SPECTRE (2015)
Production
Producers: Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson
Co-Producers: Daniel Craig, Andrew Noakes, David Pope
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenplay: John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Jez Butterworth
Composer: Thomas Newman
Cast
Q
Ben Whishaw
Ben Whishaw
Max Denbigh / C
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott
Estrella
Stephanie Sigman
Stephanie Sigman
Mission
A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE. Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh, the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M. Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny and Q to help him seek out Madeleine Swann, the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White, who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot. As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz.
Locations
Mexico City, Mexico; London, UK; Rome, Italy; Austria; Morocco.
Pre-Credits Sequence
007 tracks down the illusive assassin Sciarra to complete one last mission for M by eliminating him in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead festival. Despite destroying the building, Sciarra escapes Bond until the two meet up again in a helicopter above the city. After making good on his deed, 007 discovers a clue to the shadowy organisation behind it all.
Title
The title comes from the evil organisation that has been pulling the strings in 007's last three missions and is an acronym for the 'Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion.' James Bond creator Ian Fleming invented the group to be a viable long term enemy for 007 long after the Cold War.
Release Data
UK: 26th October 2015 (12A)
USA: 6th November 2015 (PG-13)
World Premiere: 26th October 2015 (Royal Albert Hall, London, UK)
Running Time: 148 minutes
Classification: 12A (UK), PG-13 (US)
Budget: $250m (unconfirmed)
Worldwide Box Office: $680.6m
US Box Office: $200m
UK Box Office: £95.1m
Best Line
Madeleine: "What is your occupation?"
Bond: "That's not the sort of thing that looks good on a form."
Best Mistake
The fight between Bond and Hinx ends with the henchman falling out of a large sliding door in the cargo carriage. However, in establishing shots, the train consists entirely of passenger cars.
Distinguishing feature
At 148 minutes, this is the longest film in the series and the first where the leading actor also has a production credit (Daniel Craig is Co-Producer).
Vital Statistics
Conquests: 3
Martinis: 1
Kills: 30
"Bond, James Bond": 1
Cut Scenes & Alternate Versions
The last line of the original script when he drives away with Madeleine had Bond echoing his final line from 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', but this was cut.
Craig insisted on reshooting the scene where Moneypenny visits Bond's flat towards the end of filming. Dialogue about gossip at MI6 and theories of why he went to Mexico were removed. The scene also originally ended with Moneypenny hearing a women's voice coming from Bond's bedroom.
The TV version aired on ABC on March 2nd, 2002 was digitally altered. Dark bra straps were placed on actress Lana Wood's originally naked back, and her formerly tan panties were digitally coloured to match.
MI6 Ranking (8/10)
JAMES BOND WILL RETURN
Spectre (2015)
Briefing
SPECTRE (2015) is the new James Bond film and the 24th in the series. It will be the fourth outing for Daniel Craig as 007, and the second film to be directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay by John Logan, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade. The new MI6 team of Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner) and Ben Whishaw (Q) are all reprising their roles. The cast will include Lea Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott and Christoph Waltz. Production commences on December 8th 2014, with location work as early as 5th January 2015 in Austria. The film will also shoot on location in: Erfoud and Tangier, Morocco; Rome, Italy and Mexico City, Mexico. SPECTRE is scheduled for release on 7th November 2015.
