The Moab valley - Austin Powers landed his Jag here
A short way up the highway you’ll find Red Cliffs Lodge, former home of George White, one of John Wayne’s best friends. Wayne was a frequent visitor here while shooting Westerns, and today the lodge is a 3-star resort with stunning views of the Colorado River along with horse riding and fairly decent winery.
Downstairs in the resort, there is a free movie museum featuring memorabilia collected by George White and the current owner, including the dummy of Thelma, used in the closing scene of Thelma and Louise where the car plunges over a cliff.
That very cliff can be seen from Dead Horse Point, a 30-minute drive from Moab. The first episode of Magyver was also shot here, as well as The Lone Ranger, and the memorable opening scene in Mission Impossible II, where Tom Cruise is seen scaling a scary-looking cliff.
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In case you’re wondering: Tom Cruise did almost all of those stunts, which is impressive even considering the fact that he was strapped into a harness, which was digitally removed later.
Further south near the border of Arizona is Monument Valley, another favourite location of John Wayne’s, where seven of his films were shot.
On the way into Monument Valley, you’ll recognise the spot on the highway where Forrest Gump stops running (in case you don’t – there’s a flag and a signpost).
Scenes from Back to the Future III were also shot here as well as Transformers: Age of Extinction and a few episodes of Dr Who.
Clint Eastwood even helicoptered a crew to the top of a tower here called the Totem Pole, to film a scene for The Eiger Sanction.
