Thunderball (Original title)
Dates: 1965 (Copyright), 14 March 1966 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Terence Young
Synopsis: Spy action thriller. British secret agent James Bond has been sent to improve his wellbeing at a health farm, Shrublands. There he chances upon Count Lippe whose unusual arm tattoo intrigues Bond. Lippe is really there to oversee a fellow patient's severe facial surgery, which is secretly part of a plot by terrorism group S.P.E.C.T.R.E. to blackmail the West by hijacking a N.A.T.O. flight, stealing the plane's two atomic warheads and keeping them under the sea in the Bahamas. Bond travels to Nassau where, aided by fellow agent Paula and the C.I.A.'s Felix Leiter, he encounters the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. operatives Emilio Largo and Fiona Volpe. Largo owns the Disco Volante hydrofoil (which has been used in the hiding of the bombs) and lives at the exotic villa Palmyra, with sharks in his pool. Largo's female companion Domino is the sister of a pilot who was murdered as part of the warhead robbery. Bond faces danger from assassins, sharks and high-speed cars and boats in his bid to find the stolen nuclear arms before time is up and Miami is destroyed.
Genres: Action and Adventure, Thriller
Subjects: Espionage, Nuclear weapons, Terrorism, Extortion
Releases
Date: 29 December 1965Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - SoundAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 129 mins Length: 11250 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: United Artists
Title: The Bond identityArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Photographs featuring behind-the-scenes images from the making of all the James Bond films.
In: Cinema Retro v2 n6 Autumn 2006 Pages: 8-10
Title: Benson turns the clock back - 1965Author: BENSON, Raymond Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: The author briefly examines the cinema of 1965 and lists his top ten films from that year.
In: Empire n210 December 2006 Pages: 86-90,93-94,96-98,100,102
Title: The 21 scenes that made Bond greatAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Lists and briefly critiques twenty-one scenes from various J ames Bond films considered to embody the best of franchise t o date.
In: Cinema Retro v2 n4 Winter 2006 Pages: 40-41
Title: Thunderball 40th anniversaryArticle type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Account of the event that took in London on 20th November 2005 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of THUNDERBALL.
In: Empire n210 December 2006 Page: 96
Title: Golden eye candyAuthor: MEADOWS, Joel Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief interview and profile with illustrator Robert McGinnis about the posters he designed for some of the James Bond fi lms.
In: Screen International n1573 24 Nov 2006 Page: 32
Title: Nobody does it betterAuthor: MITCHELL, Robert Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: CASINO ROYALE topped 27 territories on its opening weekend. Tables show the domestic and international takings of the fi rst 20 Bond films and the gross takings of DIE ANOTHER DAY b y territory, the most successful Bond film to date.
In: Cinema Retro n1 January 2005 Pages: 22-27
Title: Jet packs and DB5'sAuthor: PFEIFFER, Lee Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Mainly photographic account of the filming of the pre-credit sequence to THUNDERBALL.
In: Film Score Monthly v8 n4 Apr/May 2003 Pages: 18-23
Title: From Lukas with loveAuthor: KENDALL, Lukas Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Crash course in soundtrack restoration. EMI James Bond re-re leases project is recounted. This is the first of two parts and features THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
In: Film Score Monthly v8 n4 Apr/May 2003 Page: 33
Title: Score: reviews of CDsAuthor: MacDONALD, Darren Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Music from the Movies n37 2003 Page: 7
Title: Bond 40th anniversary: the expanded soundtracksAuthor: WOOLSTON, Stephen Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the five expanded James Bond albums: THUNDERBALL; YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE; O.H.M.S.S; DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and LIVE AND LET DIE. Author speaks to the producer Lukas Kendall.
In: Film Review n599 November 2000 Page: 47
Title: ThunderballAuthor: RICHARDSON, David Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n9 September 2000 Page: 62
Title: DVDArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: StarBurst n266 October 2000 Pages: 88-89
Title: Reviews: DVD fileAuthor: ATKINS, Ian Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Entertainment Weekly n515 3 Dec 1999 Pages: 40-42, 44, 46
Title: And the Bond played onAuthor: ESSEX, Andrew Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Review of the James Bond movie title hit songs.
In: TV Guide v47 n46 13 Nov 1999 Pages: 26-28, 30
Title: Licensed to still thrillAuthor: SCHWED, Mark Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Seven Bond girls discuss their roles.
In: Vanity Fair n471 November 1999 Pages: 136-141
Title: Bond girls are foreverAuthor: FEIRSTEIN, Bruce Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Nineteen Bond girls pose for photographer Annie Leibovitz. Short note on each and general note by Bruce Feirstein.
