After the post I did about “Top 10 Travel Movies To Get You Going in 2010” received so much feedback, I thought I would do a follow-up list. There were a lot of good suggestions in the comments about other titles, and I was happy to see some good independent movies recommended as well.
One thing is for sure (and I stated this before), everyone has a different opinion on what constitutes a good travel movie. Sorry Sherry (author of www.ottsworld.com), and Michaela (co-author of www.briefcasetobackpack.com), but I’ve got to point you out on this. Sherry wanted to add Revolutionary Road and Michaela wanted to add The Devil Wears Prada. In no way did any one of these movies ever inspire me personally to travel in the slightest bit. I didn’t care for Devil Wears Prada, and personally I could think of 20 other films that better represent New York City life. Revolutionary Road was a good movie, and although I know why it was listed as a good travel choice, to me it was more about suicide/marriage problems/reunion of Titanic than anything else, as I felt travel only played a very small part of it.
That being said, I watched XXX and wanted to go to Prague the next day because of it. Some people who have watched it would say it was a good action movie, but it didn’t inspire them to quit their jobs and buy a one-way ticket to travel the world. They would think I’m even crazier for listing this movie on a Top 10 travel movie list.
So bottom line, everyone is different. Everyone gets inspired in a different way, everyone thinks differently and everyone is right in their own way. If you were in the fashion industry in Japan and watched Devil Wears Prada, then it might well be the best movie to get you to travel to New York or Paris in the future.
Below are some suggested titles of other great movies that will hopefully inspire you. Again, all new suggestions are welcome in the comment section.
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Independent Movies
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Last Stop for Paul
Two guys travel the world to as many countries as possible in two weeks. They carry the ashes of a friend along the way, and get into trouble in every way possible. Shot with one camera, and a truly bare-bone budget, it won more awards in 2007 than any other independent movie.
The Art of Travel
Man gets dumped by fiancée and takes the honeymoon on his own to South America. He meets other travelers along the way and the name pretty much says it all… it’s about travel!
Que Tan Lejos
Two girls hitchhiking Ecuador because of a bus strike. One is trying to see the country and the other is trying to stop a wedding. It’s all in Spanish and some of the jokes you have to be Ecuadorian to understand but it’s a sweet movie about traveling, getting lost and meeting new people.
A Map For Saturday
“On a trip around the world, every day feels like Saturday. A MAP FOR SATURDAY reveals a world of long-term, solo travel through the stories of trekkers on four continents.”
Genghis Blues
A blind blues player goes to Mangoloia to jam with Tuvan throat-singers. A beautiful, soulful movie about one man’s dream and two different cultures coming together. If you haven’t heard of Tuvan throat-singers, watch the clip below. They can sing 3 notes at one time and there is nothing else like it in the world.
One Week
One man’s journey across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver on a vintage motorbike.
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Hollywood Hits
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Up In Air
George Clooney flies around America firing people but his only wish is to become the 7th member of American Airlines to reach 10 million frequent flyer miles. There is a lot more going on in this movie but as far as extreme travel goes it hit a high note.
Easy Rider
A cult-classic about two Americans in the 60′s traveling the bad lands tripping off life. An original road tripping film that set the bench mark.
Chasing Liberty
The president’s daughter runs way from CIA protection to explore Europe. It’s a chick flick but has some great backpacking scenes from Europe that any traveler will be able to relate to.
View From The Top
Small town girl with dreams of escaping her dead-end life by becoming an international flight attendant. Shows the joys and pains of working as a flight attendant and Mike Meyers is funny as hell “I want my warm nuts!” Not a real serious movie but a fun one.
Darjeeling Limited
Three American brothers traveling by train to find their reclusive mother in rural India. Funny movie with a superb cast!
Links to “Top Travel Movies Lists” from other travelers:
- Top 10 Travel Movies To Get You Going in 2010
- Nico from AirTreks.com list his favorite travel movies
- Wandering Educators has a different take then most on what is a good travel movie
- Nomadic Matt’s Top Travel Movie List
I've always wanted to see A Map for Saturday – it's high on my to-watch list – but I've got to disagree with The Darjeerling Limited. I honestly thought it was a waste of my time.
Martin Scorcese's Kundun is his least violent and one of his best, which is saying a lot. Takes place in Tibet and the scenery will absolutely make you want to go there. Follows the story of a young dalai Lama. A certain masterpiece, and fairly small-time considering how big Scocese is.
These indie flicks look great! I can't wait to watch them next time I get back to the states and access to some of these smaller titles!! :-) I love that you put some lesser known ones on there.
I'm 4 for 10! Not bad. :) Brook Silva-Braga, the producer of A Map For Saturday, reached out to me after we were featured in this article: http://artofbackpacking.com/the-5-travel-person....
He sent me his documentary DVD and I really enjoyed watching it. I highly recommend it to any wanderluster out there craving for a piece of the world
Refreshing to see less popular movies on a travel movie list! I've only seen 2 on this list… definitely want to check out the indie ones.
