The BBC have published an interview with actor Pierce Brosnan. The interview was conducted by entertainment reporter Amanda Hussain at the Omega Press Conference.
In the interview Pierce mentions Raul's Cuban cigar factory saying, "007 goes to a cigar den seeking information".
The interview can be viewed online at the BBC.
If Goldfinger stands as Sean Connery’s stylistically unique entry to the Bond series, and GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan’s, Live And Let Die is most definitely Roger Moore’s. This is a film that almost stands alone, as an aesthetically exclusive admission to the Bond canon. Primarly the product of an intriguing and captivating religious practice, voodoo.
Although critics are inevitably cautious to grant Live And Let Die anywhere near the praise it deserves they are hardly proving their point to film audiences worldwide. Tom Mankiewicz’s screenplay may play on the notion of humour overtly relied on in Diamonds Are Forever, and for some critics the convoluted plot can prove tiresome. Many condemn the inclusion of Clifton James’s irritably over the top Sheriff J.W. Pepper, but the pace of the movie means you hardly notice the idiosyncrasies, unless you are a looking. If you are looking, you’re not watching the movie as intended.
It is the voodoo essence that stamps an over sized hallmark on Live And Let Die, and no one’s complaining. It seems strange that a Bond film could almost be driven by essentially religious overtones, however, with most of the western world unaccustomed to such a religion we find ourselves intrigued by its macabre connotations and cultural vivacity. From the death of MI6 agent Baines in the opening scenes it is clear there is something ‘a little different’ about this Bond movie. It is also interesting to note a feature so blatant it is amazing many find its inference subconsciously. It is the use of colour that combines the world of Bond with the world of voodoo religion, and allows the two to emphasise the ambience Broccoli, Saltzman and Hamilton are attempting to create. The colours red, black and white, so stark, yet so evocative, they are ‘the’ Bond colours, all you need do is look at the gun barrel sequence to know that if Bond was a nation, it would be signified by a black, white and red tricolour. It is possibly these quintessential Bondian colours that make the film an archetypal Bond picture.
With regards to voodoo religion and its presence in the movie I find many people residing to the fact it is simply an artistic appendage. It is in fact more than relevant to the turbulent political climate of 1970’s America. From the outset it is clear to the 21st century viewer the period in which Live And Let Die was shot, was a time of racial tension and the need for Black Americans to share pride of place with the US natives was as poignant as ever. The rise of the Black Panthers did nothing to help matters, and when actor Yaphet Kotto used the Black Power salute in a promotional photograph it was clear that the action unit were not the only department taking risks.
It seems ironic then that the voodoo religion is one practiced by those enslaved in southern America, the very place the majority of the film unwinds. Is Baines’ death in San Monique a strike for Black power? It is a moment in the movie overlooked by many as just another death. Is it the undoing of white dominance? Inevitably Bond is the victor, and any equality issues viewers might have been looking for have been dispelled in the final moments of the movie. That is until the final shot of the movie, where we see voodoo guardian Baron Samedi alive and well having been killed by Bond a short time before. You may suggest I am looking too far into this, but could this be the filmmakers suggesting, the ‘white’ man hasn’t won or simply the use of voodoo magic as a means to an end.
The official MGM James Bond Website has updated again – this time with Production Newsflash #23 and a lot of information on Stunt Coordinator George Aguilar.
Unfortunately there isn't any new information, but we are promised a report about the Hovercraft Sequene "in a week or so".
The article contains also an Interview with George Aguilar himself and has some very nice pictures in it.
Aguilar talks about the Hovercraft Sequence and also about the Ice Chase which was shot in Iceland earlier this year. "Bond’s are always very stunt intensive. The tricky part is while you’re working on one scene you have coming up something equally big so its staying on top and being prepared", he says.
In another picture you can discover a Korean Temple in the background. Rumours are saying that Spoiler Warning (Highlight To Read) Bond and Zao will fight against each other around this temple.
Be sure to visit the Official James Bond Website!
It seems like every mans fantasy, in bed with a scantily clad Halle Berry or Rosamund Pike. However, just as he felt about the love scenes in The World Is Not Enough, Pierce Brosnan has explained that filming the love scenes for Die Another Day weren't really that good.
