The Making of The Living Daylights

Gadget Meister

Well this one seems to have slipped under the radar with all the Skyfall hype at the end of last year. I just happened to see it on Amazon whilst trawling for other stuff. By Charles Helfenstein the guy who brought us The Making of OHMSS, Amazon carries the following blurb:

For the 25th anniversary of the most successful film franchise in history, Cubby Broccoli's Eon Productions launched James Bond in a bold new direction with a spectacular globe-trotting adventure that showcased incredible stunts, gorgeous cinematography, and a smoldering romance set amongst elegant old world Europe and breathtaking vistas of Africa. Go behind the scenes with the cast and crew, and see how veteran director John Glen put together a mammoth effort to take the series back to its thriller origins, rooted by the casting of Timothy Dalton, a noted stage actor and fan of Ian Fleming's novels. Follow the complete history of the film, from the origins of Fleming's short story, through early drafts of the script (where James Bond was a brash young Lieutenant in the Royal Navy), through Pierce Brosnan securing the role then losing it, Dalton's last minute casting, pre-production, shooting, post-production, to the release and marketing of the film. Based on years of research, cast and crew interviews, access to original scripts, storyboards, production memos, call sheets, props, and more, this fascinating look behind the scenes features hundreds of never before published photographs, including a detailed look at deleted scenes.

I obviously ordered it, having enjoyed the first one so much, and even though I've only had a cursery flick through at lunchtime this seems to be of the same high standard. Not much in the way of props but a good reference tome none the less. As with the previous one it has a mix of colour/B&W photos and could have benefitted with being printed on better quality paper but that aside, definitely recommended.

If it transpired that I've just had my head in the sand and everybody knows about it then shoot me :v

UK £34.99 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Living-Daylights-Charles-Helfenstein/dp/098441262X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357914493&sr=1-1

US $49.99 http://www.amazon.com/Making-Living-Daylights-Charles-Helfenstein/dp/098441262X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357914936&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Making+of+The+Living+Daylights

minigeff

Gadget Meister wrote:

If it transpired that I've just had my head in the sand and everybody knows about it then shoot me :v

Watch the birdy, you bar steward.....

http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/40014/hot-new-book-the-making-of-the-living-daylights/

And I've got this, from the Book Depositary Store, and it's bloody fantastic. I just wish that it'd been printed on higher quality paper, but the info is amazingly detailed.

MG -{

texas007

Yes - great book - a must have -{

Gadget Meister

Ahh Jeff, but that's because I never go to, and never realised we had, the Literature Dept.

Is it because I is illerate?

minigeff

Gadget Meister wrote:

Ahh Jeff, but that's because I never go to, and never realised we had, the Literature Dept.

Is it because I is illerate?

Nah it's cos books wif owt dem prity pics in r well borin innit.

PPK 7.65mm

I am glad that I found out about this and ordered a copy from Barnes & Noble when I had the chance. The Living Daylights is my second favorite Bond film of all time, and after having heard about how good the OHMSS book, I feel like I am in for a real treat.

PPK 7.65mm

Just got my copy of the book today. I am really looking forward to reading it, especialy the section on the un-used screenplay by Michael Wilson which was going to show Bond's past and how got to where he is. Also I am glad to see that each chapter has lots of photographs including many which I have not seen before.

ics

looks like a most for littel me -
Thanks fo posting Andy -{

Voituer

Will look for this, really enjoyed OHMSS - well done for posting as I had missed this book

Youknowthename

Must-have book! There obviously went a lot of research into it and the result is amazing. With all those willy nilly compilation books out there, this one is a real treat.

Bond Collectors' Weekends

Youknowthename wrote:

Must-have book! There obviously went a lot of research into it and the result is amazing. With all those willy nilly compilation books out there, this one is a real treat.

Incredible! I think Charles owns about 20,000 magazine articles and microfiche. Amazing insights on a great film.

PPK 7.65mm

I just read the first chapter and a half. Quite an interresting history of the original short story by Ian Fleming, and the unused screen play by Micheal G. Wilson and Richard Maibaum had developed that would have shown Bond's past. Also I love that their are many new pictures in the book that I have not seen any where else.

doublenoughtspy

texas007 wrote:

Yes - great book - a must have -{

My two favorite books. I might be slightly biased.

texas007

doublenoughtspy wrote:

My two favorite books. I might be slightly biased.

