In our final blog on the many gorgeous Land Rovers to star – yes, star – in Bond movies, we’re going to spy on the three films of Daniel Craig. Craig is vintage Bond, more like the 007 in the original novels than almost any of his predecessors. Tortured and tough, more animal than man at times.
Casino Royale
2006’s Casino Royale was Craig’s first stab at playing – and boy, did he ever deliver. The film’s a tense espionage actioner with a memorable villain, beautiful Bond girl, impressive set pieces and, of course, those glorious Landys. First up, powering through the Ugandan jungle, a Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon. Cut to the Bahamas, where Bond wins his spectacular Aston Martin DB5, and viewers are treated to two classics: the recently released2005 Land Rover Discovery Series III parked up next to an equally fresh 2005 Land Rover Range Rover Sport – Bond’s temperamental relationship with automobiles continues here when he smashes the Landy up. Finally the henchmen chasing Bond down in the second act choose the Land Rover Range Rover Series III – and in a vehicle like that, 007 doesn’t stand a chance!
Quantum of Solace
This movie, which plays out like a revenge thriller after the events of Casino Royale, is considered Craig’s weakest instalment. But what it lacks in intensity, it makes up for with those Landys. The opening sequence, a breathless car chase, shows the Italian carabinieri pursuing Bond in a Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon. Meanwhile, in London, we get a nice close up on the 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 HSE – a newer upgrade on the original 2005 model from Casino Royale. Another Land Rover Range Rover Sport, this time a 2008 HSE, also pops up. And a familiar friend returns near the end of Quantum of Solace – no, not James Bond, although it is his movie – we’re talking about the brief cameo from the Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon.
Skyfall
We previously looked at the Land Rover collection of Skyfall in our first movie blog, but it was certainly the Bond film with one of the highest Land Rover counts. A total of six of them feature – Land Rover Defender 110 Crew Cab; 2011 Land Rover Discovery Series IV; 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2; 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Series III; 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque; and, of course, that awesome Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon makes yet another appearance in a 007 movie.
And that concludes the illustrious line of Land Rovers featured in 007 films. That is, until James Bond, as the movies always remind us, returns.
Here at CWS 4×4 we’re passionate about Land Rovers and 4x4s – whether they’re in the movies or on the road. If you’re looking to for anything from Land Rover Discovery parts to spares for your Defender 110 Station Wagon, we can help. Just contact us on 01458 834930 and see what we can do for you.