Tag Archives: movie location

Old War Office Building as MI6 HQ

09 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in A View to a Kill, License to Kill, London, Octopussy, Skyfall, UK

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In three James Bond films the MI6 headquarters, where M’s office was located, was portrayed by the Old War Office Building in Whitehall, London.

Old War Office in London

The Old War Office – Whitehall, London

For the first time the building featured in an establishing shot in “Octopussy”. We can see Whitehall with the Trafalgar Square in background and the Old War Office on the right. Inside the office there were Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) with her assistant – Penelope Smallbone (Michaela Clavell). The producers were looking for someone to replace Lois Maxwell who was playing Miss Moneypenny from the first James Bond film. They could not find anyone for replacement so they decided to introduce the assistant.

In “A View to a Kill” James Bond reported in the MI6 office right after opening credits with Duran Duran song (read more in Duran Duran in “A View to a Kill”). Camera briefly followed one of a horse guard on the other side of Whitehall and turned over to the Old War Office. Inside the office there were 007 and Moneypenny played for the last time by Lois Maxwell. She was the same age as Roger Moore (both born in 1927), who also played in James Bond film for the last time. Lois Maxwell was Miss Moneypenny for 23 years in 14 James Bond films.

For the third time the Old War Office building was presented as MI6 headquarters in establishing shot in “Licence to Kill”, similar to the shot from “Octopussy”. The scene inside the office was filmed in a studio in Mexico.

In all three sequencies there were red double-deckers on the street. They are still present on the Whitehall.Red double-decker in fron of The Old War Office - Whitehall, LondonThe Old War Office building or actually its domed towers (one of them in picture below) returned to James Bond film in “Skyfall”.The Old War Office - Whitehall, London

At the end of the film James Bond was standing on a top of a building looking at London panorama. The scene was filmed on the roof of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DECC). The building can be seen as first from left in a photo below and in background in the next photo. There is also the Union Flag between domed towers on the roof of the Old War Office as it was seen in “Skyfall”.

The Old War Office - Whitehall, LondonThe Old War Office - Whitehall, LondonStanding on the roof James Bond was looking at the Big Ben in background (it can be seen also from the street as presented in photo below). There were two domed towers on the Old War Office on the right.The Old War Office with Big Ben in background - Whitehall, London

Shortly Moneypenny joined Bond standing on the roof. In the next scene they were both talking in MI6 office. The headquarters at Vauxhall Cross (that is real headquarters of British Secret Intelligence Service) was destroyed at the beginning of the filmed so the office returned to Whitehall, but it was not clear to which building.

Sources:
–  A View to a Kill Audio Commentary, A View to a Kill Special Edition, Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation, 2006
– „James Bond. Szpieg którego kochamy” Michał Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
–  Octopussy Audio Commentary, Octopussy Special Edition, Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation, 2006
–   http://www.filmweb.pl
–   http://www.mi6-hq.com

‘Moonraker’ in Venice

26 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by in Moonraker, Venice

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James Bond returned to Venice in 1978 in ‘Moonraker’ (15 years after ‘From Russia with Love’). 007 played by Roger Moore arrived by gondola to St. Mark’s Square.

Gondolas in Venice
Gondolas moored at St. Mark’s Square.
Gondolas in Venice
Gondolas moored at St. Mark’s Square.

He entered the museum-lobby of the Venini Glass Works that belonged to his main opponent – Hugo Drax. The scene was filmed in real Venini shop located at Piazzetta dei Leoncini next to Saint Mark’s Basilica.

St Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy
St Mark’s Square. Piazzetta dei Leoncini in the middle of the picture.

Venice, Italy
Venini shop (left) and the Basilica of St. Mark (right) at Piazzetta dei Leoncini.

The interior of glass museum was shot at Boulogne Studios in France, in a building that had been a Luftwaffe factory during World War II. The lady at the entrance was played by Irka Bochenko. You can read an interview with her in INTERVIEWS section: Interview with Irka Bochenko, who has played in ‘Moonraker’ with Roger Moore.

Venini shop was located at Piazzetta dei Leoncini until 2020. It was closed because of lack of customers during lockdown. It was replaced with Giobagnara shop.

Venini shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice.
Venini shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice in 2019.
Giobagnara shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice, Italy
Giobagnara shop at Piazzetta dei Leoncini in Venice, Italy in 2023.

