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BMW's three picture deal to supply James Bond's
car came to an end in 1999. MI6 looks at their short
film series with 007 #6 candidate Clive Owen in "The
Hire"...
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Clive Owen in BMW's "The Hire"
22nd February 2005
| A New Ride
GoldenEye debuted the much hyped BMW Z3 for a short stint
in 1995, and BMW returned in 1997's "Tomorrow Never
Dies" with full force with the unusual choice of car
in the form of a 7 series saloon car, and BMW's latest RC1200
cruising motorbike. The three picture deal was finalised
in 1999 with Pierce Brosnan;s third outing as James Bond
in "The World Is Not Enough".
BMW reappraised their role as supplier to Bond with the
retro Z8. In 1999 BMW's Bond contract was up, and was quickly
replaced by the Ford motor company for 2002's "Die
Another Day".
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Above: Clive Owen as "The Hire" in "Star" |
After finishing there contacted time with 007, BMW developed
"The Hire" to feature their cars as the stars of short
films. Currently made up of two seasons of shorts, these Bond-esque
movies highlight the cars as the centre of the action. These shorts
were not released in any mainstream theatres but directly to the
internet. The films are all free available to download from BMW
Films.
Season one focused on a different BMW's in each installment,
however season two focused on the then new Z4 roadster. Each of
the shorts has been given a "Bond Rating" (out of 5
stars) to indicate how 007-esque the films are.
Season One
The debut season in 2001 saw current James Bond contender and
Oscar nominee Clive Owen take on the role of "The Hire",
starring as one of the world's best drivers. The nameless character
performed several stunning feats and was captured on film by various
world renowned directors and produced by David Fincher.
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Ambush (2001)
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Synopsis
On a dark freeway, a van swerves close to the driver
and the door slides open. From inside, masked gunmen
threaten to fire unless the driver stops and surrenders
his passenger, a seemingly harmless man they accuse
of smuggling diamonds. It's a simple choice: Do or
die. Legendary director John Frankenheimer and star
Clive Owen combine talents to create a dramatic chase
with some unexpected twists.
Running Time: 6:06
Stars: Clive Owen, Tomas Milian
Writing Credits: Andrew Kevin Walker
Director: John Frankenheimer
Car: 740i
Bond Rating
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Chosen (2001)
| Synopsis
The driver meets a ship carrying an eight-year-old Tibetan
boy at a dark, deserted New York shipyard. But he's not
the only one waiting. Ang Lee, director of the Oscar-winning
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and star Clive Owen create
a thrilling, yet beautiful, tale filled with mystery.
Running Time: 6:39
Stars: Clive Owen, Mason Lee
Writing Credits: David Carter
Director: Ang Lee
Car: 540i 6-speed
Bond Rating
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The Follow (2001)
| Synopsis
The cunning and tactics of trailing another car quickly
evolve into a mystery rife with deceit, as The Driver
is hired to follow a woman accused of cheating on
her famous husband. Discover acclaimed director Wong
Kar-Wai's ability to play heart against mind in this
drama of mistrust.
Running Time: 8:47
Stars: Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Forest Whitaker
Writing Credits: Andrew Kevin Walker
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Car: Z3 30i and 3M
Bond Rating
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Star (2001)
| Synopsis
The driver faces perhaps his most perplexing challenge:
Coming face-to-face with a hugely talented and successful
rock star. But beneath her beauty lies a problem she always
gets what she wants. Guy Ritchie directs Clive Owen and
a surprise guest star in a battle of power against power.
Running Time: 6:54
Stars: Clive Owen, Madonna
Writing Credits: Guy Ritchie, Joe Sweet
Director: Guy Ritchie
Car: M5
Bond Rating
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Powder Keg (2001)
| Synopsis
Soldiers patrol fields and rural villages. Their mission:
Find a photojournalist who has snapped a picture certain
to unite the world against their leader. Alejandro
González Iñárritu directs Clive
Owen as the photographer's driver and sole hope of
getting him and his film beyond the strongly guarded
border.
