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A View to a Kill movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was A View to a Kill filmed?

1985

City Locations

San Francisco, Oakland (USA); Paris (France); Berkshire, West Sussex, London (UK); Iceland; Switzerland

Location Types

Castles, Nature, Victorian, Banquet Hall, Buildings/Offices, Film Studio

Location Styles

French, Gothic/Victorian, Bohemian, Castle/Chateau, Colonial, Luxury

About A View to a Kill

In 1985, the fourteenth installment of James Bond movies, A View to a Kill, was released and masterfully directed by John Glen, with Albert R. Broccoli serving as producer. It starred Roger Moore as the legendary secret agent 007 and Christopher Walken as his nemesis, Max Zorin. It also featured Patrick MacNee as Sir Godfrey Tibbet, Tanya Roberts as Stacey Sutton, and Grace Jones as May Day.

The film follows Bond's mission to prevent Zorin from triggering a major earthquake that would destroy Silicon Valley in California and give Zorin a monopoly on the microchip market.

The story begins when Bond (Roger Moore) investigates an assassination attempt at an international horse racing event in Paris. He soon finds out that it is linked to Zorin's plan of wiping out his competitors in Silicon Valley by causing a massive earthquake.

To stop him, Bond teams up with CIA Agent Chuck Lee (Willoughby Gray) and Sir GodfreyTibbet (Patrick Macnee), who has been sent to investigate any suspicious activity related to Zorin's work. Bond and Tibbet travel to San Francisco, where they enlist the help of Stacey Sutton (Tanya Roberts), who works for the biotech company owned by Sutton's father (Patrick Bauchau).

She reveals that Zorin plans to flood Silicon Valley with water from the San Andreas Fault line using underwater explosives. This plan will cause catastrophic destruction unless stopped, and it’s up to the trio to save the day. They corner Zorin and May Day on a blimp suspended over the Golden Gate Bridge. They eventually defeat them after a dramatic showdown on board the aircraft.

Released worldwide in June 1985, A View to a Kill proved highly successful at the box office despite mixed reviews from critics at the time. The film earned $152.6 million worldwide, becoming the most successful James Bond movie of its time. Additionally, A View To A Kill was a nominee for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Supporting Actress at the Academy of Science Fiction.

A View to a Kill Locations

The film's production was spread across several locations, including London, England, San Francisco, California, Iceland, Switzerland; France, and the United States. This expansive array of shooting locations allowed the filmmakers to create a stunning backdrop for the classic action blockbuster.

Most scenes were shot in London at Pinewood Studios and around landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and its Jules Verne restaurant, and the Château de Chantilly. San Francisco was also featured prominently in A View to a Kill showcasing recognizable landmarks.

Additionally, breathtaking scenes of snow-capped mountains in Iceland and Switzerland provided perfect backdrops for some of James Bond’s thrilling adventures throughout the movie.

Taking a trip to any of the filming locations would be an unforgettable experience for any avid fan of A View to a Kill or James Bond enthusiast.

In London, visitors can marvel at many of the same sights seen in the film, while roaming through Pinewood Studios is sure to be an experience of a lifetime. To get closer to nature, those looking for an escape should explore the stunning landscapes featured throughout Iceland and Switzerland, which evoke feelings similar to those seen in A View to a Kill when James Bond takes on his enemy atop a snowy mountain peak.

Finally, enthusiasts traveling across America should visit San Francisco and the sites seen on screen, including the Golden Gate Bridge which is featured in the opening sequence!

James Bond contacts Stacey Sutton scene in A View to a Kill

Château de Chantilly, Route du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly, France

James Bond (Roger Moore) travels to Max Zorin's estate - Chateau de Chantilly - north of Paris. Inside the castle, Bond attempts to contact Stacey Sutton (Tanya Roberts). When Zorin (Christopher Walken) gives orders to terminate the contract, it is clear that this will not end well for Bond.

Outside the castle, we can see its stunning architecture and gardens, surrounded by lakes that make it one of the most beautiful places in France. The Château de Chantilly dates back to 1560 and is located twenty miles north of Paris on a National Road in the Picardy region. It was built for Anne de Montmorency and later became the property of Louis Henri de Bourbon-Condé.

The sprawling estate covers over 10 hectares with two wings made up of three pavilions each resting on the grounds. Inside, there are paintings from Italian masters such as Tintoretto and Titian and works from French painters like Poussin and Lancret.

The Château de Chantilly is open to visitors who want to explore this historical site or participate in outdoor activities like fishing or horseback riding. The easiest way to get there is by train since Gare du Nord station offers direct trains that arrive at Gare de Chantilly Gouvieux station in just 30 minutes.

Once you arrive at Gare de Chantilly Gouvieux station, you can quickly get to the chateau by taking a 30-minute walk or using local transportation like taxis or buses that are available nearby.

The bridge scene in A View to a Kill

Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, France

When James Bond (Roger Moore) jumps from the Pont Alexandre III bridge onto the Seine pleasure boat is undoubtedly one of the best scenes in A View to a Kill. In the climactic moment of the film, Bond must make a daring leap into an awaiting speedboat to catch his mysterious killer, Zorin's henchwoman May Day (Grace Jones).

The action takes place in what is arguably amongst the most picturesque settings in Paris, famed for its sweeping views of the river and the surrounding cityscape. It’s one of Paris’s most grand and renowned landmarks, built between 1896 and 1900 by Renaissance-influenced French architect Gustave Eiffel and named after Tsar Alexander III of Russia. The ornate bridge features stunning art nouveau elements such as gold-leafed lamp posts decorated with cherubs, four majestic stone arches, and two towering golden bronze gates at either end.

