Tagged: Caribbean

GoldenEye – Bond’s Tan Suit and BMW Z3 in Cuba

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in GoldenEye (1995), standing next to his newly-issued BMW Z3.

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in GoldenEye (1995), standing next to his newly-issued BMW Z3.

Vitals

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, sophisticated British government secret agent

Cuba, Spring 1995

Film: GoldenEye
Release Date: November 13, 1995
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Lindy Hemming

Background

Car Week continues with a second post of James Bond driving in the Caribbean, this time finding 007 “bombing around” Cuba in his sporty new BMW Z3. (Monday’s post featured the gray flannel suit and black ’57 Chevy in Dr. No.)

The scene begins peacefully with Bond driving his new ladyfriend Natalya around. Natalya lauds the Caribbean for its beauty with not another human in sight… just in time for Joe Don Baker to show up and brings that thought to a screeching halt. Continue reading

Bond’s Gray Flannel Suit and ’57 Chevy in Dr. No

Sean Connery as James Bond, standing in front of a '57 Chevy Bel Air in Dr. No (1962).

Sean Connery as James Bond, standing in front of a ’57 Chevy Bel Air in Dr. No (1962).

Vitals

Sean Connery as James Bond, sophisticated British government agent

Kingston, Jamaica, Spring 1962

Film: Dr. No
Release Date: October 5, 1962
Director: Terence Young
Wardrobe Master: John Brady
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair

Background

Welcome back to Car Week, BAMF Style’s semi-annual celebration that combines both sartorial and automotive elegance. And what’s more elegant than a sharply-suited James Bond getting behind the wheel of an American classic: the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air? Continue reading

Casino Royale: Bond’s Blue Sunspel Polo in Bahamas

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).

Vitals

Daniel Craig as James Bond, recently reactivated British secret agent

Bahamas, July 2006

Film: Casino Royale
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Lindy Hemming

Background

After a brief lesson in How Not To Vacation 101 (getting a beautiful bedmate killed, stabbing an international arms dealer in the middle of a museum, being mistakenly arrested as a potential plane bomber, and checking his work e-mail), James Bond is taken back to the Bahamas via helicopter to meet with “M” and discuss his future.

What’d He Wear?

Following his adventure in Miami, Bond returns to the Bahamas via helicopter, dressed far more casually than he was for his initial arrival. Although casual, it is still a classically simple look and provides Bond with his first on-screen polo shirt since the Connery era. The outfit is very fitting for the warm climate and can be easily adapted for any man. Continue reading

Bond’s Navy Blazer and Sunbeam Alpine in Dr. No

Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No (1962).

Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No (1962).

Vitals

Sean Connery as James Bond, suave British government agent

Jamaica, Summer 1962

Film: Dr. No
Release Date: October 5, 1962
Director: Terence Young
Wardrobe Master: John Brady
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair

Background

Yesterday’s Car Week post focused on a man on an assignment in the Caribbean wearing a blue sport coat and slacks, speeding a sporty roadster along the coast in the early 1960s. Today’s post is going to be exactly the same thing but different.

All kidding aside, plenty of the elements people know and love from James Bond films can be found in the very first movie, 1962’s Dr. No. Here, we see Bond sharply attired as he downs vodka martinis, shoots bad guys, beds exotic beauties, and gets into a car chase… all between cringe-worthy quips and double entendres. Today, I’ll be focusing on the very first James Bond “action car” seen on screen, a blue Sunbeam Alpine roadster. Continue reading

Paul Kemp’s Blue Suit Jacket and Corvette in The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp in The Rum Diary (2011).

Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp in The Rum Diary (2011).

Vitals

Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp, expatriate American journalist and borderline alcoholic

Puerto Rico, Summer 1960

Film: The Rum Diary
Release Date: October 28, 2011
Director: Bruce Robinson
Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood

Background

Car week continues with a story by an American icon involving an iconic American car.

More than a decade before becoming the face and beautifully twisted mind of Gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson was a struggling writer who had recently been discharged (honorably, but with prejudice) from the U.S. Air Force and had a few legal issues to his credit, not the least of all being the sinking of nearly every boat in a Kentucky harbor by shooting holes into the boats’ hulls just below the waterline. Continue reading

Casino Royale: Bond Lands in the Bahamas

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).

Vitals

Daniel Craig as James Bond, “vacationing” British secret agent

Bahamas, July 2006

Film: Casino Royale
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Lindy Hemming

Background

After “shooting” up an embassy and causing an international scandal, Bond is ordered by M to go “stick his head in the sand” and think about his career. Appropriately, given the history of the Bond canon, our hero heads for the Bahamas via a chartered flight, booking a spur-of-the-moment villa at The One and Only Ocean Club. Given that overnight stays at the One and Only rarely fall under $1,000 per night, this is hardly a man who is really giving too much concern about the prospect of unemployment.

Nor does his arrival give that impression. Bond steps off the plane looking like a million bucks in a sharp suit that is a rare find for many reasons. Continue reading