32 replies to this topic

[JCRendle]

In Skyfall we see

Spoiler

the Vauxhall Cross MI6 Building blown up and operations relocated to an underground bunker.

. I wonder if, in Bond 24, we will see a

Spoiler

new location for MI6 headquarters, to go with the new staff

[thecasinoroyale]

Whatever happens, I want more action in/around MI6 located at Vauxhall - they can't rid that building from Bond and establish another HQ elsewhere if that still stands in our lifetime, it just wouldn't seem right.

At least in 'GoldenEye' it got a decent look-in, also in 'The World Is Not Enough', just a shame it keeps getting blown up!

Hopefully we will see the Vauxhall building again in future Bonds. I hope!

[Matt_13]

I believe these questions are answered in the Bond on Set book quite clearly.

[The Shark]

Whatever happens, I want more action in/around MI6 located at Vauxhall - they can't rid that building from Bond and establish another HQ elsewhere if that still stands in our lifetime, it just wouldn't seem right.

Why? It's only been Bond's HQ since 95.

[JimmyBond]

Speaking of that, what building(s) were used for the establising shots in the old days?

[Bond... Raybond]

I don't think it was until FYEO that they established the Minstry of Defence as the location of MI6, and that was because the next shot was the Defence minster's office. They continued to use that shot (or like unto it) until Licence To Kill (although TLD seemed to have moved the Secret Service to near Trafalgar Square) and from GoldenEye they started using the real life MI6 building. Prior to FYEO I believe the only establishing shot of MI6 was in OHMSS with the Universal Exports name plate that seemed to indicate a proximity to the Houses of Parliament, if the reflection showing Big Ben (yes, I know it actually only refers to the bell, the tower actually now called the Elizabeth Tower) is anything to go by. In the Connery days they would just use an aerial shot of London before going to M's office, though I believe that was only in Goldfinger. Hope that helps.

[JCRendle]

Wasn't the HM Treasury building used in OHMSS?

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

How about (re)establishing Universal Exports HQ being next to Regent's Park?

Edited by AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän, 14 October 2012 - 09:50 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

I know, I just feel Vauxhall is more knowlegable for all Bond fans as his HQ, as it's been established so many times.

I wont argue a HQ move, don't get me wrong, I just love the MI6 building itself and find when I go past it, it just screams 007!

[Vauxhall]

Whatever happens, I want more action in/around MI6 located at Vauxhall - they can't rid that building from Bond and establish another HQ elsewhere if that still stands in our lifetime, it just wouldn't seem right.

Why? It's only been Bond's HQ since 95.

Before 1994, when the building was opened by the Queen, the existence of MI6 (or its headquarters) was never publicly acknowledged, so the filmmakers had to create a fictitious location. Therefore, Bond's headquarters has been in the correct place in the films since it officially existed, if you see what I mean. I see TCR's point that it would be a bit odd to pretend Vauxhall Cross had been entirely leveled to the ground within the Bond universe, and therefore I expect it to return intact for BOND 24.

I just feel Vauxhall is more knowlegable for all Bond fans

Putting this quote in the scrapbook.

[JimmyBond]

Here's another interesting question. If MI6 wasn't public knowledge until '94, what did everyone think the building was?

[Single-O-Seven]

Here's another interesting question. If MI6 wasn't public knowledge until '94, what did everyone think the building was?

MI6 HQ. Just nobody admitted to it officially. Kinda of like Area 51 not being there until it was officially acknowledged in 1997.

[007jamesbond]

some office inside the Ministry of Defense?

[Vauxhall]

Here's another interesting question. If MI6 wasn't public knowledge until '94, what did everyone think the building was?

The building was constructed in the early 1990s, before the official opening in 1994. While it was under construction, I believe it was known to be a new government headquarters (which most people suspected meant MI5/MI6) but it wasn't officially revealed until it was complete and set up.

[TheManwiththeWaltherPPK]

Based on certain spoilers in the Bond on Set book, I'm wondering about this too.

