On January 18th, 2020 the ‘007 Bond symfonicznie’ concert was held in Radio Wrocław Concert Hall in Wroclaw, Poland. James Bond fans could listen to a number of 007 films title songs performed by orchestra, Quiet Classic choir and soloists: Anna Michałowska, Katarzyna Góras and Mateusz Obroślak. As a surprise for listeners Michalina Goławska from Quiet Classic choir also performed one song solo. Paweł Błędowski was announcing all songs with interesting stories from Bond films. They all deserved a standing ovation.
Tribute to the authors of this project: Emilia Siepkowska and Aleksander Resiak. Great concept, amazing musical arrangements and fantastic performance of all songs.
Media representatives were waiting for Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) at the Buckingham Palace in London. There was also his assistant, Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), waiting for her boss. Right on time he appeared in the sky with Union Jack parachute. He landed between them, answered a few questions and together with Miranda Frost went by car to receive his knighthood from the Queen. James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) was standing in the crowd and just looking at the villain.
– Buckingham Palace in London.
– Buckingham Palace in London.
– Buckingham Palace in London.– Sculptures at Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace in London.
That sequence was filmed in April 2002. Film crew got permission to work around the Buckingham Palace for one day only, until lunch time.
There was parachute jump of 3 stuntmen planned for the scene. To fly helicopter less than 1 kilometer above the Buckingham Palace it was necessary to get special permissions from Anti-Terrorist Units. Executive Producer Anthony Waye said that according to the script the scene was supposed to be filmed at the House of Parliament. About 2-3 weeks before filming it was decided to try to shoot at the Buckingham Palace. When they were trying to get permissions, Queen Mother died and all the offices were closed for 10 days. Permission to shoot there was received less that a week before planned filming day.
– Buckingham Palace in London. View from Spur Rd.
– Buckingham Palace in London.
About 250 members of the film crew arrived on the set very early that day. Actress Rosamund Pike said that she had to wake up at 4 a.m. At 6.30 a.m. filming could begin as sun was rising.
At first the scene with parachuting Gustav Graves was filmed. Three stuntmen, who were made up to look like the villain in the film, were ready for the jump. They were flying in a helicopter with pilot Mark Wolff, who has flown helicopters for 8 previous James Bond films (Interview with Marc Wolff).
– Buckingham Palace in London.
The first jumper was the team leader Allan Hewitt. Film director Lee Tamahori was happy with the shot. He decided to film second jump as backup. There was no time for third stuntmen to jump.
– UK parachute from ‘Die Another Day’ at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.
Afterwards the scene with Gustav Graves landing in the crowd was filmed. Actor Toby Stephens was suspended under the arm of crane 40 feet in the air. It was moving down so it looked like Stephens was parachuting.
– The square in front of the Buckingham Palace in London.
Film crew had to clean the area before 9.30 a.m. as the Life Guards began preparations for the Changing of the Guard.
Film crew moved to the park behind Canada Gate to complete filming the scene. At that time hundreds of tourists were gathering to see Changing of the Guard.
– Canada Gate at Buckingham Palace.
– Canada Gate at Buckingham Palace.
About an hour before end of filming, Pierce Brosnan arrived on the set. In his brief appearance in the scene he was standing in the crowd and looking at his rival getting into Range Rover.
At the end the scene with Miranda Frost and media representatives waiting for Gustav Graves was filmed. In the film it was shown before all other scenes filmed that day.
Sources: – ‘Die Another Day’ audio commentary, „Die Another Day” Special Edition, Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation, 2006 – ‘Just Another Day’, dir. Roger Penny, A Special Treats Production, 2002
James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) arrived to Splendide hotel in Montenegro. 007 received keys to Aston Martin DBS parked in front of the hotel. Soon after check-in they both went to a meeting with their MI6 contact person – Rene Mathis (Giancarlo Gianni) in a small village in Montenegro.
The sequence was filmed in Loket in Czech Republic that is located very close to Karlovy Vary that was another ‘Casino Royale’ filming location (read ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary).
Scenes with 007, Vesper Lynd and Rene Mathis were filmed in a heart of Loket’s Old Town at T.G. Masaryk street that resembled a square around the Column of the Holy Trinity. Below you can see part of the street from which Aston Martin DBS arrived. While taking the photo I was standing next to the Column of the Holy Trinity that was visible in the scene with Bond and Vesper arriving to the village.
– T.G. Masaryk street in Loket.
– Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.
James Bond parked the car in front of the building with a bright facade (on the right in photo below).
– Náměstí T. G. Masaryka in Loket.
