In this Licence to Legacy episode co-hosts Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig, and David Leigh revisit SPECTRE on its 10th anniversary of its release.

We start with our first viewings back in 2015 and how our opinions have shifted after a decade of rewatching, reflection, and franchise changes. The conversation explores how SPECTRE performed at the box office compared to Skyfall and how Mexico’s tax credits influenced the film’s colourful opening sequence. We dive into the return of the gunbarrel to the beginning of the movie, why it mattered to fans, and whether or not Amazon should consider experimenting with gunbarrel placement. Thomas Newman’s score gets a close look as we compare its reuse of Skyfall motifs and, if Sam Smith's theme is from the point of view of James Bond, come up with the answer to just why his voice is so high pitched.

Where to find us:

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 3rd December 2025

In this episode we’re joined by Edward Biddulph to explore the real-world Britain behind James Bond. His new book, The James Bond Lover’s Guide to Britain, brings together locations from Fleming’s novels, the films, and Fleming’s own life — all chosen with one thing in mind: places anyone can actually visit.

We dive into the adventure of visiting these sites as Edward talks about the thrill of standing at a location from his favourite Bond film, and the memories of growing up in Kent where he first realised that Bond’s world overlapped with his own.

Listen in, enjoy the stories, and if you want to dig deeper into 007’s Britain, pick up the book.

Where to find us:

Edward Biddulph

https://www.jamesbondfood.com

🛒 https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-James-Bond-Lovers-Guide-to-Britain-Paperback/p/56633

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠

Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 17th November 2025

Licence to Legacy: It’s been 40 years since A View to a Kill was released — Roger Moore’s final outing as James Bond — and this week we look back at one of the most divisive entries in the series.

After a brief detour to the Mexico Grand Prix, we dive into the film’s release and reception, sharing personal memories of seeing A View to a Kill for the first time and how opinions have changed - if they have - over the decades. We explore John Barry’s score and Duran Duran’s title song, the film’s unique tone, and how it captured the glossy excess of the 1980s.

The conversation turns to the Bond women — from Tanya Roberts to Grace Jones’ performance as May Day — and the sometimes volatile chemistry on set. We also discuss Christopher Walken’s chilling turn as Max Zorin.

Looking beyond the film, we reflect on Roger Moore’s final mission as 007, how he proved the series could thrive after Sean Connery, and what his long tenure says about age, legacy, and the evolution of Bond. There’s even time to touch on Lois Maxwell’s final appearance as Moneypenny, Patrick Macnee's portrayal of Sir Godfrey Tibbett, and the in-jokes, excess, and self-parody that make A View to a Kill such curious entry in the Bond franchise.

From its polarising reception to its lasting place in Bond history, we ask: four decades on, is A View to a Kill any better than we remember - or not?

Where to find us:

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 27th October 2025