After an evening swim in the sea James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) in Aston Martin DB5 took the scenic road at the seaside. They drove out of the tunnel straight onto Sassi di Matera that is a historic part of the city of Matera.
– Sassi di Matera by night. View from Via D’Addozio at Convent of Saint Agostino.
The end of the tunnel was built just for filming on the street Via D’Addozio next to Convent of Saint Agostino.
– Exact location of the fake tunnel. Via D’Addozio next to Convent of Saint Agostino Sassi di Matera. The tunnel was built above that part of the street.
Aston Martin db5 drove out of the tunnel straight onto a viewpoint overlooking the city. You can notice in the film that the barrier at the viewpoint was covered so it looked like a stone wall.
– Viewpoint at Via D’Addozio next to the Convent of Saint Agostino Sassi di Matera.
Standing at the viewpoint you can see the difference between the real view and the one shown in the movie. There was some CGI used to create it. In the film you can see a stone bridge against the background of the hills to the left of the city. The bridge was filmed in Gravina in Puglia and pasted into the view of Sassi di Matera.
– View from Via D’Addozio at Sassi di Matera.
James Bond parked the car in the city center. He and Madeleine Swann walked slowly up the stairs to the hotel.
The scene where Bond and Madeleine got out of the car was filmed at Via Bruno Buozzi at the intersection with Rione Pianelle, just a few steps from Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.
– Via Bruno Buozzi at the intersection with Rione Pianelle in Sassi di Matera.
The next scene where the couple was walking to the hotel was filmed at via Muro.
– Via Muro in Sassi di Matera.– Via Muro in Sassi di Matera.
At night Madeleine Swann went out onto the hotel balcony.
For that scene part of the hotel including front wall and the balcony was built at Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli. It is one of the most popular viewpoints in Sassi di Matera. If you stand there, you will see exactly the same view as Madeleine.
– View from Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli.– View from Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli.– View from Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli.
Fake hotel room was built on scaffolding so that it was at the level of the square Piazzetta Pascoli. If you look down from the viewpoint, you will see the place where the scaffolding was set up.
– Location of the fake hotel at Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli viewpoint.
In that footage of the Italian TV you can see how the hotel was built:
The film crew was working in Sassi di Matera in September 2019.
At the beginning of ‘No Time to Die’ Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) had flashback of her mother’s death while swimming in the sea in Italy. After that she and James Bond (Daniel Craig) in Aston Martin DB5 took the scenic road at the sea. After a few corners they entered the tunnel that led to Matera.
– Road SS18 Tirrena Inferiore along the coast by the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The sequence with Aston Martin DB5 was filmed from a helicopter in the south of Italy on road SS18 Tirrena Inferiore between Sapri and Acquafredda. It began near Canale di Mezzanotte on the border between Campania and Basilicata. It ended a few corners later below the tower called Torre dei Crivi. In the film Matera was right after the tunnel. In reality it would have to be 200 km long! Matera is located on the eastern side of the Apennine peninsula, about 60 km from the Adriatic Sea. The SS18 Tirrena Inferiore road runs along the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the opposite side of the peninsula. Filmmakers wanted to film the seqence in in the setting sun therefore, they sought a suitable route on the western side of the peninsula.
– Road SS18 Tirrena Inferiore along the coast by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Part of the road where the scene with Aston Martin DB5 at the beginning of the film and Aston Martin V8 Vantage at the very end of ‘No Time to Die’ were filmed.– Tower Torre dei Crivi (top of the frame) above the road SS18 Tirrena Inferiore.
The tunnel they entered was not real. CGI was used to create it. In the film you can see the wall of the tunnel covering third arch of the bridge (photo below) and part of the road on the right.
There is real tunnel around the next corner but it is very short and there is no Matera behind it as you can see below.
– Road SS18 Tirrena Inferiore.
The same location was used to film the very last scene with Madeleine Swann driving Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
After killing Marco Sciarra in Mexico James Bond (Daniel Craig) arrived to Rome to attend his funeral. From a distance, he was watching the mourners leaving the chapel. In the next scene he was watching them standing at the Sciarra’s grave. After the ceremony he approached the widow Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci) and began a conversation that was interrupted by her bodyguard.
