(c) Edward Cardona
Probably everybody living in New Mexico, or having lived in New Mexico has watched the movie Terminator Salvation through two different lenses. The spectator in me enjoyed the movie – nonstop action with a bit of a mystery. And the New Mexican in me wanted to shout – I know that place!
Having now watched the movie, here are the locations that we’ve identified for some additional scenes.
The very versatile (and very atmospheric) Railyards can be seen in several places. When Marcus Wright makes his entrance into post-destruction Los Angeles it was the Railyards. The giveaway are the windows and loading docks. The Railyards shows up again when the humans are being herded in Skynet.
(c) Neala Schwartzberg
The scene with the 7-11 and the gas station, Marcus going after the motor cycle, and several other chase scenes were shot out by Mesa del Sol on an empty stretch of road that now bears several serious tire burns, and scorched earth.
The Taos bridge and the Rio Grande Gorge make several appearances. The bridge over the gorge was used in the dramatic chase scenes, and Marcus dropping over the side into the water. In reality, the fall would kill you flat, it’s quite far down. The gorge was also used for the aerial battles that looked a lot like those of Star Wars.
Remember when Marcus was trying to break into Skynet? Remember him scrambling up a hill with large rectangular blocks? Anyone familiar with Juan Tabo in Albuquerque will gasp – it’s the John Roberts Dam located on Juan Tabo between Montgomery and Spain. It’s used for flood control, with the concrete blocks breaking up any strong downhill flow. Ed Cardona and I shot and manipulated the image at the top of this column to get a similar look and feel. In reality, they're quite benign looking concrete blocks.
Read more about where Terminator Salvation was shot and see side-by-side comparisons at: Terminator Salvation: The Albuquerque Movie Tour
Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/offbeattravel
Enjoy my new National column on Offbeat Places
(c) Neala Schwartzberg, all rights reserved
More Albuquerque Movie Tours:
Comments