STAFF at Oxford’s Phoenix Picturehouse admit to being shaken and stirred by the thought of its Best of Bonds film festival opening tomorrow.

In fact, Joseph Hutton, bar manager of the Walton Street cinema said: “I’ve already briefed my staff on our mission to host the best – and certainly most sophisticated – Bond party we can. And naturally that’ll mean Martinis.”

The Oxford Mail film festival, now in its eighth year, is always staged at the Phoenix and according to manager Stuart Jarvis, this year’s promises to be the most spectacular.

“How can you argue with more than 50 years of sheer escapism?” he said.

“There can’t be anyone, anywhere, who hasn’t at least once or twice hummed The James Bond theme. And as for the films themselves, not only have they remained gloriously entertaining but astonishingly timeless too.

“So it’s no surprise we’re all excited about the next six days.”

Jeremy Smith, entertainment editor of the Oxford Mail, said this year’s festival would probably be a record breaker.

He said: “Not only have we got six great films to watch but also a whole A-to-Z of Bond goodies to give away each night, including meals for two at some some of Oxford’s finest restaurants, books, free tickets to one of the country’s top Bond exhibitions, bottles of champagne, mugs, graphic novels and an Aston Martin too – albeit a very small one.”

All the films start at 8.45pm, and they’re half-price for anyone carrying a copy of that day’s Oxford Mail (and yes, for tomorrow night’s opening of Skyfall, today’s edition of the paper will be fine). Half-price tickets range from £4.10 to £4.35.

After Skyfall, Daniel Craig’s third outing as Bond, Monday sees a showing of Goldeneye; on Tuesday it’s The Living Daylights; Wednesday it’s The Spy Who Loved Me; Thursday On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and closing is that most beloved of Bond outings Goldfinger on Friday.

Jeremy said: “This is meant as a celebration, so please, if you feel so inclined, do come dressed to impress. And if you can say Miss Moneypenny with a convincing Scottish burr, you may well win a prize”.

  • For further information, contact the Phoenix cinema in Walton Street on 01865 316570, Jeremy Smith on 01865 425435 or twitter @PhoenixPH; @OxfordMail or @OxMailJSmith
  • Watch our Bond preview video at http://oxfordmail.co.uk/offers