– Náměstí T. G. Masaryka in Loket.
Restaurant zone where James Bond, Vesper Lynd and Rene Mathis where sitting and talking was located between Hotel Goethe and Hotel Bily Kun. You could see the facade of the hotel with its name behind Matthis in one of the scenes. It was the only facade not modified for the film. There were montenegrin letters on other buildings.
– Hotel Bily kun in Loket.
There is beautiful castle in Loket. It is worth to climb the tower with great view.
– Castle in Loket.
– View from the castle in Loket.
Between roofs you can see the facade of the Hotel Bily Kun that was seen in the film.
James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) arrived by train to Montenegro. They got into the black limousine parked at the railway station and drove to the Hotel Splendide. 007 was sent to the Balkans to play poker against Le Chiffre in the titled Casino Royale.
In the film James Bond made journey to Montenegro, but it was filmed mostly in spa-town of Karlovy Vary in Bohemia, west Czech Republic. The Montenegrin train station was in reality the Mill Colonnade.
Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary.
There was a scene with Bond and Vesper walking and talking on their way to the limousine filmed between columns of the Mill Colonnade, however it was deleted from the final version of the film.
Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary.
The limousine waiting for James Bond and Vesper Lynd was filmed at Lazenska street next to the Mill Colonnade. The street in reality is not much different from the film shot.
Lazenska street in Karlovy Vary.
Next scene with the limousine on the the way to the Hotel Splendide was filmed at Trziste street with the Holy Trinity Column and the Castle Tower in background. The limousine turned right and drove towards the Market Colonnade. In reality the car would be shortly at the starting point. The Mill Colonnade is at the end of the street.
Trziste street in Karlovy Vary.
The building that appeared in the film as the Hotel Splendide was the Grandhotel Pupp. The limousine with 007 and Vesper arrived at the entrance to the hotel. In the film there was asphalt square. Currently there are cobblestones. Walking on them you can find several plates with names of famous hotel guests. ‘Daniel Craig’ is engraved on one of them.
Main entrance to the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary.The Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary.‘Daniel Craig’ plate in front of the Grandhotel Pupp.A display case on the Grandhotel Pupp wall.
When I visited the hotel in2017, the lobby looked pretty similar to the one from 2006, when it was the film set. James Bond and Vesper Lynd were standing at the reception desk that you can see below. When Bond asked Vesper to pay for their stay, there were stairs and corridor visible in background.
The Grandhotel Pupp lobby.The Grandhotel Pupp lobby.The Grandhotel Pupp lobby.
Elevator doors look the same as in the film.Vesper Lynd got into the elevator alone and asked Bond to take another one. As you can see, currently there is a mirror inside the elevator. In the film there was wooden wall. When the elevator doors closed the receptionist came up to Bond and gave him an envelope with car keys.
Elevator in the Grandhotel Pupp.Elevator in the Grandhotel Pupp.
Bond went to the parking lot where Aston Martin DBS was parked. It was real parking lot at Goethova Stezka street in front of the Gradhotel Pupp.
Parking lot in front of the Grandhotel Pupp.Parking lot in front of the Grandhotel Pupp.Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.
In the evening James Bond walked from the hotel to Casino Royale. In background you could see Grandhotel Pupp as in the photo below.
The Grandhotel Pupp at dusk. View from Charles IV Park.
Magnificent spa house located very close to the Granhotel Pupp was used for the titled Casino Royale. The Imperial Spa was built at the end of the 19th century. In 1922 it was renamed to Spa I. At the end of 20th century the building gradually fell into disrepair. The overall restoration of the spa began in 2019. In 2023 it was reopened to the public.
The Imperial Spa known as Spa I.The Imperial Spa known as Spa I.
You can recognize the facade of the building from the ‘Casino Royale’ poster as well as DVD and Blu-ray covers. There was no access to the building for several years. In 2017 it was opened for visitors. In the corner of a large room upstairs there is a poster with photos from the film set. You can see there how the interior of the building became interior of Casino Royale. General casino room and the staircase were filmed in that building. The room where Bond and Le Chiffre were playing poker was built in film studio in Prague.
Photos from the set of ‘Casino Royale’ in Zander Hall in Spa I.
There were film lights mounted over the set, therefore magnificent ceiling in the room was not visible in the film. There were tables in the middle of the room and bar counter between columns, all the rest such as paintings on a wall and lamp were unchanged. It still looks as in the film. James Bond walked along the room. At the beginning of the shot you could see the painting over the door on the right in photo below.
Zander Hall in Spa I.
