Prague as Miami in ‘Casino Royale’

11 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by Piotr Zając in Casino Royale, Prague

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007, 007 location, Body Worlds, Casino Royale, Czech Republic, filming location, James Bond, James Bond filming location, James Bond location, Prague, travel, Vitkov

James Bond (Daniel Craig) was following Alex Dimitrios (Simon Abkarian) from Nassau to Miami. They both entered ‘Body Worlds’ exhibition. Dimitrios left a bag in a cloakroom. 007 went after him to the main hall. Shortly they both began speechless battle with a knife. James Bond was the winner. 007 noticed that the number from cloak room that Dimitrios put on a poker table was gone. The bag from the cloakroom was gone too. Bond ran out of the building and stopped at the entrance. He took the cellphone taken from Dimitrios and dialed the number that was selected as the last one. In the crowd of people walking in front of the building he saw a man with a bag answering his call.

The whole Miami sequence was filmed in Prague in Czech Republic. The exterior scene was filmed at the building of Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republic at nábřeží Ludvíka Svobody.

The Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic in Prague — – The Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republic in Prague.

Interior scenes were filmed in the National Memorial on the Vitkov Hill.

– The National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.

The scene in which Alex Dimitrios left the bag was filmed in the cloakroom located on the second floor

When Dimitrios and James Bond left the cloak room they walked by the open door that you can see in photo below.

The ‘Body Worlds’ exhibition was filmed on the first floor, in the room where currently you can find permanent exhibition. It is possible to get there from main entrance at cash desk. The other way is to walk down from the second floor. Stairs are located behind decorated door presented in the center of the photo below. In the film it is possible to see people in background walking those stairs.

Next photo was taken from Columbarium towards the room where the ‘Body Worlds’ exhibition scene was filmed. There is steel construction of permanent exhibition visible in background. On the left there is visible detail of stone handrail of the stairs leading to the second floor above.

James Bond killed Alex Dimitrios and put his body at the stone wall. In that scene there was decorated window visible in background, the same as in photo below.

When 007 left the building there was again the building of Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republica that doubled for museum in Miami, USA.

– The Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republic in Prague.

Go to LOCATIONS GALLERY – ‘CASINO ROYALE’ to see locations photos compared with movie scenes.

Sources:
– www.filmcommission.cz
– www.praguecitytourism.cz

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Strahov Monastery in Prague as British House of Commons in ‘Casino Royale’

17 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by Piotr Zając in Casino Royale, Prague

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007, Casino Royale, Czech Republic, filming location, James Bond location, movie location, Philosophical Hall, Prague, Strahov, Strahov Monastery

James Bond (Daniel Craig) killed Mollaka (Sebastien Foucan) in Nambutu Embassy during his first 007 mission. It made M (Judi Dench) angry. After meeting with her superiors she was walking down the corridors in the British House of Commons with her assistant Villiers (Tobias Menzies), complaining about Bond.

The filmmakers wanted viewers to believe that it was the interior of Westminster Palace in London, but the scenes were actually shot in Strahov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic.

Philosophical Hall in Strahov Library in Prague, Czech Republic

In both photos you can see Philosophical Hall. M and Villiers walked through the door in the back, on the left. They were walking in the direction from which both photos were taken.

Go to LOCATIONS GALLERY – ‘CASINO ROYALE’ to see locations photos compared with movie scenes.

Sources:
– „James Bond. Szpieg którego kochamy” Michał Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
– www.praguecitytourism.cz
– www.strahovskyklaster.cz

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‘Casino Royale’ in Venice

03 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by Piotr Zając in Casino Royale, Venice

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007, Casino Royale, filming location, Italy, James Bond, James Bond location, movie location, travel, Venice

James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) sailed to Venice in Italy. While Vesper was standing at the helm of a yacht, Bond was writing a resignation letter on his laptop. As they were sailing along the Grand Canal, Vesper noticed Adolph Gettler (Richard Sammel), who was the Quantum agent. 007 and the girl stayed in a hotel located at Saint Mark’s Square.

Seen in the film 54 foot yacht named ‘Spirit’, was built by Spirit Yachts Ltd in Suffolk, UK. It was the first sailing yacht to go up the Grand Canal in Venice in 300 years.

When Bond and Vesper were approaching Venice, most famous buildings in the city were seen in background. There was tower of San Giorgio Maggiore on the left, Saint Mark’s campanile on the right and Santa Maria della Salute in the middle (all of them in photos below).

Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy — *Bell tower of Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore.*

Venice, Italy — *Bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica.*

It is not necessary to buy a boat to see the view that was in front of Bond and Vesper. One of the possibilities it to take a Vaporetto to Sant’Elena. Not many tourists go that far, therefore it is a very peacefull an quiet place. As you can see in photos below, while watching the view you can relax on a bench in a park or use outdoor gym.

When James Bond was writing the resignation letter, there was Santa Maria della Salute Basilica visible in background (photo below). On his laptop monitor you could see his e-mail inbox with fictitious email addresses of film crew members: Anne Bennet (Publicity and Marketing) – anne.bennett@thenet.com, Chris McBride (Computer & Video Supervisor) – chris.mcbride@thenet.com, Neil Pinkawa (lead screen graphics artist) and David Hicks (lead motion graphics designer).

Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in Venice

When Vesper left the hotel room, M called and asked 007 about the money that he won in Casino Royale. Bond immediately called the Swiss banker and got information that while they were talking someone was withdrawing the money in a bank located at Saint Mark’s Square in Venice. James Bond guessed that it was Vesper who stole the money and ran after her.

Saint Mark's Square in Venice, Italy — *St. Mark’s square.*

The hotel where Bond and Vesper stayed didn’t exist. Scenes in the hotel lobby were filmed at the Czech National Museum in Prague.

Film crew was working in Venice in June 2006. Because of about 400 extras and big number of tourists around it was very difficult to film the scene with Bond running around the Saint Mark’s Square. The bank was located in Saint Mark’s Square corner, from which the photo presented below was taken. In the film you could see ‘Basel Bank’ sign above the door. In reality there was ‘BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA’ sign instead. Read more in: James Bond at St Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy.

James Bond tried to find Vesper under arcades that you can see in photo below. Finally he saw her walking on the bridge located at Sotoportego del Cavalletton street. The entrance to that street from Saint Mark’s Square is located behind fifth arch from the right in photo below.

In the next scene Eva Green who played Vesper was walking alone on Ponte del Malpaga bridge (see photo below). Daniel Craig was looking at her from the bridge connecting Fondamenta Toletta and Calle Lotto from which the photo was taken.

Ponte del Malpaga in Venice, Italy — *Ponte del Malpaga.*

Bond followed Vesper down the Sotoportego de le Colonne. As she passed over the Ponte de le Colonne bridge she looked back, but she couldn’t see 007 who was hidden in the shadows.

In the photo below you can see Sotoportego de le Colonne and the Ponte de le Colonne bridge in background.

Next photo was taken from the bridge towards the shadows where 007 was hidden.

Finally Vesper came to the courtyard where she met Gettler. The villain saw James Bond hiding behind the column and took Vesper hostage. Gettler’s men tried to shoot 007.

The sequence was filmed in the courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello, that was also ‘Moonraker’ filming location (read more: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice). Main entrance to the building was located at Campiello Pisani, however Vesper entered the side door, which is visible in the photo below.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice

She turned left and passed through the doors (that are closed in photo below) to the courtyard.

Next photo was taken from the courtyard. Vesper came out from behind the columns. Later James Bond was hiding behind these columns when Gettler’s men tried to shoot him.

On the right in photo below you can see the column where 007 was hiding when Vesper was talking to Gettler. On the left there is a sculpture that was seen behind Daniel Craig’s head.

Next photo of the courtyard was taken from Bond’s hide behind the column. Vesper and Gettler were standing in the middle of the courtyard. Gettler’s men were shooting from windows above the entrance to the courtyard located in the center of the photo.

When they started shooting, James Bond was running behind columns visible in the middle of the photo below.

James Bond pursued Gettler and Vesper into a building under renovation. During the fight the building started to sink.

The sequence with the building collapsing into the Grand Canal was filmed in Pinewood studio, however buildings around were all real and shot on location. Collapsing building was digitally inserted and replaced Lion Morosini Palace (second from right in photo below).

In the studio the 1/3-scale miniature of the building was built for exterior shots. It had more than 100 different parts designed to fall off.

The inside of the sinking house was built on a special rig that measured 45 foot by 40 foot and was 45 foot high.

The scene with people looking at sinking building was filmed at Campo Erberia (photo below).

After Vesper’s death James Bond was sitting on the yacht’s deck and talking on the phone with M. The scene was filmed at Santi Cosma e Damiano church.

Go to LOCATIONS GALLERY – ‘CASINO ROYALE’ to see locations photos compared with movie scenes.

