Sir Roger Moore Remembered

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A worldwide star before even being cast as Bond, Roger Moore’s easy sense of grace and natural suaveness made the cinematic 007 an unparalleled success in the 1970s and 1980s.

Born in Stockwell, South London, Moore took a number of small acting roles before joining the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where one of his classmates was Lois Maxwell, the future Miss Moneypenny. RADA’s elocution lessons turning him into the perfectly sophisticated leading man.

After a short stint in military service, Moore took on roles in various television and stage productions in New York and London. He went on to sign a three year contract with MGM, which saw him in his first significant role in The Last Time I Saw Paris opposite Elizabeth Taylor.

Moore starred in numerous films and television productions throughout the 50s and was one of the names considered for the role of James Bond in 1961 when Connery was up for the role. When Connery announced he was leaving the franchise in 1966, Moore was again considered for the role. However political unrest in Cambodia, which was to be a key shooting location, coupled with Moore’s commitment to The Saint, prevented him from taking on the role.

Finally in 1972 the schedules matched and Moore took on the role of James Bond. His first outing as Bond in Live And Let Die outgrossed the previous film and confirmed Moore’s casting a success. It was Moore’s decision to leave after A View To A Kill, having been with the franchise for 12 years and starring in seven movies. Moore was famously quoted as saying, “When they start running out of actors old enough to look as though they could be knocked down by Bond, and leading ladies are your mother’s age when you started making Bond, then it’s time you move on.”

By the time he had finished his last 007 movie in 1985, Moore had redefined the character of Bond and bought in over one billion dollars in the box office.

Moore passed away in 2017. He is sorely missed. 

N.Peal Cashmere 007 Collection

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Luxury British brand N.Peal is launching an exclusive 007 Cashmere Collection inspired by more than 50 years of Bond. The collection offers 13 looks inspired by scenes from Goldfinger, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Live And Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights and GoldenEye plus three pieces worn by 007 in Skyfall and Spectre. Available to buy from 18 October the collection includes 24 items in total.

N.Peal began its relationship with the 007 franchise in 2012 for Skyfall with a blue wave round neck knit worn by James Bond. Subsequently N.Peal were asked to create two knits which were worn by Bond in Spectre – a cable knit roll neck, and a superfine mock neck in charcoal which also featured on the Spectre teaser poster worldwide.

The range will be available to buy on the 18th October with exclusive pre-order from the 17th October on www.007store.com

Focus Of The Week: Mollaka

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A freelance bomb-maker, Mollaka (Sébastien Foucan) proves a formidable opponent for James Bond (Daniel Craig) in Casino Royale (2006). Marked by burn scars on his body, his prowess in the art of free-running which, allied with his quick brain and martial arts skill, make him almost impossible to catch. With such a skill-set, Mollaka pushes Bond to his physical limits.

Mollaka is hired by Alex Dimitrios (Simon Abkarian), a middle man working in league with QUANTUM terrorist Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), to destroy the prototype of the world’s largest airliner built by Skyfleet.

In Madagascar, Mollaka spots he is being shadowed by MI6 operative Carter (Joseph Millson) who makes the error of fiddling with his ear-piece. Knowing the bomb and phone in his back pack will incriminate him, Mollaka flees. He eludes Carter by bounding through an empty swimming pool where a mongoose-cobra fight is in full flow. Carter falls victim to the snake but Mollaka soon realises there is another more tenacious MI6 agent on his tail — James Bond.

Speeding for the sanctuary of the Nambutu Embassy, Mollaka sprints into a construction site. Deploying stunning agility, Mollaka zips up a girder forming the skeleton of a building believing this will leave Bond in his wake. However, Bond doggedly pursues Mollaka onto a huge construction crane where a bruising fight ensues.

