Sölden in the Austrian Tirol will unveil it's new on-mountain attraction, 007 ELEMENTS, in just under a fortnight's time on July 12th.
Sölden was a location for the last James Bond movie Spectre where its glass walled Ice-Q restaurant was used to depict the exclusive Hoffler Clinic and parts of a major car/plane chase through the mountains were also filmed here.
The new audio-visual attraction has been built partially underground near the restaurant on the 3,050m high Gaislachkogl mountain, accessed by the same hi-tec that quartermaster "Q" rode down from the clinic in the film.
007 ELEMENTS architect Johann Obermoser has created both museum and tourist attraction. With his sober and fairly reduced room design, the Tirolean architect hints the classic forms of the legendary Bond designer Ken Adam. The ambiance is intended to reminds visitors of the quarter where the MI6 moved to after Skyfall and in Spectre in London's underground.
The 1300 m² underground cinematic installation, which features nine halls and chambers, will be open year round.
Through the "Barrel of the gun" the creators of the show propel visitors in small groups into the attraction. The ballistic corridor alludes to the enthralling opening sequence of Spectre - anticipating the holistic architectural art work that awaits guests in there.
Neil Callow, set designer of the last four Bond films from Casino Royale to Spectre, kept a watch over the realization of his artistic vision as an art director in Sölden.
Inside the chambers visitors always have the feeling that figures like "M" or Miss Moneypenny could appear behind the next corner - which is actually the case with Miss Moneypenny in the course of the tour. Actress Naomi Harris herself presents the film shooting location of Sölden together with many other highlights from the soon to be 60-year old Bond History.
Sölden are warning summer visitors that it's cold there year round.
"One thing becomes clear right away: it's cold at an Alpine summit of this altitude as you are at more than 3000 meters above sea level. Even the "coolest" visitors are advised to wear warm clothes - also in the summer months," a resort spokesperson advises.
The architect's decision not to use air conditioning was a central part of the design concept.
The centre's highlights are reported to include a fabulous mirror cabinet with central sequences of all Bond actors - from Connery to Craig - followed by a truly dizzying visual 360-degree experience.
Once again Naomi Harris presents an optical staccato of set buildings and locations in an uninterrupted cutting sequence.
In the next section 007 ELEMENTS reveals Sölden's marvellous mountains. Large panorama windows are facing the Glacier Road meandering towards the eternal ice of Rettenbach Glacier almost at the feet of the amazed visitors. Daring stuntmen risked their necks in the Spectre chase on this precipitous toll road.
The adjacent "Tech Lab" features dazzling agent gimmicks that can move fans to tears (just to reveal one of the many secrets - a legendary gun is among them).
Interactive platforms will give a deep insight into computer-generated tricks and special effects. This is followed by another eye-catcher of oversized format: the crashed vehicle of the film hero can be found in the "Action Hall" together with lovingly mounted miniature figures reproducing the film set of the final clash between goodies and baddies.
One more attraction for movie nerds. Especially the fans can take full advantage of eye-catching scenes that come very close to the origin story of such a cinematic masterpiece.
In the "Screening Room" some of the most outstanding cinematic pieces of the puzzle are summarized again in the breathless Spectre chase. Like all the previously shown sequences, also this one is staged with the best film, sound and presentation technology features created by internationally renowned manufacturers.
The breathless finale ends in the "Legacy Hall", the Hall of Legends. It brings together the greatest moments of Bond history during all those years, ranging from selected "behind the scenes" recordings to iconographic film posters.
"Real Bond enthusiasts will leave 007 ELEMENTS emotionally touched and visually impressed - almost shaken. At the very end of this wonderful experience a lovely Martini or a strong Espresso are recommended on the terrace of the ice Q restaurant," the Sölden spokesperson concludes.
Tickets cost €22 for adults, $17 for teens and $12 for children – although minimum entry age is eight. If you don't have a lift pass the gondola lift access costs extra.
http://www.007elements.soelden.com