Over the years, Istanbul has attracted numerous international film crews with its distinctive locations and historic atmosphere that Western audiences associate with the “Orient.” The city’s streets, monuments and coastline have served as vivid backdrops for scenes that require a mix of mystery, history and cinematic drama.
One of the most famous visitors to Turkey on film has been Ian Fleming’s charismatic secret agent, James Bond, whose missions have repeatedly led him into Istanbul’s lively and sometimes chaotic environments.
Bond’s most recent instalment before this article, Skyfall, included scenes filmed in the Mediterranean resort of Fethiye. Given Skyfall’s massive box office success, some Turkish fans were disappointed to learn the following 24th Bond film would not include Turkey.
A press release confirmed that the next James Bond movie would be shot in London, Rome, Mexico, the Alps and Morocco, with no scheduled filming in Turkey.
This news surprised industry professionals such as Mert Gürel, who runs a TV and film production company in Turkey. As an experienced fixer and producer, he highlights the incentives Turkey offers to foreign productions and notes how international films can promote the country to global audiences.
Gürel’s company has worked on commercials for major brands and on international television shows. Based on that experience, he had expected Bond to return to Turkey. His firm assists foreign crews with permits, equipment sourcing and locating English-speaking crew members, smoothing the logistics that often accompany shooting abroad.
A dedicated supporter of Turkish arts and culture, Gürel stresses that major films shot in Turkey provide significant benefits to the travel and tourism sector and boost the country’s international profile.
James Bond Films in Turkey
By Mert Gürel
From Russia With Love
From Russia With LoveReleased in 1963, From Russia with Love stars Sean Connery as 007 and features a memorable portrayal of 1960s Istanbul. The film opens with iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia and moves through locations on the historic peninsula. One memorable sequence takes place in the Basilica Cistern, where Bond rides a mysterious underground boat.
The story takes Bond to a gypsy encampment near Rumelian Castle and concludes with his departure from Sirkeci train station aboard the Orient Express. Beyond its entertainment value, the film now serves as a visual document of Istanbul’s appearance during that era and highlights how much the city has changed.
The World Is Not Enough
In 1999 Pierce Brosnan returned to the role of Bond in The World Is Not Enough, marking Turkey’s next major appearance in the franchise. Following a bombing in Istanbul, producers limited cast travel to ensure safety. A small crew still shot city footage while the principal actors filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK.
One notable Turkish landmark featured in the film is the Maiden’s Tower, which the production used as a villain’s hideout.
Skyfall
Skyfall (2012) includes a widely praised opening sequence set in Istanbul. The twelve-minute sequence is an action-packed highlight that many Bond fans consider a franchise classic. The scene begins at the Deutsche Orient Bank and follows Bond as he pursues suspects through the narrow streets of the Eminönü district.
A large local market was constructed in Eminönü square for several days to film part of a high-energy motorcycle chase that later continues across the roofs of the historic Grand Bazaar. Although the rooftop and market scenes feel continuous, some train-related action was filmed elsewhere in Turkey; the train sequences were shot at Varda Bridge in Adana.
The sequence rounds off with Bond at a beach bar on Çalış Beach in Fethiye, where locals are portrayed with a tropical-island vibe. Despite some creative liberties, Turkish audiences embraced the film and its portrayal of their country.
Turkish viewers often remark on how remarkable it is to see three different Bond films shot in Turkey across decades, each directed by different filmmakers and featuring different actors in the lead role. Those films together reflect the evolving face of Istanbul and its continued appeal as an international filming location.
Few cities outside of London have played as prominent a role in James Bond history as Istanbul. Its variety of historic sites, busy urban scenes and coastal landscapes make it a memorable and versatile setting for big-screen storytelling.
Author Mert Gürel can be reached through his production website, and he regularly publishes articles and updates on his Fixer in Turkey blog.