For those of us of a certain age, our childhood years were spent watching secret agents Illya Kuryakin (KGB) and Napoleon Solo (CIA) fight intrigue and international espionage on the small screen. It was the 60s, a time of James Bond, fantasy gadgets, glamorous locales, mini dresses and in this case, the first season of The Man From UNCLE was in black-and-white (now that I don't remember).
As with all good ideas, a remake is always in the mix. This time around, The Man From UNCLE makes its big screen debut courtesy of director Guy Ritchie and Warner Brothers. The dynamic duo (oh wait, that's another 60s genre, Batman and Robin) is back (Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer) fighting WWII fascists who are in possession of a nuclear device. The time is 1963 and there are great gadgets, international locales (Germany and Italy) and sophisticated 60s styles influenced by retro looks from Marisa Berenson, Veruschka and Jean Shrimpton. Look for lots of bright colors, black-and-white, color blocking and A-line shapes courtesy of British costume designer Joanna Johnston (and lots of Roger Vivier shoes). All I pretty much want in a movie these days.....
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Henry Cavill and Elizabeth Debicki as the villianess Victoria above and below |
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| Alice Vikander plays Gaby whose clothes were inspired by 60s icon Jean Shrimpton |
TV's Get Smart and James Bond films were a major influence for the set designs by production designer Oliver Scholl. Some of the standout sets (totaling 90 in all) include a sleek Neo-Italian fascist-styled company headquarters and a classical 60s style hotel.
To read about the production design and set decor of The Man From UNCLE, check out my article in The Hollywood Reporter.
Photo credits: Warner Brothers/Daniel Smith
