7 Movies That Take Place in Istanbul

Looking for something to watch for the weekend? Here is a list of movies that totally or partly take place in Istanbul. (Images are fromWikipedia.)

1. Tink Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is like a hall of fame: Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, John Hurt. This movie is a really good spy film (and more than that). It is also different than the other movies I'll tell you, because you'll see the steamboats instead of Sultanahmet and other touristic places.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340800/

2. Argo (2012)

Argo has won an Oscar and some other awards. It is an exciting semi-political film. You'll openly see the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. But the places that are shown as Iran are also from a district of Istanbul, Bakirkoy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024648/

3. From Russia With Love (1963)

From Russia with Love is one of the James Bond movies that takes place in Istanbul. There is one of the best James Bonds, Sean Connery, beautiful women and fierce enemies, together with Istanbul. You'll see again the favourite historical bazaars and mosques.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057076/

4. Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall is another James Bond movie with Daniel Craig and good soundtrack. It also takes place in Istanbul and the choice of places doesn't change. You'll see artifacts around Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Karakoy, etc.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/

5. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express is adapted from the famous Agatha Christie novel. Agatha Christie had stayed at Pera Palace Hotel. Her stay had been as mysterious as her novels. She said that the secret of her lost days in England. Later, a key was found under the floor of Room 411. Another key was also found under the floor of 511. And this mystery hasn't been solved yet!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071877/

6. Topkapi (1964)

Topkapi is all about a theft at Topkapi Palace. (It is full of valuable things, after all!) You'll also watch the deceased actor, Peter Ustinov. The cast is quiet amusing and the movie itself grabs the watchers. For nostalgia lovers!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058672/

7. The Accidental Spy (2011)

The Accidental Spy is a movie of Jackie Chan. The special thing about the movie is that my father witnessed its shooting! He used to work at the Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar- Misir Carsisi) then. He told that everyone involved were very hard working and rigorous, taking care of every detail.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0271946/