Exploring James Bond's Austrian Filming Locations

where was james bond filmed in austria

Austria has been a filming location for several scenes in the James Bond films, including Spectre and The Living Daylights. In Spectre, starring Daniel Craig, the Austrian locations included Sölden, Obertilliach, and the Ötztaler Gletscherstrasse, a mountain highway. In The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton's Bond visited Vienna, with scenes filmed at Schönbrunn Palace, the Volksoper, and the intersection of Währinger Strasse and Schlagergasse.

Characteristics Values
Film The Living Daylights
Year 1987
Bond Actor Timothy Dalton
Locations in Austria Vienna, Carinthia, Sölden, Obertilliach, Gaislachkogl, Golzentipp ski resort, Altaussee
Specific Locations in Vienna Volksoper, Währinger Strasse, Schlagergasse, Antonigasse, Sommarugagasse, Schönbrunn Palace, Prater Park, Traungasse, Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz, Sonnenfelsgasse, Gersthof/Währing

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James Bond filming locations in Sölden, Tirol

The 24th Bond film, Spectre, was filmed in Sölden, Tirol, in January 2015. The film features a dramatic car chase along a 16-kilometer stretch of the Ötztaler Gletscherstrasse, a mountain highway between Sölden and the Ötztaler Glacier. The highway is situated at an altitude of 1,377–2,800 meters. In the film, one of the Bond girls is kidnapped in a Jeep, and James Bond gives chase in a small plane. The Gletscherstrasse was closed for the sequence, which ends with Bond crash-landing on a ski run and destroying a cabin.

The Ice Q restaurant, located atop Gaislachkogl, Austria's highest peak in Sölden, also served as a filming location. The striking cubic glass structure was used as a clinic in the film. The James Bond Adventure World 007 Elements was created next to the restaurant to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the world of James Bond.

The scenes in the film that feature a sports plane were shot in a wooded area next to the Golzentipp ski area in Sölden. Additionally, a Bond hideout was constructed on the Golzentipp ski resort.

The filming in Sölden was made possible by the commitment and efforts of mountain railway boss Jakob Falkner, who advocated for the location due to its excellent logistics, accessibility, and panoramic views.

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James Bond's hideout at the Golzentipp ski resort

The Golzentipp ski resort served as the backdrop for a thrilling chase sequence involving a sports plane. The area's pristine snow-covered slopes and wooded landscapes added to the spectacle of the scene. The village manager, Scherer, noted that an aisle had been cut through the woods the previous winter to lay power lines, which proved advantageous for the film crew.

The filming of Spectre in Tirol generated significant buzz and brought over 100 million euros in revenue to the country. The stunning scenery and action-packed sequences showcased in the film attracted tourists and enthusiasts alike, eager to immerse themselves in the world of James Bond.

The construction of Bond's hideout at the Golzentipp ski resort is a testament to the film's attention to detail and commitment to creating a surreal and memorable experience for viewers. Actor Dave Bautista described the filming locations as "surreal, like a painting." The resort's remote and snowy setting provided the perfect atmosphere for a secret agent's hideout, adding to the intrigue and excitement of the film.

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James Bond's car chase on the Ötztaler Gletscherstrasse

James Bond films are known for their thrilling car chases, and the Austrian Alps provided the perfect backdrop for one such scene in the film Spectre. The chase unfolds along a 16-kilometre stretch of the Ötztaler Gletscherstrasse, a mountain highway situated at an altitude of 1,377–2,800 meters between Sölden and the Ötztaler Glacier. The Ice Q restaurant, perched atop Gaislachkogl, the highest peak in Austria's Sölden, serves as a clinic in the film. This striking cubic glass structure became one of the most iconic locations in the movie.

In the film, one of the Bond girls is kidnapped in a Jeep, prompting James Bond to give chase in a small plane. The spectacular sequence showcases the beauty of the Austrian Alps, with the Gletscherstrasse closed specifically for filming. The scene culminates in Bond crash-landing on a ski run, destroying a cabin, and eventually coming to a skidding halt.

Filming this complex sequence was no easy feat. The plane featured in the scene was stored in a tent, as none of the hangars in eastern Tyrol were large enough to accommodate it. Additionally, a snowplow and tractor were used to drag the sliding plane back to its starting position for each take.

