Skyfall

Bond emerges from the Germanya Han building (thanks to site visitor Ian Johnson). It is located at the corner where Sultanhamam and Findikçilar meet. Hobyar, Sultan Hamami road. 7a, 34112 in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey.

Luckily, like beautiful and smart Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny, equally beautiful and smart Seyda Hetman was able to take this, her first comparison shot during her "Skyfall" mission. Eager to see if James was still registered she was a little too close for Reelstreets before she pressed the shutter release, but we are all on the same side! The now Orientbank Hotel, originally designed by Prussian architect Jasmund August in 1912, with Findikçi Remzi Sokak on the left side. (RL) Website visitor Ian Johnson points out that the Orientbank Hotel website refers to the architect as August Jasmund.

He's picked up outside by Eve (Naomie Harris) and they head along Buyuk Postane street, Istanbul.

Manuel Gurtner provides this comparison shot taken by Seyda Hetman of Büyük Postane Caddesi revealing that the 'Bizim Lokanta' restaurant remains. (RL)

Giving chase, they head down Hobyar, Findikçi Remzi sk. (the 'sk' is short for 'sokak' meaning 'alley'), Fatih district, Istanbul in Turkey's Marmara Province (with the Seyhülislam Hayri Efendi street being the road in the background). In real life this road leads them right back to the same spot where Bond was picked up in the beginning of this chase!

Seyda finds herself at the end of the alley, exactly at the corner with Asir Efendi Caddesi. (RL)

They head down Şeyhülislam Hayri Efendi Cd. (which really is geographically down the hill from the previous shot).

Then the action moves into Eminonu Square, where the enemies car flips over. This is located between the New Mosque (Yeni Camii) and Galata Bridge. The area is a famous real life market area. The background shows the neighbourhood of Kabatas.

Several police bikers speed into Eminonu Square and loose control of their rides. In the background you can see the Tomb of Turhan Sultan (Turkish: Turhan Sultan Türbesi) which is the mausoleum of five Ottoman sultans, located at Fatih in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1663 for Turhan Sultan, first Haseki of Sultan Ibrahim and mother of Sultan Mehmed IV.

Matthew Gibbs has taken a great updated shot of the square, although due to the tree growth the dome of the tomb is obscured.

After a brief market shootout, Bond takes to the bike and the two men race along Tarakcilar street.

Apparently it was no problem for Seyda to find the same spot almost at the end of narrow Tarakçilar Caddesi. Just opposite to the corner with Çakmakçilar Yokusu, beneath the oriel, the entrance to the Büyük Valide Han can be seen. Founded in 1651, this is the largest historic caravanserai (roadside inn) in Istanbul and well-known for its public access to the rooftop, providing an impressive view over the Fatih district. (RL)

Passing through the archway, a blocked route means Patrice (Ola Rapace) has to take the stairs.

Site visitor Matthew Gibbs was able to grab this excellent updated location image.

In the film (but not in real life) the stairs leads them up to the rooftops of the Kapali Çar?i (Grand Bazaar). Manuel Gurtner points out that, in the right background, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque from 1755 can be seen. Also Ian Johnson points out that roof tiles had floating reinforced steel panels fitted to protect them from motorcycle damage. The Grand Bazaar also featured in From Russia With Love. The window that they subsequently crash through was a set dressing.

Meanwhile, Eve continues to keep up in the Land Rover along Mustafa Kemal Pasa Boulevard in Adana, Turkey.

Back with Bond as he chases Patrice down an unidentified road in Adana, Turkey.

With road traffic being a problem, Patrice decides to take a different mode of transport while he's on the the bridge at Cemalpasa, Kasim Gülek Köprüsü, Gazipasa Caddesi, Seyhan/Adana, Turkey. In real life this location is 924km/574miles from Istanbul in the Mediterranean Region of the country.

Eve attempts to stop him as she fires at the top of the train from the bridge. Manuel Gurtner explains that this is the view from Kasim Gülek Köprüsü that carries Gazipa?a Caddesi across the tracks. The train leaves Adana station on the eastern site where the engine shed and workshops are located.

Eve attemps to follow the train as it crosses Ege Bagatur Cd. That is Leylak Cd to the right ('cd' is an abbreviation for 'caddesi' meaning 'road').

Following the use of the digger, the pair fight it out as the train heads towards the mountains. Manuel Gurtner advises that this was filmed on the Konya-Adana line through the Çakit Valley in the Central Taurus Mountains, part of the legendary Baghdad railway. Hauled by TCDD diesel loco of DE24 class the train heads towards Pozanti, while the ruined medieval castle called Anahsa Kalesi can be recognised in the left background.

Eve has a difficult shot to take as the train heads over Varda Bridge, Adana, Turkey. More specifically, Manuel Gurtner adds, Turkey's highest railway bridge, inaugurated in 1917, also called Alman Köprüsü or Koca Köprü, spanning the Gavurdere valley at a height of 98 m south of Haçikiri village. In reality, however, there are no tunnels directly before or after the viaduct, but the stretch has now been electrified. Also Ian Johnson mentions that the viaduct is about 60km from the town of Adana featured in Capture 10. The roof fight meant it was necessary to use a railway that did not have overhead electric power lines (hence the move to Adana province).

