The 007 Files

David Leigh, Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo
  • 4.6 (11)
  • Film History
  • Monthly

The 007 Files podcast dives deep into the world of James Bond, blending expert analysis with casual conversation. Co-hosted by David Leigh, author of The Complete Guide to the Drinks of James Bond and founder of The James Bond Dossier, Bill Koenig of The Spy Command and Javi Trujillo, the podcast explores Bond's films, books, and cultural impact. Stay tuned for everything from in-depth reviews to Bond 26 updates and discussions of all things 007. Perfect for lifelong fans and new recruits alike!

  1. 5d ago

    For Your Eyes Only at 45: Is it Roger Moore’s best Bond film? | The 007 Files S4E012

    After Moonraker sent James Bond into space, For Your Eyes Only brought him back to earth. Forty-five years on, that change is still at the heart of the film’s appeal: a 2CV chase, the return of the Lotus, tougher action and more Ian Fleming than Roger Moore’s other Bond films. On License to Legacy, Bill Koenig of The Spy Command, Javi Trujillo and David Leigh are joined by Eoghan Lyng, author of Queen: Song by Song, to revisit the film and ask whether it might be Moore’s best. Eoghan thinks it is. The scene at Tracy’s grave is a big part of his case, linking the film to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. He also thinks Moore should have left Bond behind after this one. The rest of the panel have their own rankings. The film drew on Fleming’s short stories “For Your Eyes Only” and “Risico”, as well as Live and Let Die. Bill explains why it contains more Fleming material than any other Moore film. We also talk about the Bond series’ habit of swinging from one extreme to another: after a film goes big, the next one often pulls back. For Your Eyes Only did it after Moonraker; Casino Royale did it after Die Another Day. At the time, For Your Eyes Only was the second-biggest Bond film, behind Moonraker, and the fourth-biggest film of 1981. It cost around $28 million and grossed roughly $195 million worldwide. But box-office success is only part of the story. The film also began John Glen’s run as a Bond director, after years spent editing the films and directing second-unit action. We look at the speed and physicality he brought to the series, compare his approach with Sam Mendes and Cary Joji Fukunaga, and consider its influence on later action films, including Mission: Impossible. Bill draws on his 2020 interview with Glen for MI6 Confidential. The pre-title sequence still leaves a question hanging: who is the Blofeld-like figure Bond drops down a smokestack? Was it a dig at Kevin McClory, or a way for producer Cubby Broccoli to signal that Bond no longer needed Blofeld? Bill has a cut “10th anniversary” line that made it into the comic adaptation, and recalls a television spot that leaned hard on the Blofeld connection. There’s Sheena Easton, the first Bond theme singer to appear in the opening titles, and her Oscar-nominated song. Bill Conti’s disco-tinged score gets its due, too. We also talk memorabilia, Cassandra Harris’s role as Countess Lisl and her connection to Pierce Brosnan, and the loss of Bernard Lee. Lee died in January 1981, making For Your Eyes Only the first Bond film without him as M. Forty-five years later, For Your Eyes Only remains a revealing film in the series: a return to Fleming, a change of direction for Moore and the start of John Glen’s time at the helm. You can find us at: Eoghan Lyng https://bsky.app/profile/mightylyng.bsky.social Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded on 6th October 2026 in the United States, Spain and Ireland.

    For Your Eyes Only at 45: Is it Roger Moore’s best Bond film? | The 007 Files S4E012

  2. Sep 22

    How does James Bond survive in a digital world? Charlie Higson talks King Zero | The 007 Files S4E011

