In anticipation of the newest James Bond movie: The Quantum of Solace, tripatlas.com/new has decided to take you to all of the hot, exotic and mysterious filming locations and destinations featured in The Quantum of Solace.
Created by Ian Fleming in the 1950’s, the MI6 agent has been to every corner of the world tracking down the bad guys – and The Quantum of Solace is no different. Bond has been to the volcano craters of Kirishima-Yako National Park (from my personal favourite Bond movie, You Only Live Twice); the stunning limestone boulders in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay (from The Man with the Golden Gun); and to Casino Royale in Montenegro (from Casino Royale).
The new Bond movie features James Bond in the form of Daniel Craig in destinations from England to Latin America, Chile to Italy, Mexico and Panama. The Quantum of Solace is set for release on November 14, 2008 and is the 22nd movie of the Bond series, the longest running film series in history.
Love movies? Try going on an Adventure Around the World with Indiana Jones. If you’re tough enough, you can Train to be a Gladiator in Rome just like Russell Crowe. Or, why not book a trip to Visit Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Other Harry Potter Destinations?
Filming Locations & Destinations All Over the World from the Quantum of Solace
Bond movies, like the upcoming Quantum of Solace, are all about the life of glitz, intrigue, luxury, seduction and high-energy action of the MI6 Agent: 007. Likewise, the worldwide destinations where you’ll find James Bond: playing at high-stakes poker competitions and going on high-speed car chases – are just as hot, glitzy and seductive.
Read on to find out about the great destinations where the James Bond: Quantum of Solace movie was filmed. Car chases, boat chases, rooftop chases and more. Don’t worry – no major spoilers ahead.
Sienna, Italy
Shooting of the Quantum of Solace in Italy took place in 3 different regions and 4 locations throughout the country, including Sienna (or Siena).
Scenes were shot at every level in Sienna – literally. Some scenes were shot in Sienna’s underground water distribution and sewers while other scenes were shot on the streets.
Even still, one chase scene that was featured in movie trailers was filmed on Sienna’s red-tiled rooftops, ending with Bond and his foe crashing through the glass ceiling of an art gallery. The chase takes place during the high-energy Palio di Sienna horse race that has been taking place for the past 300 years in Sienna.
Bregenz, Austria
The city of Bregenz in Austria is also home to the Bregenz Opera House, the largest outdoor stage in Europe that boasts a 7,000-seat auditorium. The stage is set on the lake and is essentially an island set across from the amphitheatre-style seating. During the Quantum of Solace shooting, the stage was set up for the opera house’s presentation of Tosca, an opera by Puccini that features a large blue eye in the middle of its stage. It is at the Bregenz Opera House that Bond spies on members of the mysterious and dangerous secret organization behind the plot to blackmail Vesper, his love from Casino Royale.
Lake Garda, Italy
Lake Garda is the largest lake in the country and found halfway between Milan and Venice. You’ll see the lake in the movie’s nail-biting opening car-chase scene as the cars wind and weave along the narrow road.
Baja California, Mexico
It was here in Baja California in Mexico as well as in Chile where several desert scenes for the movie were filmed. In Baja California, various aerial sequences involving a DC3 propeller plane for a dogfight were filmed against the backdrops of the desert mountain ranges. The multiple filming sites for this scene were so remote that the crew had to be transported in and out from their isolated filming locations via helicopter.
The European Southern Observatory in Chile
This observatory in Chile is a self-sustaining city-like complex, built in the middle of the Chilean desert and dedicated to observing astronomy in the southern hemisphere. Here, various desert scenes were filmed for the Quantum of Solace, as well as other scenes within the complex. The observatory offers a hotel and accommodations, electricity/power and other technical facilities. Surrounded by desert, the observatory is an oasis, with lush greenery and glass ceilings within the complex – the perfect spot for a James Bond movie set.
Panama City & the Panama Canal, Panama
Casco Viejo or the “Old City” of Panama City as well as other streets and neighbourhoods throughout Panama City were filming locations for many street scenes. For many of the scenes in Panama, extras were hired locally, many of who can be spotted wearing local or traditional clothing, including a variation of tall bowler hats. Many extras were sourced from Panama’s indigenous Embera Tribe, who are located along the Chagres River along the Panama Canal in Chagres National Park. The Panama Canal is where an exciting street-turned-boat chase sequence takes place, along streets and cafes, finally ending in the Panama Canal.
What’s a classic James Bond movie without a typical, classic upscale party scene with men in rich tuxedos, ladies in luxurious eveningwear and of course, expensive cars with gadgets. This scene in The Quantum of Solace takes place at what were the ruins of the Old Union Club, a place once owned by tyrant Manuel Noriega. Here, Noriega threw parties for generals and the old rich of Panama. The site has been used as a hangout for skateboarders but has recently been purchased and will be converted to a high-end luxury hotel. Producers and casting directors noted that approximately 750-1000 extras were hired for this fancy party.
The Quantum of Solace is out in theatres on November 14th, 2008.