To get to where this famous movie scene was filmed, take the Metro Line 8 from République or Concorde Station to stop at Invalides. From there, embark on a 10-minute walk down Avenue Bosquet until you reach Pont Alexandre III. You can also hop onto a bus or taxi if you prefer to get there faster.

Chuck Lee and James Bond’s discussion scene in A View to a Kill

Fisherman’s Wharf, RH5M+4J Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA, USA

It's a sunny afternoon, and the streets are full of vendors selling souvenirs, trinkets, and other items. The pier is abuzz with activity from boats coming in and out of the harbor and seagulls squawking nearby. Chuck Lee (David Yip), a CIA agent, and James Bond (Roger Moore) stroll along the wharf discussing Zorin’s plan to take over an oil-pumping station.

The Fisherman’s Wharf is on Jefferson Street, between Hyde Street Pier and Pier 39. It was chosen because it provides a quintessential view of San Francisco that you can't find anywhere else in the world. Alcatraz Island is seen towering ominously on one side while boats float lazily in the bay on the other side.

The scene also included shots of the waterfront seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and street performers. Visitors can take public transportation or drive to Fisherman's Wharf, depending on where they are coming from.

Multiple bus lines run directly to Fisherman’s Wharf, including Muni, Golden Gate Transit, and SamTrans buses, which all provide access to various areas around San Francisco. A cable car line also runs nearby, making it easy to get around while sightseeing in style!

City Hall scene in A View to a Kill

1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, California 94102, USA

As James (Roger Moore) and Stacey (Tanya Roberts) hurriedly evacuate the burning building that Max Zorin ignited, Bond attempts to persuade a policeman of his true identity as a secret agent. To which the officer sarcastically remarks in disbelief, "and I'm Dick Tracy, and you're still under arrest!"

The San Francisco City Hall building serves as a powerful backdrop, with its beautiful domed architecture mirroring St Peter's in Rome. Its grand marble staircase leads to an impressive entrance filled with intricate details. It dates to 1915 and is located on Van Ness Avenue at McAllister Street.

This imposing structure has been seen in many other films over the years, most notably Dirty Harry, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Bicentennial Man. Getting to the A View to a Kill filming location from anywhere within San Francisco is relatively easy. Muni buses or BART trains will get you there quickly and conveniently.

Alternatively, if you are driving your car, take I-80 West until it turns into Van Ness Avenue then go south until you reach McAllister Street, where City Hall sits proudly on your left-hand side.

Attack in the mansion scene in A View to a Kill

Dunsmuir House and Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct, Oakland, California 94605, USA

As James Bond (Roger Moore) and Stacey make their way up the majestic staircase, they are met with an ambush from their pursuers. The cinematic scene perfectly exemplifies the regal and grandeur nature of Oakland's Dunsmuir House and Gardens, which in the film is a neoclassical-revival-style mansion belonging to oil heiress Stacey Sutton (Tanya Roberts).

This particular scene was filmed on location at The Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, which boasts over 50 acres of gardens and luxurious outdoor spaces. This estate has an impressive history, a gift from Alexander Dunsmuir to his new bride in 1899, though he never got to live there with her before falling ill on his honeymoon and passing away.

The estate has since served as a unique occasion hall and is now open to visitors who want to explore its grounds and appreciate its incredible architecture. Reaching the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, near Oakland Zoo, could not be simpler. Driving is the quickest option, and visitors are welcomed with complimentary onsite parking. But if you prefer public transportation, hop on a bus from 12th St to Coliseum station first, then transfer to Foothill Blvd & 108th Av for your final leg of the journey!

Mainstrike Mine scene in A View to a Kill

Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, New Barn Rd, Amberley, Arundel BN18 9LT, UK

The Mainstrike Mine scene sees Max Zorin's nefarious plans, involving flooding Silicon Valley with explosives, come to light. Located at Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre, near Arundel in West Sussex, England, the museum was opened in 1979 and has since been home to various industrial artifacts.

The quarry tunnel featured in the movie was filmed on location at this same museum, making it a popular choice amongst Bond fans making pilgrimages to the production’s filming locations. The tunnel is dark and dank, with eerie rock formations looming above, and it’s easy to see why the filmmakers saw it as a befitting location for a Bond villain’s hideout!

If you are heading from London, take a train from London Victoria station to Amberley and it will get you to the filming location in just under two hours. From there, it is just a fifteen-minute taxi ride or a twenty-minute bus ride away.

Alternatively, many museum-guided tours are available; these are generally conducted by knowledgeable tour guides who offer an engaging insight into Mainstrike Mine and its place within the movie.

Conclusion

The James Bond series of movies are known for tremendous and escapist plotlines, and the 1985 iteration isn’t any different. Roger Moore is as elegant, sleek, and refined in his portrayal of 007 as ever. While the effort to keep him looking youthful and impervious against time or fashion can be slightly apparent, it doesn't detract from the mesmerizing action sequences that are both realistic enough to keep viewers at the edge of their seats yet captivatingly thrilling.

The special effects used throughout make this James Bond film a visual feast sure to stick in people's memories long after they've left the theater. The script and idea for this movie were highly imaginative as well. From Zorin's elaborate schemes to Bond's daring exploits, it was filled with amazing action sequences and plot twists that kept viewers entertained throughout.

It was a novel take on the classic spy genre, which undoubtedly contributed positively to the evolving film industry. Ultimately, if you are looking for an exciting blend of action and espionage centered around one of cinema’s most iconic characters then add A View to Kill to your watchlist!