The opening of The Sean Connery Stage at Pinewood Studios

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2022-10-09

James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli attended a private event at Pinewood Studios to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dr. No (1962) and the official opening of The Sean Connery Stage. Sir Sean’s granddaughter, Saskia Connery, opened the stage on behalf of the Connery family and previous cast and crew from a few of the films joined the celebrations including actresses Maryam D’Abo, Carole Ashby, Madeline Smith, Caroline Munro, and Martine Beswicke - the latter worked on both From Russia with Love (1963) and Thunderball (1965) with Connery - and director John Glen.

The official James Bond 60th anniversary logo was projected on the side of the new stages and The Roger Moore Stage. These projections will remain in place until the 5th October – James Bond Day.

The Aston Martin DB5 and Goldfinger’s Rolls Royce Phantom III were on display inside the 18,000 sq ft stage, both models first seen in the film of the same name and also starring Sir Sean Connery. The Rolls Royce was the actual car as seen on screen and the Aston Martin a replica of the model that featured gadgets including an ejector seat in the film. The Sean Connery Stage stands proudly at the entrance to the Studios with a new entrance feature and is located on the corner of Goldfinger Avenue, named after the famous scene in the film where James Bond (Sean Connery) activates the ejector seat in the Aston Martin DB5.

Aston Martin DB5 The Sean Connery Stage

Rolls Royce Phantom III The Sean Connery Stage

James Bond producer Michael G. Wilson said:

“Barbara and I are grateful to Pinewood for acknowledging this screen legend and honoured to have been invited to celebrate this evening along with Sir Sean’s granddaughter Saskia.”

Sean Connery's granddaughter, Saskia Connery, said:

"I am so proud of my grandfather both on screen and for who he was and meant to all of us at home. He would have been humbled and honoured to now have his own stage at Pinewood Studios."

Saskia Connery, John and Janine Glen at The Sean Connery Stage

Saskia Connery with John and Janine Glen during the opening of The Sean Connery Stage at Pinewood Studios on 5th October 2022.

Dr No, the first official James Bond film, was shot at Pinewood Studios with Sean Connery in the lead role and opened in cinemas around the UK on 5 October 1962. Since Dr No, Pinewood's relationship with James Bond has continued throughout the 60-year history of the franchise with 23 of the 25 official films shooting at the Studios and all of the actors to play the lead role, passing through our gates.

Andrew M. Smith, Corporate Affairs Director, said:

“This evening marks an extra special celebration for our studios, remembering our heritage, honouring Sir Sean Connery, our long relationship with the James Bond films and, at the same time, celebrating our development and looking to the future as a world-leading film and tv studio.”

A look back at the special celebration at #PinewoodStudios last month, honouring Sir Sean Connery, #60YearsofJamesBond at our Studios and, at the same time, celebrating our development and looking to the future. #ShotAtPinewood pic.twitter.com/Cb65Y4SFCO
— Pinewood Studios (@PinewoodStudios) October 28, 2022

Pinewood will be continuing the celebrations by hosting a ‘Bondathon’ of James Bond films, with 7 classic films, one from each actor and each decade, being shown over the weekend of 30 September to 2 October. The films to be shown are Goldfinger (1964), Dr No (1962), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Live and Let Die (1973), The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995) and Skyfall (2012). You can find out more and book tickets via the Pinewood Cinema website.

Tags:

#60th_film_anniversary

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The opening of The Sean Connery Stage at Pinewood Studios

“Barbara and I are grateful to Pinewood for acknowledging this screen legend and honoured to have been invited to celebrate this evening along with Sir Sean’s granddaughter Saskia.”

"I am so proud of my grandfather both on screen and for who he was and meant to all of us at home. He would have been humbled and honoured to now have his own stage at Pinewood Studios."

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