Bond noticed Dr. Goodhead (Lois Chiles), space specialist working for Drax and followed her. They left the museum with rear exit. That scene was filmed in the courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello. Dr. Goodhed appeared in the door on the right side of the photo presented below and walked towards the place from which the picture was taken.

Venice, Italy
The Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello at the Campiello Pisani.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "
Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello.

Next picture looks similar to the film shot. James Bond was standing behind the column and looking at Dr. Goodhead walking to the stairwell. The stairwell is clearly visible in next pictures taken from another side. It is worth noticing that the same courtyard was used as location in ‘Casino Royale’.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "
Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "
Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "

James Bond finished the fight with the villain Chang by throwing him through the clock face and onto the piano standing under the tower. It was a clock tower called the Torre dell’Orologio located at St Mark’s Square.

In the next scene James Bond pretended that he accidentally met Dr. Holly Goodhead. It was filmed at La Scuola nuova della Misericordia. After short conversation with Dr. Goodhead 007 jumped into the gondola. Bond was soon attacked and a chase began through the Venetian canals.

Chase sequence ended when James Bond arrived at St. Mark’s Square and converted the gondola into a land-capable hovercraft. The sequence with gondola leaving the water (see filming location in photos below) had to be repeated six times because the vehicle was not stable and Roger Moore was falling into water.

Gondolas in Venice

Gondola in Venice

James Bond in the gondola converted into the hoovercraft was riding next to the Doge’s Palace (photo below) and then on St. Mark’s Square (next photos). Specially designed gondola with Ford chassis had a horn to worn surprised tourists. St. Mark’s Square could not be entirely closed so there was a lot of unaware people among actors and extras.

St Mark's basilica in Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

At night James Bond returned to the glass factory dressed as a gondolier. The scene was filmed at the Ponte dell’Accademia bridge with Santa Maria della Salute basilica in background. The place where 007 arrived in gondola is visible on the left side of the picture below).

The Grand Canal in Venice

He opened a padlock with a skeleton key and entered the courtyard that he visited earlier when he was following Dr. Goodhead. The passage between the Canal Grande and the courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello really exists. In picture below the sunlight brightens the place where Roger Moore was standing with the skeleton key. The passage to the Canal Grande is on the right from that place.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "
Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello.

Next picture was taken from James Bond’s perspective. There is an entrance to the staircase visible on the right. He walked there a few seconds later. Dr. Holly Goodhead entered the same entrance after she left the glass museum.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "

Next two pictures were taken from the other side of the fence. There is an entrance to the staircase mentioned before on the right side of the second photo.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "

Venice, Italy

After visiting the laboratory and stealing a sample of deadly fluid, James Bond emerged from the stairwell (on the left in photo below). He was attacked between columns by Chang.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "

Next picture was taken from courtyard side. James Bond and Chang were fighting and slowly moving behind columns from right to left. 007 throwed his opponent against the wall and they both fell into the room full of glass through the door on the left. In the next scene they used the largest amount of breakaway sugar glass ever.

Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello in Venice - filming location of " Moonraker "
Courtyard of Conservatorio di musica Benedetto Marcello.

The Torre dell’Orologio at St Mark’s Square.

The Torre dell’Orologio at St Mark’s Square.

Meanwhile Dr. Holly Goodhead was relaxing in Hotel Danieli. James Bond joined her soon in her apartment. There was a flood during filming, so the film crew had to stop working several times to move power generators to upper floors.

Hotel Danieli in Venice, Italy
Hotel Danieli (second building from right).
Hotel Danieli in Venice, Italy
Hotel Danieli by night.

James Bond will be back in Venice 28 years later in ‘Casino Royale’ with Daniel Craig as 007 – read the story: ‘Casino Royale’ in Venice.

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

Information sources:
– „James Bond. Szpieg którego kochamy” Michał Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011
– http://www.filmweb.pl

‘Octopussy’ in Berlin

11 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Berlin, Germany, Octopussy

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James Bond visited Berlin in ‘Octopussy’. The filming began in 1982 during Cold War, when the city was divided with the Berlin Wall. The film crew didn’t get a permission to enter East Berlin therefore they were working in West Berlin only. They left ‘007 WAS HERE OCTOPUSSY’ sign on the wall.

James Bond arrived to Berlin from India. He was sitting with M in a Mercedes driving on Kurfürstendamm street. He got from M new ID in order to get into East Germany. There was Kaiser Wilhelm Church seen in background (see photos below).

Kaiser Wilhelm Church in Berlin
– Kurfürstendamm street in Berlin.

