New James Bond Film in Siena Italy

Tuscany’s most exciting festival – the bareback race dating back to medieval times – is set to play a key part in Bond 22. And it was filmed on Thursday, August 16th 2007

Accidental extra in new James Bond film

One of the great things about visiting a new city is that you never quite know what’s going to happen. Potential adventures are just around the corner, and, as I found out in Siena, some are more exciting than others. I am, it seems, to be an extra in the new James Bond film, scheduled for release in November 2008.

Bond 22 in Siena, Tuscany.

The film doesn’t even have a name, finalised script or full cast yet, so it was something of a surprise to spot Bond actor Daniel Craig peering from a balcony at Siena’s Piazza del Campo on Thursday, August 16th. It appears as though part of the new film (working title: Bond 22) is being set in this gorgeous city in Tuscany, Italy.

Il Palio horse race on film

I was crammed into the Piazza del Campo in order to watch one of the world’s greatest festivals – Il Palio. A ludicrously dangerous horse race dating back to medieval times, Il Palio is taken deadly seriously by the 17 contrade (or districts) of Siena. The race – three laps of the square – lasts for less than two ferociously fast and dangerous minutes, but the festivities and pageantry go on for days beforehand. It’s truly the most spectacular event I’ve ever seen, and it seems as though the Bond producers agree.

Cameras in Piazza del Campo

The film crew had set up 14 cameras around the Piazza del Campo to film the race. The footage is apparently going to be weaved into a huge action sequence for the movie. Hopefully the cameras managed to zoom in on the important part of the whole spectacle – me throwing my hands in the air as the jockey from my contrada got mercilessly thrown from his mount.