After a night spent with Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) in Matera (‘No Time to Die’ in Matera, Italy. Part 1: Arrival), James Bond (Daniel Craig) set out at dawn for the cemetery. He crossed the stone viaduct and headed towards a small stone building to ask about the location of Vesper’s tomb. He was taken there by cemetery attendant (Pio Amato).
In the film it is supposed to be in Sassi do Matera, but in reality there is no such viaduct there. This film sequence was shot at the Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia, about 25 km northeast of Matera. This bridge connects the town Gravina in Puglia with the archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina (Parco Archeologico di Botromagno).
The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.
To give the viewer the impression that it was the same location, the Gravina in Puglia viaduct was computer-added to the shots from Matera, and a digitally added panorama of Sassi di Matera appeared in the background of the shots with the viaduct.
On the other side of the bridge there is the archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina. On the rocky ground, several tombs and the small stone house were built for the film.
The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina and Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella.
Daniel Craig was seen on a film set in the archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina on September 20th 2019.
The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina.
The scene at the Vesper’s tomb was filmed a few days later on a plateau separated from the Sassi di Matera by a rocky ravine at the bottom of which flows the Torrente Gravina river. The plateau is located within the Chiese Rupestri del Materano (della Murgia Materana) Archaeological Park. The meadow where the Vesper’s tomb and several others in its immediate vicinity were built for the film is located near Madonna delle Vergini church (see in the gallery below the article).
Now there are no traces of the film set there, only grass. It is worth going there because of the beautiful view of the ravine and Sassi di Matera, and above all to visit the prehistoric caves.
Plateau in the Chiese Rupestri del Materano Archaeological Park overlooking Sassi di Matera – exact location of the cemetery with Vesper’s tomb.View of the Torrente Gravina river into the rocky ravine and Sassi di Matera on the other side. View of the Torrente Gravina river into the rocky ravine and Sassi di Matera on the other side.
After the explosions, James Bond ran towards the hotel. He passed a stone house abandoned by a cemetery assistant and ran onto a viaduct. The entire sequence after the explosion, just like the one before, was filmed in Gravina in Puglia.
The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina and Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella.
Halfway across the viaduct, he stopped and glared at the cemetery attendant. At the same moment, bandits in a Maserati Quattroporte drove onto the viaduct from the opposite side and shot at him. A moment later, Primo (Dali Benssalah) joined them on the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE.
The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia. View from halfway along the viaduct towards the town.Eastern side of the viaduct – from the town side. Here the cemetery attendant was filmed turning towards Bond.
Bond avoided being run over by a car by hiding behind a stone wall. There are stone pillars on the viaduct (see the photo below), but they are too small for a person to fit behind them. They had to be added for the film production, just like the ropes along the barrier that 007 used to jump from the viaduct.
The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.
Bond jumped off the viaduct and then ran through the corridors in the stone tunnels. The place where he went outside was filmed in Sassi di Matera.
The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.
While filming in Gravina in Puglia, Daniel Craig stayed at the B&B Sul Ponte, which is located a few steps from the Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella.
The Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia.The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina in Puglia.The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina in Puglia.Gravina in PugliaThe Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella in Gravina in Puglia (on the left).The archaeological park of Botromagno in Gravina in Puglia.Gravina in PugliaEastern side of the viaduct – from the town side.Participants of the Milan-Taranto 2022 motorcycle race in Piazza Benedetto XIII in Gravina in Puglia.Sassi di Matera. A view from the Plateau in the Chiese Rupestri del Materano Archaeological Park.The church of Our Lady of the Virgin’s (Madonna delle Vergini) in the Chiese Rupestri del Materano Archaeological Park. The Chiese Rupestri del Materano Archaeological Park.
In 2015, I was in Rome during the filming of the car chase sequence for the movie ‘Spectre’. On the streets of the Italian capital, Mr. Hinx chased James Bond in a Jaguar C-X75 car, who was escaping in Aston Martin DB10.
Aston Martin DB10 at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.Jaguar C-X75 at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.
On March 8, filming was taking place on Via Montana Street. A scene was then created in which the chase takes place on a long straight section of the street ending with a sharp right turn. Just before the turn, Bond tried unsuccessfully to shoot at the enemy, but was prevented from doing so by lack of ammunition.
All the cars were parked in front of Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti at Piazzale di Porta Pia. There were only two cars – one Aston Martin DB10 and one Jaguar C-X75 in the scene, however there were more of them on the set.
Temporary parking for film production purposes at Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti.Temporary parking for film production purposes at Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti.
About 10 p.m. everybody on a street could hear engines running – the sound was like on a pit lane on a race track. At first the tracking vehicle with cameras on rigs left the parking lot.
Tracking vehicle drives down the Via Montana.
Some time later Jaguar C-X75 with license plate “ROMA 860K” appeared and drove away on Via Montana Street.
Jaguar C-X75 takes to the Via Montana.Jaguar C-X75 drives down the Via Montana.
And finally the Jaguar DB10 left the parking lot and the filming began.
Aston Martin pulls out of the parking lot onto Via Montana.
On March 10th the final scene of the chase was shot at the Tiber river in Rome. Cars were riding on a road next to the river that you can in a picture below. The crew occupied for the film the street along the river between Umberto 1st bridge and Sisto bridge and there were crew trucks at Ponte Umberto 1st bridge. I was surprised checking that place in Google Street View. In September 2014 when pictures for google were taken, there were trucks of another film crew in the exactly same place!
