When we say Las Vegas, what’s the first thing that springs to mind? Your first answer is most probably gambling, but it’s fair to surmise that Sin City has also provided the backdrop to some of the most iconic movies of all time.
Make no mistake; Vegas is even a popular location for films that are far removed from the resort city’s unique sense of adventure, making it more than just a casino city.
In this article, we’ll look at five iconic films that were shot in Vegas, and explore the role that Sin City played in making them so popular.
- Diamonds Are Forever
Before the days of online casino sites like NoDepositFriend, Vegas was the place to enjoy the thrill of gambling. It was also a natural place in which to shoot casino-inspired themes, and the 1971 Bond film Diamonds Are Forever certainly made the most of the Vegas strip.
As Sean Connery’s Bond posed as a diamond smuggler in a bid to topple the evil empire of his old adversary Ernst Stavro Blofeld, a host of Vegas casinos provided the backdrop for the relentless action.
The Landmark Hotel and Casino was featured prominently, for example, as was Tropicana Las Vegas and the iconic Riviera. This was certainly one of the best Bond films, and we can’t help but think that it was improved by the use of stunning Vegas landmarks.
- Ocean’s 11 (The Original)
The hit film Ocean’s 11 conjures up images of the incredibly smooth George Clooney and the 2004 reboot, but we’ve selected the 1960 original for our list. Starring the five Rat Pack sensations including the legendary Frank Sinatra, this remains a true classic and one that has truly stood the test of time.
Not only was this film arguably cooler than the remake, for example, but it also took in more of Vegas’ unique landmarks. Once again, the Riviera featured heavily during shooting, while the Sands Hotel and Desert Inn Casino also provided the ideal backdrop for the film’s narrative.
If you haven’t seen this film we urge you to do so, as in our opinion it’s definitely better than the 21st century reboot!
- Rocky III
This is hardly a film that you would associate with Vegas, as its raw aggression and violence is as far removed from a resort city as you can imagine. Still, Vegas retains an innate darkness and shadowy underbelly, and this definitely added a unique dimension to the third instalment of the Rocky franchise.
The film also saw the iconic Mr. T make his Hollywood debut as Rocky’s ruthless but ultimately out-gunned opponent Clubber Lang.
Look out for an appearance from Hulk Hogan too, before the days of Mr. Nanny and other comedy delights!
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
We’ve already touched on Sin City’s dark side, and one film to explore this was Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Based on a novel by Hunter S. Thompson, this film offered a unique interpretation on the Vegas myth, and explored less typical themes such as drug use, alcohol abuse and gambling addiction.
Filmed heavily at the Stardust Resort and the Riviera, the film has become a cult hit during the last 20 years, despite it being a huge critical and financial failure in its day.
It is also a truly unique movie, and one that is arguably closer to truth than fiction when capturing the essence of Las Vegas.
- Ocean’s Thirteen
The third instalment of the Ocean’s Eleven reboot, this comedy-heist concluded one of the most successful franchises of the noughties.
This owed much to a stellar ensemble cast, of course, which remained largely unchanged throughout the three movies. The third instalment also took in more of Vegas than the previous two films, including stunning shots of the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay.
The McCarran International Airport also featured heavily, creating a strong correlation between the film’s theme and location.
