The Seventh Art in the Springs

Undoubtedly, this scenic anchorage that is blessed with wondrous natural elements and the sprawling opulence of the monuments had won over many international directors and even Greek ones, who wanted to feature the captivating setting in their films. There are numerous movies that were filmed in Kallithea Springs. Some stills from those said movies are hang on the walls of one of the main halls for the visitors to admire and compare them to the current image of this stunning place.

Anna Roditi (1948)

During the Italian rule, the area of Kallithea Springs would be featured in a few documentaries and newsreels that were the product of Italian cameramen. However, after the integration of the Dodecanese in the Greek territories, many film directors took interest in shooting their movies in the bay of the Springs. Such was the case of Anna Roditi or Anna of Rhodes, a romantic resistance film, which was made in order to convey and pay respects to the Martyrdom of the citizens of the Dodecanese. In the movie an Italian lieutenant falls in love with Anna, who is siding with the resistance and wishes for Rhodes to be free of the Italian rule. One of the most famous scenes is that of Anna walking the monument alongside her love interest. The grandeur of Kallithea Springs can be easily captured on this film.

Still from the movie Anna Roditi shot in Kallithea Springs (1948).

Still from the movie Anna Roditi shot in Kallithea Springs (1948).

Original poster for the movie The Guns of Navarone (1961).

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

The first Hollywood production that used the Springs as a setting, is an adventure war film, whose protagonists are the legendary Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The screenplay is based on a 1957 novel, The Guns of Navarone, by Alistair MacLean, and it tells the story of a battle in Leros that took place during World War II. Most scenes in the sea were filmed at Kallithea, as well as in the Antony Quinn bay, an area that the actor wanted to acquire. Yet after years of problems with bureaucracy, the beach merely took his name as a sign of respect for the love, support and publicity that he offered to the island. This film still remains one of the most successful and it won an Oscar for best film effects, a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Film and Best Scenario, while it was also a nominee in other award ceremonies.

Original poster for the movie The Guns of Navarone (1961).

– Still from the movie Guns of Navarone shot in Kallithea Springs (1961). Pictured: Anthony Quinn and James Darren.

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

The first Hollywood production that used the Springs as a setting, is an adventure war film, whose protagonists are the legendary Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The screenplay is based on a 1957 novel, The Guns of Navarone, by Alistair MacLean, and it tells the story of a battle in Leros that took place during World War II. Most scenes in the sea were filmed at Kallithea, as well as in the Antony Quinn bay, an area that the actor wanted to acquire. Yet after years of problems with bureaucracy, the beach merely took his name as a sign of respect for the love, support and publicity that he offered to the island. This film still remains one of the most successful and it won an Oscar for best film effects, a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Film and Best Scenario, while it was also a nominee in other award ceremonies.

Original poster for the movie The Guns of Navarone (1961).

– Still from the movie Guns of Navarone shot in Kallithea Springs (1961). Pictured: Anthony Quinn and James Darren.

Original poster for the movie The Guns of Navarone (1961).

“To Doloma” [The Decoy] (1964)

The Golden era of Greek filmmaking marked some of the greatest films, few of which chose the cinematic background of Kallithea to complement the screenplay and the talented actors and actresses. The most distinct film is the Decoy and its classic takes include two or three scenes on the beachfront, which was as mesmerizing as it is now, but also inside the main hallways of the monuments. Pictures from this movie can be found inside this site, even now, and visitors have the chance to take a glimpse of the Spring’s glory almost six decades ago! Starring Aliki Vougiouklaki, Alekos Alexandrakis and more, “To Doloma” remains a beloved comedy film that deals with serious subplots that one cannot grasp during the first screening, but has to keep re-watching.

Still from the movie The Bait shot in Kallithea Springs (1964). Pictured: Aliki Vougiouklaki, Vaggelis Voulgaridis, and Kostas Fyssoun.

Original poster for the movie The Bait (1964).

Still from the movie The Bait shot in Kallithea Springs (1964). Pictured: Aliki Vougiouklaki and Vaggelis Voulgaridis.

Still from the movie The Bait shot in Kallithea Springs (1964). Pictured: Aliki Vougiouklaki and Vaggelis Voulgaridis.

Original poster for the movie Escape to Athena (1979).

Still from the movie Escape to Athena (1979). Pictured: Roger Moore.

Escape to Athena (1979)

Escape to Athena is a British adventure comedy war film that was shot in various locations in the island of Rhodes. Most of the scenes in Escape to Athena though, feature Kallithea’s simplistic entrance with the blossoming buds covering the archways and the majestic beachfront with the translucent sea and natural scenery. Famous movie stars like David Niven accepted to be part of the movie, as his son was the producer and he loved the idea of returning to the captivating beauty of this Dodecanese utopia. The impressive bay had an addictive impact on a lot of actors during that time and later on, and they were bound to revisit the island multiple times since then.

Still from the movie Escape to Athena (1979). Pictured: Roger Moore, David Niven, Elliot Gould and Stephanie Powers.

Behind the scenes on the set of Escape to Athena with Roger Moore and David Niven (1978).

Escape to Athena (1979)

Escape to Athena is a British adventure comedy war film that was shot in various locations in the island of Rhodes. Most of the scenes in Escape to Athena though, feature Kallithea’s simplistic entrance with the blossoming buds covering the archways and the majestic beachfront with the translucent sea and natural scenery. Famous movie stars like David Niven accepted to be part of the movie, as his son was the producer and he loved the idea of returning to the captivating beauty of this Dodecanese utopia. The impressive bay had an addictive impact on a lot of actors during that time and later on, and they were bound to revisit the island multiple times since then.

Still from the movie Escape to Athena (1979). Pictured: Roger Moore, David Niven, Elliot Gould and Stephanie Powers.

Behind the scenes on the set of Escape to Athena with Roger Moore and David Niven (1978).

Original poster for the movie Escape to Athena (1979).

Still from the movie Escape to Athena (1979). Pictured: Roger Moore.

Triangle at Rhodes (1989)

Triangle at Rhodes was originally a short story by Agatha Christie, which was published in May 1936 and under the title,” Poirot and the Triangle at Rhodes”. It was later produced as an episode for the series Poirot (episode 6 of Series 1) and aired on the 12th of February 1989. Among the people starring in this episode are David Suchet as Hercule Poirot and Frances Low as Pamela Lyall. The plot focuses on the poisoning of a woman that was involved in a love triangle and Poirot trying to solve the mystery. In a well-known scene from the episode, Poirot and Lyall are seen sitting on the seafront of Kallithea Springs overlooking the sea, where people go on boat rides, while the splendid Rotonda Hall is visible as well.

Original poster for the movie Agatha Christie's Poirot: Triangle At Rhodes