Spectre: the breathtaking backdrops to the latest James Bond film



October 26, 2015
Daniel Craig stands on snowy mountain peak in blue jacket and sunglasses.© Photo: Rex

James Bond films are not just about 007 sipping martinis, getting into car chases and indulging in dalliances with beautiful women. The dramatic, sweeping shots of iconic scenery and far-flung destinations are also a trademark of the hugely popular film franchise. We take a look at the jaw-dropping backdrops you can expect to see in Spectre, when a suited and booted Daniel Craig hits the screen as Bond at the world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 October...

Snowy mountain landscape with several rustic wooden cabins and dense pine forest.© Photo: Rex

OBERTILLIACH, AUSTRIAThe snow-capped ski slopes of south Austria's Obertilliach - situated between the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps- top off 007's winter action scenes. The breathtaking area, which borders with Italy, is already famous for skiing

Person in a blue jacket paddles a wooden boat on a calm, snowy lake near a wooden cabin.© Photo: Rex

LAKE ALTAUSSEER, AUSTRIANear the picturesque spa town of Altaussee in the Austrian Alps lies the beautiful Lake Altaussee. With mountains toweing over it, reaching up to 5,700 feet, this makes for the perfect dramatic backdrop for Spectre.

Busy street with St. Peter's Basilica in the background. Pedestrians and vehicles present.© Photo: iStock

ROME, ITALYA high-speed car chase sees cars racing down the Rome's famous Corso Vittorio Emanuele II thoroughfare, as one crashes into the Tiber River and another is crushed by the Vatican.

A sports car drives down a cobblestone street at night with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.© Photo: Rex

The Vatican makes an appearance in Spectre.

Grand historic building with ornate architecture, a central obelisk, and a decorative fountain in a serene pond setting.© Photo: iStock

BLENHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLANDWhen cranes and Aston Martins were seen at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire in February, locals were hopeful that 007 was coming to town. And they were right. The iconic stately home, which is the primary residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, served as one of the film's locations.

A man in a black vest and jeans flies a kite in front of a grand building with columns and statues.© Photo: Rex

OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLANDBlenheim Palace has previously featured in several films, including Gulliver's Travels and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Grand cathedral with a Mexican flag on top, surrounded by flowers and greenery.© Photo: iStock

MEXICO CITY, MEXICODaniel Craig and co. also headed to Mexico's capital, where they were busy filming the film's heart-pumping opening chase sequence over a 10-day shoot. Get ready for some spooky action, as 007 dons fancy dress while on a mission in Mexico City during The Day of the Dead...

Helicopter flying over ornate building with two people hanging from it.© Photo: Rex

MEXICO CITYAerial shots of Mexico City's Zocalo can be expected with nail-biting helicopter scenes that involved 1,500 extras.

Red and white boat on the Thames under Westminster Bridge with Big Ben in the background.© Photo: iStock

LONDON, ENGLANDLots of filming for the latest highly anticipated Bond film took place in the British capital, so expect to see plenty of London's stunning skyline in action-packed scenes, including an epic boat chase on the River Thames and shots of Big Ben, Southbank, Notting Hill, Camden and Covent Garden.

Aerial view of a historic town with old buildings and a stone wall.© Photo: iStock

TANGIER, MOROCCOSeveral of Morocco's mystical locations were chosen for Spectre and the port town of Tangier was one, as the last leg of the movie sees Britain's premier MI6 agent finding himself facing heat, sun, and a fair amount of desert dust in Tangier's old Medina and the Kasbah.Erfoud, located in Morocco's Sahara, was also visited by the film crew. Erfoud is no stranger to film crews; Prince of Persia and The Mummy were both shot in the area.

Aerial view of a large industrial complex with multiple buildings, trees, and a blue tarp.© Photo: Rex

PINEWOOD STUDIESWhen not filming on location, plenty of scenes are shot in Pinewood Studios.The 24th Bond film, Spectre, is out this November, and stars Daniel Craig as Bond, Ralph Fiennes as the new M, Bond girls Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci, and Christoph Waltz as the head of the Spectre organisation.

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