In: Sight and Sound v2 n4 August 1992 Page: 69
Title: [Sight and Sound - v2 n4 August 1992: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: British National Film Catalogue v4 1966 Page: 80
Title: [British National Film Catalogue - v4 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v33 n385 February 1966 Page: 20
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v33 n385 February 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v33 n388 May 1966 Page: 81
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v33 n388 May 1966: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Addendum.
In: Motion Picture Herald v235 n1 5 Jan 1966 Page: 433
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v235 n1 5 Jan 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 22 Dec 1965
Title: [Variety - 22 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: The Daily Cinema n9160 31 Dec 1965 Page: 10
Title: [The Daily Cinema - n9160 31 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: Kine Weekly n3039 30 Dec 1965 Page: 8
Title: [Kine Weekly - n3039 30 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: Cineforum n50 December 1965
Title: [Cineforum - n50 December 1965: no known title]Language: Italian
Description: Analysis.
In: Kine Weekly n2931 5 Dec 1963 Page: 5
Title: [Kine Weekly - n2931 5 Dec 1963: no known title]Language: English
Description: McClory wins action over copyright against Fleming.
Author: FIELD, Matthew Pages: 704 pages
Title: music of James Bond
Author: BURLINGAME, Jon Pages: ix, 293 pages
Title: battle for Bond
Author: SELLERS, Robert Pages: x, 251 p.
Title: Ken Adam and the art of production design
Author: FRAYLING, Christopher Pages: xiii, 316 p.
Title: Thunderball
Author: FLEMING, Ian Pages: 234p
Description: (Based on a screen treatment by K. McClory, J. Whittington and Ian Fleming).
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(5)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1560711
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590829
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590829
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(4)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1560711
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264946
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264944
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Yellow Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264945
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Dates: 1965 (Copyright), 14 March 1966 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Terence Young
Synopsis: Spy action thriller. British secret agent James Bond has been sent to improve his wellbeing at a health farm, Shrublands. There he chances upon Count Lippe whose unusual arm tattoo intrigues Bond. Lippe is really there to oversee a fellow patient's severe facial surgery, which is secretly part of a plot by terrorism group S.P.E.C.T.R.E. to blackmail the West by hijacking a N.A.T.O. flight, stealing the plane's two atomic warheads and keeping them under the sea in the Bahamas. Bond travels to Nassau where, aided by fellow agent Paula and the C.I.A.'s Felix Leiter, he encounters the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. operatives Emilio Largo and Fiona Volpe. Largo owns the Disco Volante hydrofoil (which has been used in the hiding of the bombs) and lives at the exotic villa Palmyra, with sharks in his pool. Largo's female companion Domino is the sister of a pilot who was murdered as part of the warhead robbery. Bond faces danger from assassins, sharks and high-speed cars and boats in his bid to find the stolen nuclear arms before time is up and Miami is destroyed.
Genres: Action and Adventure, Thriller
Subjects: Espionage, Nuclear weapons, Terrorism, Extortion
Releases
Date: 29 December 1965Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - SoundAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 129 mins Length: 11250 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: United Artists
Credits
(80)
©: Danjaq S.A., an Eon production: Eon Productions, Released thru: United Artists, Presented by: Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, Produced by: Kevin McClory, Production Supervisor: David Middlemas, Location Manager: Frank Ernst, Underwater Sequences Director: Ricou Browning, Assistant Director: Gus Agosti, Continuity Girl: Joan Davis, Screenplay by: Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins, Based on an original screenplay by: Jack Whittingham, Based on the original story by: Kevin McClory, Based on the original story by: Jack Whittingham, Ian Fleming, Above the Title Credit [for Novel]: Ian Fleming, [Story Contributions]: Ernest Cuneo, Ivar Bryce, Director of Photography: Ted Moore, 2nd Unit Cameraman: Egil Woxholt, Underwater Sequences Cameraman: Lamar Boren, Underwater Sequences Engineer: Jordan Klein, Camera Operator: John Winbolt, Special Effects: John Stears, Special Effects Technician: Bert Luxford, Special Effects Technician: Frank George, Special Effects Technician: Jimmy Snow, Garth Inns, Supervising Editor: Peter Hunt, Editor: Ernest Hosler, Assembly