While the global box office is set to hit revenues of around $50 billion by 2020, one of the biggest takes on the overall budget for a film is the movie set. The quality and realism of the set will determine how much the audience buys into the film, along with the acting, score, script, and special effects. A special treat for movie fans is when a set is painstakingly preserved to ensure the legacy of the film lives on. These are some of the best sets – that offer tours – from around the world.
Take a trip to Diagon Alley
Turns out that avid fans of the Harry Potter franchise can sink their teeth into one of the most breathtaking tours studios have to offer. Visiting the Harry Potter set will take visitors to the cupboard under the stairs where Harry spent most of his young life, to the wildly wondrous Diagon Alley. Platform 9 ¾ is also part of the tour, however, visitors are recommended not to push their trolleys through. For a brief moment in time, fans can immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Potter.
Care to join us for a spot of tea?
The inner workings of the Crawley household as seen from the staff’s perspective has led Downton Abbey to become a cult classic. Fans of the series, who simply can’t get enough, can make their way over to the towering Highclere Castle where the TV show was filmed. A private tour allows a sneak peek into the lives of the Crawleys, and also the Earl and his family who now occupy the castle.
A visit to Middle Earth
If you’re wanting some movie magic a little bit closer to home, don’t forget that kiwis have the magical world of Middle Earth right here in New Zealand. It’s not only Hobbiton that will leave fans reeling with excitement, as the backdrops for some of the most famous scenes are also visible. These include scenes from Isengard, Minas Tirith, and Rivendell. For fans, the ultimate experience is booking a farmstay through various tour operators in the area to enjoy rural life to the full.
Exotic destinations and distant places
Both the Forbidden City in China and the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan bring up nostalgic memories of some of the most iconic films such as The Last Emperor and Lawrence of Arabia. These destinations offer a glimpse into the exotic and visiting these destinations is about more than just visiting a film set as these are actual places.
Although film sets are purely just fantasy, there is a sense of nostalgia for those who make the effort to visit them.
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