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If you’re a fan of the post-apocalyptic movie The Book of Eli, you might be wondering where the filmmakers found such a desolate landscape. The answer is New Mexico.
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Introduction
Introduction
The Book of Eli is a post-apocalyptic film released in 2010. The movie was directed by the Hughes brothers and stars Denzel Washington as the titular character. The plot revolves around Eli’s journey across America after a nuclear holocaust, during which he is safeguarded by a mysterious book that may hold the key to humanity’s salvation.
While the majority of the film was shot in New Mexico, there are some scenes that were filmed in other locations. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the places where The Book of Eli was filmed.
The Book of Eli
The Book of Eli was filmed in Almería, Spain.
The Movie Set
Although the post-apocalyptic movie The Book of Eli was set in the American West, it was actually filmed in New Mexico. According to the Albuquerque Film Office, the production company spent about $45 million in the state, and hired over 700 local crew members.
The movie starred Denzel Washington as Eli, a man who is traveling westward across America with a precious book that could save humanity. The film also featured Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, and Jennifer Beals.
The Cast
The cast of “The Book of Eli” has some big names attached to it. Denzel Washington stars as the titular character, and Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, and Jennifer Beals all have supporting roles. The film was directed by the Hughes brothers, who are known for directing films like “Menace II Society” and “From Hell.”
The Crew
The majority of the film was shot in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some of the principal photography locations included:
-Highway 666 (now known as Highway 491)
-Acoma Pueblo
-Built on the site of an ancient Indian pueblo, Acoma Pueblo is one of the oldest inhabited communities in North America. The filmmakers took advantage of the natural beauty and history of the location to create a unique post-apocalyptic world.
-Petroglyph National Monument
-Located on the west side of Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument is home to over 20,000 ancient rock carvings. The area was used as a backdrop for several key scenes in the film.
-El Malpais National Monument
-El Malpais is a remote and rugged area of New Mexico that was used for several exterior shots in the film.
The Book of Eli Filming Locations
The Book of Eli was filmed in various locations in New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. Some of the specific locations used in the film include the KiMo Theatre, the Albuquerque Museum, and the Sandia Mountains.
The Book of Eli Release
The Book of Eli was released on January 15th, 2010. The post-apocalyptic drama was directed by the Hughes brothers and stars Denzel Washington. It was filmed in New Mexico and cost $80 million to produce.
The Book of Eli Reception
The Book of Eli received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 62% rating, based on 185 reviews with an average rating of 6.3 out of 10. The consensus states: “The Book of Eli has visual flair, but its uneven mix of action, mystery, and religious allegory often struggles to find focus.” On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 58 out of 100 based on 36 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews”.
The Book of Eli Sequel
The movie was directed by the Hughes brothers, Albert and Allen. The two had not worked together since Menace II Society in 1993. The story follows Eli (Denzel Washington), a man who has been given a Bible by a woman named Claudia (Jennifer Beals). He is then entrusted with the task of delivering it to the west coast.
Conclusion
Although the majority of The Book of Eli was filmed in New Mexico, the film’s producers did consider shooting the movie in Detroit, Michigan. However, they decided against it because the city’s abandoned buildings and desolate streets would have been too realistic and downplayed the post-apocalyptic setting of the film.
