slyc_willie
Captain Crash
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Posts
- 17,732
BBC America is hosting "Five Weeks of Bond" and they've started at the very beginning, with Dr. No. Damn, what a beginning. Taking into account the time period in which the books and films were made, the movie is extraordinary. It introduced us to both Ian Flemming's iconic character, a man's man who is both inspiring and painful to watch, and the incredible charisma of Sean Connery, who might very well have languished in obscurity if not for the fortuitous inclusion in such a memorable and original series of films.
That first scene in which Connery, as Bond, sits at a canasta table and introduces himself -- "Bond. James Bond." -- was a defining moment in 20th century cinema. The cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. The devil-may-care expression. The quiet sense of confidence and skill. No actor in the role has matched it since.
James Bond has been with us since Kennedy was president. Think about it: over 47 years have now passed since the professionally cool and ruthless character of James Bond was first given us through the silver screen, and even more years since Ian Flemming's first introduction in print of a man who would become both icon and metaphor for our time. I wonder how many men could ever claim to have impacted the world through cinema and print as has Mr. Flemming. Our modern idea of a government agent would never have come about the way it has if not for James Bond.
At the same time, what other series could boast such an interesting, incredible, unforgettable cast of supporting characters and villains? If you speak the names Felix Lighter, Jaws, Ernst Blofeld, or Auric Goldfinger in any mixed company, you are virtually guaranteed to receive a response. Everyone knows bond, and everyone knows at least some of his memorable villains.
Ian Flemming and Albert R. Broccoli gave us a piece of culture without which modern cinema could not exist. Certainly, Bond's world is a sexist one, but not all of Bond's women could be considered fair, docile maidens. Honey Wilder, Pussy Galore, Octopussy . . . even Solitaire and Christmas Jones could be argued to be a strong, capable women (okay, so they were all outshadowed by Bond's charisma. The films were intended as guy movies, after all).
James Bond has been a part of modern culture almost as long as Meet The Press, and with arguably more profound impact. The stories of Ian Flemming have infected modern writing and film making since the moment Sean Connery sang to Ursula Andres as she emerged from the Bahaman waters. The fantasic nature, the global scope, the almost unbelievable antics and the twisted depths of the Bond villains have had incredible impact upon the world.
While I consider no actor has ever done Bond justice the way Sean Connery did, I welcome the enduring stamina of an ideal man well into the twenty-first century. Long live Bond.
That first scene in which Connery, as Bond, sits at a canasta table and introduces himself -- "Bond. James Bond." -- was a defining moment in 20th century cinema. The cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. The devil-may-care expression. The quiet sense of confidence and skill. No actor in the role has matched it since.
James Bond has been with us since Kennedy was president. Think about it: over 47 years have now passed since the professionally cool and ruthless character of James Bond was first given us through the silver screen, and even more years since Ian Flemming's first introduction in print of a man who would become both icon and metaphor for our time. I wonder how many men could ever claim to have impacted the world through cinema and print as has Mr. Flemming. Our modern idea of a government agent would never have come about the way it has if not for James Bond.
At the same time, what other series could boast such an interesting, incredible, unforgettable cast of supporting characters and villains? If you speak the names Felix Lighter, Jaws, Ernst Blofeld, or Auric Goldfinger in any mixed company, you are virtually guaranteed to receive a response. Everyone knows bond, and everyone knows at least some of his memorable villains.
Ian Flemming and Albert R. Broccoli gave us a piece of culture without which modern cinema could not exist. Certainly, Bond's world is a sexist one, but not all of Bond's women could be considered fair, docile maidens. Honey Wilder, Pussy Galore, Octopussy . . . even Solitaire and Christmas Jones could be argued to be a strong, capable women (okay, so they were all outshadowed by Bond's charisma. The films were intended as guy movies, after all).
James Bond has been a part of modern culture almost as long as Meet The Press, and with arguably more profound impact. The stories of Ian Flemming have infected modern writing and film making since the moment Sean Connery sang to Ursula Andres as she emerged from the Bahaman waters. The fantasic nature, the global scope, the almost unbelievable antics and the twisted depths of the Bond villains have had incredible impact upon the world.
While I consider no actor has ever done Bond justice the way Sean Connery did, I welcome the enduring stamina of an ideal man well into the twenty-first century. Long live Bond.
