Your Three Favorite Settings

edited September 2013 in Bond Movies Posts: 2,483
1. Piz Gloria (OHMSS): Pretty obvious, I'd think. There's scarcely a more beautiful place on earth than the top of a Swiss Alp. But it's not just the breathtaking scenery that makes Piz Gloria so great. The building's lighting (lots of reds, oranges and blues) is mid-century marvelous, as is the architectural design itself. Fleming himself could not have chosen or even constructed a more perfect setting for Blofeld's operations.

2. Afghanistan (TLD): Not so obvious. But being a bit of a desert dweller, I'm naturally attracted to settings such as this. I simply love the expanse, and the towering mountains off in the distance. When watching this sequence, I really am transported to Afghanistan at the tail end of the Cold War.

3. Las Vegas (DAF): If you're a devotee of classic, old Las Vegas, this setting is for you. If not, you can be forgiven for not appreciating it. As for me, I love the shots of all the old casinos and signage that have been imploded and plowed under in the name of "progress," the majesty of the Las Vegas Hilton, the splendid tackiness of the Palms Mortuary, and the remoteness of the surrounding area.
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Comments

  • saunderssaunders Living in a world of avarice and deceit
    edited September 2013 Posts: 987
    Nice idea for a discussion @Perilagu_Khan ,I'd have to agree with you on Piz Gloria (OHMSS) I think that mountain range must be one of the most beautiful places on earth, as a direct contrast I would also choose a beach destination of the Bahamas (circa 1966 TB), as it just seemed livelier and brighter than Jamaica's Crab Key (DN). My third choice would be the Rock of Gibraltar (TLD), it's just such an amazing place and the mix of touristy beauty and Military might is just somehow very appealing to me.
  • edited September 2013 Posts: 2,483
    Good call on the Bahamas. I doubt I'd want to spend much time there today, but in 1965 they had a sassy swank about them that was very magnetic, and TB caught that very well.
  • saunderssaunders Living in a world of avarice and deceit
    Posts: 987
    That scene in CR when Bond gets off the plane with the gigantic Disney hotel in the background is probably a good example of what the Bahamas has sadly become, but back then it must of been amazing for Britons escaping the austerity and drabness of 60's Briton!
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    Again, Piz Gloria. Simply beautiful. Switzerland overall, actually.

    San Francisco, AVTAK. One of my favourite cities.

    Greece, FYEO. Stunning. Beautiful waters and unusual landscapes, such as St. Cyrils.
  • 1. Mt. Kirishima, Kyushu, Japan (YOLT)- The site of Blofeld's volcano. Waterfalls, natural caves, lush forests, hard to beat Mother Nature at her finest. This is my favorite Blofeld locale for sure.

    2. Shanghai (Skyfall)- I've never seen a modern urban city look as stunning as this at night. I've never seen any city that visually blew me away like this one did.

    3. Egypt (TSWLM)- Part of "The Seven Wonders Of The World". Countless travelers over the centuries have gazed in awe at the sheer scale. Enough said.
  • edited September 2013 Posts: 1,497
    1. Piz Gloria - agreed on all accounts. Though I would also include the general area in the Alps, with the surrounding villages during Christmas time and the cable cars going up the mountains. What a relaxing place to be!

    2. Japan (Yolt) - mostly the Medieval countryside: splendid beauty

    3. Scaramanga's Island, Thailand - relaxing on the beach with Ms. Anders, complete with Tabasco table service courtesy of Herve Villachaize - doesn't get much better than that. Plus Scaramanga's dwelling is beautifully accented with mid-century touches like the use of stonework on the walls.

    Runner's Up:

    Karlovy, CR - a city on the river, lots of bold colors

    India, OP - all of it has a very travelogue feel that is perfect for Bond

    Pretty much all of FYEO feels like being on vacation, however I don't think it was quite filmed as brilliantly as it could have been given the settings.
  • 1. Mt. Kirishima, Kyushu, Japan (YOLT)- The site of Blofeld's volcano. Waterfalls, natural caves, lush forests, hard to beat Mother Nature at her finest. This is my favorite Blofeld locale for sure.

    2. Shanghai (Skyfall)- I've never seen a modern urban city look as stunning as this at night. I've never seen any city that visually blew me away like this one did.