The IMDb reports that Pierce has said the idea of stripping down with Halle was highly appealing – until it was put to practice. "They're in both of your knickers, you're trying not to show breasts and nipples and stuff – all the loveliness of life. It's mad, absolutely mad! These love scenes always sound so seductive and lovely and here you are with this beautiful woman, rolling around in the sack, so to speak, and then you have this director under sheets with you, trying to get the shot. If that's not enough, there's also cameras on either side of you."
Fans won't share the same sentiments come November I'm sure.
Born in Scotland an only child James Bond lost his parents, Andrew Bond and Monique Bond nee. Delacroix, to a climbing accident when he was twelve. His parents, who had been mountain climbing in Chamonix, France, left him to the care of his aunt Charmaine Bond.
While with his aunt Bond lived in Canterbury and at the age of thirteen moved to Eton College. However, his educational career at Eton was short-lived, at the age of fifteen Bond was expelled after an ‘incident’ with a maid. Continuing his education Bond was sent to Fettes in Edinburgh, where his father had also studied.
After completing his primary education Bond joined the Ministry of Defence where he rose to the rank of Commander. Eventually becoming a Civil Servant when he joined the OO Division of the Ministry of Defence, now referred to as MI6 and SIS, Bond retains the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy. As a part of the 00 Division Bond was assigned the code number OO7.
Having served on countless missions, all of which remain classified to this day, Bond was recently sent to North Korea to assinate Colonel Moon, a North Korean Colonel intent on the North retaking South Korea. It was known that Colonel Moon was trading next generation weapons for African Conflict Diamond’s. Bond’s initial mission was believed to be a success, as the world was duped in to believing that Colonel Moon was indeed dead. However, he resurfaced over a year later under a different guise and it was time for James Bond to once again save the world.
Last Updated: December 31, 2002
Biographic and listing material is © Copyright CommanderBond.Net and Respective Authors.
Reproduction is not allowed without prior permission.
Fox International has released a new series of promotional pictures from Die Another Day, and they're all looking good.
First off is James Bond at the controls of a hovercraft in North Korea;
Next is an absolutely georgeous image of people inside the Ice Palace. Due to the low lighting and the small crowds it seems this shot may be inbetween takes.
Next is a shot of Bond and Jinx in Cuba. While Pierce is known to enjoy the odd cigar in his private life, this picture does allow for speculation that Bond will be seen smoking again in Die Another Day.
And finally, a shot of the Aston Martin Vanquish being pursued by the Jaguar XKR in Iceland. Note the existing tyre tracks and the holes in the ice?
There are some very promising images there, giving us a glimpse not only of the film but also what the Making-Of book has in store for us.
Few details are known about the ominous Scorpion Girl. Intelligence reports do indicate that she resides in Colonel Moon's North Korean base. Furthermore, it was reported that she had been given the task of torturing a British national held in captivity by Colonel Moon. However, the name of this spy has yet to be discovered.
Actress playing the role yet to be announced.
Last Updated: June 25, 2002
CommanderBond.Net's full cast and crew list can be found here.
Biographic and listing material is © Copyright 2002 CommanderBond.Net and Respective Authors.
A video of the recent Omega Press Conference held in London is now online at Yahoo News.
I'm still personally yet to see the video, however, to view it just follow the above link and look in the right hand column under 'Audio/Video'. You'll see a small picture of Pierce Brosnan and the caption 'Pierce Brosnan Unveils A Few Gadgets'. Simply click on that.
The BBC have posted a special video report on the filming of the hovercraft sequence in Die Another Day. The majority of the footage, which can be viewed online, has already been seen on television world-wide, however, a few snippets may be new to viewers. I do know that Channel 10 News in Australia recently featured the full footage.
The above 'Temple Gates' are shown in the footage, Bond later drives his stolen hovercraft straight through these gates with the villains in tow.
Actor Michael Madsen, who will play NSA Chief Damian Falco when Die Another Day premieres later this year, has told Empire Online how he'll be returning to star in Bond 21 and Bond 22.
However, the speculation that Falco would be a returning villain was ended in the interview. Falco confirmed as head of the NSA he'd have a few run-ins with Bond, however, they'd be a lot more friendly by the end of the film.