While on a recent holiday to Malta and during a tour to the 100ton gun emplacement within Fort Rinella. we were able to overlook right into both The Malta Film Studios outdoor water SFX facilities. From the unique vantage point we were able to see activity going on preparing a scene for a new film (title unknown) and where the final scene for The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed.
The water tanks were empty, but when they are full and due to their near sea level location the water tanks and open sea horizon are seamless.
Well worth a visit for any one interested in filming.
Can you tell us more about what you saw from the Production of Bond25 there, please?
We went to Fort Rinella to view the 100ton gun, I was aware the Malta Film Studios were located next door so generally very pleased to have a look into their area next door.
There was no indication, notices or signage whatsoever on what the set up for filming was, plenty of preparation activity being undertaken, truck and FLT's movement and water tank was empty but certainly no mention of anything related to Bond.
Sorry, it looks like I did some wishful reading of your post. Thank you for replying. I'd love to see the 100 ton gun. I watched a youtube video about it earlier this summer. It's really a piece of real-life steampunk and it could shoot halfway to Italy. Did you know Valetta, along with Kirkenes in Northern Norway, were the most frequently bombed towns in Europe in WWII?
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
From my recent vacation in Japan (July-August). While others bring their traveling gnomes, I brought along a couple of my Bond toys:
Though not screen accurate, here's Bond and Aki racing through the Ginza:
Commander Bond, perhaps visiting "Dikko on the Ginza":
Taken not quite from the exact same vantage point, here's Commander Bond visiting Himeji Castle:
Also not canon, but I happened to have with me my reading copy of YOLT that I bought in 1984, on Miyajima Island, a short distance from Hiroshima.
Aki rescuing 007 in her zippy Toyota in front of Osato Chemicals, now known as the New Otani Hotel:
"Am I to say "I love you" to one of these chaps?" Though not at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo arena used in the movie, this was taken at the Arashio-beya Sumo Stable where one can watch Sumo practice for free from the street from 6:30 to 10:00 am. Interestingly, I just learned that both venues were roughly the same distance from my hotel, just a little over 2 km and had I known this I would have also visited that sumo arena for the sake of it being a filming location.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Can you tell us more about what you saw from the Production of Bond25 there, please?
We went to Fort Rinella to view the 100ton gun, I was aware the Malta Film Studios were located next door so generally very pleased to have a look into their area next door.
There was no indication, notices or signage whatsoever on what the set up for filming was, plenty of preparation activity being undertaken, truck and FLT's movement and water tank was empty but certainly no mention of anything related to Bond.
Hope these help on showing proximity of Fort Rinella to the Film Studios.
View we had looking into 'square' water tank
Ariel view showing both water tanks and Fort Rinella
Ariel view of Fort Rinella
Pirate ship berthed on rough ground
Quoting Peppermill: The Bibliography (2012) states that the town is based on the coastal towns of Deauville, just south of Le Havre, and Le Touquet.
I stayed a little bit outside of the main festivities area in the town of Cabourg, an hours drive down the coast from Le Havre. I was lodged in the Grand Hotel, right across from the casino. A solid choice for a little of the Casino Royale roleplay. :007) . Only downside really was, that since I was working, I had take to the road early every morning to get where I needed to be in Bayeaux, Omaha Beach or Vierville Sur Mer. A colleague asked what I was thinking booking that particular hotel, and I had to make a quick lie of "there was nothing else available" .
Anyways, I'll be sure to get back there with little more time and maybe check out the casino also. Food was as excellent as ever in France, and the D-Day 75th was a magnificent but very much a somber celebration. I have a strong feeling, that as the time inevitably marches on and sets its ravages on the heroes of the Longest Day, the 80th. will have more the feeling of remembrance than of celebration.
"I mean, she almost kills bond...with her ass."
-Mr Arlington Beech
Thoroughly enjoyed our short Gibraltar stay as I was able to see and locate the planned visit areas of The Living Daylights that were filmed on the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.
Using maps and some reference photos to align locations was slightly hindered by the changing landscape of tree and vegetation but, most film location structures have mostly remained as filmed and once found were easy to recognise. It was a joy to find them and part of that enjoyment is the admiration for the director and film crew who were able to produce a slick fast moving PTS in a fairly small area.
Any one else planning to go, would recommend maybe first using one of the Official Tour guides as the similar sounding area names and locations can cause confusion if asking for directions once you are there, also options and circumstances always change, and most tourist roadways on the Upper Rock are one way and narrow, meaning there is no going back.
