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THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Review – No-Spoilers!

Here’s the full NO-SPOILER review of the new spy movie, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE. This movie opens in theaters on April 19, 2024.


Guy Ritchie’s THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is a dramatization of real-world events that helped shape the outcome of World War II.   Of course, it has an excellent cast starring Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, Til Schweiger, and many more. 


This review will enhance your viewing experience of the movie.  We keep the spoilers out but give you nuggets of background information. And, given this movie’s historical background there is much to know: real-world characters, places, and vessels behind the movie, and, there is an Ian Fleming tie-in as well. 


What other movies come to mind while watching THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE?    


We liked this movie a lot and think you will too.  Listen to find out why. 


So, had you heard of Operation Postmaster prior to our discussion? When you see THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! 
 
Check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well. 


Webpage: https://bit.ly/3TYeYaS 

Dan and Tom head out to find the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Amsterdam filming locations.   There aren’t many and they are easy to find. But it is very cool to see these sites over 50 years after the movie was filmed.


So, join them as they visit Tiffany Case’s house.    Was she home? The Skinny Bridge?   Was that a figment of screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz?  Listen to find out.


What famous drink from Ian Fleming’s novels has an Amsterdam bar named after it? What literarily-named hotel has another bar they mention?  And what tour do they tell you is a must see when visiting Amsterdam? Amsterdam intelligence is on the menu! 


So, have you been to these DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Amsterdam filming locations?  Have you seen any of these other sites? If so, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!


You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.


Webpage: https://bit.ly/4cIFWvL

RAAZI Is A Spy Movie Worth Watching

The 2018 Indian movie RAAZI is a spy movie worth watching. It is one of Tom’s all-time favorite spy movies. Have you heard of RAAZI?


RAAZI is a fictionalized drama about a real spy in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.  This is an espionage movie, not an action movie, which we think is a good thing.


The central theme of this movie is “What are you prepared to do for your country?”


Why is this a spy movie worth watching?   Dan and Tom detail the reasons why, and also talk about some of the criticisms of RAAZI. Listening to this episode will enhance your understanding and viewing experience of the movie!


Alia Bhatt fans will not want to miss RAAZI. She is excellent in it, as is the rest of the cast.


As of this posting (April 2, 2024), RAAZI is available on Amazon Prime in the US. RAAZI is released in the Hindi language with English subtitles. 


So, have you seen RAAZI? If so, do you think RAAZI is a spy movie worth watching? Did Dan and Tom miss anything?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!


You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.


Webpage: https://bit.ly/4cEKQcT

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - How the Story Came to be

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, the movie, was not the story from Ian Fleming’s short story with the same title.   In this episode, Dan and Tom decode the movie to see how the story came to be.


Some of the characters from the movie, and some of the plot points were adapted from Ian Fleming’s 1960 short stories “For Your Eyes Only” and “Risico”.  Plus, the locations of the 2 stories and the movie are all different. People’s names have changed.  The reason that people have wanted revenge has changed.  The MacGuffin has changed.


Yet, even with all of that, the movie, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY turned into one of Roger Moore’s best movies playing James Bond.


And the 1968 movie ICE STATION ZEBRA definitely influenced the final version of the movie FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.  Dan and Tom lay it out in this episode!


So, take a listen. 


We assume you’ve seen the movie FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. Have you read Fleming’s short stories “For Your Eyes Only” and “Risico”?  If so, did Dan and Tom miss anything?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!


You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.


Webpage: https://bit.ly/4au95sm

Who is Chris Corbould?

Chris Corbould OBE has worked on 15 James Bond movies, THE DARK KNIGHT Trilogy, 2 Superman movies, and he won an Acadamy Award for his work on the movie INCEPTION.  Chiefly, his specialty has been visual effects, leading the team on many of these movies.


Dan and Tom had a chance to chat with Chris in Chicago at the press event prior to the opening of the “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond” exhibit.  This fantastic exhibit is at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.


What movies do we discuss with Chris Corbould?

During this interview, Chris talks about visual effects in several of his James Bond movies and THE DARK KNIGHT.  


So, listen to hear how they did the explosion in SPECTRE, which involved about 300 explosions in succession! Chris tells us how that worked.  Additionally, Chris mentions the warning he gave to Daniel Craig about this scene.


Undoubtedly, you remember the doughnut scene in NO TIME TO DIE.  You know, the scene where the Aston Martin spins in the square in Matera, Italy. Chris talks us through that scene and how they coordinated the “bullets” hitting the side of the buildings with the spinning of the car.


The tank scenes in GOLDENEYE! Chris also tells us the origin and some of the challenges of these tank scenes. What are the challenges of buying real tanks for a movie? Listen to find out!


One of Tom’s favorite Bond gadgets is the cello case in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. Chris Corbould was involved with this gadget's development. And he gives us insight into the creation of the device.  Oh, and he lets us know what actress Maryam d’Abo, who played Kara Milovy, certainly thought about this sled.


SKYFALL train crash in the subway! Chris discusses the challenges in designing this spectacular train crash.  Lots of details had to be worked out simultaneously for that one.


It's not all James Bond

Finally, since we were having this discussion in Chicago, Chris talked about the semi-trailer scene in THE DARK KNIGHT.   This is the scene where the truck flips over, backend over the front end.   They filmed this scene in Chicago, on LaSalle street.  Chris lets us know how they got that to work.


Let us know what you think!

So, take a listen. Chris Corbould is not only a visual effects master, he’s a great guy and a fun interview.  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!


You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.


The Exhibit

As we mentioned, we met with Chris at the "007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. This exhibit has vehicles, gadgets, screen-used props, and educational materials based on the James Bond movies. You can find out more about the exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry's website.


Webpage: https://bit.ly/3x9Zngo


 

“007 Science: Inside the World of James Bond” is a new exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois, USA.


Dan and Tom became big fans of this exhibit while attending the Press Day viewing.   They take you inside and highlight many of the items displayed. And they let you know why you will want to attend this exhibit.


What's in the exhibit?

We won’t give everything away. But there are screen-used gadgets from the James Bond movies. These are some of the most well-known gadgets in the James Bond history.  Plus, there are James Bond movie vehicles. Vehicles like the Aston Martin DB5 used in GOLDENEYE, and the Lotus Espirit which was used in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.   And, there are real-world spy gadgets that the CIA has used to showcase how the Bond gadgets may have had some real-world background.


Who did we talk with?

Includes a quick interview with Meg Simmonds, Archive Director for Eon Productions, and Eric Andersen, Project Manager of Featured Experiences and Special Projects at the Museum.  They help us understand what is in the exhibit and why.  Meg talks about one gadget that was from a very early James Bond movie. She had never seen it before but was able to track down. And, that gadget is on display in this exhibit!  Which one?!


Eric focuses on is the fact that this is the Museum of Science and Industry. So, they want to make sure the exhibit highlights Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) throughout.  There are interactive activities and Eric helps us understand what is there, and why kids will like this too.


Finally, Chris Corbould, who was the Special Effects Supervisor on all of the James Bond movies from GOLDENEYE through NO TIME TO DIE was there. A separate episode will come out with that interview! 
So, take a listen.  Dan and Tom think the “007 Science: Inside the World of James Bond” exhibition is extremely well done. It is a must for any James Bond fan!  Have you gone to see it yet? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode by dropping us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will be!


Where is the exhibit?

The Museum of Science and Industry is located at 5700 DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.  Check out their website to find out more details.   The exhibit runs from March 007, 2024, to October 27, 2024.


You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. Check out our YouTube channel as well.


Webpage: https://bit.ly/3ISOnXL