Not sure about Chasing Liberty… I always thought the Bond movies were cool because he travels EVERYWHERE. How about a Bond list related to travel destinations? Good indie list! I heard about Genghis Blues, but haven't checked it out. I really liked Buena Vista Social Club, because it's the reverse. Legendary Cuban musicians traveling to America for the first time and their reactions.
I kinda agree. The Darjeeling Limited wasn't at all what I expected. The train they ride is 1st class/luxury, and that is where much of the movie occurs. Definitely no Slumdog Millionaire, though I did enjoy it enough to watch again some day. :)
I kinda agree. The Darjeeling Limited wasn't at all what I expected. The train they ride is 1st class/luxury, and that is where much of the movie occurs. Definitely no Slumdog Millionaire, though I did enjoy it enough to watch again some day. :)
I enjoyed Kundun – have it on my computer actually. When I sat in on chanting Tibetan monks at a monastery in Nepal, and closed my eyes, it reminded me of Kundun, and what it must be like to have those experiences in Tibet, at least before the Chinese took over.
I watched The Art of Travel recently and really enjoyed it. I'm planning to do a little write up of it one of these days. It only cost me $5 shipped via Amazon.com. So cheap it's almost not fair to the director!
I admit to seeing Chasing Liberty, and can see why it's on the list, but it is a bit cheesy.
Bond, James Bond, does seem to get around. As does Jason Bourne.
I want to see Buena Vista Social Club now that I'm a salsa addict. I've only seen some video clips on YouTube, but I've got the whole soundtrack on mp3.
Realized after commenting on this post that you have 2 other Dalai Lama-inspired posts recently. Do I see a theme happening? There could be worse topics to focus on. :)
I just want to reiterate that I know Devil Wears Prada is not a travel movie, but having lived and worked in NYC for 15 years, it did in fact make me homesick for NYC while I was in Peru. I'm not a fashion person either, but felt it really did capture the essence of NYC as a city, especially since it was all shot here and not in Toronto or some other “NYC location”. I recognized just about every outside shot in the movie.
I'm looking forward to your Top 20 NYC movies that inspire you. Will be interesting to see how many of them were completely shot here! The gauntlet is thrown. (And please note the humor in this response – C'mon, “View from the Top” after all?)
Somehow missed the original article here, but this is great, and I'll feature your list at A Traveler's Library. I just don't get the excitement about Up in the Air. Other than lots of flying and packing light, we don't get much of a travel experience–from one cubicle city to another–with no interest in the places or cultures of various places. Clooney's character is not influenced by places–just by relationships. His sister's wedding, does portray real life in flyover America, but that is brief.
This weeks Dalai Lama theme was pure coincidence, but I do have an affinity for him and Tibetan Buddhism you might see reflected in the blog from time to time.
I was lucky enough to hear him teach in McLeod Ganj as well.
Vera –
That's very true, but maybe I was overdue for a relationship movie, with a bit of a travel premise thrown in. I do think there was a message I could relate to about “travel as living” and the freedom that comes with always being on the move.
But Dave, I saw the travel in Up in the Air as a trap, not a freedom. He THOUGHT it was freedom, until he examined his life. He went back to traveling, but did not look happy about it.;-(
Michael- I know, I know… always seems one movie gets people to say WTF! lol Last list it was Shanghai Kiss.
In your defense though I did state people are all different and wanted to show that, as to you a true New Yorker would know best on a movie about NY (hint hint, you need to do the Top 20 best NY flicks as I'm from MO and would screw it up… and I don't want a bunch of pissed off New Yorkers on my arse for it! lol Backpackers are one thing but New Yorkers are a whole other level! :). Maybe I can relate to what you said as the movie “Deliverance” brought a smile to my face from my Ozark up bringing! lol
Dave- what happened to all the movie trailers I had in the post?
I hear ya. “Chasing Liberty” is actually a guilty pleasure for me.
And I don't even know if I'd do a Top 20 list justice. How about next time you're in town I'll show you around. Some of my favorite places seem to be hole in the wall bars – some of the characters in those places are better than the movies.
Wow – I'm called out in the 1st paragraph. Let me present my case. First of all – I like dark movies – and I know that I'm not the only one out there that likes dark, depressing movies! Honestly, watching a movie like View From the Top would kill me. I'd rather eat live bugs in Thailand than watch that perky movie! Second – let me share a few quotes from the movie:
April Wheeler: It takes backbone to lead the life you want, Frank.
April Wheeler: Look at us. We're just like everyone else. We've bought into the same, ridiculous delusion.
April Wheeler: If being crazy means living life as if it matters, then I don't mind being completely insane.
They were going to leave their ordinary lives to go see the world – and everyone thought they were crazy (ok – maybe they were a bit mentally unstable). However everyone was insanely jealous of them when they were going to go to Paris and be different. It speaks to people's inner desires to travel! I feel like this movie gets to the heart of why I travel – I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to live life as if it matters…a bit insane yes….but it's a wonderful life taking me to places all over the globe.
