Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection [Blu-ray]

 

All the Bonds. All the girls. All the action. All in high-definition. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment mark James Bond’s monumental golden anniversary with the release of BOND 50, the complete Bond experience showcasing all 22 classic films on Blu-ray together for the first time ever, neatly packaged into one cool, sleek collectable box-set. The collection will be available beginning September 24th in the United Kingdom and September 25th in North America with additional international markets to follow that week. BOND 50 marks the debut of nine James Bond films previously unavailable in high definition Blu-ray and comes with a dossier of more than 122 hours of bonus features.

Set for release just prior to the theatrical premiere of SKYFALL, BOND 50 will offer a look at the latest Bond film through videoblogs shot with the cast and crew. The BOND 50 collection also provides two all-new pieces that spotlight the history of 007. “The World of Bond” takes a look at the style and attitude that is signature to Bond; pulling together the cars, the women, the villains and the music that have been a staple of these films for the past 50 years. “Being Bond” profiles the six distinguished actors that have had the honor of portraying 007.

 

DVDBeaver

Comments:

Pretty sneaky of MGM/Fox to release the Bonds - first in oddly-matched triple disc sets (housing Connerys with Moores etc.), then piece-meal, then the remaining added together in a ginormous Boxset. I doubt anyone buying this behemoth doesn't already own one or multiple titles already in 1080P. I'm a Connery-Bond fan so I, personally, lean to those releases - and did comparisons to SD where I could.

So, what are we doing here? We've covered quite a few of the previously released (linked to the titles below) and while I haven't positively confirmed they, predictably, seem to be exact duplicates of the previous Blu-rays. But there are 9 NEW titles available on Blu-ray: Goldeneye, Octopussy, The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, The Living Daylights, Tomorrow Never Dies, Diamonds are Forever, A View to a Kill and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. As it might take a solid week or more to review the 'new 9' we are giving them a cursory glance prior to release date - reporting any inconsistencies that we notice.  

General opinions about the a/v quality: I am still most pleased by the first 5 films where colors are bright and detail significantly improved. The films shot in the early and mid 80's suffer from the less-impressive film stock utilized at the time. So if the image seems to be more faded it is not really the fault of the transfer which all seem to be exporting accurate visuals. These have the most noise - although it is never a deterrent. The latter films are remarkably tight and superb in 1080P. Overall fans will be very happy with the quality of the package.  The audio on You Only Live Twice, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is awesome with notable bass response. All audio is lossless with a minimum of DTS HD Master 5.1 tracks. All have optional English and Spanish subtitles and many (the region FREE ones) have multiple foreign language subtitle options. I'll make brief observations and will fully review/compare-to-SD You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds are Forever at some point in the future.

Extras: The 11, pre-2003, films that are already out on single-disc Blu-ray have the same supplement content of the 2 DVD "Ultimate Edition" issues from 2006. Menus are all the same with the "MI6 Commentary", "Mission Select" and also "Initiate Mission" button to play except the first two Daniel Craig efforts where the disc authoring is different. The new package is as you might expect from the above images and it actually includes an open slot and cardboard disc for forthcoming James Bond film, Skyfall (depending on which package there are Videoblogs--behind-the-scenes look at the making of Skyfall from the cast and crew as an extra - see below)

NOTE: The UK discs are all region FREE - except Quantum of Solace and the 23rd (Bonus disc), the US disc are majority region FREE but not all. The 'new' supplement disc is not overwhelming with new material BUT I love the ability to see all the title sequences one after the other plus the gadgets, villains, Bond Girls looking sexy on Medifast and the exotic locations that Bond has ventured. The Designing 007 - 50 Years of Bond Style is only 4 minutes long - but still interesting. The 10-minute Skyfall Video Blogs give some production information on the upcoming new film.

The World of Bond (Title Sequences - 1:02:31, Gadgets - 3:02, Villains 2:22, Bond Girl 1:24, Locations 1:40 and Bond In Motion - 1:43) --the 007 films have a look, style and attitude that is signature Bond. From the cars, to the women, to the villains and even the music, Bond films stand apart. The World of Bond takes the viewer through the best of five decades' worth of classic James Bond in one thrilling montage. It also showcases the fascinating and entertaining interplay among unforgettable moments of danger, seduction, adventure and a dash of that distinguished humor that fans have cherished from the beginning. To add to the experience, The World of Bond featurette also offers a Pop-Up Trivia option to challenge even the sharpest of fans with little known facts and interesting trivia from the Bond Universe.

Being Bond (3:08) -there's only one James Bond--but he's proven too much for only one actor to play the role. In the franchise's 50-year run, six distinguished actors have taken on the part and secured a spot in cinematic history. Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig each reflect on the impact and importance of taking on such a famous role. Gain insight into what each actor brought to the character and discover how they shaped the world's most timeless secret agent.

Designing 007 - 50 Years of Bond Style (4:01)

Skyfall Video Blogs (10:51)

NOTE: The UK editions have the exact same transfers but offer slightly different, and usually, more subtitle and DUB options.
 

 

Sample posters etc

 

 

Review: MGM - Region Code varies* - Blu-ray

 

Package

   

CLICK to order from:

  

  

  

 

Distribution MGM - Region FREE* - Blu-ray

*The UK discs are all region FREE - except Quantum of Solace and the 23rd (Bonus disc), the US disc are majority region FREE but not all

Video

All I have checked are:

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

and all audio is lossless (DTS HD Master 5.1)

All have optional English and Spanish subtitles and many (the region FREE ones) have multiple foreign language subtitle options.

