marco Polo (TV Movie)
1985
The Jewel of the Nile
Treasure Island
1987
007: High Tension
1988
The Last Temptation of Christ
1990
The Sheltering Sky
1997
Soldier of Fortune
Jesus of Nazareth
Kundun
1999
The Mummy
Cleopatra
Gladiator
2001
Spy Game
Asterix and Obelix
2004
Alexander the Great
The Passion of the Christ
2005
Sáhara
Kingdom of Heaven
The Hills Have Eyes
2006
Babel
Days of Glory
Nativity
The Queen of Persia
Return to Hell
Prisoners of the Sun
2007
Waiting for Pasolini
Light of Earth (French Miniseries)
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (French Miniseries)
The Objective
Body of Lies
Welcome to Mogadishu (TV movie)
2008
Prince of Persia
The Last Templar
Journey to Mecca (IMAX)
Pope Joan
Ben Hur
2009
The Great Journey of Ibn Battuta
Game of Thrones (Series)
2010
Hanna
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
2011
Prometheus
Boyout Mekka
Abroad (TV movie)
2012
Night Sword (Moroccan Miniseries)
The Doctor
The Pyramid
Game of Thrones (Season 3)
2013
Trap
Atlantis
Sherazad (Documentary)
2014
Son of God
These aren’t the only films that have been filmed in this part of Morocco. If you are interested, you can view the complete list of films shot at Aït Benahddou, at Atlas Studios and CLA Studios.
Translated by Alice Britton and Saskia Goff
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]