Below you can see the opposite side of the room. There was the entrance to the ‘SALON PRIVE’ where 007 was playing poker.
Zander Hall in Spa I.
During a break in the game of poker James Bond and Vesper Lynd were attacked at the hotel by two assasins. Bond killed them both in the fight in the stairwell. Rene Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini) hid their bodies into the trunk of the car parked in front of the hotel. Mathis told Bond about that while they were standing on a balcony (see photo below).
Balconies at the Grandhotel Pupp.
James Bond returned to the poker game and lost all the money. 007 and Vesper went to the balcony. He tried to convince her that she would give him more money, but with no success.
Bond returned to the main room in the casino and ordered a drink. Bar counter was built between columns that you can see in next two photos.
Zander Hall in Spa I.Zander Hall in Spa I.
James Bond was standing by the column, when he saw Le Chiffre with Valenka (Ivana Milicevic) and Kratt (Clemens Schick) leaving the casino. Next photo was taken from the place where the bar counter was located. You can see on the left the door where Le Chiffre was heading to.
Zander Hall in Spa I.Zander Hall in Spa I.
Bond took a knife from a table and went to the door after the villain. James Bond ran down the stairs. In the next photo you can see where that scene was filmed. On the right you can see opened door to the room where the scene with 007 at the bar counter was filmed.On the staircase Bond met Felix Leiter from CIA. Jeffrey Right, who played ‘brother from Langley’, walked the stairs that you can see in the next photo covered with red carpet.
Staircase in Spa I.Staircase in Spa I.
Felix Leiter offered Bond money for the poker game. In the next two photos you can see where they were standing and talking.
Staircase in Spa I.Staircase in Spa I.
Bond won the game. He left the casino with Vesper to celebrate at the dinner. The scene in the restaurant was filmed in the Granhotel Pupp. Below you can see the table where the scene was filmed.
Mill Colonnade.Ceiling in Zander Hall in Spa I.Mill Colonnade.Mill Colonnade.Trziste street.Mill Colonnade.Restaurant in the Grandhotel Pupp.Ochrza river.Ochrza river.Church of Saint Peter and Paul.Ochrza river.Detail of Park Colonnade.Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary.
After frantic car chase at the beginning of ‘Quantum of Solace’ James Bond (Daniel Craig) drove to Siena in Tuscany, Italy. He entered the mysterious tunnel. He stopped the car and opened the trunk. There was Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) tied up. James Bond said to him: ‘It’s time to get out’. Right after that the film intro with ‘Another Way to Die’ song by Jack White and Alicia Keys appeared on the screen.
James Bond arriving to Siena in Aston Martin DBS was filmed at Chiesa di San Giuseppe located at the junction of Via di Fontanella, Via Giovanni Dupre and Via Sant’Agata. 007 drove uphill by the Via di Fontanella and after driving under the archway he drove down the Via Giovanni Dupre in the direction of Piazza del Campo. As you may see in photos below he drove up to the one-way street, however the one-way street sign was not seen in the movie. To film the scene, the camera was attached to special wires, so it could be moved high above the roofs from the street level.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe in Siena.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe in Siena.
To look at historical city center over the archway at Chiesa di San Giuseppe (as in photo below) you may walk up the Via Sant’Agata to the square at Sant’Agostino church.
The entrance to the tunnel was filmed at Piazzetta Della Paglietta square located at Via Salicotto street.
Piazzetta Della Paglietta and Via Salicotto street.
Piazzetta Della Paglietta in Siena. View from Vicolo della Manna.
Entrance to the tunnel at the Piazzetta Della Paglietta.
Nowadays it would be difficult to drive in the tunnel as James Bond in Aston Martin DBS due to number of stuff belonging to one caffe in the neighborhood.
Tunnel at the Piazzetta Della Paglietta.
There was MI6 safe house at the end of the tunnel. M (Judi Dench) was waiting there for 007 and his prisoner. Mr. White told them, that the organization of which he was a member, had people everywhere. It turned out that M’s bodyguard, Craig Mitchell (Glenn Foster), was one of them. He tried to kill M, to save Mr. White. James Bond followed him in pursuit in underground aqueducts, Piazza del Campo during famous Palio and on the rooftops of historical buildings. It finished inside the campanile.
The beginning and ending of that foot chase was filmed in the studio where underground aqueducts and interior of the campanile were built. Scenes at Piazza del Campo and on the rooftops were filmed on location in Siena.
Six month before the beginning of principal photography the crew got permission to film real Palio. They used 14 cameras located in different places at Piazza del Campo to capture shots that were later used in ‘Quantum of Solace’.
