‘FILMING JAMES BOND IN THE BAHAMAS’ IS A MUST-READ NEW BOOK FOR FANS OF THE 007 SPY THRILLERS
Noted Author Simon Firth details the connection between The Bahamas and the James Bond Movies
Nassau and Paradise Island, AUG. 2022 – A new book ‘ Filming James Bond in The Bahamas’ is a must-read for fans of the James Bond spy thriller films. Written by UK-based author Simon Firth and published by www.onthetracksof007.com/, the book was launched at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the company of stars from the James Bond film Thunderball including Luciana Paluzzi, Martine Beswicke, and King Errisson. Supported by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, guests also in attendance included Jason Connery, son of Sir Sean Connery. A color hardcover book, Simon Firth delves into the rich palette of history that charts how ‘film’ James Bond was conceived in the 1950s, what the Bahamas looked like when the books were being written and showcased in The Bahamas, and the locations used for the seven films that were filmed on the islands, and below in their famously clear waters. Speaking to more than 50 people including property owners, location managers, production managers, archivists, divers, stuntmen, and relatives and friends of Ian Fleming, Ivar Bryce, actor Sean Connery and film producer Kevin McClory, all of whom lived in The Bahamas, Simon Firth spent six months in 2021 writing the book.
A UK-based author of three books about James Bond in locales around the world, Simon Firth says the book ‘ is a celebration of James Bond’s time in The Bahamas’. Second only to Jamaica and that Caribbean island’s links to the character, ‘Film Bond’ began in The Bahamas, between New Providence and Paradise Island. Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory, Ivar Bryce, and Jack Whittingham convened in the islands to come up with McClory’s concept for an underwater James Bond film. That film became Thunderball. Also the author of the books James Bond in the Cote d’Azur and James Bond in Italy, author Firth notes ‘the book is long overdue’. With the wealth of experience now behind him, he began the process. He first created a scope, a list of the subjects that needed to be researched, and then to find those who could provide the on-the-ground experiences and memories to give the text color and context.
Simon Firth spoke to around 50 people as part of the research and interview process including Charles O’Donnell (Ivar Bryce’s grandson), Barbara Carrera from Never Say Never Again, and Gavin McKinney who was the dive master for films The Spy Who Loved Me and The World Is Not Enough. Martin Campbell, the director of Casino Royale, wrote the Foreword to the book, and Anthony Waye, the film’s production manager wrote the Afterword. The author’s experience in talking to the Bahamian people led him to fall in love with The Bahamas. There is much James Bond-related history in The Bahamas and the people he spoke to were so very proud of that history that it made everything easy. One such example was Jim Williams, the owner of a house called Xanadu that was previously built and owned by Ian Fleming’s best friend, Ivar Bryce. Jim was found to be completely up on the history of his house and its importance to the world of James Bond.
As part of the book launch in June, a tour to see many of the James Bond film locations from Thunderball and Never Say Never Again to Casino Royale on New Providence and Paradise Island was organized for attendees. As well, ‘ The Thunderball Reunion’ at a recreated Kiss Kiss Club was held at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. As Director General Latia Duncombe said, “Bond is Better in The Bahamas.” To order a book, https://www.amazon.com/Filming-James-Bahamas-Simon-Firth/dp/9081329480 For more information, www.onthetracksof007.com/
