[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] As director Christopher Nolan’s film “The Martian” continues its long-running box office success, attention is turning to the filming locations and production process that brought the film’s epic landscapes to life.

“The Martian” was filmed over a total of 91 days across six countries, including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and the United States. In particular, to capture Director Nolan’s signature “sense of physical reality,” the production actively utilized real locations and props rather than relying on computer graphics (CG).
Director Nolan is renowned for insisting on on-location filming rather than relying on computer graphics (CG). In a recent interview with *Empire*, he expressed his philosophy, stating, “When you embrace the physical aspects of the real world during the filmmaking process, you can convey the story in very interesting ways,” adding, “It’s because you come face-to-face with the real world that pushes us every single day.”

This “insistence on realism” also led to some unique behind-the-scenes moments on set. In particular, it drew attention when it was revealed that actress Anne Hathaway, who played Penelope, commuted to the set by helicopter.
The scenes set on the island of Ithaca—Penelope’s primary setting—were filmed on the island of Favignana in the Egadi Islands, west of Sicily, Italy. Among these, the exterior shots of the palace were taken at the 15th-century “Castello di Santa Caterina,” located at an elevation of approximately 314 meters. Due to the steep terrain, which made it difficult to travel by car, approximately 250 crew members and actors had to hike up the mountain path every day.
In an interview with *People* magazine, Director Nolan explained, “We used helicopters for some crew members and actors who couldn’t carry equipment or hike,” but added, “However, we couldn’t transport the entire crew of 250 people, so most of them had to hike up on their own.”
Among them, Anne Hathaway’s character was the reason she benefited from the helicopter rides. Hathaway told BBC News, “Since Penelope is the queen, I think the production team decided she shouldn’t arrive on set looking disheveled like the suitors or other members of the Ithacan royal family,” adding, “Thanks to that, I got to take the helicopter to work every day—it was a truly wonderful experience.”

Director Nolan’s commitment to on-location filming is evident throughout the film. The early parts of Odysseus’s journey in Troy were shot in Morocco. The scene where the Trojan Horse is discovered and the scene where Odysseus and his crew set sail were filmed in Essaouira, a port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. In particular, approximately 2,000 extras were mobilized for the large-scale battle scenes to recreate the grandeur of an actual battlefield.
Key scenes from Odysseus’s adventures also utilized real-life locations. The cave scene featuring the one-eyed giant Cyclops was filmed at Nestor’s Cave in Greece, while the scene where Odysseus meets the dead was shot at Hölleifshöfdi in southern Iceland.
Odysseus’s journey home, set against the backdrop of the sea, was also brought to life through on-location filming. The production team modified a 35-meter-long replica Viking ship—reconstructed from an original Viking vessel—to resemble an ancient Greek ship for use in the production.

However, not all scenes were shot on location. Some scenes, such as the interior of the Ithaca royal palace, were filmed in a studio in Los Angeles, USA, while underwater scenes—including the shipwreck—were shot at Falls Lake, a large outdoor tank set at Universal Studios Hollywood. For scenes that would be difficult to achieve through actual filming, the production team made appropriate use of sets and special effects while still capturing real spaces and physical environments on screen whenever possible.
The 91-day shoot, which spanned six countries, not only brought the epic scale of *The Odyssey* to life but also fully embodies Director Nolan’s philosophy. Nolan’s relentless commitment to on-location filming also led to the film being shot entirely with IMAX cameras—a first in cinematic history.
From the subtle expressions of the actors captured in real spaces to the vast natural landscapes and the texture of the rough waves, the film vividly immerses the audience right in the midst of Odysseus’s journey. Director Nolan’s unwavering commitment to on-location filming creates an overwhelming sense of immersion on screen, captivating audiences.