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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

former film sets used in famous westerns now in ruins

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


They have featured in some of the world's most famous films.
But despite forging some of Hollywood's most iconic images, these pictures show the sorry state of abandoned spaghetti western sets long since forgotten.
Nestled in Spain's hostile Tabernas Desert, Almeria, lies these abandoned towns and buildings.
Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Clef and Henry Fonda starred in legendary cowboy pictures The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Once Upon A Time in the West and For A Few More Dollars which were all filmed on site.

Abandoned: These abandoned spaghetti western lairs in Spain once featured in the most-adored movies in the world
Abandoned: These spaghetti western lairs in Spain once featured in the most-adored movies in the world

Famous: The site, in Spain's Tabernas Desert, Almeria, played host to A-listers Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Clef and Henry Fonda in legendary cowboy pictures
Famous: The site, in Spain's Tabernas Desert, Almeria, played host to A-listers Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Clef and Henry Fonda in legendary cowboy pictures

Iconic: Legendary cowboy films such as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Once Upon A Time in the West and For A Few More Dollars were filmed on this site
Iconic: Legendary cowboy films such as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Once Upon A Time in the West and For A Few More Dollars were filmed on this site

Historic: The gallows pictured here are a sure sign of the site's links to famous western films
Historic: The gallows pictured here are a sure sign of the site's links to famous western films

Movie set: The site can be seen in the 1969 film Once Upon A Time In The West
Movie set: The site can be seen in the 1969 film Once Upon A Time In The West

Legendary figures of Hollywood including Burt Reynolds, Michael Caine, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor also joined big budgets productions  - such as Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and Play Dirty.
But despite more than 200 titles being captured in the desert during the 1960s and 70s, the area was disbanded and left behind as spaghetti western's popularity faded.

 
The three main studios that once bustled with Hollywood's biggest names are now ghost towns that cater for a few tourists, and are surrounded by desolate buildings used in the films.
Amateur photographer Sarah Orndhorf, 33, uncovered dozens of neglected settings that have been slowly reclaimed by the harsh Spanish desert.

Productive: More than 200 film titles were captured in the desert during the 1960s and 70s
Productive: More than 200 film titles were captured in the desert during the 1960s and 70s

Famous: This image shows Fort Bravo, which was the subject of the 1953 film Escape from Fort Bravo
Famous: This image shows Fort Bravo, which was the subject of the 1953 film Escape from Fort Bravo

Unique: Hollywood stars Burt Reynolds, Michael Caine, Richard Burton and even Elizabeth Taylor also joined big budget productions filmed on sight
Unique: Hollywood stars Burt Reynolds, Michael Caine, Richard Burton and even Elizabeth Taylor also joined big budget productions filmed on site

Respected: Movies filmed on site include Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and Play Dirty
Respected: Movies filmed on site include Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and Play Dirty

Sad: The area was disbanded and left behind as spaghetti western's popularity faded
Sad: The area was disbanded and left behind as spaghetti western's popularity faded
Renowned: Clint Eastwood often filmed in Almeria. He is pictured on the set of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Renowned: Clint Eastwood often filmed in Almeria. He is pictured on the set of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Ms Orndhorf, of Germany, said: 'Despite the soaring heat and remote locations it is an area filled with history and character - this was once Hollywood's hotbed.
'The buildings were thrown up for big-budget films that shadowed anything else being made at the time, but they were thrown to one side and became a distant memory.
'But they're beautiful and iconic, and just walking through them you can get a feel for the old films - they still have a strong presence.'
Empty: Dozens of neglected buildings have been slowly reclaimed by the harsh Spanish desert
Empty: Dozens of neglected buildings have been slowly reclaimed by the harsh Spanish desert

Special: Despite lying abandoned, the area is filled with history and character
Special: Despite lying abandoned, the area is filled with history and character

Important: Sarah Orndhorf, 33, took these photographs during a visit and said you can get a feel for the old films by just walking through the site
Important: Sarah Orndhorf, 33, took these photographs during a visit and said you can get a feel for the old films by just walking through the site

Desolate: This 'Wanted' sign is another indicator that westerns were regularly filmed at the Spanish site
Desolate: This 'Wanted' sign is another indicator that westerns were regularly filmed at the Spanish site
Varied: The site is filled with deteriorating shacks and Texas towns on one side, as Mexican pueblos crumble just yards away
Varied: The site is filled with deteriorating shacks and Texas towns on one side, as Mexican pueblos crumble just yards away

Legendary: Clint Eastwood rides a horse through the town for the film 'For a Few Dollars More'
Legendary: Clint Eastwood rides a horse through the town for the film 'For a Few Dollars More'

The area is filled with deteriorating shacks and Texas towns on one side, as Mexican pueblos crumble just yards away.
The eerie streets have been thrown back to the sands of time and high noon shootouts are a distant echo.
But trickles of tourists arrive eagerly each week to enjoy the loved settings.
Ms Orndhorf added: 'Sightseers are shown round a few streets that are maintained, but just round the corner are masses of decaying structures.
'It's a shame because they're were the beating heart of 60s and 70s, but time moves and on and at least they can be enjoyed by the odd person for a while.'
Movies: This shows the wedding chapel which featured in many classic films
Movies: This shows the wedding chapel which featured in many classic films



Realistic: No western set would be complete without a prison
Realistic: No western set would be complete without a prison

Wrecked: The eerie streets have been thrown back to the sands of time and high noon shootouts are a distant echo
Wrecked: The eerie streets have been thrown back to the sands of time and high noon shootouts are a distant echo

Fans: Trickles of tourists arrive eagerly each week to enjoy the famous settings
Fans: Trickles of tourists arrive eagerly each week to enjoy the famous settings
Empty: The three main studios that once bustled with Hollywood's biggest names are now ghost towns. This part of the site shows a campsite
Empty: The three main studios that once bustled with Hollywood's biggest names are now ghost towns. This part of the site shows a campsite
Star: Actor Eli Wallach on the set of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Star: Actor Eli Wallach on the set of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly



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