20 Things You Didn't Know About The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

7. The Discreet Miniature

The Man With The Golden Gun Ending
MGM/UA

Scaramanga’s exploding island at film's climax was a miniature created by Derek Meddings and inspired by footage of the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944.

However, when James Bond first sees Scaramanga's solar energy plant, he is actually looking at another of Meddings's highly-detailed miniatures, created from Peter Murton's designs for the partial set constructed at Pinewood Studios. The filmmakers had originally only intended to use the model for the destruction of the plant, but it was so convincing that it was used to compliment the soundstage set as well.

Naturally, both the miniature and the set were destroyed in true Bondian style at the climax.

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I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.