    How does James Bond survive in a world of smartphones, surveillance and ever more powerful technology? Charlie Higson joins us to talk about King Zero, his first full-length adult James Bond novel, and the problem of bringing 007 into the present day without losing what makes him Bond. Charlie describes Bond as “an analogue man in a digital world” and explains why that still works. We get into the structure of a classic Bond story, the villain he set out to create for King Zero, and the fears about technology and our growing dependence on it that sit behind the story. We also talk about Fleming, Thunderball, From Russia with Love, Sean Connery, John Barry, David Arnold and Bond 26. And before all that, Charlie explains how a career that started in music and comedy eventually led him to James Bond. Charlie Higson joins David Leigh, Bill Koenig and Javi Trujillo for the 50th episode of The 007 Files. Where to find us Charlie Higson https://x.com/monstroso Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Additional links Order King Zero from Ian Fleming Publications https://ianflemingshop.com/products/james-bond-king-zero-hardback-book-by-charlie-higson The Higsons live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-DWlwo2IIo Recorded on 22nd September 2026 in the UK, USA and Spain.

    How does James Bond survive in a digital world? Charlie Higson talks King Zero | The 007 Files S4E011

  3. Jul 18

    What Kina Lillet Really Tasted Like ft. drinks expert David T Smith | The 007 Files S4E010

    What did Kina Lillet really taste like, and how close can you get to the Vesper Ian Fleming described in Casino Royale? David Leigh is joined by drinks expert David T Smith, one of the few people to have tasted a surviving bottle of Kina Lillet. DTS explains how the old aperitif was not simply modern Lillet Blanc with more quinine. Different versions appear to have been produced for different markets, including a less sweet style for British drinkers who mixed it with gin. That makes Bond’s order in Casino Royale harder to pin down than it first appears. Which Kina Lillet would he actually have been served? And how different would the resulting Vesper have tasted from the pale, dry version usually made today? To find out, we taste DTS’s own approximation of Kina Lillet, made from equal parts Lillet Blanc and Kina Martini. Compared with modern Lillet, it is sweeter, heavier and slightly medicinal. Smith then uses it in a Vesper made with 47.3% Gordon’s gin and vintage 50% Smirnoff vodka. The drink is darker and fuller, with the golden colour Fleming described. The Vesper itself comes under scrutiny too. Fleming later called it unpalatable, Bond never orders another one in the novels, and its highly specific recipe may have contained an element of mischief. The pair ask whether it is genuinely a great cocktail or whether its real importance comes from its place in Bond history. They also move on to other drinks from Fleming and the films, including the Americano, the Stinger, Bond’s gin and tonic made with the juice of an entire lime, the vodka Alexander and the mysterious Foo Yuck. Smith explains which of them he would like to see used in Bond 26 and why the drink chosen for a scene should fit the place, character and situation rather than simply serve as product placement. There is also the £600 Macallan released for the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. DTS attended the London tasting and explains how the whisky drew on details from the film, including references to sherry and claret. The episode ends with news of the forthcoming podcast Red Wine with Fish, co-hosted by David T Smith, which will take a deeper look at James Bond’s drinks across both the books and films. Where to find us David T Smith https://summerfruitcup.wordpress.com/ https://www.instagram.com/redwinewithfishpodcast/ David Leigh https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com Additional links The Complete Guide to the Drinks of James Bond https://www.jamesbonddrinks.com The James Bond Dossier article on Kina Lillet: https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/lifestyle/drink/kina-lillet.htm Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th anniversary whisky: https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/features/the-macallan-unveils-diamonds-are-forever-55th-anniversary-release-in-london.htm Roger Moore's perfect martini: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/17/how-make-dry-martini-roger-moore-way-james-bond Recorded on 14th July 2026 in the UK and Spain.

