Many famous films of the old Greek cinema and beyond have used Attica as a cinematic setting over the years. The wide avenues, picturesque alleys, and houses that still stand today were the backdrop for big box office hits and classic movies that the audience loved. And it was not only Greek cinema that showed off areas or found them fit for its filming, but also international productions that picked Attica to film some of their scenes. In fact, in one part of Attica, there was a chase scene from a popular movie with Jean-Paul Belmondo. He starred in the 1971 film “Burglars” along with Omar Sharif.
The premise of the film
The film tells the story of how in 1970 a team of expert burglars led by Azad comes to Athens. They want to steal a collection of valuable emeralds that actually belongs to Mr. Taskos, a very rich Greek merchant. The plan starts to unfold when the burglars get to Tasco’s villa and after knocking out the guard they go inside and manage to crack the safe and take the emerald collection.
A Greek policeman, Abel Zacharias, who passes by Tasco’s villa spoils the burglars’ plans. He sees the burglar’s car parked outside and immediately gets suspicious. The burglary leader sees the policeman and pretends that he had a mechanical breakdown and that he had gone to call for help. And of course, Zechariah lets him finish his plan, acting like he believes him.
But why? It turns out that the policeman Zacharias is crooked and wants the emeralds for himself without caring about the burglars getting caught. During the chase between them, we see a typical chase scene filmed in Attica.
Where is the location in Attica the chase scene was filmed?
The streets of Piraeus in Attica were the setting for the chase scene with Jean-Paul Belmondo. This is one of the most legendary chase scenes in cinema history. Jean-Paul Belmondo and Omar Sharif chase each other on the seaside of Faliro, in the streets of Piraeus, Mikrolimano area, and Kastella district with two small buggies, a Fiat 124 and an Opel Record. They also filmed in other locations with one of the most memorable scenes being Jean-Paul Belmondo jumping into an old trolley through the window, while it was moving.
Jean-Paul Belmondo even ended up in front of the legendary Rodeo amusement park, on the beach, for the sake of filming the movie Burglars.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The famous chase scene from the 1971 film 'Burglars' starring Jean-Paul Belmondo was filmed in Piraeus, Attica, Greece. The specific locations included the seaside of Faliro, the streets of Piraeus, the Mikrolimano area, and the Kastella district. The chase featured Jean-Paul Belmondo and Omar Sharif driving two small buggies - a Fiat 124 and an Opel Record - through these scenic Greek locations.
In the 1971 film 'Burglars', Jean-Paul Belmondo stars as the leader of a team of expert burglars who come to Athens in 1970 to steal a valuable emerald collection belonging to a rich Greek merchant named Mr. Taskos. After successfully stealing the emeralds, they encounter a crooked Greek policeman, Abel Zacharias, who wants the emeralds for himself, leading to a legendary chase scene through the streets of Piraeus.
The 1971 film 'Burglars' starred Jean-Paul Belmondo in the lead role as the burglary team leader Azad, and Omar Sharif as the crooked Greek policeman Abel Zacharias. The two actors performed the iconic chase scene together through the streets of Piraeus, Attica.
One of the most memorable stunts in the 'Burglars' chase scene was Jean-Paul Belmondo jumping through the window of a moving old trolley while it was in motion. Additionally, the chase featured the actors driving two small buggies - a Fiat 124 and an Opel Record - through the streets of Piraeus, and the filming also took place near the legendary Rodeo amusement park on the beach.
Attica, particularly the Piraeus area, has been a popular filming location for both classic Greek cinema and international film productions. The region's wide avenues, picturesque alleys, historic houses, and scenic seaside locations provide authentic backdrops for major box office hits. The area's diverse architecture and waterfront views make it ideal for various types of scenes, including the legendary chase sequence in 'Burglars'.
