OSTRICH RACES AND ROMANCE - The only other ostrich race scene other than the one shot for “Prince of Persia” was for another Disney movie - the 1960 version of “Swiss Family Robinson.” The moment in which Alfred Molina, as Sheikh Amar, kisses his favorite ostrich on the neck was completely unscripted. LOCAL LANDMARKS - The Nasaf marketplace and city gates were built adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, but the original structure was untouched by the filmmakers.ĭAGGERS - Some 20 different versions of the Dagger which holds the Sands of Time were fabricated for the film - from the “hero” version, made of steel, to latex versions, created for stunt sequences. Donning a t-shirt emblazoned with “Snake Dude,” he was easy to spot. SNAKE DUDE - A local Moroccan was hired to clear the shooting areas in the desert of a vipers and scorpions. Adding the 500 people working in post-production, the total cast and crew amounted to more than 1,850. IT TAKES A VILLAGE - In Morocco, there were a combined 1,350 cast and crew members, including 800 local Moroccans. OSTRICHES - Typical warnings on call sheets in Morocco: ‘PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE OSTRICH ON SET TODAY’ or ‘BEWARE – SNAKES & SCORPIONS CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LOCATION UNDER AND AROUND THE ROCKS. According to Morocco Facilities Manager Gregoire Mouveau, during filming in that country the “Prince of Persia” company consumed 1,114,894 bottles of water.
It was a mind-blowing 124 degrees on the last day of Moroccan filming (Merzouga Sand Dunes outside of Erfoud). And adjoining tent was built just for washing and drying. One, which was the size of a football field, housed wardrobe, hair and makeup for the film’s background players.
Massive, air-conditioned tents were erected at the Lycee Hassan II school in Marrakesh. HEATED - Morocco offered 100+-degree Fahrenheit temps during production. SANDS OF TIME, INDEED - The production battled ferocious sandstorms in Little Fint, outside of Ouarzazate, Morocco. The cast and crew had to acclimate themselves before proceeding with the demanding action sequences filmed there. The story revolves around Gyllenhaal’s character, a rogue prince, who joins forces with a mysterious princess to prevent an ancient dagger from releasing the Sands of Time - gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.Īfter the jump, check out some fun facts from the movie involving sand, heat, snakes and ostriches.ĪIM HIGH - The first shooting location for “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” was at an altitude of 8,200 feet in the mountain village of Oukaimden in the High Atlas Mountains, surrounded by indigenous Berber communities. It’s got some great players attached: director Mike Newell (he directed ‘ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’), producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, and Alfred Molina. These costume pics are usually really good or really hokey, so I’m hoping this falls into the good category.
‘ Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ hits theaters May 28, 2010, and it looks like a fun adventure flick from Walt Disney Pictures.