Kurfürstendamm street with in background Kaiser Wilhelm Church in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Kurfürstendamm street in Berlin.

In the next picture I managed to capture double-decker bus parked on the Kurfürstendamm street almost in the same place as similar bus in the film scene.

Kurfürstendamm street with in background Kaiser Wilhelm Church in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Kurfürstendamm street in Berlin.


In the next scene (that was filmed as the first one, on August 10th 1982) they arrived at Checkpoint Charlie, best known crossing point between West Berlin and East Berlin during Cold War. Currently the Checkpoint Charlie is a tourist attraction.

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.

M got out of the car. James Bond entered East Berlin. The camera showed close the sign warning that you were about to leave the American Sector of Berlin written in four languages. Currently there is a replica of the sign (see photo below).

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.

The film crew didn’t get a permission to go through the Checkpoint Charlie so the car with Roger Moore had to turn around in no man’s land and return to West Berlin. Nowadays everybody can freely walk around that place.

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin - filming location of " Octopussy "
– Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.

Very close to Checkpoint Charlie there is a BACK-FACTORY CAFE with “Octopussy” memorabilia. A model of Acrostar BD-5J Micro Jet known from pre-credits is hanging from the ceiling. There are also many film posters and photos from “Octopussy” on the wall.

Model of Acrostar BD-5J Micro Jet from " Octopussy " in BACK-FACTORY CAFE in Berlin

Model of Acrostar BD-5J Micro Jet from " Octopussy " in BACK-FACTORY CAFE in Berlin

Photos from " Octopussy " in BACK-FACTORY CAFE in Berlin

Photos from " Octopussy " in BACK-FACTORY CAFE in Berlin

Photos from " Octopussy " in BACK-FACTORY CAFE in Berlin


Sources:
– Inside „Octopussy”. An Original Documentary. Directed by John Cork, United Artists Corporation and Danjaq, LLC, 2000
– Octopussy Audio Commentary, Octopussy Special Edition, Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation, 2006

 

‘From Russia with Love’ in Venice

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by in From Russia with Love, Venice

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For the first time Venice made a brief appearance in James Bond film at the end of ‘From Russia with Love’. James Bond (Sean Connery) and Tatiana Romanowa (Daniela Bianchi) kill Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) in a hotel room with a view at San Giorgio Maggiore. In the next scene Bond and Romanova are in a boat under the Bridge of Sighs (photos below).

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice

Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice

They turn right. 007 throws the film of him and Romanova into the water. A few seconds later there is only his waving hand visible with the Doge’s Palace in background. Piazzetta San Marco (picture below) leading to Piazza San Marco is a background for end credits.

Piazza San Marco in Venice


All scenes in Venice were filmed using rear-projection technique. There was only film director Terence Young in Venice who filmed the city in one day only. Actors were filmed in Pinewood studio.

Venice will return in “Moonraker”.

Source:
– „James Bond. Szpieg którego kochamy” Michał Grzesiek, Wydawnictwo Bukowy Las 2011

“Spectre” in Rome – part 1

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by in Aston Martin DB10, Jaguar C-X75, Rome, Spectre, VEHICLES

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Car chase scene in Rome with Aston Martin DB10 and Jaguar C-X75 seems to be one of most exciting scenes in new James Bond film “Spectre”. Although such scenes in movies usually last no more than a few minutes, it takes a few days or weeks to shoot them. It was similar in this case. “Spectre” film crew was working on the scene for several nights in a row. In example on March 2nd 2015 they were filming on Via della Conciliazione (photo below) with St. Peter’s Basilica in background.Via della Conciliazione with Saint Paul Basilica in the middle , Rome , Italy - " Spectre " filming location

On March 8th I was lucky to see the car chase filming on Via Nomentana. All the cars were located at Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti where the film crew built temporary fence (photos below). 

Cars at Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti on James Bond " Spectre " film set in Rome Cars at Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Transporti on James Bond " Spectre " film set in Rome 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.

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 car with cameras left the parking lot.

Tracking vehicle with cameras on James Bond " Spectre " film set in Rome Some time later Jaguar C-X75 with license plate “ROMA 860K” appeared and drove away on Via della Conciliazione street.
Jaguar C-X75 in Rome on James Bond " Spectre " film setJaguar C-X75 in Rome on James Bond " Spectre " film setAnd finally the Jaguar DB10 left the parking lot and the filming began.

Aston Martin DB10 in Rome on James Bond " Spectre " film setVisit LOCATIONS GALLERY on top of the page to see locations photos compared with movie scenes.

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