Almeria Filming Locations / Flagstone

[El Mal]

As I now live within 150 miles of Almeria I shall be making my first trip there next month (May 2006) to search out some key locations. I am particularly interested in the remains of Flagstone at La Calahorra which I have discussed with Ramon elsewhere. Like others I have had difficulty in matching up photos of the brickbuilt ruins with the films in which they were featured.  So I`ve bought a compass! and hope to line things up when I get there. There are already some excellent photos of the remains on various websites but if i can provide any useful additional info when I return I`ll post the details on this site. Any up to date info would be appreciated. Is it permissible to wear replica guns & holster at Mini Hollywood etc? Newbie El Mal in Spain.

[The Peacemaker]

Have fun at Almeria. I've always wanted to go there and see the Leone film locations. I hate to disappoint but the Flagstone ruins are pretty much gone. There are a few brick walls but that's about it. The railroad survived but not the station and I don't think the trains are there anymore. Mini Hollywood is in great condition as well as the McBain ranch but the ranch is surrounded by other buildings now. Nomore fence post, no more stone circle where Harmonica and Frank meet for the settling of accounts.

As for bringing replica guns to Mini Hollywood, I think they're permitted ( I saw a few photos of a guy there with his replica .45 Peacemaker ) but I suggest asking them before you bring it. You don't want to be surrounded by the police with REAL firearms! 

[The Firecracker]

As for bringing replica guns to Mini Hollywood, I think they're permitted ( I saw a few photos of a guy there with his replica .45 Peacemaker ) but I suggest asking them before you bring it. You don't want to be surrounded by the police with REAL firearms! 

That reminds me...Have you seen 800 balas?(800 bullets).

[cigar joe]

Hi El mal, nice to  have you aboard, one way you can make yourself invaluable to us here on this board is if you can find out information on shooting schedules in Almeria, if there are any.

In particular interest to us is the filming of a new SW by Enzo Castelleri with Franco Nero, title is Gil Implacabili, "The Angle, The Brute, and The Sage", we have heard lots of rumors but someone on the ground in Almeria who could contact the proper authorities would be excellent.

Again looking forward to getting your input, thanks from all of us in advance.

[Banjo]

That reminds me...Have you seen 800 balas?(800 bullets).

Isn't that a Euro western i haven't seen?

[The Firecracker]

Isn't that a Euro western i haven't seen?

spanish director made the film. Its a modern day story of actors who hold a wild west show in one of the standing spag western sets in almeria. Developers come and try to destroy the standing set and the wild west show actors fight back with 800 bullets. its funny.

[Banjo]

I found a reference to The Texican in my sw book which says this is a usa/spanish co-production rather than a sw!

[The Firecracker]

I found a reference to The Texican in my sw book which says this is a usa/spanish co-production rather than a sw!

I told yez. Ya gets it as a freebie.

[Banjo]

Thanks!!!
It was mentioned in Hughes book as indebted to Tessaris Ringo films!

[Leone Admirer]

I must get that book... there are so many books on westerns and noirs that I need to own.

[Danny]

Isn't that a Euro western i haven't seen?

Here's some info about the movie Banjo.
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808591030&intl=us

[Danny]

As I now live within 150 miles of Almeria I shall be making my first trip there next month (May 2006) to search out some key locations. I am particularly interested in the remains of Flagstone at La Calahorra which I have discussed with Ramon elsewhere. Like others I have had difficulty in matching up photos of the brickbuilt ruins with the films in which they were featured.  So I`ve bought a compass! and hope to line things up when I get there. There are already some excellent photos of the remains on various websites but if i can provide any useful additional info when I return I`ll post the details on this site. Any up to date info would be appreciated. Is it permissible to wear replica guns & holster at Mini Hollywood etc? Newbie El Mal in Spain.

Hi El Mal, welcome on the board.
Maybe some usefull information.
For the Flagstone ruins you’ll have to drive to Estacion La Collahara. The highway from Almeria to Granada. Drive towards the railway crossing and on the left and the right sight you’ll see the ruins.
Estacion La Collahara is also nice to visit, it’s not in use anymore but here’s also filmed a scene of Once Upon a Time in the West. The scene when Wobbles walk to Mr. Morton’s train.
The McBain ranch is close to Mini-Hollywood, it’s called Texas Leone.
Mini-Hollywood is used for Dollars Trilogy. There is a 3rd film set, called Texas Hollywood. I’ve not been there yet, but I’m going to check it out in July. If you visit this place in May please let me know afterwards. I’m interested.
The trains are still there, I read on another board that you will find them at Gaudix station.
Have fun next month!

[The Firecracker]

I know Texas Hollywood was the "for a few dollars more town"

but which one was "Mini Hollywood"? Is that the "Sabata" town set(the one with the little chapel). Or has that been wiped from existance?

[El Mal]

Hi El Mal, welcome on the board.
Maybe some usefull information.
For the Flagstone ruins you’ll have to drive to Estacion La Collahara. The highway from Almeria to Granada. Drive towards the railway crossing and on the left and the right sight you’ll see the ruins.
Estacion La Collahara is also nice to visit, it’s not in use anymore but here’s also filmed a scene of Once Upon a Time in the West. The scene when Wobbles walk to Mr. Morton’s train.
The McBain ranch is close to Mini-Hollywood, it’s called Texas Leone.
Mini-Hollywood is used for Dollars Trilogy. There is a 3rd film set, called Texas Hollywood. I’ve not been there yet, but I’m going to check it out in July. If you visit this place in May please let me know afterwards. I’m interested.
The trains are still there, I read on another board that you will find them at Gaudix station.
Have fun next month!

[/quote


My partner & I had a great 3 days in Almeria last week. Unfortunately i didn`t get to check the web board before i left but found all the places we were looking for OK. There
 is more than half a circle remaining at Los Albariccques which may soon disappear due to adjacent building but in view of previous comments I`m wondering if the cemented wall-like remains are the original circle anyway?

The Cortijo del Fraile is still standing and is a signposted listed site with an info board but there seems to be no attempt to preserve it. The stone chip road into it from Los Albaricoques is long, windy and very hard on the tyres! Also there were lots of flies buzzing around.

Texas Hollywood was great. Once you`ve paid at the barrier you park up free (not like Mini-Hollywood which is 2.50E for covered parking) by a small corral with a couple of bison and ponies and just amble into the set. It was a warm, sunny, cloud free day and i was kitted out in denim shirt, black leather wasitcoat, jeans, black stetson and replica bb Peacemaker and lefthanded holster! 3 or 4 actor/stuntment are wandering around and there were not many visitors but having a camera in my hand I was not confused with them. I have more authentic guns but took the lightweight bb gun because the real ones are just a pain to walk around with on your leg as they`re pretty heavy!

The shootout in the saloon was good fun and I had a gun put to my head. I reciprocated by putting my gun top the baddies lower regions!

Texas Hollywood is unspoilt whereas I didn`t like Mini Hollywood which we went to on our last day. It has been "tarted up" as a theme park and there were several coachloads of Spanish schoolkids barging there way into everywhere. The zoo was good.

We went on from Texas Hollywood to La Calahorra. I`ve put a short pice on this visit under Flagstone (please search). I got timed out last time I did a piece so will finish this now and add more shortly. Also I am new to these discussion boards and don`t fully know the procedures. El Mal.

[The Firecracker]

I know Texas Hollywood was the "for a few dollars more town"

but which one was "Mini Hollywood"? Is that the "Sabata" town set(the one with the little chapel). Or has that been wiped from existance?

never mind. the little chapel set is an existing town western town set in Cinecitta.

so which one is mini hollywood?