Bond in Motion

by Patrick Verheeken on 08/12/2022

On 9 December, the doors of Palace 1 at Brussels Expo will open for the ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition. Brussels is thus taking in a first of its kind exhibition that has not been shown in this form before.

Top organisation

When I spoke to the organisers, it was soon clear: this exhibition is the biggest ever of James Bond. It surpasses the London and Los Angeles expo, partly because of this, James Bond fans from all over Europe are expected to attend in the coming months.

During the press preview, some key people were introduced who are all involved in the James Bond films in one way or another.

From right to left, we see Meg Simons. She is the archivist of EON Productions and manages the huge James Bond archive. That ranges from a Bond watch to a helicopter, so she was also crucial in helping to organise the exhibition.

Chris Corbould is the special effects supervisor. He worked on no less than 15 Bond films including the latest ‘No Time To Die’.

Lee Morrison also spoke briefly, he is the special effects stunt coordinator and has also worked on 15 films including No Time To Die, Goldeneye, Casino Royal, Skyfall, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, …

The exhibition was solemnly opened by Brussels mayor Phillipe Close, British ambassador Martin Shearman, Stéphane Pisane and Pierre Lalmand.

Exhibition

The Bond in Motion exhibition will be held from 9 December 2022 to 14 May 2023. Around 50 original full-size vehicles and numerous miniatures are on display. The motorbikes, cars, planes, submarines, hovercrafts and helicopters are from 25 James Bond films.

The expo covers 6000 m² and is set up very openly. This allows the objects to stand out very nicely and also gives visitors plenty of space to observe everything.

Originality

Much of focus has been placed on the fact that all the vehicles on display are originals that actually starred in the films. Even the original used (imposing) underground carriage from Skyfall can be admired.

Most of the vehicles also bear the marks of use during the stunts. This is why Bond in Motion is more than just an ordinary exhibition. You are immersed in the action, so to speak, and get a good insight into how specific stunts are realised.

Get in on the action

Not all the exhibits are static. There are several scenes where you can get a taste of the action on the spot. Above is a short clip of No Time To Die, if you want more you will have to come and see for yourself.

Informative

Next to each object is a screen that provides you with the necessary information in three languages about, for instance, the car in question and the scene in which it played. This is always linked to excerpts from the film in question. In this way, the objects come to life in front of you and memories of the film come back to life.

The ‘Bond in Motion’ expo is divided into four worlds inspired by the four elements: fire, earth, water and air. The trail leads you through a scale model of the Lotus Esprit S1 that transforms into a submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me; the 1985 Aston Martin V8 from The Living Daylights; the BMW Z8 from The World Is Not Enough and the Aston Martin DB10 from Spectre.

Newspapers, identity documents, walkie talkies, fake lipstick and weapons from various films are also on display.

Handsome to look at is also this Land Rover with Aston Martin DB5 shell and flip-over mechanism mounted on it. It is these things that really give you an insight into the stunt world. As far as I heard, this is the first time it can be viewed on mainland Europe.

Something about James Bond

As most may know, James Bond is a fictional character created in 1953 from the mind of Ian Flemming. The British secret agent works for MI6 and carries code number 007 with which he has since starred in 25 films. Since then, James Bond has been interpreted by six actors, we list them for you.

Sean Connery: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971).
George Lazenby: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).
Roger Moore: Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985).
Timothy Dalton: The Living Daylights (1987), License To Kill (1989).
Pierce Brosnan: GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002).
Daniel Craig: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), No Time to Die (2021).

Tradition

Traditions are there to be honoured (or are they?). Every James Bond film starts with a similar intro. A white circle on a black background through which Bond first walks and then shoots towards the viewer, after which the screen then turns red. Except in No Time To Die where James Bond does shoot towards the viewer and you roll right into the film intro through the gun barrel.

Barrel of a gun

Here we briefly link to another James Bond expo. Namely James Bond 007 Elements in Sölden, Austria. We visited this expo last summer so feel free to take a look.

The James

Many exhibitions have an opportunity for a drink somewhere at the end. They have also taken that very seriously here. In the bar ‘The James’, the expo continues as it should.

This large relaxation area is smoothly integrated into the exhibition. Have a Martini ‘Shaken, not stirred’ in a genuine Bond setting and then continue your visit. It can be done here, and even if I say so myself: this will be a hit!

Do you really want to go home after this overwhelming visit to the expo as well as the bar? Then you can pass by a 007 boutique offering various James Bond merchandising. So after enriching yourself mentally, you can also return home with a tangible souvenir.

Conclusion

For the ‘die hard’ James Bond film fan, this is a no-brainer, not going is not an option! But people who are a little less into James Bond (would they exist?) will also find their liking here. If only to admire the many stunts and special effects or to enjoy a drink in the stylish ‘The James’ bar.