This is not the first time Austria has been featured in a James Bond film. The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton as Bond, included scenes filmed in Vienna, where Bond and Saunders keep an eye on General Koskov at the opera house, the Volksoper. Bond and Kara Milovy, a cellist, drive away from the opera house in a silver Aston Martin, with Bond parking on Antonigasse and Sommarugagasse.

Austria's stunning landscapes and architecture have not only provided breathtaking backdrops for James Bond car chases but have also contributed to the country's appeal as a filming location, attracting tourists and generating significant revenue.

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James Bond in Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria's capital and largest city, has provided a picturesque backdrop for several James Bond films. The city's unique blend of imperial architecture, scenic parks, and vibrant culture have made it a popular choice for filmmakers looking to create stunning visuals and immersive storylines.

One of the most notable appearances of Vienna in the James Bond franchise is in the 1987 film "The Living Daylights," starring Timothy Dalton as the iconic British secret agent. In this instalment, Bond travels to Vienna, Austria, after helping General Koskov escape from Czechoslovakia. The city serves as a stand-in for Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, where Bond follows and befriends the cellist Kara Milovy, played by Maryam d'Abo.

Some of the specific locations in Vienna that were featured in "The Living Daylights" include the Volksoper, an opera house that stood in for the Bratislavan concert hall in the film. Bond and Saunders attend a classical concert there, awaiting the defection of General Koskov during the interval. The exterior shots of the Volksoper, with its distinctive architecture, are easily recognisable in the film.

Another memorable location is Prater Park, where Bond and Kara enjoy the amusements, including bumper cars and a rollercoaster. They also ride the iconic Wiener Riesenrad, the famous Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city. The sequence in which Bond and Kara escape from Kara's apartment and take a horse-drawn carriage ride was filmed between the Art and Natural History Museums, showcasing the elegant beauty of Vienna's grand boulevards.

Additionally, the film features various streets and intersections in Vienna, such as Währinger Strasse, Schlagergasse, Traungasse, Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz, and Sonnenfelsgasse. These streets provide the backdrop for thrilling car chases and add to the sense of urgency in the film. The interior shots of the safe house were filmed at Sofiensäle on Marxergasse, a building that unfortunately burned down in 2001.

Apart from "The Living Daylights," Vienna has also been featured in other James Bond films, including Spectre. The city's ability to double for other locations and its diverse range of landscapes, from snowy mountains to ornate cities, continue to make it a sought-after filming destination for the James Bond franchise and many other productions.

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James Bond filming locations in Obertilliach

Obertilliach, a small municipality in Tyrol, Austria, served as a filming location for the 24th James Bond film, Spectre. The town, with its biathlon centre, is a popular training and competition venue for cross-country skiers and biathletes, as well as a skiing and hiking region.

In January 2015, Daniel Craig was in Obertilliach filming scenes at the so-called "Bond house". The area was prepared with artificial snow to add to the sparse snowfall in the town. Part of the set included a wrecked plane, which Craig was seen jumping out of with a gun in his hand. The film crew also constructed a temporary building on the outskirts of Obertilliach, which was either blown up or saw a plane crash into it during the film.

The wooded area next to the Golzentipp ski area in Obertilliach was another filming location for Spectre. A sports plane was chased through this area, providing spectacular cinematic images. The ski resort also served as a Bond hideout in the film.

Spectre is not the first James Bond film to be filmed in Austria. The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond, featured scenes filmed in Vienna, Austria. These scenes included Bond and Saunders sitting on a balcony in a concert hall, as well as Bond and Kara Milovy driving away in an Audi, with Bond eventually following Milovy to Bratislava.

Frequently asked questions

The 24th Bond film, 'Spectre', was shot in Sölden and Obertilliach in Tirol, Austria.

The 1987 film 'The Living Daylights' features Timothy Dalton as James Bond in Vienna, Austria.

James Bond and Kara drove away at Schlagergasse in Vienna, Austria.

The opening sequence of 'The Living Daylights' was filmed in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. However, Vienna in Austria doubled for Bratislava in the film.

The ski chase scene in 'The Living Daylights' was filmed in Carinthia in southern Austria.

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