Q-branch staff
A variety of freelance writers who have written content for The James Bond Dossier. To ensure consistency and quality, articles are edited by M prior to publication.
Sean Connery dead at 90
October 31st, 2020 by Q-branch staff
Bond fans around the world mourn the loss of the first man to play James Bond on the big screen. The first actor to play Ian Fleming’s secret agent in a feature film died overnight at his home in Nassau. Connery’s son, Jason, added that the actor had been ill for some time and that […]
>> read articleInterview with editor of the Thunderballs James Bond Picture Archive
December 3rd, 2018 by Q-branch staff
Pete Brooker recently interviewed the editor of the newly launched Thunderballs James Bond Picture Archive for the From Tailors With Love podcast. In the extracts below Marty explains to Pete Brooker how a shelved podcast led to the unofficial Thunderballs James Bond Picture Archive. He also recalls his early experiences with Bond, and talks about what he’d like to see in Bond 25. For […]
>> read articleJohn Hodge
June 20th, 2018 by Q-branch staff
A look at the career of Bond 25 screenwriter John Hodge. Note: in August 2018 John Hodge left the production of Bond 25 alongside director Danny Boyle. Born in 1964, John Hodge is a British screenwriter and dramatist best known for his big screen adaptation of the novel Trainspotting (1996) by Irvine Welsh. The film became […]
>> read articleDanny Boyle
June 8th, 2018 by Q-branch staff
A look at the career of Bond 25 director Danny Boyle. Note: In August 2018 Boyle left Bond 25 along with his writing partner John Hodge. The son of Irish immigrants, Danny Boyle was born in Manchester in 1956. Realising from an early age that he wanted to make movies, Boyle abandoned his studies at the […]
>> read articleSir Roger Moore dies aged 89
May 23rd, 2017 by Q-branch staff
The family of Sir Roger Moore today announced that the much loved actor has died from cancer at the age of 89. Roger Moore was born on the 14th of October 1927 in the city of Stockwell London to Lillian and George Moore, a policeman. After completing his education at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, he moved […]
>> read articleThe life of Ken Adam
March 11th, 2016 by Q-branch staff
In this article we celebrate the life of Ken Adam, the man who was responsible for creating the distinctive look of the early Bond films in his role as Production Designer. Ken Adam’s contribution to the Bond movies has become the stuff of legends. Who can forget the sprawling lair of Dr No or the super […]
>> read articleThe cast of SPECTRE : Léa Seydoux
April 29th, 2015 by Q-branch staff
One of the actresses confirmed by Sam Mendes at the SPECTRE launch event at Pinewood was Léa Seydoux in the role of Madeleine Swann. Léa Seydoux was born in 1985 to Henri Seydoux and Valarie Schlumberger, both of whom are of German decent, her father a successful businessman while her mother is a renowned philanthropist. […]
>> read articleThe cast of SPECTRE : Dave Bautista
March 24th, 2015 by Q-branch staff
When the ad for Mr Hinx went out it was short and to the point. And Dave Bautista, who was eventually cast, could have been born for the role. Here we look at his life and career so far. Dave Bautista was born in Washington on 18th January 1969 to a Filipino father and Greek […]
>> read articleThe cast of SPECTRE : Christoph Waltz
March 17th, 2015 by Q-branch staff
Christoph Waltz was confirmed for SPECTRE by Sam Mendes at the early December press event, a signing already reported in the weeks before filming thanks to a tipoff to the media. Here we take a look at the Austrian actor’s career to date. Christoph Waltz was born on 4th October 1956 in Vienna into a […]
>> read articleThe cast of SPECTRE : Monica Bellucci
March 4th, 2015 by Q-branch staff
Monica Bellucci says she was surprised to be approached by Sam Mendes, initially assuming her role in SPECTRE would be to replace Judi Dench. “Why do you call me? I’m 50 years old… what am I going to do in James Bond?” she demanded of the director. Photo: “Monica Bellucci, Women’s World Awards 2000” by Manfred Werner licensed […]
>> read articleA profile of Bernard Lee, the original M
March 8th, 2013 by Q-branch staff
With Ralph Fiennes introduced as the new M at the end of Skyfall following in the long-serving footsteps of Dame Judi Dench, we take a look at the career of the first actor to play the MI6 boss, Bernard Lee. Bernard Lee was a respected English actor who starred in over seventy different movies during his […]
>> read articleUrsula Andress: 50 years of 007 on the big screen
October 17th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
When Ursula Andress first appeared in Dr No, emerging from the Caribbean dressed in a white bikini, she not only got the pulses of millions racing, but also set the standard by which every following Bond girl would be judged. Cast as Honey Ryder, she helped launch what would eventually become one of the world’s […]
>> read articleJack Lord: 50 years of 007 on the big screen
October 15th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
Although James Bond’s CIA buddy Felix Leiter has been played by a number of actors, Jack Lord’s portrayal of Leiter in Dr No probably remains the most memorable. Although he was approached to reprise his role as Felix Leiter in Goldfinger, he pulled out when agreements between the financial terms of his contract and the […]
>> read articleTerence Young: 50 years of 007 on the big screen
October 14th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