Well, you did great and we love them - so what's next and when - please keep us posted -{

minigeff

Please do goldeneye!

Please please please please please please!!

Bond Collectors' Weekends

Good idea. I can put you in touch with Michael France and Bruce Feirstein if you aren't already.

David Schofield

A fine book, but not the masterpiece Charles OHMSS book was.

Possibly a combination of Charles being a victim of his own success with the brilliance of his work on OHMSS, and that TLD has neither the background nor the cinematic quality of OHMSS.

There is no "Lazenby" story to TLD, no legacy other than Dalton's radical switch from the downhill slope of Roger Mooretis; the background to the casting of Dalton is interesting, but Charles seems to have nothing new to unveil - indeed, there are photos of Simon Mccorkindale, John James, Neil Dickson, among others, and yet no detail of whether they were even remotely considered is mentioned. Robert Bathurst's claim he was tested doesn't even rate a picture....

And, of course, D'Abo ain't no Rigg, Baker and Krabbe no Savalas and Steppat, etc. And Glen aint no Peter Hunt here, and the story isn't derived from one of Fleming's best.

So, difficult for Charles to equal his previous effort, but above all its Dalton's story. And the story of the best James Bond of the lot is always worth reading.

texas007

Dalton's Bond is my favorite so it is great!
-{

PPK 7.65mm

I am especialy looking forward to the section on marketing the film and what goodies were produced. I have a pretty good selection of merchandise for The Living Daylights in my James Bond collection, and I am curious to see what else is out their for possible additions to my collection.

Voituer

Would love to see pics of your LD stuff

PPK 7.65mm

@Voituer Okay first chance I get I will take some photographs and upload them to a picture sharing site for everyone to see.

chrisisall

Here's my favourite little piece:

ke02eww

David Schofield wrote:

A fine book, but not the masterpiece Charles OHMSS book was.

Possibly a combination of Charles being a victim of his own success with the brilliance of his work on OHMSS, and that TLD has neither the background nor the cinematic quality of OHMSS.

There is no "Lazenby" story to TLD, no legacy other than Dalton's radical switch from the downhill slope of Roger Mooretis; the background to the casting of Dalton is interesting, but Charles seems to have nothing new to unveil - indeed, there are photos of Simon Mccorkindale, John James, Neil Dickson, among others, and yet no detail of whether they were even remotely considered is mentioned. Robert Bathurst's claim he was tested doesn't even rate a picture....

And, of course, D'Abo ain't no Rigg, Baker and Krabbe no Savalas and Steppat, etc. And Glen aint no Peter Hunt here, and the story isn't derived from one of Fleming's best.

So, difficult for Charles to equal his previous effort, but above all its Dalton's story. And the story of the best James Bond of the lot is always worth reading.

Tosca isn't for everyone.... B-)

Actually I think you've out done yourself Charles.... Ohmss is definitely an easier subject to write about, and it's (fairly recent ) acceptance as a great bond movie gave you a better canvass upon which to base your book... You know I love it.

But rather than rest, or even trod another well beaten path, you took on another Bond leper and I think you smashed it.... I now see the film in a totally different light.

Sections bring a warmth to the casting and editing that I'd missed, and the selection of photographs is a bond junkies dream.

On the subject of sequels, I can imagine the time and money that goes into producing one of these masterpieces and wouldn't blame you if you retired.

But for me, the obvious leper to turn your spotlight onto (other than Quantum) is Licence to kill.

Cheers -{

texas007

Licence to Kill would be great!

Bond Collectors' Weekends

texas007 wrote:

Licence to Kill would be great!

True that... Charles, I have over 50 LTK locations on my database. I just visited Key West last month including many of the spots!

Silhouette Man

I still keep meaning to get this book. The name Charles Helfenstein on a book is a sign of quality, IMHO. Plus, I have the OHMSS book.

ke02eww

Silhouette Man wrote:

I still keep meaning to get this book. The name Charles Helfenstein on a book is a sign of quality, IMHO. Plus, I have the OHMSS book.

Charles will be heartened to read this...

But none the wealthier....

Try typing on this instead

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/098441262X