The entire funeral sequence was filmed in the second half of February 2015 at the Museum of the Roman Civilization (Museo della Civiltà Romana) in Rome, Italy. It is located in the south of the city away from the main tourist attractions. Motorsport fans may be interested in the fact that Formula E street circuit is located very close to the museum.
The complex is made up of two buildings with a long portico of travertine columns. Standing on Via dell’Architettura you will see the building with the main entrance to the museum on the left, the building with the Planetario on the right and the portico with „MUSEO DELLA CIVILTA ROMANA” sign on top in front of you.
– The Museum of the Roman Civilization. Entrance to the planetarium on the right and portico of travertine columns on the left.– The portico of travertine columns.
In the first scene of the funeral Daniel Craig was filmed in front of the main entrance to the museum. He was looking at the entrance to the Planetario. Mourners were walking left towards the portico.
– The Museum of the Roman Civilization. In the background the entrance to the Planetario. Photo taken in front of the main entrance to the museum.
In the next scene Daniel Craig was walking between travertine columns towards mourners. There was Piazza Giovanni Agnelli behind columns and skyscraper at Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in background.
– View from the portico at Piazza Giovanni Agnelli and skyscraper at Piazza Guglielmo Marcon.
Final scenes of the funeral were filmed between columns of the portico. The tombs were built for the film between columns on the Viale della Scultura side.
– Between two rows of travertine columns of the portico.
After the funeral widow Lucia Sciarra returned home. It was filmed in the first half of March 2015 in Villa di Fiorano. Everyone can rent it for the wedding or elegant party. It is located at Via Appia Antica less than 1,5 km from Rome airport Ciampino.
Real filming locations together with screens of scenes filmed in these places. Film scene on top and my location photo at the bottom.
– Venini shop located at Piazzetta dei Leoncini next to Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy. There was Venini Glass Works behind the shop that belonged to main opponent of 007 – Hugo Drax. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2019)
– James Bond moors a gondola behind the Palazzo Pisani to visit Drax’s laboratory at night. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2002)
– Entrance to Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello from Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice.. (location photo: 2023)
– Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice.
– Geoffrey Keen as Sir Frederick Gray, Bernard Lee as M and Roger Moore as James Bond on the Fondamenta della Fenice with Ponte Maria Callas in background. Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2023)– Bernard Lee as M and Roger Moore as James Bond on the Fondamenta della Fenice with Fondamenta Maria Callas in background. Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2023)– Bernard Lee as M and Roger Moore as James Bond on the Fondamenta della Fenice with Ponte Maria Callas in background. Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2023)
Real filming locations compared to film scenes. Film scene on top and my location photo at the bottom.
‘SPECTRE’
– Foreign & Commonwealth Office Courtyard, King Charles Street, Westminster, London, UK. (location photo: 2023)– Foreign & Commonwealth Office Courtyard, King Charles Street, Westminster, London, UK. (location photo: 2023)– James Bond arrives to Rome in Italy. Via di S. Gregorio/ Via Celio Vibenno (location photo: 2022)– James Bond looking at Marco Sciarra’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.– Marco Sciarra’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.– Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci) at her husband’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.– James Bond at Marco Sciarra’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.– James Bond at Marco Sciarra’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.– James Bond and Lucia Sciarra after her husband’s funeral. The scene was filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civilta Roma) in Rome. (location photo: 2022) Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’: Marco Sciarra’s funeral in Rome.
– Palazzo Cardenza in Rome was doubled by Blenheim Palace in Woodstock (Oxfordshire), UK (location photo: 2016). Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’ at Blenheim palace.
– Palazzo Cardenza in Rome was doubled by Blenheim Palace in Woodstock (Oxfordshire), UK (location photo: 2016). Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’ at Blenheim palace.
– Palazzo Cardenza in Rome was doubled by Blenheim Palace in Woodstock (Oxfordshire), UK (location photo: 2016). Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’ at Blenheim palace.
