Tourist orientated travelogue of the Costa del Sol, Spain, in the 1970’s. Basically lots of European holiday makers enjoying the sun with the occasional bit of culture.
Shot of Iberia Airlines plane taxiing on a runway at Malaga airport. General views of the aircraft and a member of the ground crew wearing a yellow boiler suit directing the plane with paddles. Passengers descend down the steps onto the tarmac. They exit the plane from both ends and board waiting minibuses, also sporting the colours of Iberia Airlines. The tourists are then seen on coaches, presumably having been picked up from the airport by their tour company. Inside the coach the holiday makers smile and one waves at the camera.
Tracking shot of apartment and hotel complex. View of a main road highway, a high speed train, a large cruise liner – all ways of getting to the Costa del Sol. General views of a white washed village – houses and streets. Shots of the Western coast – Nerja “with its famous Balcony of Europe” (not quite sure what this means – looks like a cannon on a promenade to me). Carts sell ice cream under the palm trees on the promenade. A strawberry farm – workers pick the berries. Close up of the fruit. Geraniums and cacti in pots in a plant nursery. General views of Malaga – palm trees, buildings, streets. Low angled shot of the city’s ornate cathedral. Exterior of the “Palacio de Congressos” at Torremolinos. Views of the interior of the exhibition centre – lecture theatres, meeting rooms.
A man water-skis from the shore. Shot of a downhill skier on snow. Close up of a woman’s face, then more water sports – water-skiing, paragliding on the beach. The coast is sandy and lined with hotels and tall buildings. Views of the snow slopes at Sierra Nevada – a two hour drive from the coast. A hang glider. General shots of ski lifts and groovy skiers, some with competition numbers.
Various wind surfers with different coloured sails. Aerial view of the coast line, girls in bikinis. People play in the waves and surf.
Fuengirola – a modern city. Modern apartments designed in a traditional style. Palm trees, wrought iron balconies and white washed walls. People sit in the sun at a colourful outdoor restaurant. Close ups of food – seafood, then a large buffet type spread including paella, cold meats, water melon. People help themselves and white hatted chefs also serve. Gazpacho, sangria, fish, shell fish. People dine on a rooftop terrace sitting at tables with red and white checked tablecloths. Narrow and steep streets are found in the mountain villages a few miles away. A donkey has a sign on his head “Burro Taxi”. Laughing tourists are hoisted up into the saddles of donkeys and they go off in a large group. The same group of holiday-makers are then seen dancing in couples outside, and some have water poured on their faces from terracotta or earthenware jugs. Children horse-ride in a n outdoor sand enclosure on Hispano-Arab horses. A group of girls keep fit with aerobics by the side of the swimming pool. Others play a ball game. At the water’s edge a group of children are taught the technique of breast stroke. People dive, jump and swim in the pool and play table tennis and darts. A group of tourists sit in their swimming costumes and learn Spanish. General views of a fun fair or amusement park during the day and at night.
Shots of various hotels in the Costa del Sol from large grand buildings to more modest Andalucian homes and villas. In a garden a woman pushes a child on a swing.
The heart of Andalusia – Ronda – with its grand architecture and traditional old town. Views of its bullring – the oldest in Spain – as the audience applaud a bull fight. Brief shots of the potential hunting in the mountains – a type of fowl, a wild boar and animals which look like stag and deer. Underwater fishing shots with men in wet suits and breathing gear brandishing harpoons.
General views of a marina in Marbella. Lots of sailing and motor boats and the buildings around the harbour. In a shop a girl tries on a souvenir sweat shirt. Montage of images – people at outdoor cafes, sunbathing on the beach and by the pool. An Easter procession with locals parading in the streets. Images of tennis playing on outdoor courts and golfers playing on greens and fairways.
Estepona is at the Southern end of the coast and has another modern marina and a market which seems to sell a variety of souvenirs. Aerial shots of towns and the voice over mentions day trips to Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Shots of ferries crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
Costa del Sol night life – girls do the can-can, neon light says Casino, people play roulette, cabaret acts including singing, guitar, Flamenco dancing – “you can really let your hair down” – flashing lights, disco dancing. Final shot of passenger aircraft in flight.
Video Rating: / 5