2008-09-10 An outstanding production

For over forty years the James Bond movies have thrilled audiences worldwide. The twenty-second, `Quantum in Solace', is currently being filmed with Daniel Craig, the sixth actor to don the mantle of the super-spy. This book is coffee-table size, a lavish compendium of almost everything you wanted to know about Eon Productions' James Bond films and their connection with the books that spawned them.

This encyclopedia has the official blessing of producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and the authors were given unprecedented access to a vast library of still photographs.

There's a double-page spread on Ian Fleming and each of the actors who have played Bond, all containing interesting insights, many unfamiliar. Then there are illustrated sections on the villains, the women, the supporting cast, the vehicles, the weapons and equipment - each character or item is backed up by a full-colour photograph from the archives. Every one of the 21 movies has a double-page spread, revealing fascinating facts about the filming schedule, the directors, the music, the credits and the problems encountered. Each entry is given a detailed write-up referencing the film plot or the book.

It's fascinating to read about the continual moving with the times for the storylines. No aspect of the books is overlooked - scenes or characters may be shifted but they're invariably utilised eventually, such as the shark eating Felix Leiter, which was moved from the book `Live and Let Die' to the film `Licence to Kill'.

Complete with its description, film appearances and user, every gadget or weapon is shown - the fiendish, the clever and the exotic. Cross references are intriguing, too: the mini-breather used in `Thunderball' was absently pulled out of Bond's drawer while he wrote his resignation letter in `OHMSS'. It's that kind of minor yet interesting detail which makes this book a pleasure to read; the authors have been thorough indeed. Where there's a divergence from the book in the film, it's mentioned.

While the main villains - Oddjob, Goldfinger, Dr Kananga, Rosa Klebb, Carver, Drax, Graves, Elektra King, Largo, Le Chiffre, Sanchez, Scaramanga, Zorin, Trevelyan, Blofeld, Renard and Dr No - get full-page coverage with plenty of never-before seen pictures, all of the other villains are identified, together with their characteristics, status (living or dead!) and the actor who played them. Even small part characters get a mention, for example the `three blind mice' killers at the beginning of `Dr No.'

Not only has Bond changed with each actor bringing something fresh to the part, but also some supporting cast have undergone transformations, whether that's the seven actors who have played Felix Leiter or the three actors who have played M and Moneypenny.

It may not appear cheap, but this book is certainly value for money. If you have enjoyed the films over the years, then this is the kind of book you will find yourself dipping into time and again. An outstanding production - just like the films, really.