Shot of the familiar M16 building in London, shot from across the other side of the River Thames on Millbank in SW1.

A daytime shot. SJ

Government car with 'M' (Judy Dench) turns from Saint Margaret Street (thanks to Ian Johnson) in front of the Palace of Westminster onto Parliament Square...

Tricky to recreate the same depth of focus. SJ

The car then appears over at 10 Trinity Square where she gets out for the meeting with Mallory. In reality this building is currently (as of 2022) a Four Seasons Hotel. Visitor Ian Johnson also adds that It was originally built as the HQ for the Port of London Authority.

The hotel has brought on some more decoration. SJ

'M' is travelling back along Millbank, alongside the River Thames. This piece of road is next to the Pizza Express, down from Lambeth Bridge.

An unusual break in traffic permitted this shot. SJ

They then get stuck in a traffic jam on Vauxhall Bridge. Ian Johnson also added that M then witnesses the destruction of her office in the M16 building.

The "possibly temporary" barriers have been up since 2017. SJ

Bond has resurfaced on a tropical beach at Calis Beach at Fethiye in Mugla Province, Turkey. Ian Johnson also mentions that the bar on the beach was a temporary set construction and then dismantled after filming.

'M' goes home...to find an unexpected surprise in her room. She lives at 82 Cadogan Square, London SW1X 0EA. Also Ian Johnson mentions that the building was once owned by John Barry, the renowned composer/arranger involved with 12 Bond films. This location was chosen as a tribute to him, as he had passed away just before Skyfall was made.

I was spared the rain, be it pumped or natural. Looking south with Clabon Mews to the right. SJ

Bond is taken to the new MI6. The vehicle crosses Waterloo Bridge that links WC2 with SE1.

Taken from the top of a 176 bus from memory so not quite correctly aligned but preferable to standing in the middle of the road. SJ

Then they go underground. In reality this is the entrance to Smithfield Car Park London EC1A 9DY. It is close to St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the Smithfield Market.

It looks like the kiosk has changed and attracted more clutter. SJ

Bond walks from Trafalgar Square and enters the National Gallery building to meet 'Q'.

This replaces my Nov '22 shot which was from the wrong gates of the National gallery. This is the view in front of the gates to the east of the main entrance. SJ

Bond goes to Shanghai. This is a genuine aerial shot of Shanghai. But many other locations set in the city were filmed in the UK.

This is another aerial shot of Shanghai but with the digital insertion of the rooftop pool. Michael Bradley adds that at the time of filming, the pool was part of the Four Seasons Hotel building but has since changed its name to the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel. As a result this means the pool is part of the Canary Riverside Spa, a luxury gym club run by Virgin Active at Canary Wharf, London E14. Bond and Severine's shower scene was filmed in Room 712 in the same hotel.

He follows the 'ghost' assassin Patrice out of the airport. This impressive building is Pudong International Airport in Shanghai (the interior airport shots just before this scene were filmed inside the Ascot Racecourse building, Berkshire, UK). Also Ian Johnson adds that the racecourse was also used in the filming of A View To A Kill.

The two men drive along what seems to be Shi Ji Da Dao (Century Avenue) in Shanghai. There have been some digital building additions to this shot.

The 'ghost' disembarks his taxi outside the target building. Using digital trickery at the beginning of this scene, they actually filmed this in London. This building is The Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London, EC2A 2ES.

Looking north from in front of Exchange House at the back of Liverpool Street Station (important location correction provided by Ian Johnson). Also glimpsed in The Hitman's Bodyguard. With such major development over the last 40 years, the area's a far cry from scenes in Mona Lisa. And turn round for a shot seen in Jack & Sarah (qv). SJ

Bond and Severine (Berenice Marlohe) are taken to the island lair. This is computer generated shot of a fictional place but based heavily on the abandoned Japanese location called Hashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is commonly called Gunkanjima meaning 'Battleship Island'. The sequence of Bond and Severine on the yacht under armed guard in the shots prior to this were filmed off shore from Fethiye, where the beach bar is in capture 19 (thanks to Ian Johnson).

There was no filming at the real Hashima Island. All of the interior island scenes were shot on sets at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire and feature digital set extensions.

Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) emerges from the underground and gets into a waiting police car. The underground exit he uses is not a real subway exit (it's at the top end of Whitehall Place SW1A). As Ian Johnson points out, in reality the steps lead down to the rear entrance of the National Liberal Club. The tube stop in the background says 'Embankment Station' but in reality that is Charing Cross station on Embankment Place.

The Playhouse Theatre is currently the Kit Kat Club as it's showing a revival of Cabaret. The theatre featured heavily in The Leading Man. SJ

The police car heads down Whitehall Place SW1.

A quieter street so perhaps the film-makers overspent on background artists. SJ

Bond emerges from the real Westminster tube station on Parliament Street SW1. The top of the Elizabeth Tower housing 'Big Ben' is just visible on the right.

