Back to The Bahamas - Thunderball Reunion

[simon]

Some of you may be peripherally aware that I have published the odd book on James Bond’s travels to specific countries. Namely the Cote d’Azur and Italy, the latter was launched at the Matera Film Festival in October 2021.

June 2022 sees the release of ‘Filming James Bond in The Bahamas’, a book that covers not only Bond’s time above ground and below water, but where in The Bahamas the books took us and also to consider where people close to the history of James Bond lived and worked on the islands. For example, Kevin McClory, Ivar Bryce, Ian Fleming, and indeed Fleming’s mother.

Speaking to more than 50 people in research and interview, by way of example, I ask Why was an ice cream truck integral to the filming of Casino Royale?

We are launching this book in The Bahamas with a three day tour around New Providence and Paradise Island for 100 people culminating in the Main Event, the book’s launch at the Atlantis Resort in attendance with Luciana Paluzzi, Martine Beswicke, Diane Hartford and King Errisson, the congas band leader at the Kiss Kiss Club.

Supported by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, hosted by David Zaritsky of The Bond Experience, this will prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Please head over to onthetracksof007.com for the event brochure and tickets.

The coming weeks will see lots of videos and promotions for the preheat.

Please also follow us on;

Instagram;
#simonjamesfirth, #onthetracksof007, #thebondexperience

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBondExperience
https://www.youtube.com/c/onthetracksof007

Facebook
onthetracksof007
TheBondExperience

[simon]

Let's Go Back to the Bahamas and Bond!

[simon]

Join an Exclusive Celebration of James Bond and his Favourite Destination at the Kiss Kiss Club. For one night only, at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, The Bahamas, meet the four stars at the Thunderball Reunion. Cocktails, Bahamian Food, Live Music, Interviews with the stars and the launch of my latest book, Filming James Bond in The Bahamas, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, The Honourable I. Chester Cooper.

For Event Information and Tickets, head to;

BACK to the BAHAMAS - a James Bond reunion event

[Jim]

Looks terrific.

[Dustin]

Totally lovely! Wish I could join that adventure.

[simon]

Thanks fellas.

As above, there will be social posts and videos courtesy of the indefatigable David Zaritsky. Hopefully some of the magic will translate but yes, the journey from book to all this does seem quite incredible. And that is Martijn Mulder for you…!

[simon]

As well as being supported very generously by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, it seems we are now attracting sponsorships and partnerships, very specifically for the one night event, An Evening at the Kiss Kiss Club.

We thank Jack’s Bay Club.

[simon]

FILMING JAMES BOND IN THE BAHAMAS

Together with David Zaritsky of The Bond Experience, we launch this book in the presence of Luciana Paluzzi (now Solomon) on the 16th June on Paradise Island; it will have been one year to the day, that I started the writing process.

With support from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the very first copy will go to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon I. Chester Cooper

Once again with a Stunning cover design by the incomparable Jeff Marshall.

Pre-order now at On the tracks of 007 - The ultimate guide to the James Bond filming locations around the world

@onthetracksof007 @jeffmarshalljamesbond
@jeffmarshallstudio @thebondexperience @tourismtodaybahamas

#simonjamesfirth #filmingjamesbondinthebahamas #jamesbond #jamesbondbooks #jeffmarshalljamesbond
#jeffmarshallstudio #thebondexperience #tourismtodaybahamas #bahamas #thebahamas #casinoroyale #thunderball #neversayneveragain #seanconnery

[simon]

“The Bahamas was just terrific. Bloody hard work, but terrific”, says Martin Campbell, the director of Casino Royale. Not only did the 2006 James Bond film rejuvenate the franchise, it also marked the return of His Majesty’s most loyal secret agent to The Bahamas.

Whether the country and its islands provides by way of glamorous location, transcendent beaches or the exalted blues of it clear waters, The Bahamas has seen cinematic James Bond visit no less than 007 times! Thunderball, Never Say Never Again, Casino Royale, and underwater in You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only and The World Is Not Enough; indication enough for The Bahamas to be considered 007’s favourite destination, as this book will prove.

Speaking to more than 30 people on both sides of the Productions, location owners and those who helped prepare the locations for filming, Simon Firth answers every question imaginable. Illustrated with images from both the archives of On The Tracks Of 007 and those interviewed from the films’ productions, ‘Filming James Bond in The Bahamas’ is the definitive work charting James Bond in film and book as his adventures take you through the beauty and romance of this stunning country.

Featuring a Foreword by Casino Royale’s director Martin Campbell, and an Afterword by production manager Anthony Waye.

[simon]

With both the book and the event being exactly one year in the making by the time we launch on the 16th June, tomorrow, Monday, I fly out to The Bahamas for two weeks of event inspired activity.

And it all starts on Tuesday when three TV crews will consecutively descend upon our holiday home; our New Providence south coast accommodation for the first week.

The week after we transfer for just six days to a studio at the Reef Hotel of the Atlantis Resort for tours, videos, and the launch itself.

And thereafter, whatever is left of me will be boxed and FedExed to the Graycliff for two nights’ rest and recreation.

Never let it be said that visiting The Bahamas is easy!

[simon]

Our lovely main guest, Luciana Paluzzi (now Solomon)

[simon]

Tourism Today: The Bond Experience

And just like that, it is all in the past.

An incredible launch far exceeding any expectations, we had with us Luciana, Martine and King Errisson. We also had representatives from the Ministry of Tourism including the Director General Latia Duncombe and Permanent Secretary Reginald Saunders.

And also one, Jason Connery.

[Double-OhAgent]

Looks like you all had a good time. Wish I could have been there. Good luck with your book. I look forward to getting/reading it.

[simon]

Drawing to an end the shameless self promotion, we are now on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Simon Firth