Editor: Ben Rayner, Production Designed by: Ken Adam, Art Director: Peter Murton, Assistant Art Director: Michael White, Set Dresser: Freda Pearson, Chief Draughtsman: Peter Lamont, Tapestries Painter: Ferdinand Bellan, Bomb Carrier Fabrication: Jordan Klein, [Construction Manager]: Ronnie Udell, Wardrobe Designer: Anthony Mendleson, Wardrobe Mistress: Eileen Sullivan, Wardrobe Master: John Brady, Sean Connery's Suits: Anthony Sinclair, Make-up: Paul Rabiger, Make-up: Basil Newall, Hairdresser: Eileen Warwick, Main Title Designed by: Maurice Binder, Filmed in: Panavision, Colour by: Technicolor, Music Composed and Conducted by: John Barry, The James Bond Theme Written by: Monty Norman, [Music Arranged by]: John Barry, [Orchestra Contractor]: Sid Margo, [Music Recording Engineer]: John Richards, [Music Recorded at (October 1965)]: CTS Studios (Bayswater), Sound Recordist: Bert Ross, Maurice Askew, Sound System Logo: Westrex Recording System, Sound Recorded at: The Gate Recording Theatre, Dubbing Editor: Norman Wanstall, Harry Miller, Action Sequences by: Bob Simmons, Stunts: George Leech, Stunts: Tom Clegg, Stunts: Bill Sawyer, Underwater Double for Sean Connery: Frank Cousins, Vulcan Pilot Stunt Double: Courtney Brown, Location Facilities Arranged by: Branwell Film Productions Limited (Bahamas), Paradise Island Sequences by Courtesy of: Huntington Hartford, The Producers Gratefully Acknowledge the: The Royal Navy, The Producers Gratefully Acknowledge the: Royal Air Force, The Producers Gratefully Acknowledge the: United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, Aviation Services: David Michael Kay, Military Liaison: Charles Russhon, Made at: Pinewood Studios, Underwater Sequences [filmed at]: Ivan Tors Underwater Studios
Cast
(60)
Sean Connery (James Bond), Claudine Auger (Dominique Derval, 'Domino'), Adolfo Celi (Emilio Largo), Luciana Paluzzi (Fiona Volpe), Rik Van Nutter (Felix Leiter), Bernard Lee ('M'), Martine Beswick (Paula Kaplan), Guy Doleman (Count Lippe), Molly Peters (Patricia), Desmond Llewelyn ('Q'), Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny), Roland Culver (foreign secretary), Earl Cameron (Pinder), Paul Stassino (Angelo Palazzi/Major François Derval), Rose Alba ('Madame Boitier', supposed widow at funeral), Philip Locke (Vargas, Largo henchman 1), George Pravda (Professor Ladislav Kutze), Michael Brennan (Janni, Largo henchman 2), Leonard Sachs (Group Captain Pritchard), Edward Underdown (Air Vice-Marshal Sir John), Reginald Beckwith (Kenniston, foreign secretary's aide), Harold Sanderson (hydrofoil captain), Bob Simmons (Colonel Jacques Bouvar, S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 6 (funeral 'widow' during fight with Bond)), Philo Hauser (Karlski), Amelia Bayntun (Mrs Karlski), Anthony Dawson (Ernst Stavro Blofeld), Eric Pohlmann (voice of Ernst Stavro Blofeld), Cecil Cheng (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 4), André Maranne (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 10), Philip Stone (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 5), Garry Colleano (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 11), Clive Cazes (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 9), Tom Bowman (Shrublands attendant), Bill Sawyer (stretcher bearer), Michael Culver (Vulcan co-pilot), Neil Hallett (Vulcan pilot), Derek Partridge (Vulcan navigator), Mark Moss (Vulcan wireless operator), Jordan Klein (bomb carrier operator wearing Rolex), Jack Gwillim (air vice marshal), Patrick Holt (station commander), Charles Russhon (military official with Moneypenny), Suzy Kendall (Prue, blonde woman at casino table), Bill Cummings (Quist, Largo henchman hiding in Bond's shower), Lloyd Reckord (Pinder's assistant), Maryse Guy Mitsouko (Mademoiselle La Porte), Kevin McClory (moustached man blowing smoke, casino entrance), Anthony Bailey (radar navigator), Gabor Baraker (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 13), Neville Becker (S.P.E.C.T.R.E. agent), George Leech (Disco Volante radio operator), Courtney Brown (diver shot with explosive spear), Billie Bates, Jean Mcgrath, Rani Dubé (nude aqua girl in main titles), David Orchard, Micky De Rauch (swimmer in main titles), Robert Rietti (voice of Emilio Largo), Nikki van der Zyl (voice of Domino), Barbara Jefford (voice of Patricia)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(26)
In: Empire n232 October 2008 Pages: 96-105Title: The Bond identityArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Photographs featuring behind-the-scenes images from the making of all the James Bond films.
In: Cinema Retro v2 n6 Autumn 2006 Pages: 8-10
Title: Benson turns the clock back - 1965Author: BENSON, Raymond Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: The author briefly examines the cinema of 1965 and lists his top ten films from that year.
In: Empire n210 December 2006 Pages: 86-90,93-94,96-98,100,102
Title: The 21 scenes that made Bond greatAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Lists and briefly critiques twenty-one scenes from various J ames Bond films considered to embody the best of franchise t o date.