    What Kina Lillet Really Tasted Like ft. drinks expert David T Smith | The 007 Files S4E010

  4. Jul 4

    What August's Bond 26 Auditions Really Mean | The 007 Files S4E009

    Bond 26 appears to be getting into gear, with reported August auditions giving the clearest sign yet that Amazon MGM’s first James Bond film is taking shape. Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo and David Leigh look at what the latest casting reports really mean, why the new Bond auditions matter, and what this points towards. The team breaks down the Deadline report on auditions for the new James Bond in August, and wonder if Global James Bond Day will be the moment Amazon finally does what Eon never did? They also discuss Young Bond casting, Isaac Rouse in Big Finish’s upcoming SilverFin audio adaptation, the problem of public denials in Bond casting, and what can — and cannot — be learned from the Daniel Craig selection process for Casino Royale. Javi also gives his verdict on 007 First Light, including Patrick Gibson’s performance as Bond, the game’s replay value, its similarity to Casino Royale, and whether Gibson should be considered a serious Bond 26 contender. Along the way, David's dog gives his own opinion on the Deadline story, Bill outs himself as a Harry Potter fan, and Javi suggests David’s British citizenship may soon be revoked. Where to find us Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded in the USA and Spain on 29th June 2026.

    What August's Bond 26 Auditions Really Mean | The 007 Files S4E009

  5. Jun 13

    The Truth About the Dr. No Monkey Myth ft. Professor James Chapman | The 007 Files S4E008

    Professor James Chapman, author of Licence To Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, joins The 007 Files to talk about Bond, film history, and the stories that attach themselves to 007. He begins with his own route into Bond: the films he first saw, how they landed at the time, and how that early interest eventually became serious work on the series. From there, the discussion moves into the way Bond has been written about, remembered and sometimes misremembered. One example is the old story that Dr. No was, at one stage, going to feature the villain as a monkey. It is exactly the kind of detail that gets passed around because it sounds too strange to lose. Chapman explains why access to the archives matters. Without the drafts, memos and correspondence, it is too easy for a colourful anecdote to become the accepted version of events.The episode also covers Harry Saltzman’s influence, the early shape of cinematic Bond, and why the first film could so easily have gone in a very different direction. Where to find us Professor James Chapman https://amzn.to/4xnYFH0 Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 8th June 2026.

    The Truth About the Dr. No Monkey Myth ft. Professor James Chapman | The 007 Files S4E008

  6. Jun 6

    Inside the Double O Trilogy ft. Kim Sherwood | The 007 Files S4E007

    In this episode of The 007 Files, Javi Trujillo and Bill Koenig talk to Kim Sherwood about her Double O trilogy and the world she created around a missing James Bond. Kim discusses her own route into Bond, from first watching Pierce Brosnan on television to seeing Die Another Day as her first Bond film on the big screen. She also remembers reading From Russia, With Love at the age of 12, being struck by Ian Fleming’s style even though much of the book went over her head at the time. The conversation looks at how Kim approached writing Bond without simply copying Fleming. She explains how she built a post-Fleming Bond world for the modern age, with new Double O agents stepping into the spotlight and contemporary threats such as climate change, disinformation, AI surveillance and global instability forming part of the background. Kim also talks about her first edition Bond books, the creation of her Double O agents, and how their names came about, including how handwriting a letter to the original Joanna Harwood paid off dividends. She discusses the way she used Fleming’s own work, hidden threads from the books, and legacy characters such as Felix Leiter while still giving the trilogy its own shape. There is plenty here on research and process too, from planning the books visually on huge sheets of paper to looking into military trauma, real Russian hotels and the wider geopolitical mood shaped by events such as Brexit and Afghanistan. Kim also talks about the value of saying your ambitions out loud. Her own crazy dream was to write James Bond — and sometimes, telling people what you really want to do can pay off. Where to find us Kim Sherwood https://www.kimsherwoodauthor.com/ Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠ Recorded in the UK and USA on 1st June 2026 .

