Top 10 Action Films on Geographic Discoveries

Description: Two British adventurers set out to become kings in a remote part of Afghanistan, exploring themes of imperialism and the quest for power in unknown lands.

Fact: The film was shot in Morocco, standing in for Afghanistan. It was one of the last films directed by John Huston.

Description: Although primarily a mercenary film, it involves a mission in an African country, showcasing the challenges of navigating foreign landscapes and political intrigue.

Fact: The film was shot in South Africa and features a cast of well-known British actors. It was one of the highest-grossing British films of its time.

Description: Indiana Jones travels to India to retrieve a sacred stone, encountering a cult practicing human sacrifice, which ties into themes of cultural and geographic exploration.

Fact: This film is actually a prequel to "Raiders of the Lost Ark." The opening sequence was inspired by the 1932 film "Shanghai Express."

Description: Set in Kenya, this film tells the story of a bridge engineer and a hunter who must stop two man-eating lions from halting the construction of a railway bridge, showcasing the harsh realities of colonial exploration.

Fact: The lions in the film were real, but for safety reasons, animatronic lions were used for close-up shots. The actual lions' remains are on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Description: A team of explorers ventures to an island off Costa Rica to document the second site where dinosaurs have been revived, showcasing the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration.

Fact: The film was the first to be released in IMAX theaters. It also features a scene where a T-Rex rampages through San Diego, a nod to the original novel's ending.

Description: While not strictly about geographic discovery, this action-adventure film involves an expedition to find the lost city of Hamunaptra, blending ancient Egyptian mythology with modern-day treasure hunting.

Fact: The film was a major box office success, spawning two sequels and a spin-off. The character of Rick O'Connell was inspired by classic adventure heroes like Indiana Jones.

Description: This film follows the real-life expedition of British explorer Percy Fawcett into the Amazon jungle in search of an ancient lost city. It's a tale of obsession, adventure, and the ultimate sacrifice for discovery.

Fact: The film was shot in Colombia, which provided a lush, authentic backdrop for the Amazonian setting. Also, Charlie Hunnam underwent extensive physical training to portray Fawcett's grueling journey.

Description: Based on the true story of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, this film chronicles his daring 1947 voyage across the Pacific Ocean on a primitive raft to prove that pre-Columbian South Americans could have settled in Polynesia.

Fact: The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards. The raft used in the movie was built using the same materials and techniques as the original.

Description: An adventurer leads an expedition into uncharted African territories to find the legendary mines of King Solomon, facing numerous perils along the way.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Zimbabwe, providing an authentic African backdrop. It was also one of the first films to use the Steadicam for action sequences.

Description: This film recounts the epic journey of explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke to find the source of the Nile, highlighting the personal and professional conflicts that arise during their expedition.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Africa, providing a realistic portrayal of the explorers' journey. It was also one of the first films to use the IMAX camera for certain scenes.