Die Another Day (2002) marks the 20th James Bond film and the final appearance of Pierce Brosnan as 007. Directed by Lee Tamahori, it’s a Bond entry that combines espionage thrills with flashy action, high-tech gadgets, and some of the most over-the-top sequences in the franchise. Let’s dive deep.
Detailed Summary
Prologue: North Korean Mission Gone Wrong
The film opens with Bond infiltrating North Korea to assassinate Colonel Tan-Sun Moon, who is suspected of dealing in conflict diamonds and advanced weaponry. The mission seems successful, but Bond is betrayed, captured, and imprisoned for 14 months in a North Korean military prison, tortured and interrogated. This darker opening sets a grittier tone compared to Brosnan’s earlier Bond outings.
Prisoner Exchange and Suspicion
Eventually, Bond is released in a prisoner exchange for Zao, Moon’s right-hand man. However, M (Judi Dench) suspends Bond from duty, suspecting he leaked secrets under torture. Bond escapes British custody to clear his name, convinced there’s a traitor who set him up.
The Trail of Diamonds
Bond’s investigation leads him to Cuba, where he encounters Jinx (Halle Berry), an NSA agent with her own agenda. Together, they uncover Zao’s involvement in a mysterious genetic therapy that allows people to alter their appearances. Zao now has diamonds embedded in his face—a scar from the botched North Korea mission.
Enter Gustav Graves
The trail of conflict diamonds leads to Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), a flashy British billionaire with a suspiciously sudden rise to fortune. Graves unveils a space-based weapon called Icarus, a satellite capable of focusing sunlight into a devastating energy beam, supposedly for “clean energy.” Bond quickly realizes Graves is far from what he seems.
Ice Palace Showdown
Bond is invited to Graves’ ice palace in Iceland, where he reconnects with Jinx. Soon, the truth unravels: Gustav Graves is none other than Colonel Moon himself, having undergone the gene therapy to take on a new identity. Bond and Jinx fight for survival as Icarus is activated, nearly killing them in a series of elaborate, CGI-heavy sequences involving collapsing ice structures and car chases on frozen lakes.
Betrayals Revealed
Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), a British agent seemingly allied with Bond, is revealed as a double agent working with Graves. Her betrayal is critical—she was the one who set Bond up at the beginning.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The climax unfolds aboard Graves’ massive cargo plane heading toward the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Graves plans to use Icarus to burn a path through the DMZ, allowing North Korea to invade South Korea without resistance.
A brutal fight ensues inside the aircraft:
- Bond battles Graves, who reveals his full megalomania. In a vicious duel, Graves dons an electric shock glove and nearly kills Bond. But Bond manages to open the plane’s cargo hold, sucking Graves out mid-flight—ending him in spectacular Bond fashion.
- Meanwhile, Jinx fights Miranda Frost in a deadly sword duel. Frost mocks Jinx with lines like “I can read your every move,” but Jinx outsmarts her, driving a knife into her heart with the memorable line, “Read this.”
- As the plane disintegrates in flames, Bond and Jinx narrowly escape by parachuting away with a cache of diamonds as their spoils.
The final scene shows Bond and Jinx recovering from their ordeal in a secluded hideaway, enjoying each other’s company—and the diamonds. Unlike some Bond films, this one ends on a more playful note despite the destruction left behind.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Die Another Day does not feature any post-credits scenes. Like many Bond films, it closes with the classic line: “James Bond will return.”
Type of Movie
Die Another Day is a spy action film blending espionage, action-adventure, and science fiction elements (with the Icarus satellite pushing the series toward sci-fi territory).
Cast
- Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
- Halle Berry as Jinx Johnson
- Toby Stephens as Gustav Graves / Colonel Moon
- Rosamund Pike as Miranda Frost
- Rick Yune as Zao
- Judi Dench as M
- John Cleese as Q
- Michael Madsen as Damian Falco
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by David Arnold, continuing his run in the Bond franchise. The title track, “Die Another Day” by Madonna, is one of the most polarizing Bond songs ever—some love its experimental electro-pop style, while others call it a mismatch for the franchise. Madonna also makes a cameo in the film as a fencing instructor.
Filming Locations
The film was shot across multiple countries:
- Iceland – The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon provided the backdrop for the ice palace scenes.
- Spain (Cádiz) – Doubled for Cuba in the sequences involving Jinx and Zao.
- Hawaii – Used for the opening surf scene in North Korea.
- Pinewood Studios, UK – Core soundstage work, including the airplane climax.
These varied locations were crucial in giving the film its globe-trotting, larger-than-life Bond feel.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song (“Die Another Day” by Madonna).
- Won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song.
- Nominated for several technical awards but often criticized for its heavy reliance on CGI.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Pierce Brosnan performed many of his own stunts, despite suffering a knee injury during production.
- Halle Berry nearly choked while filming the scene where she emerges from the ocean, mirroring Ursula Andress’ iconic entrance in Dr. No.
- The invisible Aston Martin (nicknamed the “Vanish”) became one of the most controversial gadgets in Bond history—audiences either loved it or rolled their eyes.
- The movie was produced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, and it contains numerous nods to past Bond films.
Inspirations and References
The story draws inspiration from Cold War espionage, with modern updates like gene therapy and satellite weaponry. It heavily references earlier Bond tropes: glamorous femme fatales, eccentric villains with disfigurements, and high-tech gadgets.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes exist, including extended dialogue between Bond and Jinx and a longer version of their ice palace escape. However, no alternate ending significantly changed the plot.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While the film is not based on an Ian Fleming novel, a novelization was released by Raymond Benson. It largely follows the screenplay but adds more internal monologue for Bond, giving readers greater insight into his thought process.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Bond’s capture and 14-month imprisonment in North Korea.
- Jinx’s ocean entrance in Cuba, a modern homage to Dr. No.
- The Aston Martin vs. Jaguar ice chase across a melting glacier.
- The sword fight between Bond and Graves at Blades fencing club.
Iconic Quotes
- Bond (to Miranda Frost): “So you live to die another day.”
- Jinx (after killing Frost): “Read this.”
- Graves: “The thing about war is that it only takes one man to start it.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The movie celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bond, with gadgets and references from every previous film subtly placed throughout Q’s lab.
- Jinx’s entrance mirrors Ursula Andress’ iconic beach scene in Dr. No (1962).
- Graves’ name alludes to “from the grave,” hinting at his rebirth through gene therapy.
Trivia
- This was Pierce Brosnan’s last outing as James Bond.
- Rosamund Pike’s role as Miranda Frost was her film debut.
- The invisible car (Aston Martin Vanquish) remains one of the most divisive gadgets in Bond history.
- It was the highest-grossing Bond film up to that point, despite mixed reviews.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy classic Bond extravagance with wild gadgets, outrageous villains, and non-stop action, this is a must. It’s also historically significant as Brosnan’s swan song and the last “old school” Bond before Daniel Craig’s grittier reboot.
Director’s Other Movies
- Once Were Warriors (1994)
- The Edge (1997)
- Along Came a Spider (2001)
- Next (2007)