    3. Egypt (TSWLM)- Part of "The Seven Wonders Of The World". Countless travelers over the centuries have gazed in awe at the sheer scale. Enough said.

    Another good one. I wish more of SF could have been set in Shanghai.

  • JBFan626 wrote:
    1. Piz Gloria - agreed on all accounts. Though I would also include the general area in the Alps, with the surrounding villages during Christmas time and the cable cars going up the mountains. What a relaxing place to be!

    2. Japan (Yolt) - mostly the Medieval countryside: splendid beauty

    3. Scaramanga's Island, Thailand - relaxing on the beach with Ms. Anders, complete with Tabasco table service courtesy of Herve Villachaize - doesn't get much better than that. Plus Scaramanga's dwelling is beautifully accented with mid-century touches like the use of stonework on the walls.

    Runner's Up:

    Karlovy, CR - a city on the river, lots of bold colors

    India, OP - all of it has a very travelogue feel that is perfect for Bond

    Pretty much all of FYEO feels like being on vacation, however I don't think it was quite filmed as brilliantly as it could have been given the settings.

    I, too, love the entirety of the Swiss setting in OHMSS. The little village of Murren is charming. Heck, I even liked Bern. My dream Bond junket is to stay a while in Bern, take a train to Murren, and spend a bit of time there, preferably right around Christmas.

    I also agree on Scaramanga's Island. Such a bizarre landscape! And, indeed, the design of Scary's house is splendid. In most ways Gun is actually a rather visually stunning film.

  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    My top 3.

    Piz Gloria: OHMSS
    Kingston Jamaica: Dr. No
    Scaramanga's Island: The Man with the Golden Gun


  • Posts: 1,497
    1. Mt. Kirishima, Kyushu, Japan (YOLT)- The site of Blofeld's volcano. Waterfalls, natural caves, lush forests, hard to beat Mother Nature at her finest. This is my favorite Blofeld locale for sure.

    2. Shanghai (Skyfall)- I've never seen a modern urban city look as stunning as this at night. I've never seen any city that visually blew me away like this one did.

    3. Egypt (TSWLM)- Part of "The Seven Wonders Of The World". Countless travelers over the centuries have gazed in awe at the sheer scale. Enough said.

    Another good one. I wish more of SF could have been set in Shanghai.

    If I'm not mistaken, weren't only the establishment shots set in Shanghai and the indoor scenes set in Pinewood? So Bond never actually set foot there. It would have been great to see Bond on the streets of Shanghai - though logistically and financially I understand the challenge.
  • Posts: 1,497
    saunders wrote:
    Nice idea for a discussion @Perilagu_Khan ,I'd have to agree with you on Piz Gloria (OHMSS) I think that mountain range must be one of the most beautiful places on earth, as a direct contrast I would also choose a beach destination of the Bahamas (circa 1966 TB), as it just seemed livelier and brighter than Jamaica's Crab Key (DN). My third choice would be the Rock of Gibraltar (TLD), it's just such an amazing place and the mix of touristy beauty and Military might is just somehow very appealing to me.

    For me, I prefer the more remote and private setting of Crab Key over the more touristy vibe of the Bahamas. But of course I would take both: '62 Jamaica and '65: pretty much are the ultimate vacation spots.

  • saunderssaunders Living in a world of avarice and deceit
    Posts: 987
    JBFan626 wrote:
    saunders wrote:
    Nice idea for a discussion @Perilagu_Khan ,I'd have to agree with you on Piz Gloria (OHMSS) I think that mountain range must be one of the most beautiful places on earth, as a direct contrast I would also choose a beach destination of the Bahamas (circa 1966 TB), as it just seemed livelier and brighter than Jamaica's Crab Key (DN). My third choice would be the Rock of Gibraltar (TLD), it's just such an amazing place and the mix of touristy beauty and Military might is just somehow very appealing to me.

    For me, I prefer the more remote and private setting of Crab Key over the more touristy vibe of the Bahamas. But of course I would take both: '62 Jamaica and '65: pretty much are the ultimate vacation spots.

    The beach where Bond sucks the sea urchin sting out of Domino looked remote and private enough for me and the pale white sand against that lush turquoise sea just seemed absolutely perfect for my taste, mind you if you were to throw in a bikini clad Ursula with Crab Key, well that would be a whole different story...

