The 007 Files

Bill Koenig, David Leigh, and Javi Trujillo mark the 30th anniversary of Goldeneye by revisiting the moment James Bond returned to the big screen and reminding audiences why it mattered. They explore the film’s release in 1995, its immediate impact on the franchise, and how its box office success reshaped Bond’s future after years in the wilderness.The discussion moves into the realities of production, from budget constraints to the risks involved in relaunching 007 for a post–Cold War world. Personal memories of first viewings and early fan excitement blend with reflections on how conventions helped build momentum around the film. Attention is also given to the iconic dam jump, a stunt that reset expectations for Bond action, and the controversial but influential score by Eric Serra.They also examine the evolving importance of title sequences, shaped by Daniel Kleinman, and why Goldeneye still stands as a defining chapter in Bond history.Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 10th December 2025

The second half of our Licence to Legacy deep-dive sees co-hosts Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig, and David Leigh return to SPECTRE a decade later to explore how the film sits in the Craig era’s legacy.This time we wonder whether bringing back Blofeld and SPECTRE truly delivered the creative spark the filmmakers were aiming for, and we discuss the scene inspired by Colonel Sun and whether it sets a precedent. From the much-publicised yet underwhelming “world record” explosion to the Rome car chase that never quite lands, we revisit several moments that fell short of their promise.The Sony hacks inevitably come up as we look at how they shaped rewrites and coloured the film’s reception. We also explore the decision to retrofit the Craig films into a single overarching storyline, the two-part narrative John Logan originally planned, and how Daniel Craig’s “slash my wrists” comment took on a life of its own.Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 3rd December 2025

In this Licence to Legacy episode co-hosts Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig, and David Leigh revisit SPECTRE on its 10th anniversary of its release.We start with our first viewings back in 2015 and how our opinions have shifted after a decade of rewatching, reflection, and franchise changes. The conversation explores how SPECTRE performed at the box office compared to Skyfall and how Mexico’s tax credits influenced the film’s colourful opening sequence. We dive into the return of the gunbarrel to the beginning of the movie, why it mattered to fans, and whether or not Amazon should consider experimenting with gunbarrel placement. Thomas Newman’s score gets a close look as we compare its reuse of Skyfall motifs and, if Sam Smith's theme is from the point of view of James Bond, come up with the answer to just why his voice is so high pitched.Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 3rd December 2025

In this episode we’re joined by Edward Biddulph to explore the real-world Britain behind James Bond. His new book, The James Bond Lover’s Guide to Britain, brings together locations from Fleming’s novels, the films, and Fleming’s own life — all chosen with one thing in mind: places anyone can actually visit.We dive into the adventure of visiting these sites as Edward talks about the thrill of standing at a location from his favourite Bond film, and the memories of growing up in Kent where he first realised that Bond’s world overlapped with his own.Listen in, enjoy the stories, and if you want to dig deeper into 007’s Britain, pick up the book.Where to find us:Edward Biddulphhttps://www.jamesbondfood.com🛒 https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-James-Bond-Lovers-Guide-to-Britain-Paperback/p/56633Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 17th November 2025

Licence to Legacy: It’s been 40 years since A View to a Kill was released — Roger Moore’s final outing as James Bond — and this week we look back at one of the most divisive entries in the series.After a brief detour to the Mexico Grand Prix, we dive into the film’s release and reception, sharing personal memories of seeing A View to a Kill for the first time and how opinions have changed - if they have - over the decades. We explore John Barry’s score and Duran Duran’s title song, the film’s unique tone, and how it captured the glossy excess of the 1980s.The conversation turns to the Bond women — from Tanya Roberts to Grace Jones’ performance as May Day — and the sometimes volatile chemistry on set. We also discuss Christopher Walken’s chilling turn as Max Zorin.Looking beyond the film, we reflect on Roger Moore’s final mission as 007, how he proved the series could thrive after Sean Connery, and what his long tenure says about age, legacy, and the evolution of Bond. There’s even time to touch on Lois Maxwell’s final appearance as Moneypenny, Patrick Macnee's portrayal of Sir Godfrey Tibbett, and the in-jokes, excess, and self-parody that make A View to a Kill such curious entry in the Bond franchise.From its polarising reception to its lasting place in Bond history, we ask: four decades on, is A View to a Kill any better than we remember - or not?Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 27th October 2025