Spoiler

The architecture of Mallory's classic Moffice at the end of the film doesn't believeably fit as the interior of the Vauxhall Cross HQ. Whereas Legoland is a modern building with full glass wall windows, the office only has small, traditional windows. Quite simply, the inside and the outside don't match. Moreover, the frame picture of Legoland above M's desk suggests that the office is not located there. The photo seems to be a tribute in remembrance of something that doesn't exist anymore.

Edited by TheManwiththeWaltherPPK, 15 October 2012 - 10:00 AM.

[Vauxhall]

Agreed.

Spoiler

The scene at the end of SKYFALL is based in Mallory's offices in Whitehall, but is clearly intended as a reference to the traditional M's office in the 1960s/70s/80s, so is probably something the team decided to put into the film as a special touch for the fans, before moving things back to Vauxhall Cross for BOND 24.

[TheManwiththeWaltherPPK]

Agreed.

Spoiler

The scene at the end of SKYFALL is based in Mallory's offices in Whitehall, but is clearly intended as a reference to the traditional M's office in the 1960s/70s/80s, so is probably something the team decided to put into the film as a special touch for the fans, before moving things back to Vauxhall Cross for BOND 24.

I dunno.

Spoiler

It's odd because, based on the book, Mallory has a completely different office for the rest of the film. I know the script makes a reference to Mallory in the process of moving in when he first meets M in the film so it could be possible that the classic M office is just Mallory's Whitehall office after he's finished moving in and redecorating, but the layout of the two offices seem completely different. The classic M office from the end of Skyfall has the red leather door entrance directly across from the desk and wall with bookcases. In Mallory's Whitehall office, the entrance seems to be perpendicular to the desk and wall with the bookcases. One has plaster walls with crown molding, the other wood paneling. I don't know why EON would reintroduce the classic M office just to get rid of it when they move back to Vauxhall Cross in Bond 24. They seem to be sick of the modern design of Vauxhall Cross. Why else would they move MI6 into a retro bunker reminiscent of Q-branch's offices in Goldfinger for the duration of Skyfall? I think it would be cool and Fleming-esque if the new status quo is that MI6 has moved elsewhere, but Vauxhall Cross is maintained to the public as the location of the HQ as a cover and to prevent further attacks on the new one.

[Vauxhall]

Agreed.

Spoiler

The scene at the end of SKYFALL is based in Mallory's offices in Whitehall, but is clearly intended as a reference to the traditional M's office in the 1960s/70s/80s, so is probably something the team decided to put into the film as a special touch for the fans, before moving things back to Vauxhall Cross for BOND 24.

I dunno.

Spoiler

It's odd because, based on the book, Mallory has a completely different office for the rest of the film. I know the script makes a reference to Mallory in the process of moving in when he first meets M in the film so it could be possible that the classic M office is just Mallory's Whitehall office after he's finished moving in and redecorating, but the layout of the two offices seem completely different. The classic M office from the end of Skyfall has the red leather door entrance directly across from the desk and wall with bookcases. In Mallory's Whitehall office, the entrance seems to be perpendicular to the desk and wall with the bookcases. One has plaster walls with crown molding, the other wood paneling. I don't know why EON would reintroduce the classic M office just to get rid of it when they move back to Vauxhall Cross in Bond 24. They seem to be sick of the modern design of Vauxhall Cross. Why else would they move MI6 into a retro bunker reminiscent of Q-branch's offices in Goldfinger for the duration of Skyfall? I think it would be cool and Fleming-esque if the new status quo is that MI6 has moved elsewhere, but Vauxhall Cross is maintained to the public as the location of the HQ as a cover and to prevent further attacks on the new one.

Interesting points.

Spoiler

Very interesting you say that about Mallory's office. I too had the feeling that maybe the office at the end of the movie is simply what it looks like once he's finished moving in and rearranged everything as he likes it, but upon reflection, you're absolutely right about the room's design and fittings - they must be different rooms - albeit both described as "Mallory's Office" on Dennis Gassner's set designs.

I quite like your idea about reusing the Whitehall office and/or underground bunker in some capacity. For instance, I could see Q's bunker location being his regular lair for a few movies. I think Vauxhall Cross will eventually return, but I've been a bit bored by the building's interior changing in pretty much every recent film, so the consistency of a new location would be quite nice.