Determined not to let him get away, Bond tracks Mollaka to the Nambutu Embassy. As Embassy troops surround Bond, he shoots Mollaka dead and escapes with the incriminating back pack and phone by shooting a gas cylinder, creating a distraction of flame and smoke. The incident is captured on CCTV and becomes front page news in England. Yet this doesn’t stop Dimitrios hiring a new bomber Carlos (Claudio Santamaria) to destroy the Skyfleet aircraft.

Happy James Bond Day

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Today is James Bond Day – an annual celebration of the 007 franchise held on October 5th – the date of the World Premiere of the first James Bond film Dr. No in 1962. Keep your eyes peeled for exciting James Bond news and watch out for 007 activations running all day on our partners’ social channels. 

New OMEGA Watch Celebrates Bond

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OMEGA have released a Seamaster Diver 300M to celebrate the 50th anniversary of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) with special 007 detailing.

OMEGA’s new 42mm Seamaster Diver 300M in stainless steel is limited to 7,007 pieces and features a black PVD on black ceramic dial, with a spiral-brushed gun-barrel finish and 9mm bullet head at the centre.

18K yellow gold has been used to create the hands and indexes, including the index at 12 o’clock, which follows the look of the Bond family coat-of-arms. On the 7th day of each month, the number 7 on the date window uses the same font as the 007 logo. There is also a hidden ‘50’ on the 10 o’clock index, which appears by night as a secret signature within the Super-LumiNova.

Presented on a black rubber strap, OMEGA’s new Bond watch is Master Chronometer certified and housed in a stylish black box with gun barrel patterns and bullet-head buttons.

OMEGA has also released an OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond Limited Edition Set, presented in its own Globe-Trotter™ suitcase.

This includes the steel watch described above and a second model in 18K yellow gold, which sports a black rubber strap with an 18K yellow gold buckle. On this watch, the black ceramic bezel features a diving scale in OMEGA Ceragold™.

Focus Of The Week: Fiona Volpe

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The head of SPECTRE’s Execution Branch, Thunderball’s (1965) Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi) is a deadly weapon herself. Cunning, strategic and alluring, she seduces her prey, often by playing on their egos, before sending them to their doom. Volpe plays a key role in SPECTRE’s plan to ransom two atomic weapons and is strong enough to stand up to No. 2 Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), rebuking him for trying to kill James Bond (Sean Connery). She (reasonably) points out Bond’s death would lead to the British Secret Service discovering SPECTRE’s plan.

Volpe becomes NATO pilot Francois Derval (Paul Stassino)’s lover in order to steal the Vulcan plane and its cargo of two atomic bombs, a key component in the plot to blackmail NATO for the sum of $100 million. She sets up Derval to be killed by mercenary Angelo Palazzi (also played by Stassino) who demands more money for impersonating the pilot. Count Lippe (Guy Doleman), the second of three conspirators, threatens Palazzi with a pistol but the more pragmatic Volpe tells him to put it away. She agrees to Palazzi’s requests to keep the plan on schedule.

Once the plan has been successful, Volpe is charged with killing Lippe for hiring the avaricious Palazzi. The following day, Volpe destroys Lippe’s car by shooting a missile from her BSA Lightning A65L motorcycle. She subsequently pushes the bike into a lake to hide the evidence.

Volpe meets Bond when he flags down her car in the Bahamas. As she drives him to the Coral Harbour hotel, he notices the SPECTRE insignia on her ring. Fiona holds British Secret Service operative Paula Caplan (Martine Beswicke) hostage but Caplan takes a cyanide pill before she can divulge any information. Bond discovers Fiona is his closest neighbour and sneaks into her apartment where he finds her in the bath.

The next morning, as Bond leaves, he comes face to face with Largo’s henchmen Vargas (Phillip Locke) and Janni (Michael Brennan) and turns to see Volpe holding him at gun-point. Taking him captive, the group sit in traffic at the Junkanoo street parade until Bond knocks a reveller’s alcohol into the car and uses Volpe’s lighter to set the car interior on fire.

