It’s a big year for films. Particularly because it’s throwing us back to the early ’90s with the likes of a live-action adaptation of Aladdin hitting screens in May, followed by The Lion King in July. Here at Wild Frontiers HQ, this got us thinking about films that have inspired us to travel.
Aladdin has been partially filmed in the Wadi Rum Desert, an ever-popular stop on our Jordan tour and in the world of film. This other-worldly landscape has been used as a backdrop for Star Wars, The Martian and Prometheus (sensing a theme here).
And while The Lion King is a photorealistic computer animated remake, it will no doubt awaken plenty of deep desires to explore the African savanna and the incredible animals you’re likely to see there. Just don’t be disappointed when the Big Five don’t ceremoniously burst into song.
Below we present some of the films that have inspired members of the Wild Frontiers team.
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
Chief Operating Officer, Nigel - "When was a child I was obsessed with Lawrence of Arabia – so it was no surprise when I ended up spending two years in the Middle East working as a tour leader running trips through the desert! I still have a yearning to go to Khartoum in Sudan, which is also featured in the film."
UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD
Operations Manager, Dan - "So many films have inspired me to travel but one in particular is Wim Wenders' Until the End of the World. This science fiction film features a huge array of different locations, from the Australian Outback to a journey along the Trans-Siberian. In the film someone is being chased around the globe and it really makes the idea of travelling to lots of different locations at a fast pace seem fun."
THE BEACH
Marketing Executive, Hayley - "I love Hideous Kinky for Morocco, Slumdog Millionaire for India and, I know it’s an obvious one, but the first was probably The Beach. Not so much for location, even though it’s nice to see Maya Bay without the pollution and tourists. It’s more the energy I find so relatable. The desire to discover, the excitement of true adventure, and how spontaneity and blind hope often, somehow, pays off in the end. ‘End’ being the operative word. It’s a great reminder that paradise is only achievable if it’s brief, fully embraced and gracefully let go. Nothing good lasts forever."
RISKING IT ALL
Operations Manager, David - "I love Risking It All, which is a half hour documentary all about a truck journey through DR Congo. In total it takes Eugene and the boys nearly 1 month to cover 600kms from Lubumbashi going north!"
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
Product Executive, Meike - "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty inspired me to travel to many places, specifically for the incredible shots of Greenland, Iceland and Afghanistan. Another one to add is the film Everest. Although most of the people in the film meet a tragic end trying to climb Everest, the shots of them walking to Everest Base Camp are inspiring and made me want to go to Nepal!"
JAMES BOND
Director of Operations, Marc - "Almost every James Bond film makes me want to travel, particularly the older ones which had such exotic locations. To be specific: Moonraker for Venezuela (the Orinoco), Octopussy for India (Udaipur - above), The Man with the Golden Gun for Thailand, You Only Live Twice for Japan and The Spy Who Loved Me for Egypt."
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
Wild Frontiers MD, Jonny - "It was actually Rudyard Kipling’s book which inspired me to visit Pakistan and then Afghanistan and ultimately led to the founding of Wild Frontiers. But the film is also great fun. Despite Morocco standing in for the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan, so inspiring is the story that it just makes you want to get out there and explore. Sean Connery and Michael Caine turn in great performances but it is the crowded markets, mountains and deserts that summon up remote Asia and steal the show here."
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
Marketing Manager, Mike - "The Motorcycle Diaries, based on the 23-year-old Che Guevara’s memoirs, could almost be an advert for 'Visit South America'. The film follows the young Che as he spends a gap year travelling around the continent with his best friend on a motorcycle. Some of the highlights include Machu Picchu, the Atacama Desert, Havana, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Caracas and the Peruvian Amazon. The film plays it fairly straight, merely hinting at his later incarnation as a revolutionary leader. It is exquisitely shot."
