21 Mar 2014

Schönbrunn Palace, part 2 - The Palace Garden









In The Living Daylights Bond and Kara ride through Vienna in a horse carriage. On the way to their hotel, Im Palais Schwarzenberg, they pass the former summer palace of the Austrian Imperial family and the most famous tourist attraction in Vienna, the Schönbrunn Palace. Even though you never see the full exterior of the back side of the palace when they ride past it, the front exterior is pictured during the end credits.



Obeliskenallee

Bond's horse carriage arrive through the Obeliskenallee in the garden and continue on the Lichte Allee in front of the palace. Bond and Kara would return to Schönbrunn later the same evening to attend the opera performance of Le Nozze di Figaro which was filmed at the Schönbrunn Palace theater, the 'Schlossteater'. 


Schönbrunn Palace is definitely one of the most beautiful Bond locations in Vienna and a memorable experience. You have the best view over the palace and garden from the hill where the 'Gloriette' is located. Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria and apparently the palace and garden illustrate the tastes, interests and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. Needless to say, a visit is a must when you travel to Vienna.






Today is Timothy Dalton's birthday and different sources claim that he was born either in 1944 or 1946. Why his birth year is unknown is not clear to me. 

Regardless of the fact that you do not want to be associated with the role, The Living Daylights is a solid Bond film that certainly belongs in the top ten list. Either way,
Happy Birthday Timothy


Upplagd av kl.
Etiketter: , , ,
Plats: Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien, Österrike

3 comments:

  1. David Marlborough21 March 2014 at 16:05

    Robert, What makes you conclude that Dalton dislikes the role and doesn't want to be associated with it? I would have though that he would regard Craig's current portrayal as a vindication of his approach 25 years earlier.

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    Replies
    1. R. Sterling24 March 2014 at 20:57

      David, I hope he sees it that way. But it's just that when I met Dalton in London (after the John Barry memorial concert), I noticed that he was willing to sign some autographs but not on any photos of him as Bond. I mean, why not give your fans a nice signed picture? Is he afraid that someone is going to sell it? I would not care if I had played Bond. Look at Sir Roger, always generous against fans. Dalton just seems ungrateful that he played the role, just like Connery. He probably wants to be remembered as a "great actor" rather than the guy who played Bond. But let's face it, it is not Dalton's many West End stage plays that he will be remembered for...
      Brosnan and Moore have a nicer attitude. Sir Roger knows that he isn't the greatest actor alive and is grateful for all the opportunities the role have given him. So is Brosnan, so is Lazenby.
      Dalton would never participate in a Bond convention for instance. And he still has a great number of fans who think he made the best performance as Bond. I think he is ungrateful towards them.
      But that is just my opinion.

      Nice to hear from you Mr Marlborough!
      Regards, R

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  2. David Marlborough31 March 2014 at 15:50

    Thanks for that Mr Sterling! If the actors' Bond interpretations are indeed an extension of their own character (which I believe most are) I can appreciate why Messrs. Moore and Brosnan would come across as the most likable.

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