Italy: Exploring the James Bond connections (On the Tracks of 007)

Home to some of the world's most eye-wateringly beautiful cities, architecture, colours and landscapes, it is only since 2006 that the James Bond films have returned time and again to the European country of Italy. A land where the people are as colourful as the land which they inhabit. The only surprise is that in the James Bond films' 60 year history it has taken as long as it has for the country's charms to be recognised and filmically utilised.

With Daniel Craig's James Bond having contributed to the righting of wrongs in Italy in fully four of his five Bond films, Sir Roger Moore having contributed his share daring do in three of his Bond films, Simon Firth charts each of the films' locations along the length and breadth of the country.

Speaking to more than 20 people on both sides of the Productions, location owners and those who help prepare the location for filming, and together with the history of the land, Simon asks;

-How was it ever possible to bring four industrial cranes into the tiny streets of Siena for Quantum Of Solace?

-What was filmed in Malta for The Spy Who Loved Me?

-What town was also considered as a location to film the majority of Italian sequences for No Time To Die?

-Is it possible to buy Mathis' coastal villa from Quantum Of Solace?

-What was Ian Fleming's post war view of Italy? Did his James Bond visit Italy?

-What is Cubby Broccoli's heritage in Italy?

Illustrated with images from both the archives of On The Tracks of 007 and those interviewed from the films' productions, ITALY 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.

Simon Firth became interested in, and subsequently hooked on the world of James Bond when introduced by his father to watch on TV Dr No and, months later, Thunderball. As a family, the cinematic experience of seeing The Spy Who Loved Me left its indelible mark. Moonraker further excited and by the time he had seen For Your Eyes Only, the focus of his future interests was sealed. An interest in art and marketing saw the creation of a collection of film posters and similar promotional material.While in awe of the present day's dissection of the subject matter of James Bond into its infinite parts; Clothes, Cars, Food, Drink, Books, Films, Graphic Novels and the multitudinous contributors and content makers plying their knowledgeable and artistic creativity to discuss such, it is the poster artwork that by and large was the greater attraction within.But following a love for Villefranche sur Mer and the surrounding countryside's impact on the James Bond films with previous books entitled Côte d'Azur and Italy, ensured that Simon would briefly enter the Locations department; with all due deference to those who have steadily worked their way up this explicit ladder.For all things professional, he is a self-employed contract Project Manager working in the Telecommunications and Media sector.

Online since 1995, Onthetracksof007.com is the longest running, James Bond dedicated website onthe internet. Started by Martijn Mulder from the Netherlands, the site is basically responsible for filmtourism as we know it today. Its database, solely dedicated to 'the exotic James Bond filming locationsaround the world', was turned into their first published travel guide 'On The Tracks Of 007' in 2008.Their travel guide series includes a GUIDE TO JAPAN (2017) and a GUIDE TO THAILAND (2020). Thatsame year a collaboration with Simon Firth led to the most recent publication, CÔTE D'AZUR, exploringthe many connections between 007 and the South of France. Since 2017 Mulder frequently organisesinternational James Bond events. In 2017 they held a celebration of 50 years of YOU ONLY LIVE TWICEduring a 2‐week trip to Japan, while in 2019 he accompanied 007 actor George Lazenby during the 10‐day 50th anniversary event for ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. This event in Portugal andSwitzerland became the largest ever cross‐border James Bond fan event, with an attendance of over300 fans from all over the world. Mulder is a self‐employed writer and designer.