No changes here. SJ

Bond runs off down Parliment Street.

I should've stepped into the road more but I ran out of patience with the traffic. SJ

He then rounds the corner into Trinity Square London EC3N 4DJ. The building directly behind Daniel Craig and to the right of frame have since been demolished and replaced by the 'citizenM Tower of London hotel' (Turning the camera to the right the Tower of London across the road can be seen).

Mark O'Neill took time out from the office to capture the replacement building referred to. (RL)

007 runs down Trinity Square in EC3 towards the building (now the Four Seasons Hotel at No 10) where 'M' is in danger.

It was important that Mark didn't run but stood still to prevent camera shake. (RL)

Silva leaves the building via a rear entrance with Pepys Street in the background. This road has been pedestrianised since filming in 2011.

Pedestrianised indeed, ensuring Mark's safety. (RL) Website visitor Ian Johnson points out that the action in this and the next two shots are taking place in Seething Lane Gardens.

Bond emerges from the same exit to see Silva's getaway vehicle leaving and about to turn onto Muscovy Street.

More evidence of the pedestrianisation from Mark. (RL)

'M' is smuggled outside.

OK Mark, we accept that pedestrianisation has taken place. (RL)

The government car screeches onto Pepys Street as the emergency service vehicles start to arrive.

Somewhat less frantic activity whilst Mark took this shot for us. (RL)

It charges up Pepys Street and then turns into...well the street sign on the wall says Great Scotland Yard. But in reality that is Savage Gardens EC3.

Yes, Mark confirms that it is indeed Savage Gardens. (RL)

Bond and 'M' switch vehicles in the lock-up garage located just next to 81 Arklow Rd, London SE8 5JR, underneath the railway tracks.

Adam Robertson grabbed this updated location shot of the area. Must have been tempting to see if the Aston Martin was behind the lock-up doors!

They head off underneath the railway arches and further along Arklow Road. On the right in the background they would meet Moulding Lane. Also the main building in the background has been demolished since filming and the plot redeveloped.

Website visitor Adam Robertson snapped this updated ‘now’ shot which clearly shows how much redevelopment has gone on.

Heading away from the capital’s centre, site visitor Adam Robertson correctly recognised that they are passing through New Cross, passing the New Cross Inn.

Adam Robertson also managed to snap this updated location image amongst the busy traffic.

As they head out of London, they seem to be travelling along the A102, with Canary Wharf in the background.

In Scotland, looking at the scenery, Bond stands before the natural majesty of Glen Etive (thanks to Ian Johnson for the important correction). This spot is marked on Google Maps as 'James Bond Skyfall Road'. It is located alongside the River Etive, just before the Glen Etive Bridge in the Scottish Highlands and about 2.5 miles from the Dalness Estate.

Travelling further into rural Scotland, the Aston Martin heads along the A82 and towards the mountains of Glen Coe. In reality in this shot the car is actually heading towards the previous shot location in Glen Coe.

Then they pull off the quiet road into the Skyfall estate. In reality the film has jumped from Scotland to Surrey, a county to the south of London. More specifically this is Hankley Common, a nature reserve that also serves as military training ground.

Good location work from Becca Andrews & Rob Smith and shows how even that very realistic looking stone wall was a prop!

The Aston Martin heads directly for the Skyfall house in the distance. The stone pillars are props put there for filming. Computer effects were used to add the distant mountains.

Site visitors Becca Andrews and Rob Smith also snapped this shot which highlights how the landscape has changed since the bush fires in 2023. Their picture also shows how much of the middle ground and background were enhanced with computer effects to create the illusion of being in Scotland.

They have reached the childhood home of James Bond. As grand as this looks, it was a fake house built for the production. Still on Hankley Common in Surrey, UK. Previous Bond films 'The World is Not Enough' and 'Die Another Day' have also used Hankley Common. Marvel film 'Black Widow', 'Macbeth' (2014), and television's 'Doctor Who' are amongst many other productions to have used the location.

Silva approachs the small church on the Skyfall estate. Again this was a set built on Hankley Common, Surrey. Website visitor Ian Johnson adds that the interior of the chapel was filmed on a set at Pinewood Studios.

Bond stands on the rooftop, overlooking central London. He seems to be standing on the corner of 3 Whitehall Place, SW1A 2HN... David Buckley adds that a similar view was seen in capture 37 of "Battle of Britain." Ian Johnson adds that at the time the building was the Dept. Of Energy and Climate Change (now Dept for Energy Security and Net Zero). There was a minor set construction to raise the roof floor to afford a better cinematic view of Bond looking at the skyline.

Michael Bradley has submitted a shot from the teaser trailer of Skyfall which doesn't appear in the actual film. It shows Bond jogging in Avenue Gardens, Regent's Park. Michael also points out that although you can glimpse the BT Tower in the background, this must be a visual effect as in real life you cannot see the tower from Avenue Gardens. Michael happened to be working on the other side of the park that day, which he remembers as being Saturday morning in February 2012. Seems a shame that despite all the work yet the scene isn't even included in the deleted scenes on the DVDs/blu-ray releases.