    Inside the Double O Trilogy ft. Kim Sherwood | The 007 Files S4E007

  7. May 9

    What It Really Takes to Put on a Successful Bond Music Tour ft. Warren Ringham (Q The Music) | The 007 Files S4E006

    What does it really take to put on a Bond music tour? This episode breaks down the reality behind successfully performing James Bond soundtracks live—covering the cost, logistics, creative challenges and risks most audiences never see. A Bond music tour looks effortless on stage. In reality, it’s a constant balancing act between ambition and survival. Warren Ringham, founder of Q The Music, explains how the project evolved from a function band into a dedicated Bond concert experience—and why that transition nearly failed. The conversation strips away the illusion and shows how fragile it can be. The episode also digs into the technical side: how you take orchestral James Bond scores and adapt them for a smaller live band without losing impact. That challenge sits at the heart of the show’s identity. Alongside that comes the broader reality of sustaining a niche live act, including surviving major setbacks. At the other end of that journey are the highs: performing at the memorial for Roger Moore and building a working relationship with Bond composer David Arnold. You’ll come away with a better understanding of what it actually takes to put on a Bond music tour, from the financial and logistical pressures that sit behind every performance to the realities of sustaining a live show over time. The episode explains how large-scale orchestral James Bond scores are adapted for a smaller band without losing their impact, and why that process can be more complex than it appears. Alongside that, you’ll see how the band built credibility within the Bond world, what audiences respond to most when hearing Bond music performed live, and how those reactions shape the show itself. Where to find us Warren Ringham https://qthemusicshow.com/ Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 7th May 2026.

    What It Really Takes to Put on a Successful Bond Music Tour ft. Warren Ringham (Q The Music) | The 007 Files S4E006

  8. May 2

    What no Bond 26 news at CinemaCon really means | The 007 Files S4E005

    No Bond 26 update at CinemaCon—no cast, no release date, no production news. So what does that actually tell us?In this episode of The 007 Files, Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig and David Leigh break down the lack of a Bond 26 update at CinemaCon—and explain why it isn’t a cause for concern. The key question driving this episode is simple: why was there no real news about the next James Bond film at CinemaCon? Amazon MGM referenced Bond during their presentation, but there was no cast announcement, no release date, and no production update. Instead, film chief Courtenay Valenti emphasised that the studio is taking its time with Bond 26. We examine what was actually said, what was left unsaid, and why that absence of detail is exactly what you should expect at this stage of development. With Denis Villeneuve attached to direct and Steven Knight writing the script, the project remains firmly in development rather than pre-production. We also explore when Villeneuve might realistically shift focus from Dune 3 to Bond, and what that means for the film’s progress. The episode also covers the wider James Bond landscape beyond the films. We discuss the announcement of Charlie Higson’s new novel King Zero, including the UK launch event and the way Ian Fleming Publications handled the press rollout. This leads into a broader look at the current state of literary Bond, where multiple authors—including Kim Sherwood and Raymond Benson—are contributing to different strands of the 007 universe. What does it mean to have overlapping continuities, and how does that affect the identity of James Bond in print? We also look at 007: First Light, including the title track by Lana Del Rey (written with David Arnold), the score recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and the game’s approach to the Bond theme—echoing Casino Royale by treating it as something that is earned over time rather than introduced immediately. Finally, we cover recent James Bond soundtrack releases from La La Land Records, including Diamonds Are Forever on CD and the upcoming The Man with the Golden Gun vinyl, along with a related interview for those interested in Bond music and film scores. This episode answers key questions Bond fans are asking right now. If you want analysis that focuses on what actually matters—rather than headlines and speculation—this episode breaks down where James Bond stands now and what to watch next. Where to find us Bill Koenig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠ David Leigh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded in the USA and Spain on 22nd April 2026.

    What no Bond 26 news at CinemaCon really means | The 007 Files S4E005
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4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The 007 Files podcast dives deep into the world of James Bond, blending expert analysis with casual conversation. Co-hosted by David Leigh, author of The Complete Guide to the Drinks of James Bond and founder of The James Bond Dossier, Bill Koenig of The Spy Command and Javi Trujillo, the podcast explores Bond's films, books, and cultural impact. Stay tuned for everything from in-depth reviews to Bond 26 updates and discussions of all things 007. Perfect for lifelong fans and new recruits alike!

Information

  • Creator
    David Leigh, Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Leigh, Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo
  • Show Website
    The 007 Files

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