  • Posts: 479

    1. Piz Gloria, OHMSS: Bit predictable I know, but it can't be denied, a gorgeous, surreal setting, that also has a secluded, lonely, ominous feeling to it, especially in the scenes at night time.

    2. Harlem/San Monique/New Orleans, LALD: Just love the 70s vibe, and the settings are groovy, these places looked really cool, love the Blaxploitation style, especially in Harlem and New Orleans and San Monique (By which I mean Jamaica) is beautiful.

    3. Nassau, TB/CR: In both films, despite the gap in years, it felt the same, such a cool vibe and the lovely beaches and the resort style makes me want to live there.

    Honourable Mentions:
    Hong Kong, TMWTGG
    Rio De Janeiro, MR
    Istanbul, FRWL
    Las Vegas, DAF
  • Posts: 12,506
    That is tough as there have been so many!

    1. Crab Key Jamaica.
    2. Piz Gloria.
    3. Karnak (Egypt).
  • 1. Casino Royale, Montenegro. I can't explain this one. I just love it.

    2. Las Vegas. A perfect time capsule of Bondian sleaze. I desperately want to stay at the Whyte House.

    3. Piz Gloria. Beautifully hidden away in the Swiss Alps, not to mention Ken Adam's brilliance in constructing it. The perfect mix of obvious evil and elengance.
  • Posts: 418
    1. Crab Key, Jamaica
    2. Lake Como
    3. Porto Cervo, Sardinia

    But there have been so many other great settings, its very tough to pick only 3..

    Honorable mentions:
    Piz Gloria and Cortina D'Ampezzo.

  • 2. Shanghai (Skyfall)- I've never seen a modern urban city look as stunning as this at night. I've never seen any city that visually blew me away like this one did. [/b]

    Another good one. I wish more of SF could have been set in Shanghai.

    Agreed, but I was so well satisfied with the aerial shots, the high rise interior sets, and felt like I got the real life feel of the city at night. And I'm sure the Pinewood interiors were spot on for the actual building, they would have researched that much for authenticity. Daytime would have been a completely different animal, so they could get away with what they did here. I just don't get the complaints about what we got.

    Piz Gloria gets a lot of love, indeed beautiful and scenic, but not my absolute favorite. I can only take so much of all that snow. The FYEO locations in Corfu were lush, and the Italian Alps ain't so bad either. The Bahamas are always outstanding for the colorful water (can't wait to stay at the Ocean Club I'm booked there in the spring of 2015 and taking the complete Bond tour of locations), and there of course who could forget Rio? I wish they'd go back there in the near future. My Dad was there on leave during the Korean War and always said it was the most spectacular city he'd even seen.







  • 1) Piz Gloria. It looks amazing, I love the snow, and I've never been skiing or snowboarding before.

    2) Japan, Tokyo and the countryside. YOLT I think has probably the best use of a location in any Bond film.

    3) Space. How brilliant would it be to go to space? ;)
  • Posts: 4,762
    1. Scaramanga's Island in the South China Sea- I wish they'd open that up for vacational purposes! It's gorgeous!

    2. Cortina, Italy- I love the mountainous, snowy landscape in the first portion of FYEO. The ski chase is very well executed using the locations!

    3. The Bahamas in Casino Royale and Thunderball- basically speaks for itself!
  • 00Beast wrote:
    1. Scaramanga's Island in the South China Sea- I wish they'd open that up for vacational purposes! It's gorgeous!

    2. Cortina, Italy- I love the mountainous, snowy landscape in the first portion of FYEO. The ski chase is very well executed using the locations!

    3. The Bahamas in Casino Royale and Thunderball- basically speaks for itself!

    I think Scary Island is really Phuket, which was obliterated by that tsunami several years ago.

  • Posts: 4,762
    00Beast wrote:
    1. Scaramanga's Island in the South China Sea- I wish they'd open that up for vacational purposes! It's gorgeous!

    2. Cortina, Italy- I love the mountainous, snowy landscape in the first portion of FYEO. The ski chase is very well executed using the locations!

    3. The Bahamas in Casino Royale and Thunderball- basically speaks for itself!

    I think Scary Island is really Phuket, which was obliterated by that tsunami several years ago.