Although Ian Fleming will be forever credited with the creation of James Bond, director Terence Young was responsible in many ways for the evolution of the smooth suave agent that people would later fall in love with. Young’s appreciation for tailored suits, fine wines and beautiful women was remarkably similar to that of Bond and […]
>> read articleSunbeam Alpine: the first screen Bond car
October 9th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
The Bond legend wouldn’t be the same without the cars but while the best known of these is the Aston Martin DB5 that first appeared in Goldfinger, Bond’s very first car was the Sunbeam Alpine from Dr No. 1962 Sunbeam Alpine series II roader (1592cc, top speed 160 km/h) In retrospect, the producers of Bond […]
>> read articleBringing Dr No to the big screen
October 5th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
Although Ian Fleming tried and failed to bring his creation to the big screen, it took the combined efforts of a Canadian and Italian American to bring the first James Bond film to the big screen. This article takes a look at how Dr No came to be made. Interest in bringing Dr No to […]
>> read articleCubby Broccoli: 50 years of 007 on the big screen
October 3rd, 2012 by Q-branch staff
Earlier this week we took a look at the life of Harry Saltzman, who was one of the principal driving forces behind putting James Bond on the big screen. In this article we look at his partner, Cubby Broccoli, with whom he formed Eon Productions and Danjaq. Albert “Cubby” Broccoli was born on Long Island […]
>> read articleHarry Saltzman: 50 years of 007 on the big screen
October 1st, 2012 by Q-branch staff
While Ian Fleming had seen the big screen potential for James Bond early on, his efforts to make a 007 film were ultimately thwarted, despite putting in considerable time and effort into the project. In this article to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the release of Dr No this week we take a look at the life […]
>> read articleLittle Nellie – the Wallis WA-116 autogyro
August 14th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
A look at Little Nellie from You Only Live Twice. After identifying the area in Japan where the Ning-Po was unloaded in You Only Live Twice (1967), James Bond plans on scouting the mountainous area by air and tells Tiger Tanaka, head of the Japanese secret service, to “contact M. Tell him to send Little […]
>> read articleThe Citroën 2CV from For Your Eyes Only
July 12th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
When James Bond arrives in Spain on the tail of Cuban hitman Hector Gonzales in For Your Eyes Only, he sees him killed in front of him, shot with an arrow. Making his escape from the scene he runs into the assassin, Melina Havelock, who turns out to be the daughter of Sir Timothy Havelock, a marine biologist working for the British who had been murdered by Gonzales, triggering Bond’s investigation.
>> read articleRoger Moore: from The Saint to Sir Roger
May 9th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
As part of our celebrations of 50 years of James Bond on the big screen we takes a look at the longest serving actor to play the role, Roger Moore.
>> read articleNo well dressed man should be without one: the Thunderball Jetpack
March 29th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
The world loves Bond but it can be argued that we love his gadgets slightly more. Over the years, movie goers have been thrilled by dozens of impressive gadgets and there are very few of these that are as memorable or as well loved as the Bell-Textron Jet pack. The Bell-Textron Jet pack – or […]
>> read articleThe life of Sean Connery
March 20th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
As part of our celebrations of 50 years of James Bond movies we takes a look at the original James Bond, Sean Connery. Sean Connery’s relationship with the James Bond franchise is a curiously appealing one. Most critics would argue convincingly that Sean Connery’s success and acceptance by the public would have been impossible without […]
>> read articleHow the James Bond films have reinvented themselves over time
February 17th, 2012 by Q-branch staff
When Pierce Brosnan was dropped from the role of James Bond the producers took a big risk in moving away from the established 007 formula and rather than keep the existing timeline of the Bond franchise, they followed the Batman movies to revisit Bond’s early years, long before he had become the smooth secret agent with a licence to kill with a taste for tuxedoes and Martinis.
>> read article50 Years of James Bond Movies
January 1st, 2012 by Q-branch staff
In the last 50 years, 22 official James Bond movies have made their debut on the big screen. If there is one thing the world has come to accept, it is that James Bond will always return—mostly with a blast and girl in arm. The following is a look at all of the past Bond movies and the tiny little details that made each one of them special.
>> read articleAlbert Finney
December 20th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Albert Finney was confirmed for Skyfall in the November press conference, although his role has not yet been announced. Here we take a look at his life.
>> read articleRalph Fiennes
December 16th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Ralph Fiennes was linked to Skyfall months before it got under way, much like Javier Bardem. It was finally confirmed at the press conference in November that Fiennes had been signed in an unspecified role; however there is much discussion that Fiennes could mark the return of Ernst Stavro Blofeld to the James Bond films.
>> read articleJavier Bardem
December 11th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Javier Bardem was confirmed as the as yet unnamed Skyfall villain at the press conference in November. Here we take a look at his life.
