ShortList Infiltrates The Set Of Spectre

ShortList's Film Editor Andrew Dickens visits the set of the latest Bond film

In the world of 007, the divulging of secrets usually ends in fairly dire consequences, often involving sharks.

Thankfully, I´ve been given licence to reveal a little peek behind the latest James Bond film, Spectre, and its opening scene being filmed here, in Mexico City´s Plaza de la Constitución, more commonly known as Zocalo Square.

It takes place during the Day of the Dead festival, the biggest celebration in Mexico, with 1,500 extras in elaborate skeletal outfits and make-up providing the kind of chaotic background that Bond traditionally loves for good villain chase.

The villain, in this case, being a chap called Sciarra (Alessandro Cremona), who Bond spots while enjoying the company of, you guessed it, a lovely young woman called Estrella, played by local star Stephanie Sigman (who, despite my best efforts, refused to elaborate on her character – a common trait among all the cast I've spoken to here, except Daniel Craig, obviously). The atmosphere is reminiscent of Bond´s many escapades amid Mardi Gras and the like. “We love a party,” says producer Barbara Broccoli, when I put that to her. “We have done ever since Dr No."

No expense or civil badgering has been spared. The city has been visited by Bond before, in The Living Daylights, and indeed the hotel we´ve gathered in to watch shooting, the ornate Gran Hotel De La Ciudad De Mexico, which overlooks the square, features in both that film and Spectre.

However, this is the first time ever that the square itself has been shut down for filming. Cue intense local curiosity. Cue several hundred unauthorised YouTube clips.

Details of the scene´s climax were a little thin, but we do know that it involves a helicopter (flown by stunt pilot Chuck Aaron, the only man on the planet insured to do a 360-degree flip) and Bond going for a little ride. But then, who really wants to know too much?

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Click here to watch the first teaser trailer and keep your eyes peeled for our exclusive on-set video report.

Spectre lands in cinemas 6 November

[Images courtesy of Sony Pictures]