Film | Classic Films Around The World

This post is for The Great Movie Project's World In Film blogathon. The challenge of this blogathon was to highlight films made in each of the 7 continents. I decided (for obvious reasons) to do this blogathon with a classic film twist...

AFRICA
Film: Cleopatra (1963)
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton
Where is it set? Egypt

What better film to highlight one of the most intriguing countries in Africa? A classic epic about one of its most memorable rulers.

ANTARCTICA
Film: The Thing From Another World (1951)
Starring: James Arness
Where is it set? The Arctic


This was literally the only film that I could think of that was set in the arctic. This film about a creature from another world is set in the deserted arctic country, leaving all of The Thing's victim to fend for their lives... alone.

ASIA
Film: The Letter (1940)
Starring: Bette Davis
Where is it set? Singapore

I could have went with a typical Asian film, but I thought I would chose something maybe that wasn't expected to be in Asia. This 1940 film is more about the story rather than the place it is set in, but when Bette's character ventures out to meet her blackmailer, we get a pretty nice idea of the culture of the city (or at least the Classic Hollywood version of it).

AUSTRALIA
Film: Rain (1932) 
Starring: Joan Crawford
Where is it set? South Pacific village of Pago Pago

Another film that isn't your typical Australia, but it captures beautifully the environment of the area. All of Sadie Thompson drama unfolds in the stormy rain forest of the South Pacific island.

EUROPE

Film: My Fair Lady (1964)

Starring: Audrey Hepburn & Rex Harrison

Where is it set? England

This film about a flower girl who is revamped into a lady of high society brings you through all of the rules of the English society of that time. From the fashions to the language, you learn all you need to know about the region.

NORTH AMERICA

Film: Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

Starring: Judy Garland

Where is it set? St. Louis (USA)

I thought this was a good all American themed film from the 1940's The film is based in 1902, so we get a big dose of period fashion and everyday living. On top of that... what a musical!

SOUTH AMERICA

Film: Gilda (1946)

Starring: Rita Hayworth & Glenn Ford

Where is it set? Argentina

This is one of my favorite movies (hence the name of this blog), so I was so glad to see that it could be included on this list. This film is set in an Argentinian casino where Gilda unleashes all of her femme fatale issues.