– Via della Conciliazione in Rome, Italy (location photo: 2015). Read the story behind the scene: ‘Spectre’ in Rome – part 1.
– Road at the Tiber river in Rome, Italy. The sequence with Jaguar C-X75 in fire was filmed there (top photo). I was there that day on March 10th 2015. In bottom picture you can see Jaguar C-X75 on set during rehearsal. Read my story from the set: ‘Spectre’ in Rome – part 2.
– View from the Ponte Sisto bridge at the road at the Tiber river in Rome, Italy. Final scene of car chase with Aston Martin DB10 jumping into the water was filmed there. I took the photo of the location on March 10th 2015, just a few hours before that scene was filmed. Read my story from the set: ‘Spectre’ in Rome – part 2.
– Lake Altaussee, Austria (location photo: 2024).– Jagdhaus Seewiese in Altaussee, Austria (location photo: 2024).– Interior of Jagdhaus Seewiese in Altaussee, Austria (location photo: 2024).
– James Bond entering Siena at Chiesa di San Giuseppe located at the junction of Via di Fontanella, Via Giovanni Dupre and Via Sant’Agata. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2017)
– James Bond drives in the tunnel leading to secret MI6 safehouse. The tunnel where the scene was filmed was located at Piazzetta Della Paglietta in Siena, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2019)
– Palio at Piazza del Campo in Siena. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy.– Mitchell running away from James Bond. He entered Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo in Siena. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2019)– James Bond chasing Mitchell in Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo in Siena. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2019)– James Bond jumping between balconies chasing Mitchell. Balconies were built just for filming at Via del Rialto in Siena, Italy. There are no balconies on location anymore, but you can recognize that place i.e. by specific arrangement of gutters – see middle of the photo. (location photo: 2019)– James Bond climbing the balcony after the jump. It was filmed at Via del Rialto in Siena. There is only one balcony on location that was visible in background. All balconies that James Bond jumped on were built just for filming. (location photo: 2019)– Via Salicotto in Siena, Italy. Streets full of people after horse race. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2019)– Piazzetta Della Paglietta and Via Salicotto in backround in Siena, Italy. James Bond returns to MI6 safehouse after killing Mitchell. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2017)– Piazzetta Della Paglietta in Siena, Italy. James Bond returns to MI6 safehouse after killing Mitchell. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Quantum of Solace’ in Siena, Italy. (location photo: 2017)– James Bond attends Quantum meeting during a night performance of the opera ‘Tosca’. It was filmed at the Festspielhaus Bregenz in Bregenz, Austria from April 29th until May 9th, 2008. (location photo: 2023)
Real filming locations together with screens of scenes filmed in these places. Film scene on top and my location photo at the bottom.
‘CASINO ROYALE’
– ‘Casino Royale’ opening scene was filmed at Danube House, at Karolinska street in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ opening sequence in Prague. (location photo: 2016)
– Elevators in Danube House at Karolinska street in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ opening sequence in Prague. (location photo: 2016)
– Strahov Monastery in Prague doubled for the corridors in the British House of Commons in London. Read the story behind the scene: Strahov Monastery in Prague as British House of Commons in ‘Casino Royale’. (location photo: 2016)– Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republic in Prague doubled for museum in Miami. Read the story behind the scene: Prague as Miami in ‘Casino Royale’. (location photo: 2016)– Interior of the National Memorial on the Vitkov Hill in Prague in Czech Republic doubled for the museum in Miami. Read the story behind the scene: Prague as Miami in ‘Casino Royale’. (location photo: 2016)
– The Montenegrin train station was in reality the Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)
– Lazenska street in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)
– Trziste street with the Holy Trinity Column and the Castle Tower in background in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)
– Grandhotel Pupp in Czech Republic doubled for Hotel Splendide in Montenegro. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Grandhotel Pupp in Czech Republic doubled for Hotel Splendide in Montenegro. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)
