This 26-minute TV documentary was made in connection with the theater release of "Casino Royale" in 2006. That was EON Productions' film of the first Ian Fleming novel in his series about British Secret Agent 007. And, it ushered in a new face in the role of James Bond. Daniel Craig became the sixth actor to play Bond since the start of the series in 1962.
Rob Brydon narrates this documentary. It has the usual clips of interviews with cast and crew. But, "Becoming Bond" is a good two notches above most of these background specials on the making of movies. For one thing, it introduces Daniel Craig and tells about the hunt for a new James Bond. The film has snippets from the Oct. 14, 2005, EON press conference. Producers announced the end of their two-year search, introduced Craig, and told of their plans for the new film.
The background on the legal entanglements is very interesting. The first novel was made into a 1967 spoof that starred David Niven. With the new film, the producers return to the book for the serious side of Bond.
The overall quality of this documentary is well above most similar shorts. Some of the interviews and film segments are especially interesting. One is the segment with French athlete Sebastian Foucan. He does the exceptional running, leaping and other athletic maneuvers in the opening chase scenes of "Casino Royale." Foucan is the co-founder of the sport of parkour, or free running.
The film has interviews with the producers, director, screenwriters, stunt coordinator casting director, and others of the crew. Ben Cooke comments on his role as Craig's double for stunts. Besides Foucan and Craig, other actors interviewed are Judi Dench (M), Eva Green (Vesper), Caterina Murino (Solange), Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre), and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter).
This is a very good and interesting short film on the sixth star of the Bond series and the making of the first Fleming novel into a film.
Rob Brydon narrates this documentary. It has the usual clips of interviews with cast and crew. But, "Becoming Bond" is a good two notches above most of these background specials on the making of movies. For one thing, it introduces Daniel Craig and tells about the hunt for a new James Bond. The film has snippets from the Oct. 14, 2005, EON press conference. Producers announced the end of their two-year search, introduced Craig, and told of their plans for the new film.
The background on the legal entanglements is very interesting. The first novel was made into a 1967 spoof that starred David Niven. With the new film, the producers return to the book for the serious side of Bond.
The overall quality of this documentary is well above most similar shorts. Some of the interviews and film segments are especially interesting. One is the segment with French athlete Sebastian Foucan. He does the exceptional running, leaping and other athletic maneuvers in the opening chase scenes of "Casino Royale." Foucan is the co-founder of the sport of parkour, or free running.
The film has interviews with the producers, director, screenwriters, stunt coordinator casting director, and others of the crew. Ben Cooke comments on his role as Craig's double for stunts. Besides Foucan and Craig, other actors interviewed are Judi Dench (M), Eva Green (Vesper), Caterina Murino (Solange), Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre), and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter).
This is a very good and interesting short film on the sixth star of the Bond series and the making of the first Fleming novel into a film.