In: Cinema Retro v2 n4 Winter 2006 Pages: 40-41
Title: Thunderball 40th anniversaryArticle type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Account of the event that took in London on 20th November 2005 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of THUNDERBALL.
In: Empire n210 December 2006 Page: 96
Title: Golden eye candyAuthor: MEADOWS, Joel Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief interview and profile with illustrator Robert McGinnis about the posters he designed for some of the James Bond fi lms.
In: Screen International n1573 24 Nov 2006 Page: 32
Title: Nobody does it betterAuthor: MITCHELL, Robert Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: CASINO ROYALE topped 27 territories on its opening weekend. Tables show the domestic and international takings of the fi rst 20 Bond films and the gross takings of DIE ANOTHER DAY b y territory, the most successful Bond film to date.
In: Cinema Retro n1 January 2005 Pages: 22-27
Title: Jet packs and DB5'sAuthor: PFEIFFER, Lee Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Mainly photographic account of the filming of the pre-credit sequence to THUNDERBALL.
In: Film Score Monthly v8 n4 Apr/May 2003 Pages: 18-23
Title: From Lukas with loveAuthor: KENDALL, Lukas Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Crash course in soundtrack restoration. EMI James Bond re-re leases project is recounted. This is the first of two parts and features THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
In: Film Score Monthly v8 n4 Apr/May 2003 Page: 33
Title: Score: reviews of CDsAuthor: MacDONALD, Darren Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English
In: Music from the Movies n37 2003 Page: 7
Title: Bond 40th anniversary: the expanded soundtracksAuthor: WOOLSTON, Stephen Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the five expanded James Bond albums: THUNDERBALL; YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE; O.H.M.S.S; DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and LIVE AND LET DIE. Author speaks to the producer Lukas Kendall.
In: Film Review n599 November 2000 Page: 47
Title: ThunderballAuthor: RICHARDSON, David Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Sight and Sound v10 n9 September 2000 Page: 62
Title: DVDArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: StarBurst n266 October 2000 Pages: 88-89
Title: Reviews: DVD fileAuthor: ATKINS, Ian Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Entertainment Weekly n515 3 Dec 1999 Pages: 40-42, 44, 46
Title: And the Bond played onAuthor: ESSEX, Andrew Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Review of the James Bond movie title hit songs.
In: TV Guide v47 n46 13 Nov 1999 Pages: 26-28, 30
Title: Licensed to still thrillAuthor: SCHWED, Mark Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Seven Bond girls discuss their roles.
In: Vanity Fair n471 November 1999 Pages: 136-141
Title: Bond girls are foreverAuthor: FEIRSTEIN, Bruce Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Nineteen Bond girls pose for photographer Annie Leibovitz. Short note on each and general note by Bruce Feirstein.
In: Sight and Sound v2 n4 August 1992 Page: 69
Title: [Sight and Sound - v2 n4 August 1992: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note
In: British National Film Catalogue v4 1966 Page: 80
Title: [British National Film Catalogue - v4 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v33 n385 February 1966 Page: 20
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v33 n385 February 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v33 n388 May 1966 Page: 81
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v33 n388 May 1966: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Addendum.
In: Motion Picture Herald v235 n1 5 Jan 1966 Page: 433
Title: [Motion Picture Herald - v235 n1 5 Jan 1966: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 22 Dec 1965
Title: [Variety - 22 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: The Daily Cinema n9160 31 Dec 1965 Page: 10
Title: [The Daily Cinema - n9160 31 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: Kine Weekly n3039 30 Dec 1965 Page: 8
Title: [Kine Weekly - n3039 30 Dec 1965: no known title]Language: English
In: Cineforum n50 December 1965
Title: [Cineforum - n50 December 1965: no known title]Language: Italian
Description: Analysis.
In: Kine Weekly n2931 5 Dec 1963 Page: 5
Title: [Kine Weekly - n2931 5 Dec 1963: no known title]Language: English
Description: McClory wins action over copyright against Fleming.
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(5)
Title: Some kind of hero: the remarkable story of the James Bond filmsAuthor: FIELD, Matthew Pages: 704 pages
Title: music of James Bond
Author: BURLINGAME, Jon Pages: ix, 293 pages
Title: battle for Bond
Author: SELLERS, Robert Pages: x, 251 p.
Title: Ken Adam and the art of production design
Author: FRAYLING, Christopher Pages: xiii, 316 p.
Title: Thunderball
Author: FLEMING, Ian Pages: 234p
Description: (Based on a screen treatment by K. McClory, J. Whittington and Ian Fleming).
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(5)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1560711
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590829
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteColour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-590829
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(4)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1560711
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Cyan Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264946
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Magenta Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264944
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Yellow Separation MatrixBase: SafetySound: MuteLength: 9700 FeetBFI identifier: C-1264945
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film