Piazza del Campo in Siena.
In May 2008 the film unit returned to Siena to film foot chase in the city. There were 300 extras selected from 1500 candidates on Piazza del Campo when James Bond and Craig Mitchell running through the crowd were filmed.
Bond and Mitchell ran out of the square through an open gate. It is the entrance to Museo Civico in Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.
Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo in Siena.
Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.
Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.
They ran into the courtyard just behind the gate. Standing in the courtyard it is worth looking up at the sky and the tower called Torre del Mangia
Courtyard of the Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.
Courtyard of the Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.
To film the chase of the rooftops, two kilometers of special cables for safety and camera support were used. Cables were suspended on arms of four giant cranes. Each crane weighted two hundred tons. It was necessary to make first geological investigation. There were holes deep at about 10-20 meters made in the ground and filled with cement. It took three months to complete this.
It was difficult to find exact filming location of that sequence, because it turned out that balconies seen in the movie were built just for the purpose of filming. I’ve found only one existing balcony (see photos below) above intersection of Via del Rialto and Vicolo del Vannello streets. It was the one seen in background behind 007 chasing Craig Mitchell. All other balconies from the movie were built on the left from that one.
In the next photo you can see Via del Rialto with Torre del Mangia at Piazza del Campo in background. While taking this photo I was standing right below the place where the balcony from the movie was built.
Via del Rialto in Siena.
During the chase, James Bond jumped on the balcony, walked into the apartment and jumped from the window on the roof of the bus. The scene with the bus was filmed at Via Pantaneto. Daniel Craig made a jump from the window that is visible in next photos (second row from the roof, first window from the right). The driver stopped the bus when he heard James Bond jumping on the roof. When 007 was rolling on the bus,Via Pantaneto street was seen in background.
Via Pantaneto in Siena.
Bond climbed the gutter to continue the chase on rooftops. It was the gutter on the left at the arch above Via Pantaneto (see next photo). In the next photo you can see the window from which Bond jumped on the bus and the gutter he climbed.
After the chase James Bond returned to MI6 safe house. When he turned left from Via Salicotto to Piazzetta Della Paglietta, the building visible in the last photo was seen in background.
Sources: – ‘Bond on Location’, dir. Bob Done, Special Treats Productions, 2008 – ‘James Bond. Szpieg ktorego kochamy’ Michal Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
At the beginning of ‘Quantum of Solace’ James Bond (Daniel Craig) in Aston Martin DBS was chased by criminals in two Alfa Romeos 159. Moreover Italian police joined in on the chase. After evading pursuers 007 drove to Siena.
Second unit with director Dan Bradley was working in northern Italy for several weeks to film that 3 minute sequence. First part of the car chase was filmed in April at Lake Garda. Second part of the sequence was filmed near Carrara in May 2008.
At the very beginning of ‘Quantum of Solace’ camera was skimming across the Lake Garda approaching the tunnel at the water. It was filmed in northeastern part of the lake. You can see that tunnel in next 3 photos that were taken from the beach at Riva del Garda. Car chase was filmed on the road near Navene on the east coast of the lake and near Limone Sul Garda on the opposite coast.
– Lake Garda in northern Italy.
– Lake Garda in northern Italy.
– Lake Garda in northern Italy.
For dynamic shots gyro-stabilized remote-controlled camera crane called ‘Ultimate Arm’ was used. It was attached to the roof of a Mercedes ML55, that was painted matt black to limit reflections. It could reach a speed of speed 200 kph and the camera could be just inches away from the action during high speed chase.
There were several accidents on the set. Especially two of them were described in international publications. Aston Martin employee, who was delivering a car to a publicity shoot for the movie, crashed a £134,000 Aston Martin DBS into the lake. The driver was not hurt, but he had to pay fine for unsafe drive. Completely destroyed car has been later purchased by a collector. Few days later two stuntmen playing villains in Alfa Romeo 159 were involved in an accident. Aris Comninos was in a coma. His co-driver, Bruno Verdirosi, was also treated in hospital.
James Bond turned left to avoid roadblock. It was filmed at the intersection of Via IV Novembre SS45bis with Via Benaco SP38 at Lake Garda, near Tremosine. Aston Martin DBS and black Alfa Romeo 159 drove through two short tunnels. That scene was filmed nearly 300 km south from Lake Garda on Via dei Colli, near passo del Vestito, not far from Carrara. Also on Via dei Colli the last scene with Alfa Romeo falling from the cliff was filmed. Other car chase scenes were filmed at marble quarries near Carrara (see photos below). Stunt coordinator Gary Powell said, that they had to change tires in cars when they moved from tarmac mountain road at Garda Lake to marble quarry. There was only one brand of tire for Aston Martin, therefore they had to cut their own treads into the tires.To create the scene seven Aston Martins and nine Alfa Romeos were used. There were also two Land Rovers. The one that hit the building and fell from the cliff had no engine. It was removed and gasoline was taken out so it wouldn’t create unnecessary explosion.