Bond flees into the crowd, pursued by Volpe and her men, and attempts to disappear among the dancers in the Kiss Kiss Club. He starts to dance with a woman but Volpe cuts in. A henchman takes aim at Bond behind a curtain but 007 spins Volpe into the trajectory of the bullet. Bond slips Volpe into an empty chair, quipping to the couple at the table, “Mind if my friend sits this one out? She’s just dead.”

Focus Of The Week: Marco Ange Draco

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Imposing, charismatic with a slight tinge of menace, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’s (1969) Marco Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) is head of the Union Corse, the biggest crime syndicate in Europe. He operates legitimate business concerns including construction, electrical supplies and numerous agricultural holdings as a front for his nefarious activities. He bonds with 007 (George Lazenby) over similar passions — good food and drink (he is partial to Corsican brandy) and a sharp cynical sense of humour — a friendship that becomes stronger when 007 marries his only daughter Tracy (Diana Rigg) — before tragedy strikes on their wedding day.

Bond comes onto Draco’s radar after he saves Tracy from a suicide attempt. The next morning, Bond is kidnapped and taken to Draco’s office. Draco reveals that Tracy is his only daughter and reveals her troubled backstory. Draco was a bandit hiding up in the mountains when he met a romantic English girl. The two fell in love, married and had a child Teresa (Tracy). Twelve years later, when Draco had become the head (capo) of the Union Corse, his wife died, sending Tracy off the rails without parental supervision. Draco watched Tracy run wild but, while he cut off her allowance, he instructed his men to follow her and ensure her safety.

Draco believes Bond is the perfect match for Tracy and offers him £1million if he marries her. Bond refuses but he agrees to keep seeing Tracy in exchange for info about his nemesis Blofeld. Tracy sees through her father’s motives and tells Draco to give Bond the information or she will never see her father again. With his hand forced, Draco reveals Blofeld’s contact is a Swiss lawyer named GebrüderGumbold (James Bree). However Draco’s wishes come true as Bond and Tracy gradually fall in love. 

Later, when Blofeld kidnaps Tracy, Bond enlists Draco’s help to mount a helicopter attack on Blofeld’s alpine hideaway, Piz Gloria. Storming Blofeld’s HQ, Draco and his men rescue Tracy, Draco personally knocking his daughter unconscious to stop her staying behind to help Bond.

At Bond and Tracy’s wedding, Draco presents 007 with a £1million dowry for marrying his daughter but Bond politely refuses. Draco acknowledges that M (Bernard Lee) was the “man who cost me three of my best operators”. M replies “Yes, November 1964 — the bullion job” — a possible reference to the events in Goldfinger. 

Tragically Draco’s time as a father in law is cut short. Leaving on honeymoon, Bond and Tracy are attacked by Blofeld and his henchwoman Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) on a roadside, leaving Tracy dead and Bond bereft. 

Focus Of The Week: Nick Nack

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The Man With The Golden Gun’s (1974) Nick Nack (Hervé Villechaize) is the impish, conniving servant of world class assassin Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee). Residing on Scaramanga’s private island in the South China Sea, Nick Nack performs numerous duties (butler, chef, occasional assailant), arranging hit-men to try and kill Scaramanga in his private fun house maze. These exercises are more than just sport for his master: they are designed to keep Scaramanga at the top of his game and sharp enough to kill James Bond (Roger Moore).

The first killer to take on Scaramanga is dark suited gangster Rodney (Marc Lawrence). As the pair are engaged in a duel in an elaborate shooting range, Nick Nack taunts Scaramanga, telling him he has locked away his arsenal meaning he has to search for his legendary golden gun which Nick Nack has placed at the centre of a maze. Scaramanga manages to outwit his opponent and kill him.

