Dimitri BurkhardContrary to popular belief, the hills are not alive in Switzerland. However, what is alive is this fine selection of Hollywood blockbusters which were partly filmed in Switzerland. So, in the spirit of this weekend's Academy Awards, here are the nominees:
The Informant! (2009)
A scene in this hit movie starring Matt Damon as whistleblower Mark Whitacre was filmed at the Limmatquai in downtown Zurich. Damon is seen walking past City Hall, and filming of this scene apparently required some 50 technicians and 90 extras!
James Bond: GoldenEye (1995)
In the opening sequence of GoldenEye, James Bond plummets from a "Russian" dam with the concrete wall appearing just feet away from his body. Actually, the Verzasca dam used in the movie is located in the southern part of Switzerland...
James Bond: Goldfinger (1964)
In this action-packed James Bond flick, our favorite British spy chases Goldfinger's Rolls Royce through the Swiss Alps near Andermatt, which is a located close to the capital of Berne.
Ever since, Hotel Belvédère on the Furka passover has been a popular hotspot for Bond fans from all over the world!
Syriana (2005)
This rather complex story contains a scene at the Hotel President Wilson, which was filmed in downtown Geneva. Syriana is yet another movie featuring Matt Damon! Apart from the "Bourne" trilogy and The Informant!, this is at least the third of Damon's movies with scenes filmed in Switzerland!
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
For the backdrops on planet Alderaan, actual photography of the mountains of Grindelwald was digitally enhanced. Cool, huh?
(Pictures courtesy of FOX Warner Switzerland, endlostraeumen.com, Tom Portschy/Panoramio, swissinfo.ch, Wookieepedia)
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