Classic Bond Forum

I remember reading a paper in which author argued, Bond movies reflect contemporary threats and/or political events. Sadly, I cannot find it. If you know any source dealing with this topic, please let me know. The only connection between the movies and current political events I can think of are as ...

It's obvious that the disparity between the literary and cinematic Bond is considerable. How exactly, would you say, did the producers change Bond? I was considering several aspects (generalized): - breaking with the original plots - the physical image - making Bond a classless hero (due to target a...

I believe I remember Bond visiting a brothel. I hope it's not my imagination that went wild.
Can anyone remember when such situation took place?
There is a short passage from OHMSS when he is said to dislike girls who are a "public property'. But then he mentions film start as an example.

I'd wish to prove that Bond, to some extent, reflected the rebelliousness of the 1960s generation but, unfortunately, I lack sufficient evidence. Did he rebel against M./ MI6 / government etc. or was he a "blunt tool" till the end? The themes, presented in Fleming's works, which I believe would refl...

In one of the articles I've read this week, the author suggested that "Britain is the centre of all plots and the centre of attack". Did every book present Britain as the "centre of all plots"? I doubt it. What about LaLD or DAD and FYEO Correct me if I'm wrong, but, to me, it's a slight over-genera...

Would it be correct to call the Bond character a part of British cultural propaganda at the time of Cold War?
Did the British really take part in promoting 'certain politically-correct ideas' at the time?

I've just finished reading Anthony Synnott's article (for those who haven't had the pleasure, link below). Although the author focuses on the importance of beauty in Bond series, there is a short passage about Fleming's perception of Soviets as British formidable enemy (p 418). Why didn't he choose ...

Did Fleming make a clear allusion to the Cambridge Five treason in any of his novels. He, for instance, openly wrote in YOLT about the Suez Crisis but I couldn't find similar statement about C5.

... intellectually, sexually, physically? There is a nice article by Lisa Funnelli From English Partner to American Action Hero: The Heroic Identity and Transnational Appeal of the Bond Girl. that covers the topic. However, the author focuses mainly on the cinema image of the Bond Girls presenting l...

Clearly, he's a' consumer' of luxurious items but are there any quotes that would support this argument?

Some of the Bond books sell better than others. Certainly, there is the question of each author's 'original' style (or rather attempts to imitate Fleming's writing) I've been told me that most of the Bond readers are interested in plots that are set in the Cold War era rather than modern times. Woul...

Considering his connection with Fleming I'd say upper-class but, if I remember correctly, there is no clear description suggesting his high status in the society, when it comes to his past. On the other hand, films first presented Connery who is said to reflect more of a working-class or even a clas...

I'd say Connery but, lately, I also switch to Brosnan. The image I have in mind is more or less the one from the November Man movie.

While re-reading YOLT I started more closely analyse the fragment when Tanaka lectures Bond on Britain's decline. Until now it was clear for me that Tiger's words about "[…] wallowing nostalgically in gossip about the doings of the Royal Family and of [British] so-called aristocracy in the pages of ...

Hi everyone, I'd like to start by saying that I'm trying to understand the historical background of the JB novels. Fleming's biographies were unfortunately not sufficient when it comes to providing information about the dynamics of international relations of the 1950s and 60s. I was wondering whethe...

I've just finished reading "The Man Who Saved Britain" written by Winder. To some extent I feel disappointed. Maybe I was hoping for too much but the book, to me, presents too little detailed information. That brings me to the question: which book, in your opinion, depicts the historical background ...

Hello everyone, Could you please help and tell me what is the source of this particular quote from Fleming: “Everything I write has a precedent in truth”? I've been searching the Internet but somehow I cannot find it. I believe it was Macintyre's "For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond" wher...

Firstly, thank you both for your comments. Dear Blowfeld, let me put it this way, I couldn't agree more with every aspect of your comment, especially Devil May Care . In general, I like the idea of Bond as a changing hero and the final shape of Fleming's original series almost like a Bildungsroman. ...

I’d like to say official “Hello” to the elders of the forum and ask a few questions :) Lately I came across this article http://literary007.com/2014/07/26/the-three-ages-of-james-bond/ It started to fascinate me how Bond’s image gradually changed within Fleming’s books. What’s more, other authors ad...