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Look Up! Look Down! Look Out! Cast and crew and
fans celebrated the 40th anniversary of Thunderball
in style in London on Sunday 20th November 2005. |
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Thunderball 40th Anniversary Event Report
21st November 2005
| It was Double-0-Heaven in London when many
of the cast, crew and extended Bond family reunited for
a special 40th anniversary celebration of Thunderball at
the Cine Lumiere on Sunday, 20 November.
The sold-out event was sponsored by mi6-hq.com, Bondstars.com
and Cinema Retro magazine.
The event gave fans from around the world the opportunity
to relive the magic of Thunderball through the stories and
anecdotes of those who actually made the film.
The festivities allowed many almuni of the film to see
each other again after many years. Highlights of the all-day
event, which began at 3:30 PM and wrapped up after 11:00
PM included Q&A sessions, discussions about and tributes
to Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman and the screening of
a original 35mm pristine print of the film, kindly donated
by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson
and MGM.
The evening was hosted by Gareth Owen and Andy Boyle of
Bond Stars, James
Page and James Wheatley of MI6
and “Essential James Bond” authors Lee Pfeiffer
and Dave Worrall, who also publish Cinema
Retro magazine. |
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Above: The Cine Lumiere, London
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(Above left) The hosts for the evening:
Dave Worrall, Lee Pfeiffer, Gareth Owen, James Wheatley
and James Page. (Above right) Sue St. Johns and Steven Saltzman
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Among Those Attending:
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Sir Ken Adam, who participated in a discussion
of the film hosted by Sir Christopher Frayling
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Legendary lyricist and songwriter Don Black,
who received an award from Cinema Retro for his outstanding
contributions to the film industry, presented by present-day
Bond composer David Arnold.
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Steven Saltzman, who- recounted the life of
his father Harry. Harry Saltzman’s former secretary Sue
St. Johns also shared her memories of her famous boss.
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Cast members Mollie Peters, Martine Beswicke,
Earl Cameron, and stuntman George Leech
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Bond girl Eunice Gayson, who shared her memories
of working with director Terence Young
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Producer Euan Lloyd, who recalled his early
working relationship with Cubby Broccoli
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Peter Janson-Smith, who discussed his friendship
and professional relationship with Ian Fleming
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Justin Llewelyn, who shared amusing anecdotes
about his beloved dad Desmond
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Peter Murton, who recalled working with Ken
Adam on the production design for the film
Above: Art director Peter Murton,
cast members Mollie Peters, Martine Beswicke, Earl Cameron,
and stuntman George Leech |
Highlights
Guests were able to mix, mingle and debate the finer points of
all things related to 007 at a pre-screening champagne reception
sponsored by Tattinger.
Screenings of the rare documentaries The Incredible World
of James Bond (unseen in England since 1965) and the campy
A Child’s Guide to Blowing Up a Motorcar, seen
here in it’s entirety for the first time, courtesy of Ford
Motors.
Above: David Arnold presents the
Cinema Retro award to Don Black |
Amongst the many surprise features was a big screen cinematic
trailer of Electronic Arts' latest James Bond videogame
starring Sean Connery in From Russia With Love.
A treasure trove of Bond gifts and memorabilia were given
away as prizes and every ticket holder received a goody
bag containing - among other items - a special 32 page elaborately
illustrated collectible event programme.
It also included autographs from the stars, and a copy
of Sir Christopher Frayling’s new book about Sir Ken
Adam, autographed by both men.
As a special surprise, ticket holders also received a Sideshow
Collectible 12 inch figure of Sean Connery as James Bond
in Thunderball and issue one of Cinema Retro magazine.
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Above: Attendees were treated to a cinematic
trailer from EA's latest videogame |
Above: Peter Janson-Smith, Euan Lloyd
and Justin Llewelyn |
At the end of the evening, an enthusiastic crowd emerged from
the theatre to compare their thoughts on the night and to debate
the finer points of “The Biggest Bond of All!”.
(Above left) Charlie Higson and Lee
Pfeiffer. (Above right) The Tattinger champagne reception
where guest mingled amongst Thunderball memorabilia |
Reflecting on the event, Lee Pfeiffer said, “This was an
extraordinary evening and a great privilege to pay tribute to
the master craftsmen who put Thunderball on the screen. For many
of us, the film was a seminal moment in terms of cementing our
enthusiasm for James Bond. It’s amazing to see the reverence
people from all over the world have for the film, as evidenced
by their presence here tonight.”
Above: Sir Christopher Frayling and
Sir Ken Adam |
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