Knight & Day
Green screen is becoming increasingly popular in today’s films and although the technology is capable of producing some stunning effects, there’s nothing quite like the real thing.
In Knight and Day, the globe-trotting, action-comedy, Cruise and Diaz find themselves in Boston, Jamaica, Salzburg, and Sevilla.
In celebration of the film’s release on Blu-ray and DVD on 13th December, we take a look at the locations seen in the film and what it is about each place that contributes to the authenticity of the film.
Boston, USA:
If you’ve observed that many movies in the past four years have taken place in Boston, it’s not a coincidence.
The state of Massachusetts implemented a tax credit incentive for filmmakers, and consequently Knight and Day joins The Departed, The Town, and The Social Network as a few of the many movies that have been set in Boston recently. The cozy restaurant scene where Roy (Cruise) interrupts June’s (Diaz) conversation with her ex-boyfriend was filmed in the real Bostonian restaurant Gaslight.
The capital of Massachusetts boasts one of the finest aquariums in the country. In addition, a stroll down the Freedom Trail gives you an up-close brush with history, as some of the most influential minds of the American Revolution lived and worked on the path.
Lack of interest in sports is a sin in Boston. The Greater Boston Area contains over 100 colleges and universities, including Harvard.
The best time to visit is in the spring or autumn when weather is mildest; the fall foliage colors are a sight to see.
Port Antonio, Jamaica:
The location of Roy’s lush hideaway in the movie is never revealed, but the scene was shot on the beaches of Port Antonio, Jamaica.
A secret treasure within the Caribbean, Port Antonio is a major port for coconuts and bananas. The town itself is quaint, with lighthouses, the ruins of Fort George, and Musgrave Market.
Tourists frequent its stunning white sand beaches, such as Frenchman’s Cove. The tropical climate makes the town an appealing tourist destination all year long. No wonder Roy escaped to this place.
Sevilla, Spain:
The climax of the film is set in sexy Sevilla. June is captured by the antagonist and held captive, but Roy tracks her down. They escape on motorcycle, eluding the bad guys during the Running of the Bulls.
Although the most famous Running of the Bulls occurs in Pamplona, other towns in Spain have their own version of the tradition, including Sevilla, which is also home to the Bullfighting Museum.
Sevilla is a gastronomic center, known for its tapas, seafood, meat, and sweet cakes. The architecture of the palaces, towers, and cathedrals are supremely elegant, with unique gothic and Baroque touches.
If nature is more to your liking, there are numerous parks. Expect a Mediterranean climate in Sevilla, with temperatures going from warm in the winter to scorching in the summer.
Unless roasting in the sun is your cup of tea, visit in the fall or spring, especially since it gets very rainy in the winter.
Salzburg, Austria:
On the run from the bad guys, the FBI, and the CIA, Roy locks June in a hotel in Salzburg. June escapes and spots Roy down one of the cobblestone streets. She begins to think that Roy is working for the bad guys, and exposes herself to the CIA to help capture him.
Even though Diaz was clad in a bikini in the previous location, she sports a long coat in Austria. Salzburg, which borders the Alps, is the birthplace and hometown of Mozart.
It is such a popular tourist destination that during peak times, tourists outnumber the locals by a large margin.
There are palaces, castles, cemeteries, and cathedrals with remarkable Baroque architecture. However, the biggest tourist attraction is the filming locations for The Sound of Music.
The 1965 movie, based on the real von Trapp family, was filmed in and around Salzburg. Surprisingly, most Austrians aren’t fans of the movie.
Knight and Day is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 13th December. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Tagged in Tom Cruise