The James Bond Archives [Hardcover]

Paul Duncan (Editor)

Book Description

Release date: November 9, 2012

Fifty years of Bond, James Bond

"Bond, James Bond." Since Sean Connery uttered those immortal words in 1962, the most dashing secret agent in the history of cinema has been charming and thrilling audiences worldwide. This impeccably British character created by author Ian Fleming has starred in 23 EON-produced films, played by 6 different actors over five decades.

To celebrate 50 years of this innovative franchise, EON Productions opened their archives of photos, designs, storyboards, and production materials to editor Paul Duncan, who spent two years researching over one million images and 100 filing cabinets of documentation. The result is the most complete account of the making of the series, covering every James Bond film ever made, beginning with Dr. No (1962) and ending with the upcoming Skyfall (2012), including the spoof Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again (1983).

The stunning imagery is accompanied by an oral history recounted by over 150 cast and crew members, relating the true inside story of how the Bond films were made. Containing previously unpublished photography and artwork, as well as production memos from filming, this book is a comprehensive tribute to the legend of James Bond.

• Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the most successful and longest-running film franchise in cinema history!
• Made with unrestricted access to the Bond archives, this XL tome recounts the entire history of James Bond in words and pictures
• Among the 1,100 images are many previously unseen stills, on-set photos, memos, documents, storyboards, posters, and designs, plus unused concepts, and alternative designs
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the people who were there: producers, directors, actors, screenwriters, production designers, special effects technicians, stuntmen, and other crew members
• Includes every Bond film ever made, from Dr. No (1962) to Skyfall (2012)

James Bond films © 1962–2012 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation.
All rights reserved.
 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The editor:
Paul Duncan has edited 50 film books for TASCHEN, including the award-winning The Ingmar Bergman Archives, and authored Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick in the Film Series.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Taschen; 40th edition edition (November 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3836521059
• ISBN-13: 978-3836521055
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 2.5 x 16.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Reference
  • #17 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Direction & Production

More About the Author

I was born at a very young age and have grown older ever since. I have passed the time sharing my passions for films, mystery fiction and comics by publishing, editing and writing books and magazines. I spent my teenage years publishing 'Ark: The Comics Magazine' (1980-1990) and writing graphic novels ('Second City', 'Overload', 'Beautiful People'), before graduating to a life of crime.
I co-founded 'Crime Time' magazine (1995-present), and edited 'The Third Degree: Crime Writers In Conversation', as well as writing some mystery short stories. It was during this time that I discovered the fantastic fiction of Gerald Kersh, who I have championed ever since through many articles and short story collections. (He's famous for the novel 'Night and the City', which was turned into a fantastic Film Noir by Jules Dassin in 1950.) One day, I'll even finish Kersh's biography. Promise.
Unemployed and in need of an income, I founded Pocket Essentials in 1999, edited around 50 titles in the series, and wrote eight of them, including 'Martin Scorsese', 'Alfred Hitchcock', 'Film Noir' and 'Noir Fiction'. This brought me to the attention of the illustrious Mr. Benedikt Taschen, who took me under his wing and told me to make film books. Since 2003, I have happily, if not ecstatically, carried out his wishes by editing over 50 film books for TASCHEN, big and small, including the award-winning 'The Ingmar Bergman Archives'. I've even written a couple of them. Yesterday, somebody told me I had the best job in the world, and for the life of me I cannot find anything wrong with that statement.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible! November 15, 2012

By wayne ponce

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

this book is simply incredible - it is the most elaborate , and visually stunning book about the James Bond movies that I have ever seen - and this includes the 1967 Casino Royale, the 1983 Never Say Never Again and the new Skyfall - catch it while you can because it is destined to become an instant classic and valuable collectible -

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible _--- A must book to have November 16, 2012

By David R. Merriman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

In receveing this book , It comes with a flim strip , Held it up to the light , It was from Dr. NO I must say how please I am , 15 pounds . filled every Bond movie ever made , from Dr, No to Skyfall. This book is a true must to have it may be over $100.00 , But it is well worth it . I never had or saw a book so well done .

David R Merriman

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You Must See This Book To Truly Appreciate It November 19, 2012

By gobirds2 TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

You must truly see this book to appreciate it. It is massive. It is an exceptionally quality publication and profusely illustrated with an over abundance of commentary of many of the Bond crew throughout the series. It is incredible. Some of the photos, the comments and the graphics are so endearing, especially for the earlier Bond films. This is the one book that BOND fans who have been with the series for many years (at least like I have, and there are many of you) MUST have.

I only have one complaint and that is with the coverage of ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. I was once told by author John Griswold (Ian Fleming's James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming's Bond Stories) that Cubby Broccoli had been so disillusioned with many of the Bond fans who had been petitioning to get George Lazenby back, that he instructed Pinewood to empty the vaults of all non-essential documents and media pertaining to ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. If that is the case, that can be the reason why the coverage of ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is so sparse.

That aside, the rest of the book more than compensates for that. You get the sense that the author definitely sees Sean Connery and Roger Moore as the two actors who defined the James Bond series and this is somewhat a homage to their efforts. Don't let this book get by you. It truly is a required Bond book.