Ken Adam Designs the Movies: James Bond and Beyond

The book takes us from design sketches for his earliest films, including Around the World in Eighty Days, through his Oscar-winning work with Stanley Kubrick, to production designs for what are probably his most celebrated films – seven James Bond movies, which include Dr. No, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. Also included are production drawings for classics such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sleuth and The Last Emperor.

Complete with concept sketches, technical drawings, floorplans and set stills, the book reveals the whole cycle from initial idea to finished construction. Adam’s virtuoso designs for films, operas and other projects are accompanied by illuminating commentary from the eminent cultural historian Christopher Frayling, together presenting an unrivalled archive of visionary and inspiring production design.

Sir Ken Adam is the most distinguished production designer in the world. In a career spanning seven decades and over 75 films, his honours have included Academy Awards for Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and Nicholas Hytner’s The Madness of King George. Sir Christopher Frayling is Rector and Professor of Cultural History at the Royal College of Art, London, and Chairman of the Arts Council. His previous publications include Ken Adam: The Art of Production Design and Sergio Leone: Once Upon a Time in Italy.