The James Bond movies have become some of the world’s most culturally significant entertainments – with each one being packed with iconic images and products.
The 007 films have had a considerable impact since the release of the first, Dr. No, in 1962.
The franchise has been now a major part of film history for over six decades. There have been 25 official Bond films released.
The longevity is a testament to the brand’s enduring popularity.
And despite their iconic British spy character, the Bond movies have a wide international following. They consistently perform well at box offices globally.
Because of this James Bond has become a cultural icon, representing a sophisticated and charismatic hero. His catchphrases even include his name: “Bond, James Bond”.
The films are full of iconic imagery from the Aston Martin car to the distinctive opening gun-barrel sequence. And they are known for their memorable theme songs often performed by major artists.
All Bond films are known for their use of certain cliché elements that have become synonymous with the franchise. These include high-stakes poker games, car chases and exotic locations.
The star character is frequently depicted participating in high-stakes casino card games – often playing baccarat or poker. These scenes serve as a backdrop for tension-filled encounters, where the outcome of the game can have significant consequences for the mission.
Bond is also always helped by gadgets and technology – setting a state-of-the-art atmosphere for the action-adventure stories. One of the major characters is Q, the genius inventor at MI6, who equips Bond with an array of cutting-edge trinkets and gizmos.
They range from hidden weapons to specialized vehicles. And at the heart of these are the Aston Martin cars.
The brand has become synonymous with Bond. The cars are often equipped with various gadgets and modifications.
These are the iconic Aston Martin models that have appeared in Bond films:
Aston Martin DB5
Bond’s most famous recurring vehicle made its first appearance in “Goldfinger” (1964) and has since become an intrinsic part of Bond’s image.
The classic sixties DB5 has since appeared in “Thunderball” (1965), “GoldenEye” (1995), “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “Casino Royale” (2006), “Skyfall” (2012), and “Spectre” (2015).
It was even rolled out for a nostalgic cameo in “No Time to Die” (2021).
The 325bhp sports car came with rear-wheel drive and could reach 145mph/233kph – a high maximum speed for the era.
Aston Martin DBS
The DBS was first seen in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969). It later made a comeback in “Casino Royale” (2006) and “Quantum of Solace” (2008).
The big luxury 320bhp sports car only featured one special gadget – a mounting for a telescopic rifle.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The luxurious 5.3-litre V8 Vantage was prominently featured in “The Living Daylights” (1987) as Bond’s vehicle of choice.
Britain’s first “true supercar,” the V8 was already 10 years old when it was chosen for Timothy Dalton’s first James Bond movie.
The iconic model – now a sought-after classic car –reappeared in “No Time to Die” (2021) too.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
The V12 Vanquish played a significant role in “Die Another Day” (2002), in which it was laden with special gadgets and had a distinctive ice-themed design.
Top models of the Vanquish range could exceed 200mph/324kph.
Aston Martin DB10
Created exclusively for the Bond film Spectre (2015), the DB10 was a limited-edition concept car. It was launched at Pinewood Studios and introduced as “the first cast member”.
The 430bhp V8 engine offered acceleration from 0-60mph(0-100kph) in just 4.3 seconds.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
The Superleggera was featured in the film “No Time to Die” (2021), and was driven by both Bond and his colleague Nomi. The highly acclaimed supercar has an extraordinary 715bhp power output and a top speed of 211 mph/340kph.
Aston Martin Valhalla
“No Time to Die” (2021) also featured this high-tech Aston that is at the concept car stage. This revolutionary mid-engine hybrid hypercar has yet to be released.
With next-generation aircraft morphing technology, power of over 1000bhp and all-wheel-drive it is likely to be an automotive benchmark if it ever enters full production.
Overall, experts consider the DB5 is the quintessential Bond car. The classic car is instantly linked to the 007 franchise – although it has to make fleeting appearances in the modern films.
As a performance car it can’t really compete on the high-tech modern stage that Bond films demand.
Meanwhile Bond’s other trademark images are only a little less enduring than the Aston Martin cars. They include a preference for Martinis, typically ordered as “shaken, not stirred.”
And of course Bond films have a tradition of featuring glamorous and seductive female characters – often referred to as “Bond girls.”
These characters vary from allies to adversaries and love interests.
Bond girls are always known for their style, sophistication and hidden strengths – a little like the Aston Martin cars.
