The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) – The Film That Made James Bond Island Famous

The Man with the Golden Gun is the ninth film in the James Bond series, produced by Eon Productions. It starred Roger Moore as James Bond and Christopher Lee as the villain Francisco Scaramanga. The film was released in 1974 and is famous for its climactic duel on a beach in Phang Nga Bay – now known as James Bond Island. This page gives you the full story: plot, cast, filming locations, and why the island still attracts fans today.

Plot Summary

Bond is sent to recover a revolutionary solar energy device called the Solex Agitator. The trail leads to Scaramanga, a master assassin who charges one million dollars per kill. Scaramanga lives on a remote island hideout (Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu) with his assistant Nick Nack (Hervé Villechaize). Bond finds Scaramanga’s island, and the two have a final duel – Bond uses a hidden third golden bullet, while Scaramanga fires his namesake gun. Bond wins, and Nick Nack is captured. The film ends with Bond and Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland) sailing away.

Cast and Crew

• James Bond: Roger Moore (his second Bond film after Live and Let Die).
• Francisco Scaramanga: Christopher Lee – a real‑life relative of Ian Fleming and a skilled fencer.
• Nick Nack: Hervé Villechaize – famous for his line “He’s gone!” after the duel.
• Mary Goodnight: Britt Ekland – a British agent who inadvertently helps Scaramanga.
• Andrea Anders: Maud Adams – Scaramanga’s mistress who helps Bond.
• Director: Guy Hamilton (also directed Goldfinger and Live and Let Die).
• Screenplay: Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz.

Filming Locations in Phang Nga Bay

The exterior scenes of Scaramanga’s hideout were filmed at Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu. The famous duel takes place on the small beach that appears only at low tide. The interior scenes (the funhouse with mirrors, the solar power room) were built at Pinewood Studios in England. The crew spent two weeks in Thailand, staying in Phuket. Local fishermen were hired as extras and boat drivers. After the film, the location became known as “James Bond Island”.

Why the Film Still Matters

Before 1974, Phang Nga Bay was a quiet fishing ground. After the film’s release, tourism exploded. The Thai government officially added “James Bond Island” to road signs. Today, the island is one of the top attractions in Thailand. The film also boosted Thailand’s profile as a tourist destination. Many visitors come only to see the nail rock where Scaramanga’s lair was supposedly located. The film’s legacy is so strong that the local villagers on Koh Panyee still sell souvenir golden guns and Bond DVDs.

Trivia for Fans

• Christopher Lee (Scaramanga) was actually Ian Fleming’s step‑cousin. Fleming had suggested Lee for the role years earlier.
• The famous “third nipple” of Scaramanga was an invention of the film – it does not appear in the original novel.
• The golden gun prop was made of real gold‑plated parts. It was stolen from the set but later recovered.
• Roger Moore did most of his own stunts, including the seaplane landing. The plane later sank after filming.
• The iconic “James Bond Island” sign was installed by the national park after tourists kept asking for directions.

Visiting the Film Locations Today

You can visit the beach and the cliffs exactly as seen in the movie. Most tours stop for 45‑60 minutes. To see the beach (where the duel took place), you must visit at low tide. Many local guides can point out the exact camera positions. You can even rent a toy golden gun for a photo. For a complete experience, book a Phang Nga Bay day tour that includes the island. Private tours can recreate specific scenes if you give advance notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the funhouse from the film still there?
A: No. It was a studio set. No trace remains.

Q: Did Roger Moore actually visit the island?
A: Yes. He and the crew spent several days filming on the beach.

Q: Can I buy a golden gun replica?
A: Yes, on Koh Panyee or at the pier shops. Expect to pay 300‑600 THB.

Q: Was any scene filmed on Ko Tapu itself?
A: No. The rock is too small and steep. All shots of Ko Tapu were taken from a boat.

Q: What other Bond films used Thailand?
A: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) filmed in Phuket. See our Tomorrow Never Dies page.

Final Word From Local Experts

The Man with the Golden Gun is a classic Bond film, but not the best in the series. However, its legacy is immense – it put Phang Nga Bay on the world map. For film fans, standing on the beach where Roger Moore faced Christopher Lee is a thrill. The bay has changed little since 1974 – the cliffs, the water, the sense of isolation. Visit early morning to have the place almost to yourself. And when you take your photo with Ko Tapu in the background, remember the little golden gun that started it all.

— Written by the team at VisitJamesBondIsland.com