I really wanted to go on a European road trip this summer. That is, until I realized that it would cost, you know, real money. Despite my best efforts to classify the trip as a business expense, it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards.
Instead, the design/development wizards on our team put together a virtual European road trip map. You can click around different countries to see what movies were filmed and/or set there. Then rent a bunch of those movies, and it’ll be just as if you were jaunting around the old country. Okay, maybe not. But it is pretty cool. Here are a few of my favorite European movies featured on the map.
Amélie (France)
Just weird enough to be charming, but not so weird as to be off-putting like some European films. I’m looking at you, Germans.
Band of Brothers (France)
This of course takes place in a few different countries, but it starts in France. And it’s my list so I have all the sweet, sweet power. Anyway, Band of Brothers is one of the best TV shows of all time. It’s seriously amazing how good it is. Way to go, Tom Hanks.
Everything is Illuminated (Ukraine)
Very different from (and not as good as) the book, but it does manage to capture the quirkiness of the setting and characters.
In Bruges (Belgium)
It’s a little dark, but I really enjoyed In Bruges. And it made me really, really want to visit Belgium.
Run Lola, Run (Germany)
Techno! Funny words! It must be a German film!
Shaun of the Dead (The UK)
It’s one of my favorite movies. If every movie combined British humor and zombies, well, I guess I would like every movie. But the Spaced gang did a particularly good job with it.
Trainspotting (The UK)
This is one of my top ten films. I not only love Scotland, but I’m a big fan of Irvine Welsh’s books. Ewan McGregor is excellent as Renton.
Once (Ireland)
It was really hard for me to pick just one Irish movie. I love Irish cinema so much, I did a whole post about it. If it has to be one, though, Once is it. The combination of a really good film and really good music wins out.
Once you’ve checked out the map, don’t forget to take our European Road Trip Poll.
I still remember when I heard a discussion on Shaun of the dead on the radio. I just had to see it and now I consider it to be one of the most original movies of the last decade. Especially becuase most of what comes out of the UK is about as good as British food.
I’m a war movie fan, so I often wonder why I didn’t watch all of the band of brothers episodes. Most of my family in that generation was from the west coast, so they all served in the Pacific, so oddly I’m more interested in The Pacific series as I can relate to it better.
The UK does lots of great stuff. It’s the land of Doctor Who, Torchwood, Monty Python, James Bond and our house’s favorite Top Gear. The Top Gear folks know about a road trip. The Botswana special and the US special are greatness!
I watched all the episodes with my mom, she is not really into war stuff, but stuck it out because uncle Mac (here brother) served in combat with the 101st Airbore.
Additionally prior going to fight he pitched for the Cubs
but was never able to play again after the war due to injuries from combat. (Thanks to all vetrans)Any way all of the reviews I agree with. and am most interested in zombies………..Since there will be a world war with them soon. Beter stock up on ammo.
OH YEA, British is……..well you said it.
This list tragically overlooks the fabulous German road movie “In July” (2000) [Ger: Im Juli) which starts in Hamburg and continues through eastern Europe all the way to Istambul. A romantic road movie (and hardly a “chick flick”) of top class!