From Rome with Love

(Vatican Radio) Following the star-studded world premiere of ‘Spectre’ at the  Royal Albert Hall in London, the cast of the latest Bond film, directed by Sam Mendes, came to Rome.

Several scenes were shot in Rome, namely  a car chase which is set along the banks of the Tiber, near to the Vatican. In a press conference on Friday Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, said what a “huge pleasure” it was to be back in Rome and spoke about how much he and the cast had enjoyed their experience filming in the Eternal City. He joked “we have all left a bit of our heart in Rome at some stage in our life” and made a point of thanking the Roman people, who had “afforded [the cast] so much good will”.

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When questioned on his interpretation of Bond’s character, Mr Craig stated he did not want to copy anyone else. Having read  the novels by Ian Fleming, Craig said he felt obliged to “begin again”, albeit respecting Bond’s uniqueness as an internationally recognized fictional personality.

Vatican Radio spokesman Luca Pellegrini asked Mr Craig about his involvement with the UN and his recent appointment as the first UN global advocate for the elimination of mines and explosive hazards. Whilst only a “new boy”, Craig has already been on a UN mission to Cyprus, during which he toured an active minefield.  

Whilst 007’s compatriots are already delighting in Mendes’ new visionary masterpiece, Italians will have to patiently wait another week for ‘Spectre’s’ release in Italy on 5th November.