Bond is back - and back on the big screen thanks to Oxford's film buffs.

Cinema-goers from across the city have picked Casino Royale to be the second movie shown at the Oxford Mail's Film Festival.

The festival aims to showcase six of the best films to come out of Hollywood in the last half century - and you, the audience, have voted for your favourite flicks.

The films will show in daily succession at the Phoenix Picture House in Jericho, and tonight will see new Bond Daniel Craig bigger, better and louder than you ever imagined, thanks to the cinema's huge screen and top of the range sound equipment.

Visitors to the Walton Street venue will watch Bond run, jump and punch his way through the film's now famous free-running scene, fall in love for the first time and stride out of the sea in his tight trunks.

Of course, Bond is but one of the many attractions at the film festival, which kicked off in spine chilling fashion with Alien last night.

The space beast terrified Oxford's great and good with its acid blood, jutting jaws and slimy smile at a showing of the 18 certificate movie in the Jericho cinema.

Oxford's Lord Mayor, John Tanner, was among those left on the edge of his seat by Ridley Scott's futuristic thriller - but not until he had officially opened the festival. Mr Tanner said: "It's a great opportunity to see old favourites as well as new movies too - both well known and some cult classics."

Suzy Sheriff, manager of the Phoenix Picture House, added: "There is a fantastic atmosphere here. Everyone is really excited and has got into the spirit of the occasion. This really is what going to the movies is all about."

Films to follow include sci-fi comedy-drama Serenity (certificate 12A), which will show at the cinema tomorrow.

Romance blossoms with Ethan Hawke in Before Sunrise (certificate 15) on Thursday, before a touch of classic comedy in Some Like It Hot (certificate U) on Friday Tough talk and a diatribe on cheeseburgers from John Travolta rounds off the festival in Pulp Fiction (certificate 18) on Saturday.

Colin McBride, the Oxford Mail's film editor, said he was delighted by the response of Oxford Mail readers in voting for their favourites.

Speaking at the Alien launch night, he said: "The whole idea was to make it a 'people's film festival', which is why we asked everyone to vote for the films they most wanted to see again on the big screen.

"Tonight's turn-out just proves that despite the popularity of DVDs and plasma TVs, people still really want to enjoy a great movie on the big screen."

Casino Royale, certificate 12A, begins at the Phoenix Picture House at 8.30pm tonight. For further information, call 08707 583218.