...I’m afraid we’re being out-horse powered…
Melina’s Citroën 2CV – For Your Eyes Only (1981)
When James Bond’s Lotus Esprit Turbo self-destructs, 007 hitches a ride in Melina Havelock’s lollopy Citroën 2CV. After Melina rolls the car onto its roof, Bond takes the wheel and shakes off Gonzalez’s henchmen in two Peugeots, as the indestructible Deux Chevaux barrels down lanes, lurches through a sleepy village, and literally sails through the olive groves.
While set in Spain, the sequence was filmed on the island of Corfu in September 1980. The stunt driving was handled by French master Rémy Julienne. Director John Glen reflected, “I love that scene; it was the complete opposite of what one would expect. It’s usually an Aston Martin, so I thought let’s go the absolute opposite end of the spectrum with a Deux Chevaux.”
Citroën provided four brand new 2CVs for the production. Chassis numbers were removed because as far as the French car firm were concerned, they no longer existed. The standard 602cc engines were replaced with the GS 1015 to give the cars more power.
Director Glen felt car chases had become “pretty boring, seeing cars screech back and forth,” with the only shots of the lead actors happening in a studio. Glen wanted a more connected viewpoint for the audience, and thus, he had the special effects team adapt this 2CV shell which could be towed at high speed on mountain roads with the actors inside.
A large platform where a camera was mounted replaced the engine bay. Combined with the occasional forward-looking shot through the windscreen (and minimal studio shots), this particular 2CV helped lend the scene greater verisimilitude.
The Ian Fleming Foundation acquired this unique property in 2005.
For more information, click here.