The Fall is a 2006 independent movie by director Tarsem Singh which features picturesque locales and colorfully dressed characters. It is about a patient who weaves a tale about a masked bandit and his group in order to entertain a little girl in the same hospital. The amazing thing about the movie is its use of natural settings all over the world in 18 countries, as opposed to the heavy use of computer-generated imagery in mainstream films.

For those who’ve seen the movie and wish to visit its fanciful locales or just wish to learn the history of each site, keep on reading. For those who haven’t, check out this trailer:

Video Courtesy of roadside07

At the start of the story-within-a-story, we find the heroes trapped on a butterfly-shaped island, and they make their escape using a swimming elephant. This was filmed in the Andaman Sea, a region in the Indian Ocean west of Phuket, Thailand, with hundreds of islands filled with crystal-clear blue waters, immaculate white sand, tropical rainforest, making it ideal for cruising and yachting.

A flashback scene in The Fall shows the wife of the Indian trapped in the Labyrinth of Despair, a series of high steps, paths, and walls that, like M. C. Escher’s creations, seemingly lead nowhere. The scene is filmed at Jantar Mantar in the Indian city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, the largest stone observatory in the world. Jantar Mantar (Instruments of Calculation) was built to observe astronomical phenomenon in aid of royal decisions. It consists of 14 major geometric devices with specific functions, such as telling time, tracking stellar and planetary movement, predicting eclipses, etc. Tarsem used odd angles in his camera shots to create the effect of a maze.

Jantar Mantar is close to the City Palace of Jaipur, another structure that doubles as the home of the Indian during the flashback scene. The City Palace complex encompasses a huge area, which is partitioned into gardens, buildings, and courtyards.

Buland Darwaza, The Gate of Magnificence, was the edifice . The highest gateway in the world, the 175-foot tall Buland Darwaza was built in the massive fort complex of  Fatehpur Sikri by Akbar the Great to celebrate his victory at Gujarat. The massive red sandstone gateway is semi-octagonal in plan, topped with pillars and domed kiosks, and inscribed with Persian proverbs. You can find Fatehpur Sikri some 40 kilometers away from Agra.

The majestic Mausoleum of Akbar is the central attraction in the ancient town of Sikandra. Lying in the center of an enormous garden, the mausoleum is surrounded by four identical entranceways, representing the four major religions of Hindu, Islam, Christianity and the Universal. Made of red and white sandstone, Akbar’s unique pyramidal tomb has an open terrace top. Sikandra is reachable via the Delhi-Agra Highway, some 10 kilometers north-west of Agra.

The heroes find sanctuary by the middle of the film in the Lake Palace in Udaipur. The white marble structure completely covers Lake Palace Island and acted as a favorite summer retreat for the rulers of Udaipur since the 18th century. A further thrill for visitors is the boat ride on Lake Pichola to and from the island.

A familiar monument looms in the background as the masked bandit attempt to shoot his beloved: the stately Taj Mahal in Agra. The finest example of Mughal architecture, this tomb to a Shah’s favorite wife still provokes feelings of romance beyond the grave for visitors every year.

The blue city of Jodhpur, on which the climactic battle scene occurs, has plenty of buildings that are really painted blue. Local laws prevent residents from using any other color, and the film crew provided free blue paint so that a fresher tone would appear onscreen. The ancient Mehrangarh Fort overlooks the city atop a 400-foot high cliff and acts as the villainous Governor Odious’s stronghold. This imposing red sandstone structure is acknowledged to be one of the finest living examples of a Hindu fortress.

Finally, the Diwan-i-Khas in Fatehpur Sikri is blown up in an attempt to eliminate enemy troops. The Diwan-i-Khas is a hall meant for private audiences with the Shah. It has a huge and richly carved pillar at the center, which is attached to a platform that holds the Shah’s throne. It is believed this square red sandstone structure was used as the treasury for the royal jewels.

Part of the reason why Tarsem filmed in these largely unknown but fascinating locations is to preserve their heritage before gradual decay or modern civilization causes their ruin. By watching The Fall, it is clear why this talented director spent his own millions to pursue this project: there are plenty of things in the past that still cause wonder for us in the present, and for those in the future, as well.

Posted in Attractions, India

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