Darker than the Sun: An Atlas of James Bond Movie Locations

Darker than the Sun is the latest book by super Bond fans Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. The book is a deep dive into the filming locations of the James Bond films. 

The book is not so much a travel guide (that would be On The Tracks of 007) but more an in-deph look in the behind-the-scenes of why certain locations made it into the films. Based on dozens of interviews with the people that worked on the films , Chowdhury and Field take us on a journey around the world.

Available now on Amazon USA ($25) or Amazon UK (£17).

Each chapter is dedicated to a single film from the series, presented in chronological order, and includes:

• Over 200 stunning photographs, including behind-the-scenes content, iconic film stills, never-before-seen images from crew members, and contemporary shots.
• Exclusive new interviews with Bond filmmakers, location scouts, and production designers, offering insider perspectives on how and why each destination was chosen.
• Global locator maps that trace Bond’s journeys across continents, highlighting both real and fictional settings.
• Feature maps that zoom in on key destinations, revealing how locations were transformed for the screen.
• Anecdotes that uncover the logistical challenges and creative decisions behind Bond’s most memorable moments.
• Historical and cultural context that explores how Bond’s locations reflect things like changing global politics, travel trends, and filmmaking techniques.

You’ll discover how Pinewood Studios became a stand-in for Venice, how a Jamaican bauxite mine doubled as Dr. No’s lair, and how a remote Thai island was transformed into the infamous hideout of Scaramanga. The book also explores the enduring impact of Bond on global tourism, with destinations like Piz Gloria and James Bond Island becoming iconic travel landmarks.

Drawing from Ian Fleming’s original novels, EON screenplays and decades of archival research, authors Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury bring their unparalleled Bond expertise to this definitive location compendium.