    It was a victim of the tsunami? Oh dear....man, what a beautiful landscape gone to ruin. That's disappointing!
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Briefly, for me:

    1) Italy
    2) Greece
    3) Switzerland
  • Posts: 1,497
    00Beast wrote:
    00Beast wrote:
    1. Scaramanga's Island in the South China Sea- I wish they'd open that up for vacational purposes! It's gorgeous!

    2. Cortina, Italy- I love the mountainous, snowy landscape in the first portion of FYEO. The ski chase is very well executed using the locations!

    3. The Bahamas in Casino Royale and Thunderball- basically speaks for itself!

    I think Scary Island is really Phuket, which was obliterated by that tsunami several years ago.

    It was a victim of the tsunami? Oh dear....man, what a beautiful landscape gone to ruin. That's disappointing!

    It's still intact and very much full of tourism from what I can find:

    <url>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293920-d553518-Reviews-James_Bond_Island-Phuket.html</url>;

    <url>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phang_Nga_Bay</url>;
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 5,921
    3. Piz Gloria. Beautifully hidden away in the Swiss Alps, not to mention Ken Adam's brilliance in constructing it. The perfect mix of obvious evil and elengance.

    Ken Adam sat OHMSS out.

  • Posts: 5,745
    Bahamas








    Switzerland


    Japan
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    JBFan626 wrote:
    1. Piz Gloria - agreed on all accounts. Though I would also include the general area in the Alps, with the surrounding villages during Christmas time and the cable cars going up the mountains. What a relaxing place to be!

    2. Japan (Yolt) - mostly the Medieval countryside: splendid beauty

    3. Scaramanga's Island, Thailand - relaxing on the beach with Ms. Anders, complete with Tabasco table service courtesy of Herve Villachaize - doesn't get much better than that. Plus Scaramanga's dwelling is beautifully accented with mid-century touches like the use of stonework on the walls.
    This says it all for me.
  • Places I've Been Too:

    1. New York City, USA - I love it a little more every time that I go. It's a fascinating place. It would be fun to go to the Met or MoMA with Moore's Bond, too!

    2. Jamaica - I have fond childhood memories here. My Mum was born in Kingston and I spent time there, Montego Bay and Spanish Town growing up. I believe Dr. No was filmed a lot around Kingston and St. Ann's Parish and Live And Let Die was filmed around MoBay.

    3. Miami Beach - Perfect for people watching! I'd eavesdrop onto Connery's "Man-Talk."

    Places I'd Love to Visit:

    1. Tokyo, Japan - Japan in generally has always really fascinated me. Progressive yet steeped in tradition.

    2. Vienna, Austria - I think I mentioned that "The Third Man" was one of my favourite films in the favourite films thread. It always just looks so pretty on film. I wouldn't mind going on a date to the opera with Dalton's Bond, either.

    3. San Francisco, CA - Because I've had a handful of people tell me that it's one of the coolest places in North America. It seems it! I hear the food is amazing, too.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    Just going off the top of my head:

    1.) Beach in Cuba - GE. With that setting sun and the waves crashing in, the place looks like heaven.

    2.) Dr. No's Island - DN. I could see me spending many a day getting some sun, having a Mojito, and smoking a cigarette on that beach...sans dragon, of course.

    3.) Lake Como, Italy - CR. It's Lake Como, it's Italy, what more do you need to know?
  • echo wrote:
    3. Piz Gloria. Beautifully hidden away in the Swiss Alps, not to mention Ken Adam's brilliance in constructing it. The perfect mix of obvious evil and elengance.

    Ken Adam sat OHMSS out.

    Well, then, whoever made it really outdid themselves. It's up there with Adam's best.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 13,879
    It's difficult to choose just three, but I've always had a hankering to go to...

    1. The Caribbean:

    Bahamas - Nassau/Paradise Island
    Jamaica - Crab Key/'San Monique'
    Cuba - Havana/'Isla Los Organos' (actually filmed in Spain)
    Haiti - Port-au-Prince

    2. North Africa:

    Egypt - C-C-Cairo and Pyramids!/Karnak
    Morocco - Tangier

    3. Italy:

    Cortina d'Ampezzo
    Venice
    Sardinia - Costa Smeralda
    Lombardy - Lake Como
    Tuscany - Siena

    Honourable mentions:

    Japan
    Miami
    Outer space
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