10 Drama Films About Epic Journeys

Description: An American couple travels to North Africa in search of adventure, only to find themselves lost in the vastness of the desert, both physically and emotionally.

Fact: The film was shot in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, providing an authentic backdrop to the story. Debra Winger and John Malkovich give compelling performances as the couple.

Description: Richard, a young backpacker, discovers a secret beach in Thailand, leading to an adventure that tests the limits of paradise and human nature.

Fact: The film was shot on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand, and the beach was recreated for the movie as it was not accessible to tourists.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows Alvin Straight, who rides his lawnmower across Iowa and Wisconsin to reconcile with his estranged brother.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual locations where Alvin Straight traveled, and Richard Farnsworth, who played Alvin, did much of the lawnmower driving himself.

Description: A young Che Guevara embarks on a transformative journey across South America, which shapes his political ideology and personal growth.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual locations where Che Guevara traveled, and the script was based on his own diaries. Gael García Bernal, who plays Che, also learned to ride a motorcycle for the film.

Description: Walter Mitty, a daydreamer, embarks on a real-life adventure to find a missing negative, leading him to travel around the world and discover his own courage.

Fact: The film includes real-life footage from Iceland, Greenland, and Afghanistan, where Ben Stiller, who also directed, traveled to capture the essence of Mitty's journey.

Description: Based on a true story, this film chronicles Chris McCandless's journey into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking a life free from material possessions and societal norms.

Fact: The film was shot in many of the actual locations where McCandless traveled, including the bus in Alaska where he lived. Emile Hirsch lost significant weight to portray the emaciated condition of McCandless.

Description: Three brothers embark on a train journey across India to bond and find themselves, encountering both humor and heartache along the way.

Fact: The film was shot on the actual Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and the train itself is a character in the movie.

Description: In a post-apocalyptic world, a father and son travel across a devastated landscape, facing the harsh realities of survival and the enduring bond between parent and child.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations in Pennsylvania and Oregon to capture the desolate, post-apocalyptic feel of the novel.

Description: After his son dies on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, a father decides to complete the journey in his son's memory, finding solace and new friendships along the way.

Fact: The film was shot on location along the actual Camino de Santiago, and many of the extras in the film were real pilgrims.

Description: This film follows Robyn Davidson's 1977 journey across the Australian desert with her dog and four camels, a trek that becomes a profound journey of self-discovery and solitude.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual locations where Robyn Davidson traveled, providing an authentic backdrop to her story. Mia Wasikowska, who plays Robyn, learned to handle camels for her role.