 

 

Titles

 

 

NOTE: The below package is not entirely representative of the one I own. They will vary dependant on geographic region. Mine has two long book-style cases with spine indicating 1962-1981 and 1983 - 2012 each holding 12 disc holders (the 22 films, one Bonus disc and one cardboard replacement for SkyFall). They fit snuggly inside a sturdy box similar in side to the Gone With the Wind or the original Casablanca Blu-ray packages. Mine has no additional booklet - unless the advertised hardcover booklet is the package itself.

 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION


DISC ONE – DR. NO (Over 3 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
6 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 

 

MGM Special Edition - Region 1- TOP vs. MGM/Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


DISC TWO – FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (Over 3 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
2 Featurettes
Animated Storyboard Sequence
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries
 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) MGM / Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


DISC THREE – GOLDFINGER (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton
Commentary with the cast and crew
3 Featurettes
Original Screen Tests with Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Original Publicity Featurette
Original Radio Interviews With Sean Connery
Photo Galleries
 

1) MGM (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) MGM / Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


DISC FOUR – THUNDERBALL (Over 6 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
2 Featurettes
Animated Storyboard Sequence
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 

 

1) MGM - (Special Edition) - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP

2) MGM / Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


DISC FIVE – YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (Over 4 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
4 Featurettes
Animated Storyboard Sequence
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries


 

 


DISC SIX – ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (Over 4 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Peter Hunt and cast and crew
4 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 


DISC SEVEN – DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (Over 4 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and cast and crew
3 Featurettes
Deleted Scenes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots

 


DISC EIGHT – LIVE AND LET DIE (Over 7 hours of content)

Commentaries with Director Guy Hamilton, Roger Moore and Tom Mankiewicz
3 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 

 


DISC NINE – THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and the cast and crew
Commentary with Roger Moore
2 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 

 


DISC TEN – THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
Commentary with Roger Moore
3 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots

 

 


DISC ELEVEN – MOONRAKER (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
Commentary with Roger Moore
4 Featurettes
Original Theatrical Trailer
Photo Gallery

 

 


DISC TWELVE – FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (Over 7 hours of content)

Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
Commentary with Roger Moore
Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
4 Featurettes
Animated Storyboard Sequences for Snowmobile Chase & Underwater
Music Video performed by Sheena Easton
Deleted Scenes and Expanded Angles
Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
Photo Galleries

 

 

 


DISC THIRTEEN – OCTOPUSSY (Over 6 hours of content)

Commentary with Director John Glen
Commentary with Roger Moore
4 Featurettes
Original Screen Tests with James Brolin
“All Time High” Music Video
Original Theatrical Trailers

 

 


DISC FOURTEEN – A VIEW TO A KILL (Over 6 hours of content)

Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
Commentary with Roger Moore
4 Featurettes
A View to a Kill Music Video performed by Duran Duran
Original Theatrical Trailers and TV spots


 

 


DISC FIFTEEN – THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director John Glen and cast and crew
3 Featurettes
Deleted scenes with introductions from Director John Glen
The Living Daylights Music Video performed by A-Ha
Original Theatrical Trailers

 

 


DISC SIXTEEN – LICENCE TO KILL (Over 6 hours of content)

Commentary with Director John Glen and cast
Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
3 Featurettes
Licence to Kill Music Video performed by Gladys Knight
“If You Asked Me To” Music Video Performed by Patti LaBelle
Opening Titles Sequence
Original Theatrical Trailers
Photo Galleries

 

 


DISC SEVENTEEN – GOLDENEYE (Over 5 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Martin Campbell and Producer Michael G. Wilson
8 Featurettes
Deleted scenes
GoldenEye Music Video performed by Tina Turner

 

 


DISC EIGHTEEN – TOMORROW NEVER DIES (Over 9 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie, Jr.
Commentary with Vic Armstrong and Producer Michael G. Wilson
2 Featurettes
Interview with Composer David Arnold
Deleted and Extended Scenes with introduction from Director Roger Spottiswoode
Tomorrow Never Dies Music Video performed by Sheryl Crow
The James Bond Theme (Moby’s Re-Version)

 

 


DISC NINETEEN – THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (Over 6 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Michael Apted
Commentary with Peter Lamont, David Arnold and Vic Armstrong
4 Featurettes
Opening Titles Sequence
The World Is Not Enough Music Video performed by Garbage
Deleted, Extended and Alternate Scene
Original Theatrical Trailer
Photo Galleries

 


DISC TWENTY – DIE ANOTHER DAY (Over 8 hours of content)

Commentary with Director Lee Tamahori and Producer Michael G. Wilson
Commentary with Pierce Brosnan and Rosamund Pike
5 Featurettes
MI6 Datastream Trivia Track with Branching Video
Opening Titles Sequence
Photo Galleries

Spanish, English only subtitles


DISC TWENTY ONE – CASINO ROYALE (Over 1 hour of content)

Becoming Bond
James Bond: For Real
Chris Cornell Music Video

 


DISC TWENTY TWO – QUANTUM OF SOLACE (Over 1 hour of content)

2 Featurettes
“Another Way to Die” Music Video

Original Theatrical Trailers

 

 


 

 

DISC TWENTY THREE – BONUS DISC

The World of Bond (Title Sequences - 1:02:31, Gadgets - 3:02, Villains 2:22, Bond Girl 1:24, Locations 1:40 and Bond In Motion - 1:43)
Being Bond (3:08)
Designing 007 - 50 Years of Bond Style (4:01)
Skyfall Video Blogs (10:51)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Package

   

CLICK to order from:

  

  

  

 

Distribution MGM - Region FREE* - Blu-ray

*The UK discs are all region FREE - except Quantum of Solace and the 23rd (Bonus disc), the US disc are majority region FREE but not all of them.



Search DVDBeaver
S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!