Sources:
– ‘James Bond. Szpieg ktorego kochamy’ Michal Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
– www.awn.com
– www.mi6-hq.com
– reelstreets.com
– www.spirityachts.com

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‘Casino Royale’ opening sequence in Prague

04 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by Piotr Zając in Casino Royale, Prague

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007, Casino Royale, Czech Republic, Danube House, filming location, James Bond, James Bond location, movie location, Prague

At the beginning of ‘Casino Royale’ a car pulled up in front of the entrance to a modern office building in Prague, Czech Republic. It was Dryden (Malcolm Sinclair), the section chief of Mi6 in Prague, who got out of the car. He took an elevator to get to his office. He was surprised to see James Bond waiting there. Bond killed traitorous Dryden and became ’00’ agent with licence to kill. (Click here to watch that sequence)

That sequence was filmed at Danube House building located at Karolinska street in Prague.

The first scene was filmed with the camera set at the entrance to the building opposite to Danube House. In the shot you can see the roof above the entrance as in photo presented below.

In the photo below you can see Danube House on the right and the entrance to the opposite building where the camera was located on the left. The car arrived from pedestrian bridge above Rohanske Nabrezi street visible in the center of the photo.

Dryden got out of the car and looked around. He was filmed from so called worm’s-eye view with facade of Danube House visible in background.

In the next photo you can see elevators in Danube House – the same as in the film.

Through glass facade of Danube House from Rohanske Nabrezi street you can see the corridor where Dryden was walking down to his office.

Next photo was taken from pedestrian bridge above Rohanske Nabrezi street. On the right side you can see the entrance to Danube House where Dryden parked his car. On the left you can see the glass facade with the corridor and elevators behind it.

Cinematographer Phil Méheux, who shot ‘Casino Royale’ said: ‘If you want to do something quite different and turn everyone around, do something in black-and-white!’ Therefore the opening sequence was black-and-white. He also said that some cinematographers were shooting color that was later removed in the digital intermediate, but he didn’t like the look of that. For that reason he used about 6000 feet of black-and-white Eastman Double-X [5222] Kodak film.

Go to LOCATIONS GALLERY – ‘CASINO ROYALE’ to see locations photos compared with movie scenes.

Sources:
– „James Bond. Szpieg którego kochamy” Michał Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
– www.theasc.com

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‘Casino Royale’ in Barrandov Studio in Prague

19 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by Piotr Zając in Casino Royale, Czech Republic, Prague - Barrandov Studio

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007, Barrandov Studio, Casino Royale, Czech Republic, film set, film studio, James Bond location, movie location, Prague

Most of ‘Casino Royale’ was shot in the Czech Republic, mainly in Prague. In 2006 James Bond film crew was working in different locations in the city and at the Barrandov Studio. 10 years later I have visited the studio to see stages where interior sets were built. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic In Barrandov Studio logo (photo above) you can see the studio main building (photo below) that is located at Krizeneckeho namesti.Inside the building, in front of the reception desk, there are film posters, with “Casino Royale’ in the middle, hanging on the wall. It is worth mentioning that there were also other international films shot at Barrandov Studio such as ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’, ‘The Bourne Identity’ etc. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic Streets inside the Barrandov Studio are named after famous Czech film directors. Below you can see a photo of Otakar Vavra street sign. Next photos show the building where ‘Casino Royale’ was shot. It was built in 1940’s. There is a hudge Barrandov Studios logo on the roof of the building that can be seen i.e. on Google maps. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic There is an entrance to the offices in the building at Otakar Vavra street.On the other side of the building, at Frantisek Vlacil street, there are large entry gates to three stages.‘Casino Royale’ was shot in Stage Number 6, where main decoration was built. Total area of the stage is 40 meters x 50 meters with construction area 36 meters x 46 meters and a height of 12 meters. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic ‘Casino Royale’ was also shot in Stage Number 7, where main decoration was built. Total area of the stage is 29 meters x 40 meters with construction area 25 meters x 36 meters and a height of 12 meters. Photo below shows film decorations in that stage.It is worth to visit empty stage to see how big that is. Below you can see part of the Stage MAX that is the largest stage in Europe at 4,000 square metres at height of 13,75 meters. It was oficially opened on December 2006, a few months after ‘Casino Royale’ was shot. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic I have also visited furniture warehouse looking for some props from ‘Casino Royale’. I was shown a set of furniture that you can see in photos below. They were supposed to be used on James Bond film. I did some research and after a long time I discovered that they belonged to another agent. They were furnishings for the apartment of Ethan Hawke (Tom Cruise) in ‘Mission: Impossible’ that was also filmed in Prague. Barrandov Studio in Prague, Czech Republic I would like to thank Jakub Zika and Lubomir Konecny from Barrandov Studio.