Running Time: 8:14
Stars: Clive Owen, Stellan Skarsgard
Writing Credits: Guillermo Arriaga, David Carter,
Alejandro González Iñárritu
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Car: X5 3.0i
Bond Rating
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Season Two
Produced between the Scott Brothers and Jules Daly, the shorter
second season saw bigger names and even more explosive action.
Hostage (2002)
| Synopsis
The driver races to locate a kidnapped victim locked in
the trunk of an abandoned car somewhere on the water's edge.
Linked to her only by cell phone, the driver narrows in
on her location in a desperate race against time and tide.
Preeminent action director John Woo and star Clive Owen
pair to create this fast-paced action thriller.
Running Time: 8:38
Stars: Clive Owen, Maury Chaykin, Kathryn Morris
Writing Credits: David Carter
Director: John Woo
Car: Z4
Bond Rating
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Ticker |
Hostage |
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Ticker (2002)
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Synopsis
The driver rescues a mysterious messenger carrying
an even more mysterious briefcase after an ambush
on a rural highway. As a helicopter gunman relentlessly
pursues them, a game of political intrigue plays out,
with an unforeseen ending. Acclaimed new director
Joe Carnahan helms Clive Owen, Don Cheadle, and F.
Murray Abraham in this thrilling race against time.
Running Time: 8:40
Stars: Clive Owen, Don Cheadle, F. Murray Abraham
Writing Credits: Joe Carnahan, Joe Sweet
Director: Joe Carnahan
Car: Z4
Bond Rating
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Beat the Devil (2002)
| Synopsis
Decades ago, the legendary James Brown sold his soul to
the devil for fame and fortune. Now he wishes to renegotiate.
Hired to take Mr. Brown to a rendezvous with the devil (Gary
Oldman), the driver soon finds himself entangled in fiendish
plans. Tony Scott directs Clive Owen in a satirical duel
between good and evil.
Running Time: 8:40
Stars: Clive Owen, Gary Oldman, James Brown
Director: Tony Scott
Car: Z4
Bond Rating
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DVD
With the great success of the shorts, BMW eventually
released "The Hire" on DVD. If you are looking for better
quality than what is available on the official website, you can
order "The Hire" DVD. The final version disc which is
available contains all eight films plus numerous special features.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 (except "Power Keg" and "Beat
The Devil" which are 1.85:1)
The colours are clear the blacks are solid, and the image clarity
helps deliver the vision of these talented directors superbly.
This vivid colours and no visible distortion mean that the transfers
are one of the highest quality for a non-anamorphic widescreen
release.
Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles: English (Closed Captioning)
If you have your audio set to 2.0 you miss out on a lot of great
sound, so when watching any of these shorts select 5.1 from the
audio menu to enjoy the true experience. The mix on the second
season is richer with a more dynamic and better use of the 5.1.
The best installment for sound is the Ticker.
Extras
Director's Commentary (All
films)
Trailers (Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
Credits/Bios (All films)
"Making of" Videos
(Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
"Making of"
Production Stills (Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
"Making of" Storyboards (Hostage, Ticker)
Machines - Driving Techniques
Machines - Rig Images
The Hire - Cinema Trailer
The Hire - Long Trailer
The Hire - Digital Signage
The Making of The Hire - Season One
The Making of The Hire - Season Two |
Hostage - Vintage Woo
Car Chase
Hostage - Drive and Rescue
Hostage - The Big Spin
Hostage - The Big Jump
Ticker - Humvee Collision
Ticker - The Actor's Craft
Ticker - Chopper Explosion
Ticker - Script to Screen
Beat The Devil - Train Dodge
Beat The Devil - Train Jump
Beat The Devil - Racing The Strip
Beat The Devil - Creating Madness
Beat The Devil - Motion VR
Machines - Overview/Performance (Gallery & Motion
VR for the Z4) |
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These mini action movies give us a taste of future potential
Bond directors and also maybe future 007 star Clive Owen. With
its low cost (or free to BMW owners) this is a must have of both
Bond and automotive enthusiasts.
Images courtesy BMW Films.
