The Death of Klinghoffer

The Death of Klinghoffer (2003) Director: Penny Woolcock. Cast: Sandford Sylvan, Christopher Maltman, Yvonne Howard.

John Adams’ controversial 1991 opera about the murder of elderly American tourist Leon Klinghoffer by Palestinian terrorists aboard the hijacked cruise liner the Achille Lauro in 1985 was filmed for Channel Four television using several Malta locations.

The passenger ferry terminal in Valletta doubled for the Achile Lauro’s departure point at Genoa, and a Palestinian shantytown was built at Lower St Elmo.

A stretch of countryside between Bahrija and Mtahleb posed as Palestine, 1948.

Mdina, Bahar ic-Caghaq (Oasis) and Vittoriosa were also featured, as Maltese locations doubled for Israel, Alexandria, Warsaw and even a New York apartment.