Along the river there were film lamps prepared for night shooting. After sunset all city lamps and film lamps were on.
The film crew started preparations for shooting. During the day at the Ponte Umberto 1st bridge there were only crew truck parked. In the evening there were many vehicles including tracking vehicle and several Aston Martins and Jaguars on a road at the river.
Tracking vehicle with cameras on rigs.Tracking vehicle with cameras on rigs.
The film crew carefully checked the place where the chase was supposed to end with the Aston Martin crashing into the water.
In the movie there was only one Jaguar chasing one Aston Martin, however on the set there were 3 Aston Martins DB10 and 5 Jaguars C-X75 among only 7 existing in the world. 4 Jaguars were standing in one row next to each other, but the last one was parked a few meters from them with sheet of paper by wiper with „FLAME PROOFED DO NOT TOUCH NON TOCCARE” written on it. All of them had the same license plates numbers: “ROMA860K”. Two Aston Martins had paper sheets by wipers with „NO SMOKING” written on them.
Four Jaguars C-X75Jaguar C-X75
There was one Jaguar and one Aston Martin with remote drive POD system mounted on roofs. Using such system, stunt driver can drive a car sitting in metal cage on a roof of the car, while actor is sitting inside, pretending steering. Seven years after visiting the set, Martin Ivanov, who was stunt driver driving the Jaguar told me: I was driving in POD on Jaguar. I remember that this POD was very strange. We were rehearsing for two or maybe more weeks just driving that POD and trying hand brakes, drifting. It was very hard to drive POD on the Jaguar. It didn’t work as we wanted. The steering was super heavy and not responsive. At the end we used it for maybe three hours one night and that was it. We just drove straight on the street. That was just a few seconds in the movie. (Interview with Martin Ivanov – stunt driver who has played in 4 James Bond films)
Jaguar C-X75 with POD.Aston Martin DB10 with POD.
Around 10 p.m. Aston Martin DB10 and Jaguar C-X75 drove onto the road.
Aston Martin DB10 on the road at Tiber river.Jaguar C-X75 on the road at Tiber river.
At the end of the scene Aston Martin DB10 landed in the river. Six years later, I asked Mark Higgins, who was a stunt driver in an Aston Martin on the set of the film, if he was behind the wheel when the car plunged into the river. He said: No. I think it was on an air ramp so it was actually fired like from a cannon. So we didn’t get to swimming on that one, but me and Martin (Ivanov, who was driving Jaguar C-X75) had to do some underwater testing in a swimming pool at night. We had breathing apparatuses in the cars all the time just in case they went into the water. Just in case something would brake when we were driving along the river or driving down the stairs towards the water. There were always divers around but me and Martin had to go to a swimming pool in the evening and just practice moving the regulator and things like that. (Interview with Mark Higgins – stunt driver who has played in 4 James Bond films) There was no engine in that car. It was filled with foam so it was not sinking fast.
Before Bond ejected, he set fire to the Jaguar following him. I asked Martin Ivanov how it was filmed. He said: We put protection on ebonite on Jaguar. There were gas tanks or something like that mounted in the car. When the fire from Aston hit the Jaguar the gas caught fire.
Burned Jaguar C-X75 from ‘Spectre’ at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.Burned Jaguar C-X75 from ‘Spectre’ at ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2023.
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)
– Ponte Foscarini in Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2023)– Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2023)– Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2023)
– 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)
– Calle Ca’ Genova connects the entrance to courtyard of the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello with Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (location photo: 2023)
– Courtyard of 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. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (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. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (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. Read the story behind the scene: ‘Moonraker’ in Venice. (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: On the set of ‘Spectre’ in Rome, Italy.
– 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: On the set of ‘Spectre’ in Rome, Italy.
– 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: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (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: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (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: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice. (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. (location photo: 2015)
– 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. (location photo: 2015)
– 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.
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.
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.
Via del Rialto over which cables were strung.
Balconies seen in the movie were built just for the purpose of filming. Special scaffoldings were used to place them next to existing balcony 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.
Via del Rialto.Intersection of Via del Rialto and Vicolo del Vannello.
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 jumped from the window of the building at via Via Pantaneto 135 located at the intersection with Via Pagliaresi. 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.
The building at via Via Pantaneto 135. Daniel Craig jumped from from the window located in second row from the roof and first from the right.Via Pantaneto
Bond climbed the gutter to continue the chase on rooftops. It was the gutter on the left at Arco di San Maurizio al Ponte at Via Pantaneto (see next photo).
Arco di San Maurizio al Ponte at Via Pantaneto.The building at via Via Pantaneto 135 on the left and Arco di San Maurizio al Ponte on the right.
The chase ended with a spectacular duel inside the renovated bell tower, from which James Bond emerged victorious. The whole sequence was filmed in the studio. Stuntman Martin, who doubled Daniel Craig in this sequence, recalls his work: It began early October 2007 and finished at the end of February or maybe beginning of March 2008. That was my life – hanging on ropes. I remember that it was hard work, because main unit was shooting on 007 Stage in a day time and we had to shoot at night. It had nothing to do with actual location etc. but it was just logistics and scheduling thing. At 3 a.m. I was 60 feet up in the air with rope wrapped around me. For me personally that was very hard from start to finish. (Interview with Kai Martin – stuntman who has played in 5 James Bond films)
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
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More photos from Siena:
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Palazzo Pubblico at Piazza del Campo.Piazza del CampoPiazza del Campo
JAMES BOND 