Bond. James Bond. The ultimate British classic. Over the last 50 years, all James Bond films have become a true cinematic icon known around the world since the first film appeared on the big screens in 1962. The unique character of James Bond is now recognizable in most places around the world.
James Bond was never an ordinary spy. He is known for his mysterious ways, his extremely advanced driving skills, and his unique ability to overcome obstacles with class and elegance. In each remake of the original film, Bond deals with escapist thrills like no one else has ever done.
The classic British film series will reach edition number 25 in November 2020, and if you haven’t watched the films prior to No Time to Die, then we would be lying to say you weren’t missing out. A considerable slice of the series involves high speed car chases, pitting 007 against some of the evilest people on the planet.
In this article, we countdown our top seven Bond car scenes.
Vatican Car Chase — Spectre
In the 2015 spy film, the MI6 agent James Bond put all his efforts in fighting against the global criminal organisation Spectre’s plan to unveil a national surveillance network to carry out criminal activities around the world.
In the iconic Vatican car chase seen, Bond is chased through the beautiful streets of Rome by a Jaguar C-X75 driven by Mr Hinx. Apparently, filming this scene required a lot work, and several shots.
Staggering Crash — Casino Royale
We would be lying if we didn’t admit that the car chase scene in the 2006 Casino Royale created high suspense. In the scene, the Aston Martin DBS v12 crashed while Bond was chasing Le Chiffre. The vehicle was specifically prepared for the scene, and while many were absolutely horrified by the final crash, others were positively amazed by it — so much so that the perfectly executed stunt made it to the Guinness Book of Records in November 2006 for the most cannon rolls in a car.
Remote Magic — Tomorrow Never Dies
Remotely controlling a BMW 7 Series in the middle of a gun shooting. Why not? Who would have thought that such advanced technology existed in 1997? In this iconic scene, Pierce Brosnan is targeted by his enemies, there is shooting all over the multi-storey car park and there he pulls out his high-tech remote that fiercely controls and drives his BMW 7. He even manages to restore a flat tyre during the deadly race with just a click.
Opening scene — Skyfall
The car chase scene in the opening scene of Skyfall is probably one of the most breath-taking, action-packed, unpredicted scenes ever seen in a Bond film. The high-speed chase, which occurred in the busy streets of Istanbul, featured a Land Rover Defender 100 that managed to knock down market stalls, food, and motorcycles. The Audi involved in the risky race couldn’t keep it up with Bond’s skills as it sadly ended up-side down. A big win for Bond, once again.
Viva Las Vegas — Diamonds Are Forever
Another car chase scene, the same extraordinarily skilled Bond. In the Diamonds Are Forever car chase scene, the red Ford Mustang driven by Sean Connery playing the role of James Bond, is run after through the colourful streets of Las Vegas, first by one police car, then two, then three, until Bond skilfully drives his red car through a car park, confusing the chasers who end up crashing with each other.
Fast and Faster — Goldeneye
‘James, is it really necessary to drive quite so fast?’ asked Caroline who was clearly not enjoying the high-speed ride in the Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond. In this scene, Bond races with a red Ferrari 355 driven by Xenia Onatopp across a French mountain road. Caroline is anything but happy about the chase, and orders Bond to stop showing off to another woman.
Ice Ice Baby — Die Another Day
In Die Another Day, Bond is on a mission: investigate the potential link between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul. The spectacular car chase left every viewer sitting on the edge of their seat as Bond races on ice chased by the villain’s Jaguar XKR, while bullets spike through the ice and cars are turned upside down. But Bond never comes unprepared: when things get messy, he sets off his ‘adaptive camouflage’ trick on his Aston Martin and turns completely invisible, leaving his chaser lost and confused. Without doubt a scene packed with action.