[univex]

Spoiler

I, for one, hope that they´ll give the 00 section a special office headquarters, connected with the Q-branch underground. Why should the 00´s be mixed up with the other Mi6 shenanigans? They could even serve as a last resort to the sort of situation that happened in Skyfall. An off the map ellite spy group. As it was intended to be, wheter they were all grey cats behind desks or globetrotting around the world. I say, give them the Universal Exports (Univex) plaque at the door.

[Vauxhall]

As we're back in the relative sanctity and safety of the SKYFALL Spoilers area, I'm leaving the tags now.

I wonder if we might get a Universal Exports reference in the final couple of scenes of SKYFALL. It doesn't necessarily have to be a verbal one, of course, merely a folder visible on Moneypenny's desk or a plaque as you suggested, univex.

I'm still mightily pleased with Bond having his R. Sterling business card in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. More things like this, please.

[univex]

As we're back in the relative sanctity and safety of the SKYFALL Spoilers area, I'm leaving the tags now.

I wonder if we might get a Universal Exports reference in the final couple of scenes of SKYFALL. It doesn't necessarily have to be a verbal one, of course, merely a folder visible on Moneypenny's desk or a plaque as you suggested, univex.

I'm still mightily pleased with Bond having his R. Sterling business card in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. More things like this, please.

Couldn´t agree more. But no more references, I want it all very blatantly done: an Universal Exports facade with the plaque, the cover being used by Bond in a field mission while registering on a hotel, ...

I´d love it if that started with SF. The Economist review seems to suggest so with the subtile "Full Circle". Who knows? One surely hopes so.

[007jamesbond]

got to stick with one office for a few films.......the office for M is so different from CR to QOS to SF

I am expecting to see traditional office in Bond 24 at Whitehall since there is a lot of government department there, why not have the officer there instead of the traditional Mi6 HQ in real life? and the rest of Mi6 staff is at Vauxhall Cross

Edited by 007jamesbond, 16 October 2012 - 03:42 AM.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

Spoiler

I, for one, hope that they´ll give the 00 section a special office headquarters, connected with the Q-branch underground. Why should the 00´s be mixed up with the other Mi6 shenanigans? They could even serve as a last resort to the sort of situation that happened in Skyfall. An off the map ellite spy group. As it was intended to be, wheter they were all grey cats behind desks or globetrotting around the world. I say, give them the Universal Exports (Univex) plaque at the door.

Wholeheartedly agreed.

[S K Y F A L L]

Its disappointing that they never reused the same office M had in GE and forward, I think it was only again seen in TWINE briefly. Craig's M hasn't had a the same office for more then a film.

Also all this time I've just assumed for some reason that Mallory is the new M and his office is at Whitehall.

[JimmyBond]

M briefed Miranda Frost in the offic

Its disappointing that they never reused the same office M had in GE and forward, I think it was only again seen in TWINE briefly. Craig's M hasn't had a the same office for more then a film.

It shows up quite a bit in Die Another Day: Bond shoots hologram M in a simulation of her office. We see M talking to Falco on a monitor in the ofifice. Miranda Frost is told Bond will be joining her in Iceland.

Though considering the film is Die Another Day and it's fallen out of favor with most people, you're forgiven for not remembering that

And it was also used in Casino Royale.

Edited by JimmyBond, 16 October 2012 - 11:05 PM.

[The Shark]

... and the PTS of TWINE.

[JimmyBond]

SKYFALL mentioned that one, I was just filling him in on what he didn't mention.

[S K Y F A L L]

I've been holding out watching the films again up until the release of SF and I haven't started yet, I've only watched audio commentaries on a few special editions. But there is no excuse, 'I'm not worthy' . LOL

Can't wait to see that big red door again, and the new office.

[Shrublands]

Though considering the film is Die Another Day and it's fallen out of favor with most people, you're forgiven for not remembering that

'Fallen out of favour' suggests that it was once in favour.

[univex]

Though considering the film is Die Another Day and it's fallen out of favor with most people, you're forgiven for not remembering that

'Fallen out of favour' suggests that it was once in favour.

Never! Once would have been one time too many.