By Richard Jones It is exactly 70 years since Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published, with the opening feature film in the franchise, Dr No, following nine years later. To celebrate the super spy’s special birthday, we look at seven places that 007 fans should visit. [image: visit Scotland] 1. Glen Coe, Scotland – Skyfall (2012) ...

By Tony Greenway In this ever-changing world in which we live in (to borrow a grammatically dubious lyric from Paul McCartney’s ‘Live and Let Die’), there are three kinds of James Bond fans. There are casual 007 fans, hardcore 007 fans and full-on 007 fanatics. And then there is David Zaritsky, who is in a Bond league of his own. ...

By Karl Hornsey, April 2022 Words such as legend and icon are very much overused these days, but it’s hard to describe the latest evening’s entertainment at York’s Theatre Royal without coming out with at least one of them. Mix together a combination of songs from the James Bond movies with the BBC Big Band and arranger/composer Barry Forgie, and ...

Director: Irvin Kershner Cast: Sean Connery, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Kim Basinger Certificate: 12 By @Roger Crow It’s a sobering thought to realise I’m now the same age Sean Connery was when he made his final ‘007’ movie. Yes, an alt-James Bond movie, like a piece of fan fiction made with millions of dollars. Many of us of a certain age ...

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux Certificate: 12A By @Roger Crow The spring of 2020 was supposed to be that shining light in the cinematic darkness, but you know what struck, and fans were left wondering when the latest 007 epic would be released. Several delays later and it’s like a long glass of water ...

Director: Sam Mendes Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux Certificate: 12 By @Roger Crow “You’re a kite dancing in a hurricane Mr Bond,” remarks Mr White (Jesper Christensen). Remember him? A key player in the Daniel Craig-era Bonds. Shady, enigmatic, and though not in Spectre long, he plays an integral part in the story. Possibly the best line in ...

Director: Sam Mendes Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem Certificate: 12A By @Roger Crow James Bond’s 50th anniversary movie had to be something special. The fact it was released in the year of the London Olympics meant we also saw Daniel Craig’s Bond co-star with the actual Queen in one of those jaw-dropping short films which made the event ...

Director: Marc Forster Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric Certificate: 12A by @Roger Crow When it comes to wearing some nice kit, 007 really looks good in Marc Forster’s lone stab at the Bond saga. I never noticed until a mate pointed out that Daniel Craig is styled after Steve McQueen in this troubled offering. Or that his costumes ...

Director: Martin Campbell Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen Certificate: 12A by @Roger Crow When Daniel Craig made his debut as 007, some fans were up in arms. “He’s too blond for Bond”, said some. “He looks too much like a Carry On veteran”, said others. A few thought he lacked the charisma of Pierce, or the ‘this, that ...

Director: Lee Tamahori Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens Certificate: 12A by @Roger Crow Madonna goes to her local salon to get her roots done but it’s shut. “I guess I’ll dye another day,” she sighs. And that awful gag is better than the lyrics to her stunningly contentious 007 theme. Wordsmiths like Don Black and Anthony Newley crafted ...

Director: Michael Apted Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Robert Carlyle, Denise Richards, Sophie Marceau Certificate: 12 by @Roger Crow Back in 1999 I was so excited when I saw the trailer for Pierce Brosnan’s third outing as 007, it felt like Christmas. And that seasonal holiday provides one of the best double entendres of the 1990s saga. Just a shame the rest ...

Director: Roger Spottiswoode Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Pryce Certificate: 12 by @Roger Crow If I had to pick one 007 pre-credits scene to watch every day for the rest of my life, this would be it. A perfect mix of cast, stunts, effects, editing and score slotting together like elements of a beautifully crafted puzzle. From the opening ...