Nick Nack helps Scaramanga in his mission to auction off the world’s first solar energy system. After Scaramanga kills British scientist Gibson (Gordon Everett) Nick Nack steals the Solex Agitator (a device that harnesses the sun’s power) from the lifeless body. Scaramanga’s mistress Andrea Anders (Maud Adams) retrieves the Solex and plans to give it to Bond but is murdered for switching allegiances by Scaramanga and Nick Nack at a Thai Boxing match. As the pair depart Bond’s naïve colleague Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland) attempts to follow them by placing a homing device in Scaramanga’s AMC Matador but she is caught by Scaramanga and bundled into the boot. Bond uses the homing device to track Scaramanga but the assassin outwits 007 when his car converts into a plane, which flies away with Scaramanga, Nick Nack and Goodnight still inside.

Bond pursues Goodnight to Scaramanga’s island, Nick Nack greeting him with a bottle of Dom Perignon — in a moment of bravura marksmanship Scaramanga shoots the cork off.  Nick Nack officiates the duel which ends when Bond kills Scaramanga. 007 and Goodnight escape from the island in a junk ship unaware Nick Nack waits on board, hiding above the bed poised to throw a knife. Goodnight spots him and screams, sparking a fight which ends when Bond shuts Nick Nack in a suitcase and carries him on deck. As 007 returns to Goodnight, it is revealed he has placed Nick Nack in a wicker basket hanging from the boat’s mast as the junk heads for the sunset.

Secret Cinema Presents Casino Royale In Shanghai

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Secret Cinema, today announced its first international expansion into China, in collaboration with SMG Live. They will launch with the current UK show, SMG Live presents Secret Cinema’s production of Casino Royale, in Shanghai on 23 November 2019.  

Secret Cinema Presents Casino Royale opened in London this year to widespread critical acclaim and continues to run, drawing record-breaking crowds of over 120,000 so far; making it the largest and most ambitious production Secret Cinema has ever produced.

Focus Of The Week: The Acrostar “Bede” Jet

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The Acrostar “Bede” Jet made a stunning appearance at the opening of Octopussy (1983) to help Bond (Roger Moore) escape from an unidentified Latin American country. Invented by Jim Bede, the BD-5J Acrostar Microjet is just 3.6 metres (12ft) long with a wingspan of only 3.9 metres (13ft), powered by a single TRS-18 microturbo jet engine capable of a top speed of 514 kph (320 mph).  Obtained and weaponised by Q Branch, it’s a nifty plane that gets Bond out of an impossibly tight scrape.

Bond is on a mission to sabotage a spy plane impersonating moustachioed army officer Colonel Toro. Unmasked and captured, 007 is transported in an army vehicle but gives his guards the slip by pulling the parachutes on his captors, then jumping into a Range Rover convertible driven by colleague Bianca (Tina Hudson). Bond detaches the horse box at the back of the convertible and climbs in. As swarms of army jeeps and motorcycles head towards him, 007 emerges from the trailer in the Acrostar Jet. The folding wings descend and Bond speeds towards the vehicles, taking off just over his pursuers head.

A Rapier surface to air missile is launched at the jet and Bond tries to lose it by flying through a series of ravines and mesas. In a last resort, he decides to fly straight into the hangar housing the spy planes. Colonel Toro’s men scamper to close the huge doors at the far end but Bond’s plane zips through the ever diminishing gap. The pursuing missile smashes into the closed door obliterating the hangar and completing 007’s mission.

In the clear, Bond notices that the jet’s fuel gauge registers almost empty. He lands the plane on a deserted road, pulls into a petrol station and coolly asks the astonished attendant: “Fill her up”.

Shooting the sequence was divided into two sections. To capture the aerial action, stunt pilot J.W. “Corkey” Fornof flew his jet over Southern Utah. For close-ups of the heart-stopping moment Bond manoeuvres the jet through a hangar, special effects supervisor John Richardson mounted a plane on a pole attached to a stripped-down Jaguar. The car was driven through the hangar at breakneck speed, soldiers running in front of the car to hide the chassis. To create the effect of the missile following the plane, Richardson constructed a model plane and attached a flaming firework to it. Simple, but highly effective.