Revisiting the Iconic Casino: A Look Back at the Las Vegas Filming Location
The movie “Casino” is a 1995 crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese that is considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie depicts the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a gambling expert assigned to oversee a casino in Las Vegas by the Italian Mafia.
The plot of the movie heavily relies on the Las Vegas filming location to convey the story and the character’s personalities, creating a vivid and authentic environment for viewers. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the casino in which the film was shot, exploring its history, its impact on cinema, and some behind-the-scenes stories of the film.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Reliving the Scenes of Casino at its Las Vegas Set
Many of the most iconic scenes in “Casino,” such as the Sam Rothstein and Ginger (Sharon Stone) wedding, the robbery, and the final scenes, were filmed at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Riviera was a popular destination for tourists and gamblers in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, featuring a state-of-the-art casino with over 1100 slot machines and various gaming tables.
The Riviera’s iconic façade with its neon signs, red velvet, and chandeliers created a specific mood and atmosphere for the film, helping viewers transport themselves back in time to the casino’s golden age.
The Las Vegas shooting location played a critical role in establishing Las Vegas as a major player in the movie industry. Filmmakers have been coming to Vegas to shoot movies and TV shows since the 1960s, but “Casino” made the city even more famous on the world’s movie stage.
Uncovering the Secrets of the Casino Filming Location in Las Vegas
The filming process for “Casino” at the Riviera was not always easy. Shooting in a busy casino environment presented some unique challenges, such as keeping the actors focused amid the noise and distractions, lighting, and shooting around the rhythms and routines of the casino’s actual guests.
One interesting piece of trivia is that some of the scenes featuring De Niro were not actually filmed in Las Vegas but at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.
Despite the challenges, however, the filmmakers successfully captured the essence of the Riviera and Las Vegas through their intricate attention to detail and authentic portrayals of the casino culture.
Exploring the Impact of Las Vegas Casino as a Filming Location
The location of Las Vegas casinos as shooting locations has continued to have a significant impact on filmmaking and cinema as a whole. From “Ocean’s Eleven” to “The Hangover,” Las Vegas has become synonymous with gambling and all-out partying.
Filmmakers from all over the world are headhunting casinos in Vegas to shoot their movies, and it all started with “Casino.” “Casino” paved the way for many filmmakers, and the influence of its Las Vegas casino setting on popular culture has become undeniable.
Casino’s Las Vegas Set: Then and Now
Unfortunately, the Riviera never recovered from the economic crisis and infrastructure decay. The property was eventually closed and demolished, bringing the end of an era to Las Vegas. Today, the place where the Riviera once stood is occupied by the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Fans of the movie can still visit other Las Vegas casinos featured in the movie, such as the Golden Nugget, which stands today on Fremont Street, Downtown Vegas.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Casino at its Las Vegas Shooting Location
The casting of the movie was a star-studded affair with Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, and James Woods, all giving outstanding performances. Scorsese’s directing and the fabulous shooting locations and sets made the movie a masterpiece.
The casino culture at the time was the lifeblood of Las Vegas, with casino personnel and gamblers playing real-life versions of the movie’s characters every day. The filmmakers worked hard to convey this reality authentically.
Conclusion
“Casino” is undoubtedly one of the best movies ever set in Las Vegas, and it contributes to the city’s image as one of the most vibrant and exciting locales in the world. Its filming location, the Riviera, played a significant role in establishing Las Vegas as a cinematic destination.
Although the Riviera no longer exists, those interested in exploring the casino movie location can still visit its sister property, the Golden Nugget, and other Las Vegas casinos to relive the “Casino” experience.