James Bond crew members who created the magic behind the camera were celebrated at a recent BondStars event at Pinewood Studios...

Behind The Scenes Of Bond Event
26th July 2007

July 22nd 2007 was the date of the “Behind The Scenes Of Bond” event at Pinewood Studios. In previous years Bondstars.com has organised events at the studio with actors from the films (an Afternoon With Richard Kiel; A Celebration of Bond and An Evening with George Lazenby; and Bond Girls Are Forever), but this year’s event was to pay tribute to the men and women who created the magic behind the camera.

Pinewood's mansion house & Gatsby Suite

Upon arriving at 9.30am guests enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits and were able to browse merchandise stalls from Bond and Beyond, the Cinema Store and Robin Harbour. Robert Sellers was on hand to sign copies of his recently published book, The Battle For Bond and Christopher Wood was busy signing copies of his autobiography “James Bond...The Spy I Loved” (BondStars.com has a limited stock of signed copies here). Several of the celebrity guests started arriving, and enjoyed talking informally with fans and signing autographs.

James Devis, John Willis, Jean Goyette and Peter Lamont Andy Carslaw meets screenwriter Christopher Wood

Following a studio tour, encompassing the studio lot, the new 007 stage, London street set and gardens – and including a talk from Terry Ackland-Snow in the new ‘007 Production Design Foyer’ – fans mingled with the guests and enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch in the Pinewood gardens. Despite torrential rain in the days leading up to the event, everyone was blessed with fantastically beautiful weather all day long!

Director John Glen and Dubbing Editor Norman Wanstall Director's John Glen and Lewis Gilbert

Guests during the day included: Directors Lewis Gilbert and John Glen; production designers Sir Ken Adam, Peter Lamont, Terry Ackland-Snow and Peter Murton; writer Christopher Wood; second unit director Arthur Wooster; DoPs Alan Hune and Alec Mills; camera operators John Harris and James Devis; continuity girls June Randall and Elaine Schreyeck; editors Peter Davies, Norman Wanstall and Vernon Messenger; Bond premiere photographer Harry Myers; United Artists Publicist John Willis; production managers Terry Bamber and Malcolm Christopher; voice of the Bond Girls Nikki van der Zyl; stuntmen and co-ordinators Martin Grace and Terry Mountain; production office executives Reg Barkshire and Golda Offenheim.

Legendary production designers Peter Murton, Peter Lamont and Sir Kenneth Adam

Following lunch, attendees assembled in Theatre 7 for 2 ½ hours of film clips, talks and Q&As with special guests – all giving an insight into their working lives and revealing many interesting facts, figures and anecdotes. A cream tea followed, along with more mingling and autograph signing before guests assembled on the patio area for Martin Grace and Terry Mountain’s talk on stunt work, and their wonderfully entertaining stunt demonstration.

Terry Mountain and Martin Grace performing a stunt demonstration Terry Ackland-Snow in the new 007 Production Design foyer

At around 6.15pm, the ever enthusiastic visitors made their way back to the Pine Room to collect their goodie bags of a Pinewood book, Bond DVD, Casino Royale playing cards, magazines and discount vouchers. An absolutely packed day and one of the best ever BondStars events met with unanimous approval from everyone in attendance with everyone asking "now what about next year!"

Many thanks to Gareth Owen and BondStars. Please Note: All photographs are the property of the respective copyright holders and must not be reproduced without prior permission.

Limited stocks of the event programme can be purchased here.

For further event coverage visit Cinema Retro's website.