Jamaica may be considered a third world country, however, it boasts some of the most creative and intelligent talent in the world. From playwrights to producers, actors and actresses, Jamaicans have a strong foothold in the entertainment industry.

 

The distance from Jamaica to Hollywood may seem thousands of miles away, but the one thing we have in common is great locations and a wealth of talented individuals.
 
The island of Jamaica is becoming one of the most sought after movie locations by Film Makers and Producers primarily because of our captivating environment, friendly locals and exotic locations. Not many people are aware that 150 films are shot in Jamaica, West Indies annually and that organizations such as JAMPRO exist to help Producers bring film projects to the big screen.
 
Many James Bond films were shot on location in Jamaica. The film "Dr. No" starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress was filmed at Crab Key, Ocho Rios. The opening scenes were filmed in Kingston, near downtown Harbour Street.

 

The shooting scene occurred at Queens Club, currently known as Liguinea Club, located at 80 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston, Jamaica. The club which is a private sports club and resort is also home to the Jamaican Squash Association.

 

The killing scene involving a secretary was filmed at Kinsale Street in North Kingston, at the foothills of Blue Mountains.

 

Other locations included in the film are, Norman Manley International Airport near Palisadoes Road, The Governor General's Mansion at King's House, Located at Hope Road in Central Kingston, The Waterfront at Morgan's harbour in Port Royal, Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios, Laughing Waters/Roaring River-Private Estate of Mrs. Minnie Simpson, the Bauxite Mine on Crab Key which is the Kaiser Terminal located on A3 Coast Road on the North Shore and the Mangrove Swamp in Falmouth where Bond and Honey were captured in the Dragon tank.

 

Another Bond movie that was filmed in Jamaica is "Live and Let Die" starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour. The Tourist Voodoo Nightclub act was filmed at Couples San Souci, located on Magenta Drive in Ocho Rios. A cemetery Set was built on Falmouth Road north of Montego Bay, and a bus chase was filmed on the Montego Bay-Lucea Highway.

 

The Wharf where Bond and Rosie tried to board a yacht is located in Montego Bay and the restaurant scene was filmed at a bungalow in the Half Moon Bay Resort . The crocodile farm in the movie is actually "Swaby's Swamp Safari" located on Forshore Road in Falmouth. The farm is a four acre mangrove swamp offering guided tours of wetland's wildlife daily.

 

"Cocktails" starring Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown and Elizabeth Shue was filmed partly at Sangster's International Airport in Montego Bay, the beach bar scene was staged at Dragon Bay Beach in Port Antonio, which is now called "Cruise Bar". The Waterfall is Reach Falls located on the Drivers River inland from Manchoneal on the North Coast.

 

"Legends of The Fall" starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Aidan Quinn was filmed in St. Anns, Ocho Rios.

 

Movies such as "Papillon" starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman and Victor Jorg, and " 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason and Paul Lukas, filmed their cave and cliff scenes at the Xtabi Hotel in Negril. 

 

Other movies such as "Cool Runnings", "One Love", "Shottas", "Dance Hall Queen" and "Island in The Sun" where filmed at various locations on the island. Most recently, the movie "Knight and Day" starring Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise and Peter Sarsgaard was filmed partly on Frenchman's Cove in Portland.

 

The renowned "Rent-a-Rasta" Jamaican documentary, which describes sex tourism, and the hedonistic tendencies of white women on vacation seeking to rent rastas for fun and pleasure was filmed at many of the major resorts on the North and South Coast.

 

Each year, young Jamaican Artists continue to dazzle the Film Industry with their innovative and refreshing film making, and riveting story lines.

 

JAMAICAWOOD is slowly building up momentum in order to captivate a more universal audience while providing an international retreat for Film Makers and Producers from around the world to display their stories in the most scenic and culturally diverse locales.

 

Although we may have miles to go yet, striving to be the best has won us accolades at Anime Caribe. In the past year, Jamaican Animation-Alcyone Productions won best Caribbean Animation. 

 

I would say for a Third World Country we are definitely making a name for ourselves in show business. So, let's keep dazzling the world with our movies and shows !