– Loket, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Loket, Czech Republic. (location photo: 2017)– Lazne I (Spa I) in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic doubled for casino Royale. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Interior of Lazne I (Spa I) in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. It doubled for casino Royale. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Interior of Lazne I (Spa I) in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. It doubled for casino Royale. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Interior of Lazne I (Spa I) in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. It doubled for casino Royale. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Felix Leiter from CIA (Jeffrey Wright) offering money so James Bond can keep playing poker with Le Chiffre. The scene was filmed on the staircase in Lazne I (Spa I) in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Karlovy Vary. (location photo: 2017)– Hotel in Venice, Italy. It was filmed in Czech National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: National Museum in Prague as hotel in Venice in “Casino Royale”. (location photo: 2022)– Hotel in Venice, Italy. It was filmed in Czech National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: National Museum in Prague as hotel in Venice in “Casino Royale”. (location photo: 2023)Hotel in Venice, Italy. It was filmed in Czech National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: National Museum in Prague as hotel in Venice in “Casino Royale”. (location photo: 2023)Hotel in Venice, Italy. It was filmed in Czech National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Read the story behind the scene: National Museum in Prague as hotel in Venice in “Casino Royale”. (location photo: 2023)– James Bond chasing Vesper at St. Mark’s square in Venice. Read the story behind the scene: James Bond at St Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2023)– James Bond chasing Vesper to Basel Bank branch in Venice. It was Longchamp store at the corner of St. Mark’s square in Venice that doubled for the bank. Read the story behind the scene: James Bond at St Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2019)– James Bond chasing Vesper to Basel Bank branch in Venice. It was Longchamp store at the corner of St. Mark’s square in Venice that doubled for the bank. Read the story behind the scene: James Bond at St Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. (location photo: 2019)
– Sotoportego del Cavalletto in Venice, Italy. You can see Vesper in red dress walking on the bridge with money stolen from 007. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice.
– Ponte del Malpaga in Venice, Italy. You can see Vesper walking on the bridge with money stolen from 007. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice.
– Sotoportego de le Colonne in Venice, Italy. James Bond was following Vesper who stole his money. She stopped here and looked back. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (location photo: 2015)– Portego Pisani at Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy. Vesper enters the building to meet Adolph Gettler (Richard Sammel). Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (location photo: 2023)– Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy. Vesper gives stolen money to Adolph Gettler. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (location photo: 2015)– Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy. James Bond escapes gun fire. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (location photo: 2015)
– 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. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice.
Both ‘Moonraker’ and ‘Casino Royale’ were filmed in Venice (“Moonraker” in Venice & ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice). The most spectacular location common to both films is the St Mark’s Square.
– St. Mark’s square in Venice.
‘Moonraker’ was filmed mostly in northeastern part of the square. Bond (Roger Moore) entered the Venini shop located at Piazzetta dei Leoncini, next to St Mark’s Basilica and the corner of St Mark’s Square. Real Venini shop was there until 2020. Unfortunately it was closed because of lack of customers during lockdown. It was replaced with Giobagnara shop.
– Venini shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice in 2019.
– Giobagnara shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice, Italy in 2023.
There is a clock tower called Torre dell’Orologio next to the shop . Bond finished the fight with the villain Chang (Toshiro Suga) by throwing him through the clock face and onto the piano standing under the tower.
Later in the film, at the end of the chase through the canals in Venice, Bond returned to the square in a gondola. Below is a video showing the behind-the-scenes of this scene.
Walking along the north side of the square you will get to the passage called Sotoportego del Cavalletto. It was filming location of the scene with James Bond (Daniel Craig) noticing Vesper (Eva Green) walking away with suitcase full of money in ‘Casino Royale’.
A few steps away in the eastern corner of the square you will get to Longchamp shop. It was Basel Bank in ‘Casino Royale’.
Through the window you can see interior of the shop that was designed as a bank lobby just for the film.
Standing there you would notice that James Bond didn’t take the shortest route from the hotel to the bank. He ran into the square from its southern corner (right side of the photo below). Later the camera was directed towards St Mark’s Basilica as in the photo below. 007 was running from left (eastern corner) to the right (southern corner).
Finally he came to the Basel Bank located in the corner on the left (eastern corner).
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 