In 1995, after a six year hiatus, James Bond returned to our screens with a new face, new boss, and new, far more modern attitude. Pierce Brosnan, a leading man on television for years, donned the tailored tuxedo and carried the iconic snub-nosed Walther PPK for the super-spy’s fifth incarnation. His debut as Bond sadly featured none of those glorious Land Rovers – not that we could spot anyway – but his time as Bond wasn’t entirely Landy-free, thank goodness.
Tomorrow Never Dies
In Bond 18, MI6’s finest – and luckiest – officer is sent to uncover the nefarious dealings of Elliot Carver, a press baron loosely – by which we mean totally – based on Rupert Murdoch. Only more evil. The media mogul intends to start World War Three by pitching the Chinese against Great Britain, because hey, bad news sells. During a frantic chase through Saigon, Carver’s henchmen drive a second-generation Landy – the 1995 Land Rover Range Rover P38A. No easy task, even for Bond, given how powerful this machine is!
The World is Not Enough
In Brosnan’s third outing as 007, viewers were treated not only to a villain who literally felt no pain, and Denise Richards playing a nuclear physicist, but also a veritable feast of Land Rovers – the most in any Brosnan Bond. Many of them were background vehicles, perfect for traversing the harsh Azerbaijani terrain. These include the Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon, Land Rover Defender 90 and the 1996 Land Rover Discovery Series I. But an eagle-eyed Landy aficionado will also spot several 1995 Land Rover Range Rover Series II P38A at the funeral of M’s friend, Sir Robert King.
Die Another Day
Die Another Day has a pretty bad reputation amongst Bond fans, not least for its reliance on CGI, outlandish gadgets – which are even more outlandish than usual, one of the most forgettable theme tunes ever put to screen and a Bond Girl, Halle Berry as NSA agent Jinx, who lacks any chemistry with her leading man. But hey, for all its faults, at least it remembered to feature a couple of Land Rovers. The first, a brief cameo from the military vehicle, the 1997 Land Rover 110 XD Defender Wolf. In a later scene, set outside Buckingham Palace, arch-villain Gustav Graves enters the Royal Residence in serious style, riding a brand-new 2002 Land Rover Range Rover Series III. Even the Queen would be impressed with his choice there.
Here at CWS 4×4 we love spotting the different types of Landys in movies. If you’re looking to give your vehicle a spruce up fit for a film star, we can help. We specialise in Land Rover and 4×4 parts, so if you’re seeking parts and spares for your beauty, contact us on 01458 834930, and our professional team will be happy to help.