– Carrara marble quarry in northern Italy.
– Carrara marble quarry in northern Italy.
– Carrara marble quarry in northern Italy.
– Carrara marble quarry in northern Italy.
More photos from Lake Garda and Carrara marble quarry:
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 Transportation 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 National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
– 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
– Cloakroom in the National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
When Dimitrios and James Bond left the cloak room they walked by the open door that you can see in photo below.
– Cloakroom in the National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
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.
– Interior of the National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
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.
– Interior of the National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
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.
– Interior of the National Monument at Vítkov Hill in Prague.
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.
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.
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.
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 saw the Quantum agent Adolph Gettler (Richard Sammel). 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).
Bell tower of Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Campanile of Saint Mark’s Basilica.
Santa Maria della Salute.
Bell tower of Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore (left) and Santa Maria della Salute (right).
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 peaceful an quiet place. As you can see in a photo below, while watching the view you can relax on a bench in a park or use an outdoor gym.
When James Bond was writing the resignation letter, there was Santa Maria della Salute Basilica visible in background. 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).
Santa Maria della Salute Basilica.
The sequence with the yacht sailing on the Grand Canal was filmed in different locations near the Rialto Bridge. At first the yacht was filmed in front of the Palazzo Rava. Then the Rialto fish market was shown, where Vesper spotted Adolph Getler. When she was taking photos of the market, the Sant’Angelo Vaporetto station was visible behind her. This station is not on the opposite side of the canal, but almost a kilometer away from the Rialto fish market!! There is also a short shot of the crowded Grand Canal and the Palazzo Bembo in the background. In the final shot of the sequence Bond stands at the helm of the yacht, with the Palazzo Grimani (San Luca) visible behind him.
When Vesper left the hotel room, M called and asked James Bond about the money that he won in Casino Royale. 007 immediately called the Swiss banker and got an 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.
The bank was filmed in the northwestern corner of the Saint Mark’s Square. In the film you could see ‘Basel Bank’ sign above the door. In reality there was ‘BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA’ sign instead. When I visited Venice in 2019 there was a Longchamp store there.
Northwestern corner of the Saint Mark’s Square.The Longchamp store in the northwestern corner of the Saint Mark’s Square.The Longchamp store in the northwestern corner of the Saint Mark’s Square.The Longchamp store in the northwestern corner of the Saint Mark’s Square.
When Bond saw that Vesper had already left the bank, he moved through the crowd under the arcades of the Procuratie Vecchie at St Mark’s Square. He saw Vesper walking on the bridge called Ponte del Cavalletto.
Cafe tables at the Procuratie Vecchie at St Mark’s Square.The Procuratie Vecchie at St Mark’s Square.
The film crew was working in Venice in June 2006. It was very difficult to film the scene with Bond running around the Saint Mark’s Square because of about 400 extras and big number of tourists walking around.
Ponte del Cavalletto.
In the next scene Vesper was walking alone on the bridge called Ponte del Malpaga.
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.
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.
View from Ponte de le Colonne towards the Sotoportego de le Colonne.
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 is located at Campiello Pisani. Vesper entered through the side entrance through the Portego Pisani.
Side entrance (with a stone arch)to the courtyard of the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello.Side entrance to the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello.
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.
Courtyard of the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello.
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.
Courtyard of the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello.
When they started shooting, James Bond was running behind columns visible in the middle of the photo below.
Courtyard of the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello.
James Bond pursued Gettler and Vesper into a building under renovation. During the fight the building began 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 digitallyinserted and replaced Lion Morosini Palace.
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 Lion Morosini Palace – second building from right.The Lion Morosini Palace – second building from right.
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.
Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond in ‘GoldenEye’, ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, ‘The Wold Is Not Enough’ and ‘Die Another Day’ received the European Achievement in World Cinema award during the 29th European Film Awards Ceremony. The ceremony took place on December 10th 2016 in National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. I have attented that event as accredited photographer.
Pierce Brosnan arrived to Wroclaw with his wife Keely Shaye Smith. Before the ceremony he was posing on the red carpet.
After the ceremony Pierce Brosnan presented the award.
JAMES BOND 