JAMES BOND
NEWS

In March 2008, fans were asked to select which 5 James Bond films they would most like to see back on the big screen as part of THE BEST OF BOND weekend which took place at The Barbican on 7th-8th June 2008.

The films chosen were:
Dr. No (1962) Starring Sean Connery [Cinema 3, Sun 8th June, 8.45pm]
From Russia With Love (1963) Starring Sean Connery [Cinema 3, Sat 7th June, 6pm]
Goldfinger (1964) Starring Sean Connery [Cinema 1, Sat 7th June, 8.45pm]
Casino Royale (2006) Starring Daniel Craig [Cinema 3, Sun 8th June, 6pm]

The fifth film chosen was On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) starring George Lazenby, which was released digitally in 2009 (the film's 40th Anniversary).

A special selection of props were on display in the foyer over the weekend:

CASE ONE
Replica of Q's (Desmond Llewelyn) From Russia With Love (1963) attaché case. Everything works as it does in the movie. This is artist’s Proof #01 which was signed by its creator Steve Dymszo (who was loaned the original film prop case) and Desmond Llewelyn shortly before his death.

A one-of-a-kind presentation of the original blueprints of the knife for the attaché case together with the prototype blade which the replicas were created from. The bottom blade is the tour blade which Desmond Llewelyn carried with him all over the world whenever he exhibited his original case.

Prototype of the licensed replica of the prop used by Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974) displayed with original Colibri components which were used as donor parts for the screen used prop.

Original prop JB988 Gadget Phones created by Ericsson for the movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). These particular examples were used in the BMW 750iL in the Hamburg car park sequence (flip open control panel) and when Pierce Brosnan uses the stun function to break into the laboratory of Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce), and also when he despatches Dr Kaufman (Vincent Schiavelli) in Paris Carver's hotel room – The ultimate product placement!

Pierce Brosnan's Turnbull & Asser silk ties from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and The World Is Not Enough (1999). These designs were never available commercially.

Special effects watch created by OMEGA for promotional purposes for the movie The World Is Not Enough (1999). Identical to the prop where James Bond and Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) are trapped inside his air-bag jacket during an avalanche, and the watch is used as a light source. An almost identical watch was used during the ‘Stealth Boat’ sequence in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) to detonate a grenade. OMEGA have provided Bond's timepieces from GoldenEye (1995) through to Quantum of Solace (2008).

Production used clapperboard from The World Is Not Enough (1999).

Leather shoulder-holster and rubber P99 stunt gun, created for and used by Pierce Brosnan for the 007 40th Anniversary movie Die Another Day (2002) [used in the virtual reality and Ice Palace sequences].

CASE TWO
‘Bond Drives an Aston’ poster. 1965 promotional poster from Aston Martin Lagonda. Black & white photograph with stencilled red paint.

Diamond Cars of Germany Goldfinger (1964) Aston Martin DB5 (1st UK appearance).

Danbury Mint silver plated Aston Martin DB5. 1985 limited production run (£120 – quite expensive at the time!).

Aston Martin Lagonda 1964 specification sheet of the Goldfinger DB5. Intended as a freebie for school children.

GoldenEye (1995) Senigraph. Prologue (gun barrel) image silk screened onto cloth. Artist’s Proof hand signed and numbered by Pierce Brosnan.

Pierce Brosnan's Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) director’s chair-back used on the ‘Stealth Boat’ set.

1969 CORGI Junior & Rockets On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) gift-sets – the Holy Grail for both Bond & die-cast collectors.

CORGI Royal Premiere gold plated Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). One of only ten in existence. CORGI Royal Premiere presentation Moonraker (1979) Space Shuttle. One of only ten in existence. Both models were created to be handed to VIP guests attending the Royal Premieres including Her Majesty The Queen, and Sir Roger Moore who has signed the packaging of both pieces.

SFX Ninja Gyrojet Rifle. Created by Oscar-Winning SFX technician, the late great John Stears, for the 1967 movie You Only Live Twice (1967). One of only two in existence.

Complete set of Royal Premiere programmes from the 1st Royal Premiere to the present day. US Goldfinger (1964) premiere programme, Japanese Goldfinger programme, UK Sean Connery James Bond Exhibitors’ Campaign Books.

BEST OF BOND Weekend exhibits courtesy of M. Boothroyd

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