Gambling, con games, casinos, and everything that comes with them have inspired some of the best films in Hollywood. Ever since the comedy movie, Las Vegas Nights filmed in 1941, the city of Las Vegas has grown to become the de facto filming location for such films. Also known as Sin City, Las Vegas is the adult land of fantasy where late-night dancing, drinking, gambling, and all kinds of debauchery go.
Those who cannot be there can partake in this fun by watching movies set in this location and still enjoy the flashing neon lights and views of palatial casinos. However, a lot of Vegas films seem to be dated, this is possibly due to the increased popularity of new online handpickedcasinos that mean you can play at home instead of in land casinos.
Do you miss the fun that Las Vegas has to offer? Perhaps you wish to fantasize about being there? Here is a list of the top five movies set in the casino capital of the world in which you can indulge.
1. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather series of movies is perhaps one of the greatest works of art in filmmaking history. While it is not entirely set in Las Vegas, there are iconic scenes set in the city’s underworld which revolve around casinos, gambling, and the mafia. Fredo, the black sheep of Don Corleon’s family, is sent to Las Vegas to establish inroads into the casino industry.
The scene is extravagant in how it portrays casinos, starting with rousing music accompanying drive-by views of iconic locations, including Sands and the Desert Inn. The film then dives deep in the next scene to reveal the behind-the-scenes power plays that major players engaged in to build Las Vegas.
2. The Hangover (2009)
A decade ago, the film The Hangover captured the essence of Sin City in a way that most people wished they could experience in another life. The hilarious film takes the viewer on a full casino-hopping tour around town and shows just how intense mad fun can be. Despite being an off-the-beaten-path when it comes to filming locations, Ceasars Place is the most exciting location in the film.
The film created a memorable scene that, for a brief moment after the film’s release, the casino’s popularity shot through the roof. The film takes pride in portraying the pure luxury and excess of Las Vegas and how it would look and feel like ‘living on top of the world’ atop Caesars Palace.
3. Casino (1995)
If the people of Las Vegas were to vote for a film that best presents the city’s historical locations, Martin Scorsese’s 1995 classic would win hands down. Shot at some of the most fitting iconic locations, including The Peppermill at the end of the strip and La Concha Motel.
The 3-hour mobster film featuring De Niro and Joe Pesci captures every aspect of how Las Vegas casinos from how the poker tables are monitored to how the muscles deal with cheaters. Even if you have never been inside a Las Vegas casino, the movie will present you with accurate scenes of how it looks and feels and the intrigues of being at the centre of yesteryear’s casinos.
4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
If you find stories of gambling, all kinds of debauchery, drugs, sex, and dark humour entertaining, you have to watch this movie. This film is an acid-tinged journey based on actual events of author Hunter S. Thompson’s life through Las Vegas. Most of the story takes place on the road; in fact, you can recognize the timeless Red Rock Canyon throughout the film.
The movie presents a backdrop of the old-school Las Vegas gambling scene and the town in general as a lively but dangerous place. Most of the movie’s casino scenes were filmed at The Stardust and The Riviera casinos, which are long gone.
5. Ocean’s 11 (2001)
In Ocean’s 11, a gang of eleven thieves pull off a perfect con heist, stealing a whopping $150 million from The Bellagio casino’s vault in one of the busiest nights in the city. Throughout the film, viewers get treated to realistic views of the three featured casinos – Bellagio, MGM Grand, and The Mirage in a way that leaves them feeling like they have been there.
In this first instalment of three films, other locations including the Riviera, the Sands, the Flamingo, the Sahara, and the Desert Inn hotels are prominently featured. When you feel like viewing Las Vegas hotels and casinos in all their past glory, this is the film to watch.
Everyone who has been to Las Vegas and loves to have fun will always point to a movie that accurately depicts what goes on there that an outsider will not know. These five movies are just a few of the best that justify the phrase ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’.