Unfortunately, but understandably essential for all, was the safety barrier maintenance work being undertaken by workmen who were replacing whole lengths of handrailing in two of my planned locations, I was able to get reasonable photos but might just have to make another visit to get better ones.
Earlier than ever expected but recently booked on a cruise for March this year that will not only include visiting Gibraltar (again) but also Cadiz and Casablanca in Morocco so will be able to:
A) re acquaint myself with Gibraltar, hopefully all maintenance work has now been completed (mobile generators no longer there) and will be able to fully appreciate the views and The Living Daylights filming locations as near as possible as seen in 1987.
never to been to Casablanca or Cadiz (or Cuba) so really looking forward to seeing what the Bond interpretation of 'Cuba' looks like. Already started checking Die Another Day filming location areas and accessibility.
Has anyone got recommendations, helpful tips etc for places to visit in Casablanca?
I travel quite a bit with work and have decided to be more purposeful in visiting Bond locations when time permits and I can combine being tourist with the work.
This month I'll be visiting New Orleans with work and have time to visit the street locations from LALD - the opening funeral procession and location of 'Fillet-Of-Soul' - I think it's 834 Charles St but if someone could confirm that I'd appreciate it!
Over the years I've been to various locations but as it was not with the intent of visiting them as Bond locations not sure if they really count!
My name has changed! I’m no longer dufus......now I’m DB6
Comments
The water tanks were empty, but when they are full and due to their near sea level location the water tanks and open sea horizon are seamless.
Well worth a visit for any one interested in filming.
We went to Fort Rinella to view the 100ton gun, I was aware the Malta Film Studios were located next door so generally very pleased to have a look into their area next door.
There was no indication, notices or signage whatsoever on what the set up for filming was, plenty of preparation activity being undertaken, truck and FLT's movement and water tank was empty but certainly no mention of anything related to Bond.
Though not screen accurate, here's Bond and Aki racing through the Ginza:
Commander Bond, perhaps visiting "Dikko on the Ginza":
Taken not quite from the exact same vantage point, here's Commander Bond visiting Himeji Castle:
Also not canon, but I happened to have with me my reading copy of YOLT that I bought in 1984, on Miyajima Island, a short distance from Hiroshima.
Aki rescuing 007 in her zippy Toyota in front of Osato Chemicals, now known as the New Otani Hotel:
"Am I to say "I love you" to one of these chaps?" Though not at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo arena used in the movie, this was taken at the Arashio-beya Sumo Stable where one can watch Sumo practice for free from the street from 6:30 to 10:00 am. Interestingly, I just learned that both venues were roughly the same distance from my hotel, just a little over 2 km and had I known this I would have also visited that sumo arena for the sake of it being a filming location.
Hope these help on showing proximity of Fort Rinella to the Film Studios.
View we had looking into 'square' water tank
Ariel view showing both water tanks and Fort Rinella
Ariel view of Fort Rinella
Pirate ship berthed on rough ground
I stayed a little bit outside of the main festivities area in the town of Cabourg, an hours drive down the coast from Le Havre. I was lodged in the Grand Hotel, right across from the casino. A solid choice for a little of the Casino Royale roleplay. :007) . Only downside really was, that since I was working, I had take to the road early every morning to get where I needed to be in Bayeaux, Omaha Beach or Vierville Sur Mer. A colleague asked what I was thinking booking that particular hotel, and I had to make a quick lie of "there was nothing else available"
Anyways, I'll be sure to get back there with little more time and maybe check out the casino also. Food was as excellent as ever in France, and the D-Day 75th was a magnificent but very much a somber celebration. I have a strong feeling, that as the time inevitably marches on and sets its ravages on the heroes of the Longest Day, the 80th. will have more the feeling of remembrance than of celebration.
-Mr Arlington Beech
Earlier than ever expected but recently booked on a cruise for March this year that will not only include visiting Gibraltar (again) but also Cadiz and Casablanca in Morocco so will be able to:
A) re acquaint myself with Gibraltar, hopefully all maintenance work has now been completed (mobile generators no longer there) and will be able to fully appreciate the views and The Living Daylights filming locations as near as possible as seen in 1987.
Has anyone got recommendations, helpful tips etc for places to visit in Casablanca?
This month I'll be visiting New Orleans with work and have time to visit the street locations from LALD - the opening funeral procession and location of 'Fillet-Of-Soul' - I think it's 834 Charles St but if someone could confirm that I'd appreciate it!
Over the years I've been to various locations but as it was not with the intent of visiting them as Bond locations not sure if they really count!