location
where was the dogs of war actually filmed?
share"THE LOCATION: LONDON, MIAMI, NEW YORK, AND BELIZE" (Press Release 10/17/80)
MovieChat Forums > The Dogs of War (1981) Discussion > location
The "Zangaro" scenes were shot in Central America, in the former British colony of Belize (British Honduras until 1973), which became an independent nation in 1981, the year the "The Dogs of War" was released. If I recall correctly from articles that appeared at the time, it was considered a more convenient, accessible and friendly location than any in Africa, while offering locations that looked like a newly independent African country. I believe the bulk of the scenes were filmed in and around what what then the capital, Belize City, which was the center of the country's Creole population. Thus, the filmmakers could draw on a large number of African-looking extras who spoke English. The bulk of the other location scenes seem to have been done in New York and London, with studio shooting in the UK as well.
shareThe scenes in Zangaro were actually filmed in Miami I believe.
shareIn the film the africans were speaking Twi/Akan which is a language from Ghana.
shareThe Zangaro scenes were actually filmed in Belize City, Belize. I know for a fact because I traveled during the summer of 1980 to visit family in Belize and we played on the abandoned set that was the army barracks and the final action scene in the movie.
In every movie you can click "filming locations" below OTHER INFO
There you can in the case of this current film:
- Belize
- Liverpool Street Station, Liverpool Street, Broadgate, London, England, UK
Around 1988, I stayed in the hotel in Belize City that was used as a main location in the film. It's actually quite a nice hotel; not the dive that was depicted. At that time, the decrepit old airport terminal seen upon Walken's arrival was still in use in Belize. Since I haven't been back to Belize since then, I don't know whether they ever built a new terminal.
Belize City has a lot of the look and feel of a smaller African city. But if you look closely in the film, the architechture is a bit too much in the Caribbean gingerbread style, which you won't see that much of in Africa.
The the location of his apartment (street views) was Washington Heights in Manhattan, New York City. The George Washington Bridge was in the background, west and slightly south of the camera'S POV.
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Yeah, looks like Belize some of the African locations. I served in forces out of BC Int Airport for about 6 months.
The last scene driving out down the street is in a small village called San Pedro on Ambergris Key off of Belize itself. Spent about 1 week R & R there. very nice too. Nice hotels, nice beaches. I was walking around in my bare feet the whole time, stayed in Marthas; a B & B, which looks like is on the corner on the right as they drive past at the end.
My guess would also be that the Gazelle helicopter used at the end was courtesy of the British Army Air Corps that i was with in 1991 or therabouts, maybe even the one that dropped me off with a mate at the landing strip on the island for my R & R.
Am actually dissapointed by the location, u can c straight that it's not filmed in Africa n specially that they would call it an African Capital, thats a big joke... and I thought it's sad that they actually don't try 2 make it mor authentic then that. It's like recording a chineese war movie in New York... *beep* stupid...
shareDo you honestly think the average movie goer knows the difference? Well, your average white movie goer who never been to Africa or the Caribbean.
By the way, what background knowledge did you possess to know the difference? Just curious.
Actually, the last scene of them driving was passing the famous "Garney Clock" as it's known locally. The street they are driving on is called Barrack Road. That house you refer to as Martha's (opposite of Elvi's fast food burgers) located in San Pedro was actually called the Marin building by locals, located at the corner of Barrack Road and Craig Street.
San Pedro didn't have paved streets like that back then.
A lot has changed since then and even in San Pedro which has many paved streets now.
I lived a block away from the final battle which filmed at a mental clinic at the time. I was scared as hell hearing all the explosions and noises at the time. I was born in 1973 and very young at the time.
Many more stories to tell as well:)
Cheers Mate!
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