The unique and dramatic landscapes of Lanzarote have provided the backdrop for a number of famous films. As well as an ideal location for numerous fashion shoots, ad campaigns and even idents for TV stations such as Euro Sport – who filmed a tennis match on top of an old house in Teguise – a few years ago.
The island is also currently caught in the centre of a bitter, cinematic wrangle between the enfant terrible of French literature, Michael Houellebecq and his publishing house. As the writer recently blasted Hachette publishing for reneging on a promise to fund the filming here of his controversial novel The Possibility of an Island. Which is the follow up to his previous work, entitled Lanzarote.
Whether that film will now ever now make it into production is anyone’s guess. But here’s a breakdown of some of the movies that have been made on Lanzarote.
A list – incidentally – that doesn’t include Planet Of The Apes. Which is credited by many sources as having being filmed on location on Lanzarote but which was in fact shot in the Arizona desert. Nor Journey To the Centre Of The Earth – which was actually filmed in Tenerife.
One Million Years BC
Year: 1966
Director: Don Chaffey
Starring: Raquel Welch and John Richardson
Enjoy watching model dinosaurs – as well as a few suspiciously large looking iguanas – chase cavemen all over the Timanfaya Volcano Park. And if that isn’t enough there’s also the sight of Raquel Welch in a fur bikini.
This classic sci- fi movie was extensively shot on location in and around the Volcano Park – as well as other instantly recognizable spots such as the Green Lagoon at El Golfo.
The plot revolves around a caveman called Tumak, played by John Richardson, who is exiled after a run in with his father – who is also the leader of the savage Rock tribe.
Tumak wanders into the arms of the coast living, peace loving Shell Tribe. But is again given his marching orders as a result of forging a fiery relationship with Loanna, played by Raquel Welch. They choose to face volcanic eruptions, iguanas and what were state of the art special effects for the 1960´s together.
Enemy Mine
Year: 1985
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr
Enemy Mine is a good quality sci-fi drama directed by the highly respected German Wolfgang Petersen, who was also at the helm for later box office hits such as Troy, Poseidon and The Perfect Storm.
The film is set in a bleak future – where earthmen are fighting an evil alien race called the Drac. During a brutal space battle Dennis Quaid and his Draconian rival, Louis Gossett Jr., force each other out of the sky and land on a hostile planet. Played by Lanzarote!
In a rather saccharine twist after the excitement of the opening scenes the two rivals are forced to cooperate with each other as they are isolated in their new environment – and, somewhat predictably, soon become firm friends.
Still well worth a look though for the opening scenes and shots of Lanzarote.
Even Dwarfs Started Small
Year: 1970
Director: Warner Herzog
Starring: Helmut Doring and Gerd Gickel
Scarey and surreal German made comedy drama from the man behind the cult movie classic Freaks. The dwarf inhabitants of a remote institution rebel against their keepers and take over their asylum.
They proceed to destroy all symbols of an ordered society – typewriters are totaled, plates smashed and even the asylums chickens are driven to cannibalism!
With Lanzarote providing the backdrop for all of the exterior shots.
Krull
Year: 1983
Director: Peter Yates
Starring: Liam Neeson, Lysette Anthony
Lanzarote also plays a starring role in this science fiction fantasy movie. As the Planet Krull is invaded by an evil monster, known aptly as The Beast and his warlike followers, The Slayers. The inhabitants of Krull join forces to repel The Beast, free Princess Lyssa and to restore peace to their planet.
A number of classic science fiction TV series have also shot episodes on Lanzarote. Including Doctor Who – with the BBC springing for an outside broadcast way back in 1963 to produce an episode aptly entitled Planet of Fire. The TV mini series version of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel The Martian Chronicles also utilized Lanzarote as a location.
View Lanzarote on DVD.
