Bond in Motion Exhibition at the London Film Museum

London Event Reviews by May B

“Bond, James Bond”. Those immortal words. This is definitely one for the boys - There are cars, motorcycles, boats and all manner of action-packed excitement at the “Bond in Motion” exhibition by the London Film Museum in Covent Garden (Wellington Street). It’s the largest official collection of original James Bond vehicles – many on loan from EON Productions and the Ian Fleming Foundation.

The reception area is a large white space, dominated by a wall of screens playing the best James Bond action scenes with a third scale model of a helicopter suspended above (I learn that this was created with 3D printing). And of course THAT music is playing.

On my audio guide I listen to a stunt man (aka “The Stig” from Top Gear). And down the steps I go into a dark world of stunning cars with additional features including guns, rockets and spikes and action-packed film clips near each one.

I admit that I spent a while staring dreamily at the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. As well as the Aston Martin DB5. And I probably spent a bit too long watching the chase sequences (or Daniel Craig) around a selection of motorcycles.
I was delighted to find the boat from one of my favourite films “Live and Let Die” – which was located in an area where the lights created an underwater effect to show the Bath-O-Sub and other aquatic vehicles (e.g. the submersible Lotus Esprit S1) to best effect. There was a snow area with the Ski-Doo and the Parahawk. And another car (a Ford Mustang) was located next to a large crocodile submarine model.

So many cars and vehicles to see. Even a Citroen 2CV. Upstairs there are sketches, storyboards and artwork as well as real clapperboards to give you a glimpse behind the creative scenes. For £8 you can get your guy dressed in a tux and photographed a la Bond.

There is even a large café – which is eerily lit and ultra-modern with a hint of one of those ice palaces from “Die another day”. There are more displays here and even a Golden Eye themed pinball machine. And dare I mention a large Scalextric track where you can race James Bond themed cars. And then there is a shop right at the end – with all manner of James Bond merchandise and gift ideas including the films on DVD.

So go on. Make his day. Take your man to Covent Garden and release him into this action-packed world of 23 Bond movies, perhaps while you browse around the shops nearby.

Tickets cost £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for children. Under 5s go free. www.ticketmaster.co.uk It’s open seven days a week.

Posted Date
Dec 12, 2014 in London Event Reviews by May B by May B