Sony has just released the new full length trailer for the new James Bond film, Skyfall, as well as these two new photos showing Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem. This one emphasizes plot line as much as action sequences and features quite a bit of footage of Bardem as the villain Silva. There are some spectacularly filmed shots by cinematographer Roger Deakins and very intriguing scenarios. They also resurrect the James Bond theme, a welcome addition that we hope extends to the feature film. Bring it on! Click here to view

When Eon Productions went into production on the 1985 film version of Ian Fleming's short story From a View to a Kill, it was announced that the unusual title would be kept intact for the movie. However, marketing tests showed that the title was confusing to moviegoers, hence the From was dropped and the film was titled A View to a Kill. Jason Whiton of the excellent web site SpyVibe provides insights into Fleming's short story and provides illustrations of how it was presented in a 1964 men's skin magazine, Swank. Click here to view. 

Cinema Retro's Matthew Field explores his inner Bond on a Skyfall motobike.

By Matthew Field

Last Thursday Cinema Retro was invited by Beaulieu Motor Museum to an exclusive peak at two Honda motorcycles that will feature in an epic action sequence in the latest James Bond movie Skyfall. 

Honda announced its partnership with Skyfall by showcasing two CRF250Rs, which have been dressed exclusively for the film. The first is a Turkish police bike ridden by henchman Patrice (Ola Rapace) and the second is a Turkish merchant bike ridden by James Bond. The vehicles were used for the thrilling pre-title sequence, which was shot in Istanbul and Adana earlier this year.

Both bikes feature extensive modifications, courtesy of Chris Corbould’s award-winning special effects team. Stunt co-ordinator for Skyfall, Gary Powell, commented, “We needed a highly verstatile and quality off-road motorbike that could easily be modified without compromising performance or safety. Honda’s CRFs are probably the best off-roaders out there so it’s great that we’ve been able to partner with Honda, as the bikes, whilst heavily modified, were superb to work with.”

Twenty motorbikes were supplied ot the production and dressed accordingly. An example of each now forms part of the Bond in Motion exhibition at Beaulieu, which runs until January 6. Click here for more. 

Cinema Retro has received the following press announcement from Sony and Eon Productions. 

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 12, 2012 – Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of SKYFALLâ„¢, the 23^rd James Bond adventure, confirmedtoday that the character of Q will be making a welcome return to the Bond franchise and the role will be played by Ben Whishaw.

Whishaw becomes the fourth actor to play Bond’s quartermaster affectionately known as Q.   The role began with Peter Burton as Major Boothroyd  in Dr. No, followed by Desmond Llewelyn (in 17 Bond films between 1963-1999), and John Cleese (who appeared as Q’s assistant, R, in The World is Not Enough and was later promoted to Q in Die Another Day). 

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented, “It’s a real thrill to confirm the return of Q in SKYFALLâ„¢ played by the enormously talented, Ben Whishaw. We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series.”

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALLâ„¢, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.  In SKYFALLâ„¢, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.  The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.  Directed by Sam Mendes.  Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

BEN WHISHAW will be seen later this year in Cloud Atlas alongside an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess and Halle Berry, and in the BBC’s “Richard II.”  He will also be seen in the second series of “The Hour” for the BBC, in which he stars opposite Dominic West and Romola Garai.  His films include roles in Bright Star, The Tempest, Brideshead Revisited, I’m Not There, Stoned, Layer Cake, Enduring Love, The Trench, Mauvaise Passé, and the lead roles in My Brother Tom and Perfume opposite Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman.  For television, he also starred in the hugely popular BBC drama “Criminal Justice” which saw him pick up the award for best actor at the 2009 Royal Television Society Awards, Best Actor at the International Emmy Awards 2009 and was nominated for Best Actor at the 2009 BAFTA Television Awards.  His many roles on the British stage include “The Idiot,” “Cock”, “The Seagull,” “Hamlet” (for which he received an Olivier nomination), and “His Dark Materials.”  He will appear in Michael Grandage’s production of “Peter and Alice” in the title role opposite Judi Dench in 2013.  He was a BAFTA Rising Star nominee in 2007.

About Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family.   Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli in 1995 and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. They are currently producing the 23rd film, SKYFALLâ„¢.

By Dave Worrall

Last night saw Cinema Retro attend the exclusive private viewing of Designing OO7 - Fifty Years of Bond Style at The Barbican in London. This unique exhibition showcasing the design, craft and style of a screen icon - James Bond - is superbly designed (by Ab Rogers, and guest-curated by fashion historian Bronwyn Cosgrave and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming) . The exhibition is a must-see event for anyone with an interest in film, let alone James Bond. Produced in partnership with Eon Productions, ably assisted by the head of their archives, Meg Simmonds, the exhibition has amassed over 400 items that reflect the history of Bond over the last 50 years.

Following the press call in the day, the organizers invited people who have worked on the films over the years and also friends of Eon to a champagne reception and private view of the exhibition. And what a show it is! After walking down the red carpet and past the fabled Aston Martin DB5, guests were given their own 'OO7 passport' to gain access to all areas and greeted with a glass (or two) of Bollinger champagne.

Producer Michael G. Wilson (with Barbara Broccoli at his side) addressed the guests with a wonderful tribute speech to those 'background' women and men who have been responsible for creating the 'look' of the James Bond films over the years. Many were in attendance, including: Norman Wanstall, John Glenn, David Arnold, Neal Purvis, Rob Wade, Arthur Wooster, Anthony Waye, John Richardson, Chris Corbould, Debbie McWilliams, Lindy Hemming, and Peter Lamont, Wilson acknowledged Lamont as the production designer who not only took over from Ken Adam, but also oversaw the building of two studios for Eon Productions. Peter received a rapturous round of applause from the appreciative audience.

The entrance to the exhibition is designed to look like the now-famous gun barrel, and after walking through this, you enter a chamber resembling part of Fort Knox, with large metal bars adorning one wall from floor to ceiling. The centre-piece is a large revolving circular bed with a life-size model figure of a golden girl lying across it. From here, guests are led through five rooms and travel down a lift to one exhibit of large-scale models and props. Very impressive.

Entering through the legendary gun barrel.

There are props and costumes galore, including Oddjob's bowler hat, Scaramanga's 'Golden Gun', and even the white bikini worn by Ursula Andress in Dr. No (on loan from Planet Hollywood). The walls are adorned with production designs, sketches and storyboards, and they have even managed to squeeze in the BMW motorcycle from Tomorrow Never Die, too. It was also great to see the original attache case and prototype of Rosa Klebb's flick-knife shoe, both iconic props seen in From Russia With Love. It certainly brings back many memories of a series of films that have entertained generations of movie goers the world over.

Cinema Retro has received the following notice from Bondstars.com

We are now taking pre-orders for the limited edition version of Eunice Gayson's autobiography - The First Lady of Bond.

This special 500 copy signed\numbered bookplate Limited Edition is not available in the shops or through on-line retailers; it evokes the title design of Dr No and indeed ties in with the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond film premiering and of Eunice’s legendary screen appearance. It is exclusively available through this website or in person at a few personal appearance Eunice will be making in October and November 2012.

For more information please visit - www.bondstars.com/firstladyofbond/

We are happy to announce that Tom Chadbon, Pavel Douglas, Joseph Millson, Sylvana Henriques and Carole Ashby have joined Bondstars.com

www.bondstars.com/bondstars