Alberta Destinations

‘Reel’ movie magic: Get into Alberta’s film scene

Always a scene stealer, Alberta’s stunning vistas and local attractions play leading roles in top Hollywood films – past and present – and this summer you can tour the very places Brad Pitt strolled, Robin Williams ate pizza and Clint Eastwood shot an Academy Award winning flick.

Pick up an Alberta Movie Map at any visitor information centre across the province and get set for a ‘Reel Adventure.’ The detailed maps not only highlight movie sets and locations, but are also chock-full of behind-the-scenes facts and points of interest along the way.

Take to the road and see the stuff of legends driving through authentic cowboy stomping grounds from Calgary and Kananaskis Country to the town of Banff in the heart of the Rockies. Cruise through Goat Creek where scenes from Jesse James, The Edge and X2 X-Men United were filmed in the re-created Colorado town. Or take to the rolling foothills where the cameras captured sweeping scenery in Brokeback Mountain and Legends of the Fall.

Whoop it up as the frontier history of saddles and side trips bring out ‘big country’ dramas and family adventure. Stay at the Ramada Inn in Lethbridge and perhaps you’ll be in the same room Robin Williams occupied while shooting RV; or travel 30 minutes to Fort McLeod for locations of the latest film created in the area, Passchendaele, to be released in late 2008.

Experience real one-horse towns where you might just learn to love bad guys and badlands. Brokeback Mountain, Unforgiven and even Shanghai Noon with Jackie Chan shot scenes in the badlands east of Calgary.

Rockyford and East Coulee will dwell in your mind long after you carry on, as will the memory of crossing 11 one-way bridges to see the Last Chance Saloon & Hotel in Wayne.

Make it from celluloid to scenery this summer; see the movies up close and personal in Alberta.