So maybe it doesn't convince people who like happy 'hollywood endings' movies, but it speaks to me! What are other people's thoughts?
I've seen most of these, but I just netflixed the ones that I hadn't. Love this post! :)
Sherry: I agree with everything you say and hope I didn't offend ya when I wrote about ya. I just wanted to point out that everyone is different and gets inspired in different ways. Some might like a movie while others hated it but if it gets ya going then it's a great movie to that person.
Dark is good and I did like the ending because it wasn't your happy-feel good ending like most, which is nice for a change.
DEAL!!!! …and if your ever in Licking, MO (pop. of 1,200 people and only 1 stoplight) I'll show you to the only site in town. On a plus note the people in my town make Seinfield look normal! lol
To be honest I never visited NY because I didn't know anyone there. I know that sounds bad but it's definitely a city to me where if you know someone there it can be all the difference in an “NY was ok” vs “I had the best time there and know why it's the greatest city in the world!”
Sweet idea about a Bond post about all the places he travels! Would take a lot of work though watching them all and seeing the exact spots where he traveled in all those movies… any ideas on how to compile that list?
Hey Troy – the trailers were all embedded when I scheduled the post, but I thought you had gone back and edited them out. Don't know why they disappeared.
You could always cheat and go to a nerdy fan page.
I visited “James Bond Island” which was used in the Man with the Golden Gun while I was in Thailand (Andaman Sea side). From Interlaken, I took buses, trains, and a cable car up to the top of Schilthorn, which had a rotating restaurant used in another 60's-era Bond movie. Because it was built up there for the movie, they even have a movie room with a trailer that you can watch.
And yes, I ate lunch up there with great views of the Swiss Alps!
Oh gosh – you didn't offend me at all! I know that I have strange movie choices! It was fun to write about in more depth and find quotes! It's a great post!
Bond: maybe capture the best fight or love scenes based on locale? Hey, maybe I should just write the dang post.
Then you could expand that into Bourne movies. The newest one is Salt with Angelina, but I thought she only hung out in NY.
The movie possibilities are endless!
Jeannie – I'd love to feature a guest post from you, so if you're serious let me know!
You have still forgotten Transsiberian, and I thought the previous entry was better as you actually seemed to have seen the movies :) Nevertheless; a great list!
Speaking if indie: Why has no one mentioned “Hotel Very Welcome”??? I love Chris O'Dowd in it …
great posting…
“the art of travel” & “last stop for paul” are available on Netflix watch instantly, fyi. just checked.
Laura – thanks for letting us know. I managed to buy Art of Travel via Amazon.com for like $5, but nothing beats the immediacy of online access!
“the art of travel” & “last stop for paul” are available on Netflix watch instantly, fyi. just checked.
Wat a collection, this was really one of the good piks!
Going to have to check this one out. Thanks for recommending it!
Laura: You can download them directly from NetFlix? I didn't know that, thank you so much as I will try and see if I can't and see them both.
I just watched this a few months ago for the first time. Humm that was a crazy train ride they took. Not sure it inspired me to travel but I didn't like the movie. Ben Kingsley was great in it and loved his Russian accent.
Someone mentioned that you can NetFlix them and download them to watch, is this true that you know of?
Jeannie: Did you ever make this list for a blog post? Is so, share us the link as I would like to check it out, along with others too i bet.
Glad you liked the list amigo. You got any recommendations for other travel related movies?
Watched it and LOVED it! Did you know Christine, from http://www.AlmostFearless.com, is making a documentary movie now about people who travel and making money online to support their travel habits? Dave was interviewed by her for it and it should be a great movie!
Thanks and yes I was really glad to see all the independent movies recommend from the first post. Why i decided to break it out into 2 different sections. I like my Hollywood hits but find the Indie selections often are better and more real in many ways.
Ok man, I am going to watch Kundun finally and see what it is all about. Thanks for the recommendation on it and am looking forward to seeing it now.
Watch “A Map for Saturday” when you get a chance. i just seen it a couple months ago and love d it. Nothing flashy about it but it was real and honest about backpacking the world. Yeah Darjeering Limited is a hate or love kind of movie. I liked it for a few scenes but there are some real black moments in it's humor that most don't really care for.
Thanks, do you have any to recommend that would fit with the list so far? Always looking for new movies or favorites from others.
To all Readers: I'm thinking of doing another like post of this in the next month or so. Please leave comments on any movies (not already listed on the two post already) that you think are worthy. I have gotten some great recommendations from readers and loved the Indie suggestions that a lot have given. Please keep them coming and will check them out and share in the future.
You can definitely Netflix them and watch them on your computer instead of
waiting to get them in the mail, but you can't download them. Does that
make sense?
In a message dated 8/23/2010 4:36:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
foggodyssey wrote, in response to GlobalButterfly:
Someone mentioned that you can NetFlix them and download them to watch, is
this true that you know of?
Link to comment: http://disq.us/l3l86