Where Was Total Recall Filmed

Regardless of your taste in movies, I think we all can agree that Total Recall is one of the best five or ten films ever made. Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 masterpiece elevated gratuitous violence into high art, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Quaid/Howser will surely stand the test of time.

A good amount of Total Recall was filmed in Mexico City, so I felt obligated to check out some of the locations. Maybe I’d even have the chance to reenact a chase scene through a crowded subway station where I use an innocent bystander as a human shield, and then throw his bullet-ridden corpse 15 feet down an escalator on top of my uzi-wielding pursuers.

This is actually the second Total Recall filming location I’ve visited, the other being Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada where they filmed some of the Mars scenes. (Link to some photos/videos of that trip to be inserted here sometime in the future :)).

Total Recall is set in the year 2084. Apparently director Paul Verhoeven had wanted to film the movie in Houston (which looks very futuristic and was the set of his other masterpiece of violence Robocop), but it was too expensive, so they went to Mexico City (insert Google search for Total Recall internet research).

Refer to more articles:  Where To Buy Rough Oak Trailer Decking

So I forced Ang to take a trip with me to a few of the subway stations in Mexico City that were used for the chase scene and some of the exterior shots. http://movie-locations.com/movies/t/Total-Recall-1990.php

When you watch the movie, it does look futuristic. Clean, smooth, cement seems and fresh silver subway cars have that effect. But this movie was filmed over thirty years ago. So while I could get a sense of it being the same place the movie was shot, it was just as interesting as an exploration of time and aging buildings. Here you get to see what cement structures having been used non-stop by millions of people for 30+ years looks like. The subway cars were the same too, but they are painted now, and also just really old and grimy.

Ultimately, I wasn’t able to reenact any scenes to great effect. The main issue was just how crazy the subway stations were. This is one of the largest cities in the world and every station and every subway car was absolutely packed with people at all times. The stations themselves are massive, with tons of staircases, escalators, and winding walkways. There really isn’t a single place you can just stop walking and stand comfortably for a moment to compare historic photos from the movie.

Related Posts

Where Was Covenant Filmed

Where Was Covenant Filmed

CAMARADERIE IN COMBAT Capturing the bond and bravery of two men from different cultures who selflessly help one another led Guy Ritchie and cinematographer Ed Wild BSC…

Where To Watch Twilight For Free

Where To Watch Twilight For Free

It’s been 15 years since “the lion fell in love with the lamb,” and we fell in love with the first Twilight (2008) movie when it premiered…

Where Is Angela Poe Russell Going

Teresa Mosqueda will be moving from the city council to the King County Council which means her seat needs to be filled. Angela Poe Russell confirmed on…

Where Is Pinecrest Florida

Pinecrest Pinecrest is a suburban village in Miami-Dade County, with the neighborhoods of Coral Gables to the east, South Miami to the northeast and Palmetto Bay on…

Where Doc Martin Was Filmed

Sharing is caring!You may be interested Where Does Kirk Cameron Live Where Is The Navy Vs Notre Dame Game Being Played Where Can I Buy A Windshield…

Where Is The Flasher Relay Located

Reading Time: 4 minutes You may be interested Where Was The Place Beyond The Pines Filmed Where Is Randy Quaid Now 2023 Where Was Magic Mike Xxl…