The following movies were filmed (in part) in Death Valley. Having just journeyed there i can see how the mystique and intrigue of this magical and haunting place can inspire. These movies are classics in their own right and worth seeing, if not only for the picturesque landscape. Buona visione!
Zabriskie Point- " How you get there depends on where you're at"
This film is filmed in Death Valley and Los Angeles. A very important part of the film takes place at Zabriskie Point, where our boy and girl meet and "blow their minds". Mark is a troublesome youth in revolt and not sure what stand to take. He
flees L.A. with a stolen plane after being accused of killing a cop at a student protest which turns riotous. He flies to Death Valley where he meets and makes love to Daria, a secretary who drove there for a business venture. She is a quirky, free spirit who digs and loves all things and only works to pay the way.
This film was directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and features the music of Pink Floyd and others. The explosive finale is musically enhanced by Antonio's use of slo-mo and the Pink Floyd song "Come in # 51 your time is up"
One
eyed
Jacks
This film not only stars Marlon Brando, but he directed it as well. It is the old west where bank robbing was a trade and any one with guts could where a badge. Brando plays Kid Rio, another young misguided soul who is morally confused. He is the Jack Kerouac of the west. His Neal Cassady is Dad Longworth (Karl Malden) who after leaving him for dead (at Zabriskie Point) becomes the local town sheriff. Kid Rio seeks his revenge on Longworth and falls for his step daughter, Louisa, as well. It all comes to a bloody end and the scenes between Louisa and the kid are Brando at his best.
Vanishing Point-"Thrills, spills and a handful of pills" Kowalski, our ex-lawman and driver extraordinaire, is a renegade driver transporting a car ( a souped up Dodge Challenger no less) from Denver to San Francisco. Subsequently, he drives through Death Valley and meets some hippies, including a nude motorcyclist chick. He is speeding in more ways than one as he is fueled by bennies the entire trip. He also has a radio Dj by the name of Super Soul who monitors the police band and gives him updates over the radio. This film made in 1971 is classic for it's car chases and as Super Soul reminds us "speed means freedom of the soul"
Can ya dig it?
