by Connor Adams
From snow-capped mountains that rise to the sky, to pristine beaches and forest-covered areas, the natural beauty of the country has become a muse to filmmakers’ imaginations from around the world. During the last decades, New Zealand has become a leading filming location drawing both major Hollywood productions and independent filmmakers.
The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies
The most brilliant example of New Zealand’s cinematic attraction would probably be its part of Middle-earth, which is the fictional setting of epic fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, put up to the larger-than-life screen by director Peter Jackson. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were shot in many parts of New Zealand, with such famous places as the rolling hills of Matamata (home of Hobbiton), the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park and the stunning rugged beauty of Fiordland National Park being the places where the films were set. The films not only brought the beautiful scenery of New Zealand to the people of the world but also helped increase tourism to the country as fans came seeking the locations that were featured in the movies.
Narnia Film Series
The cinematic attractiveness of New Zealand surpasses Middle-earth and extends to other fantastic worlds such as Narnia. Also, the series of films titled The Chronicles of Narnia, which is based on the classic novels by C.S. Lewis, opted for New Zealand as the most important location for shooting. The stupendous nature of Flock Hill located in Canterbury and the clean beaches of Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula acted as an ideal setting for the whimsical escapades of Aslan and the Pevensie siblings. Much like the Lord of the Rings movies, The Chronicles of Narnia series popularised the natural beauty in New Zealand among a worldwide audience and fueled the country’s growing film tourism industry.
Tourist Attractions and Film Sets
For film fans and adventurers alike, going to the actual locations of films can be an amazing experience. In New Zealand, fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia can take a break from online casino NZ and take guided tours to iconic film sets and locations and experience the world of their favourite films. The tours will take you through the lush forests of Rivendell, have you stand in the shadow of Mount Doom and even take you walking in the footsteps of the Pevensie siblings, providing a great opportunity to experience movie magic up close and personal.
The Majestic Landscapes of New Zealand
The thing that makes New Zealand unique as a filming location is a big diversity of different landscapes that are relatively close to each other. In just a short drive, filmmakers can get from the snow-capped mountains and taiga forests to the rugged coast and wide hills. This diversity enables filmmakers to generate a variety of film types without ever having to leave the country, thus making New Zealand a very flexible and economical place for film production.
Beyond Fantasy
Even though fantasy films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia have made New Zealand more recognisable as a place for film production, the country has also accommodated other genres. Both action-packed blockbusters like The Avengers and King Kong and intimate dramas like Whale Rider and Once Were Warriors have been set against the landscapes of New Zealand. In the urban streets of Auckland, the wild beaches of the West Coast or the remote wilderness of the Southern Alps, New Zealand gives filmmakers abundant chances for creative expression.
