On December 9th, 1997, the world witnessed the world premiere of the seventeenth installment in the iconic James Bond film series, “Tomorrow Never Dies,” at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Pierce Brosnan as the suave MI6 agent, this action-packed thriller marked a significant moment in the Bond franchise. With a budget of $110 million and a worldwide box office revenue of $335.3 million, “Tomorrow Never Dies” left an indelible mark on the world of espionage cinema. In this article, we revisit this classic film, exploring its plot, characters, and production details.
Plot
“Tomorrow Never Dies” revolves around the nefarious plans of British media magnate Elliot Carver, played by Jonathan Pryce. Carver aims to achieve global domination by manipulating public opinion through his vast media empire. His scheme involves orchestrating a war between Britain and China to secure exclusive broadcasting rights in the region, a plan that would give him unparalleled control over the minds of people worldwide. Enter James Bond, tasked with stopping Carver and preventing a global catastrophe.
Characters
Pierce Brosnan returns as the dashing James Bond, known for his wit, charm, and relentless pursuit of justice. In this installment, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters:
- Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) – A Chinese secret agent who becomes Bond’s ally in the mission to thwart Carver’s sinister plot.
- Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher) – A former flame of Bond’s who is now married to the film’s antagonist, Elliot Carver.
- Professor Inga Bergstrom (Cecile Thomsen) – A Scandinavian scientist who catches Bond’s eye during his mission.
- Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) – The cunning and power-hungry media tycoon hell-bent on achieving global dominance.
- Stamper (Gotz Otto) – Carver’s ruthless henchman.
- Henry Gupta (Ricky Jay) – Carver’s tech-savvy accomplice.
- Dr. Kaufman (Vincent Schiavelli) – A peculiar and deadly assassin.
- General Chang (Philip Kwok) – A high-ranking Chinese military officer.
Bond also receives support from his trusted allies:
- Jack Wade (Joe Don Baker) – A CIA agent who assists Bond.
- Admiral Roebuck (Geoffrey Palmer) – A British naval officer.
- Dr. Dave Greenwalt (Colin Stinton) – A scientist aiding Bond’s mission.
- Charles Robinson (Colin Salmon) – MI6’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
- ‘M’ (Judi Dench) – The head of MI6.
- Miss Moneypenny (Samantha Bond) – Bond’s flirtatious secretary.
- ‘Q’ (Desmond Llewelyn) – The brilliant gadget expert who equips Bond with his high-tech tools.
Gadgets and Vehicles
In “Tomorrow Never Dies,” Bond is armed with cutting-edge technology, including an Ericsson cell phone with a universal lock-pick in the antenna, a fingerprint scanner, and a 20,000-volt electric shock security system. He also has remote control over his sleek BMW 750 iL, which is featured prominently in the film. Bond even borrows a BMW R 1200 motorbike for some thrilling action sequences.
Music and Production
The film’s main title track, “Tomorrow Never Dies,” was sung by Sheryl Crow, while the end title track, “Surrender,” was performed by k.d. lang. The film’s music score was composed by David Arnold, contributing to the Bond franchise’s signature blend of action and music.
Allan Cameron’s production design and Daniel Kleinman’s main title design added to the film’s visual appeal, while Bruce Feirstein’s screenplay ensured a gripping narrative. Dominique Fortin and Michel Arcand served as editors, and Robert Elswit worked as the director of photography. The production was helmed by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
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