>> read articleBérénice Marlohe
December 3rd, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Bérénice Marlohe is a French actress and model who shot to international fame when it was announced that she had been won the supporting role of Bond Girl in Skyfall.
>> read articleHelen McCrory
December 2nd, 2011 by Q-branch staff
While most of the cast were announced at the press conference or in the press release that followed, Helen McCrory was one of two actors confirmed for Skyfall via the official 007 Twitter feed on 7th November. McCrory’s role has yet to be announced.
>> read articleBen Whishaw
November 30th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
During the Skyfall press conference at the beginning of November it was confirmed that Ben Whishaw had been signed in an unspecified role. After speculation in the press it was confirmed by his agent that he would play Q in the new movie.
>> read articleNaomie Harris
November 29th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Following weeks of speculation it was finally confirmed at the SkyFall press conference that Naomie Harris would appear in Skyfall. Although she was widely expected to appear in the film, she told journalists that her character is called Eve; she had been widely tipped to play the part of Miss Moneypenny leading to further speculation […]
>> read articleGuy Hamilton’s influence on the James Bond films
October 12th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
In 1964, after Terrence Young turned down the opportunity to direct the third Bond movie, Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman turned to another young British director instead, Guy Hamilton. The choice of Hamilton was not a particularly surprising one; the producers of the bond movies had long considered him for the position and in fact […]
>> read articleGeorge Lazenby
August 25th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Above: Actor George Lazenby at the November 2008 Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. When Sean Connery announced his retirement form the James Bond films after You Only Live Twice (1967) and Timothy Dalton who was the favoured replacement counted himself out for being too young, Cubby Broccoli began to seriously consider a young Australian as […]
>> read articleVisit the “For Your Eyes Only” monastery in Greece – Agia Triada
July 25th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
For the finale of For Your Eyes Only (1981) – the twelfth James Bond film and the fourth to star Roger Moore – Melina Havelock and Colombo assist 007 to gain access to an abandoned Greek monastery where Kristatos plans to hand over the top secret ATAC over to KGB chief General Gogol. The monastery […]
>> read articleVilla Gaeta, Italy
June 8th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Towards the end of Casino Royale, James Bond tracks Mr White down to a villa on the shores of an Italian lake. Bond calls Mr White’s phone; when he asks who is calling Bond shoots him in the leg and Mr White hits the floor. Bond steps into the frame; “The name’s Bond… James Bond”, he answers as the James Bond Theme blasts out and – at the London premiere at least – the audience cheer.
>> read articleDaniel Craig
April 28th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
Daniel Wroughton Craig was born on 2nd of March 1968 in Chester. His father, Timothy Craig was the owner of two pubs; The Boot Inn and The Ring o’ Bells. His mother, Carol Olivia worked as an Arts Teacher. Daniel spent a part of his childhood in Liverpool and attended the Holy Trinity Primary School. Daniel […]
>> read articleMI6 Headquarters – Vauxhall Cross, London
March 30th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
While it may not be on the list of top sightseeing attractions for most visitors to London, James Bond fans with some time on their hands may want to visit the MI6 headquarters at Vauxhall Cross, which has appeared in several of the recent films, including the Thames boat chase in The World Is Not […]
>> read articleProfile of screenwriter John Logan
February 22nd, 2011 by Q-branch staff
We previously profiled regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who – it was announced by EON Productions in January – will be sharing the Bond 23 credits with a newcomer to the series, John Logan. Logan has penned a wide variety of movies, demonstrating a flair for science fiction with ‘Star Trek Nemesis’ […]
>> read articleA profile of screenwriters Purvis and Wade
February 7th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
When the release date of Bond 23 was announced in January, it was also confirmed that Neal Purvis and Robert Wade would reprise their role as screenwriters for the next Bond movie, as well as new blood in the form of John Logan, responsible for writing ‘The Last Samurai’, ‘Gladiator’ and ‘The Aviator’. Bond 23 […]
>> read articleA profile of Sam Mendes
February 2nd, 2011 by Q-branch staff
When MGM and EON Productions announced the release date for Bond 23 back in January, they also confirmed that Sam Mendes was on board to direct, which had been so strongly rumoured that had been almost accepted as fact. Samuel Alexander Mendes CBE was born on 1st August 1965 in Reading, England. He went to […]
>> read articleVerzasca Dam, Switzerland
January 26th, 2011 by Q-branch staff
When Pierce Brosnan made his James Bond debut in Goldeneye (1995) it was with an extraordinary stunt; a 220-metre bungee jump from the top of a dam that allowed 007 to infiltrate an illicit Soviet chemical weapons facility. The jump, which was voted the best movie stunt of all time by Sky Movies in 2002, […]
>> read articleJames Bond’s Walther PPK
September 11th, 2009 by Q-branch staff
A look at the gun James Bond is most associated with – the Walther PPK. In Dr No James Bond is met with orders from the armourer to hand over his Beretta .25 semi-automatic. In its place he recommends switching to the Walther PPK, a 7.65 mm semi-automatic pistol “with a delivery like a brick […]
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