Daniel Craig takes on the role of James Bond in the 2006 film Casino Royale. The British spy is given a mission by M (Judi Dench) to stop Le Chiffre, a shady banker, from winning a poker game in Montenegro.
A number of stunning locations were used, including Venice. There are many iconic Venetian landmarks that appear in the movie, like St Mark’s Square.
Locations
Casino Royale was filmed in locations around the world. It was primarily shot in Prague, Czech Republic but also in other countries such as Italy and the Bahamas.
The filming started in Prague, where the opening scene took place at a building called Danube House. This building was constructed in a period when Czechoslovakia was known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Several scenes were also filmed in the Bahamas, including one that takes place at a tropical island. In addition, there were scenes filmed in the United Kingdom.
A cricket ground was also a filming location, where Bond and Vesper Lynd are watching a game. This was filmed at Playing Field, Eton College, in Berkshire, England.
Another scene was filmed at Dunsfold Aerodrome, a military airbase in Surrey. It was used for the scene where Bond tries to stop a hijacked Skyfleet S570.
Czech Republic
In 2006, Daniel Craig’s first Bond film was filmed in the Czech Republic, where most of the main scenes were shot. Known as the ‘Hollywood of the East’, Prague’s Barrandov Studios was chosen for its historical and cultural value.
While some of the scenes were filmed in London (at Pinewood studios), most of the movie was shot in the Czech Republic and the Bahamas, with the final part of the film being mainly filmed in Italy. It was a realism reboot of the classic Bond story, with Bond based in Central Europe.
The opening sequence of ‘Casino Royale’ is set at the striking Danube House in Karlin, Prague. It features a modern semi-futuristic building that fuses with the scene of a middle-aged man leaving his car in front of it.
The film also featured several other key locations in the Czech Republic, including Vaclav Havel airport, a Philosophical Hall at Strahov monastery, the Narodni Museum and Loket. The scenes that feature Bond meeting Mathis in Montenegro were filmed in Karlovy Vary, the picturesque spa town.
Bahamas
The Bahamas is a tropical Caribbean island nation with a year-round climate. Its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and friendly people make it the perfect spot for a tropical vacation.
The Bahamas has played host to several of the world’s most famous films, including Bond films such as Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s 007 stays at the luxurious beachfront resort hotel, The Ocean Club on Nassau’s Paradise Island.
It is not surprising that the Bahamas was chosen as one of the filming locations for Casino Royale since it is a tropical paradise with year-round temperatures and a rich culture. The Bahamas is home to many cultural events and festivals.
The yearly Junkanoo festival is an impressive event that celebrates Bahamian culture. It is a lively celebration that includes music, dancing, traditional instruments, parties and parades.
Italy
The 2006 film Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Mads Mikkelsen was an excellent re-boost to the James Bond franchise. It surpassed all expectations with its action-packed storyline, sharp camerawork and relatable protagonist.
In the first scene of the movie, Bond recuperates from being tortured by Le Chiffre at Villa del Balbianello on the western shore of Lake Como near Lenno. He returns to the same villa at the end of the film, where he shoots Mr. White in a climactic chase sequence.
Italy’s breathtaking beauty makes it a popular destination for many film shoots. For example, it has featured in movies such as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ and ‘Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones’. It has also been the backdrop for numerous music videos and soap operas.