Diary

Family business celebrates 50 years of James Bond

By Rashmi Kumar

What’s not to love about the James Bond films? The flashy cars, latest gizmos and gadgets and the aura of mystery surrounding the fictional secret service agent can keep viewers riveted to their seats. And now there is more good news for its fans, as the family business behind the James Bond franchise recently unveiled a collectable set featuring all the Bond films.

Bond 50 will showcase the 22 James Bond films on Blu-ray Disc for the very first time, to mark the iconic character’s golden anniversary, according to a statement by Eon Productions and Danjaq, owned by the Broccoli and Wilson families.

One of the longest-running film franchises in the world, Bond 50 will also include 130 hours of bonus features such as exclusive and new footage filmed behind the scenes.

US-based Danjaq, along with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, owns the 007 franchise, while its subsidiary Eon Productions is the London-based company that makes the films.

The first film Dr No, starring Sean Connery, was released in 1962, while the last movie Quantum of Solace, with Daniel Craig in the lead role, hit cinemas in 2008.

The 23rd film, Skyfall, is currently in production by the family-run company, founded in 1961 by Albert Cubby Broccoli. Danjaq and Eon Productions is currently headed by his daughter Barbara and her half-brother Michael Wilson.

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