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When I picked up my series 3 at the beginning of the year, one of my first jobs was to give it a name. Land Rover’s run better with names, and it was important to me to have one that fit. I did what any sane person would do and asked friends for suggestions. As it was marine blue, I got numerous suggestions for ‘Vera’. Most will know that this comes from the TV show, where the lead character drives a faded blue Defender.

This got me thinking, what other Land Rover’s have been featured on the big screen. It turns out, it’s quite a lot. There has been a long standing relationship between James Bond and Land Rovers, which is unsurprising considering both are quintessentially British Icons. A 1977 Series III shows up in 1987’s The Living Daylights, and again in 2021’s No Time to Die. Of course, the franchise goes on to feature a variety of Defender’s and Range Rovers, though not Discovery’s.

The Land Rover Discovery is a little harder to find on the big screen, though it has its moments in the spotlight. Imagine my excitement then, when watching Marvel’s Secret Invasion only to find that Nick Fury has a Discovery 2 stashed away in a garage! The show featured a black 2004 ES Td5 which appeared in top condition. It avoided being blown up and served as a get away car for the show’s characters. It certainly made me pay a little more attention while it was on screen. It couldn’t have been all fun and games though. Nick Fury’s Discovery 2 had an oil leak reported on its MOT – at least the big characters know the same pains as the rest of us.

Any film or show that requires a character to go off the beaten track will feature a Land Rover of some sort. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) has not only Defenders, but a 101 Forward Control too. Lara Croft used a V8 Defender in Tomb Raider (2000), which is now with the Dunsfold Collection. They’ve even been featured in the Fast and Furious franchise as well, though I am not convinced they won any races. I could well be wrong though, I have not seen the film myself.

The only model I struggled to find much screen representation of was the humble Freelander. In the UK, it was not widely used though it did feature in the series Monarch of the Glen. However, it was much more popular in Europe on the screen.

What I learned, while trying to name my car, is that Land Rover’s have been seen on the big screen far more than I anticipated. It turned into quite a rabbit hole, and shall make me pay that little bit more attention when I’m watching TV. I decided to go with Harriet for my series III in the end; there’s something amusing about having Harri and Larry – all we need is a Gary or a Barry to add in to the mix. Maybe a Freelander, or a Forward Control…