By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
Welsh like a pepper mill: mapping its movie locations
Reports News Wales, the Welsh government thinks that
the Harry Potter-Sideways movie gimmick makes a killer map after the Potter movies brought visitors to Northumbria: “The magic of the movies is set to create a… bonanza for North Wales. Tourism bosses have created a map showing the locations of films and television programmes shot in North Wales.” They hope for another 30,000 visitors and £1 million in income each year, with Tourism Partnership North Wales picking out 30 locations. It’s being included in Empire magazine, as well as here. What delights lie on the Welsh footpath? Events Executive Carole Startin says “North Wales has played host to a wonderfully eclectic mix of films and the Hollywood stardust has been sprinkled generously throughout the region… We’ve had a bit of everything, from Hollywood classics to masterpieces of slapstick like Carry on up the Khyber and Holiday on the Buses. At least two Bollywood spectaculars have been shot in the region and the enduring cult favourite, “The Prisoner,” is still attracting fans to Portmeirion…” Is that all? “The locations include Talacre beach where scenes for Backbeat, a film about the Beatles, were shot and Anglesey where Demi Moore shot Halflight [pictured] which is due to be released this year.” Plus: the second Tomb Raider picture!“ The potential is huge. We already know that… Last of the Summer Wine has been great for tourism in Holmfirth where it is filmed. “Dr Who” is now doing big things for Cardiff.”