50 Years of Bond , James Bond

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 29 , 2012           09.25  P.M.

In 2012 , Bond , James Bond completes 50 years of his screen existence . First Bond film ” Dr. No “ was released in October 1962 . Till date 22 James Bond films have been made and 6 different actors have enacted the iconic British spy on-screen .  Sean Connery ,  George Lazenby , Roger Moore , Timothy Dalton , Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have played James Bond in 22 Bond movies till date . In this 50th year , 23rd Bond film ” Skyfall “ will be released in October .

Cover of 007

Here is the complete list of Bond Films  :

1 – Dr. No – 1962

2 – From Russia With Love – 1963

3 -  Goldfinger – 1964

4 – Thunderball – 1965

5 – You Only Live Twice – 1967

6 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – 1969

7 – Diamonds Are Forever – 1971

8 – Live And Let Die – 1973

9 – The Man With The Golden Gun – 1974

10 – The Spy Who Loved Me – 1977

11 – Moonraker – 1979

12 – For Your Eyes Only – 1981

13 – Octopussy – 1983

14 – A view To A Kill  – 1985

15 – The Living Daylights – 1987

16 – Licence To Kill – 1989

17 – Golden Eye – 1995

18 – Tomorrow Never Dies – 1997

19 – The World Is Not Enough – 1999

20 – Die Another Day – 2002

21 – Casino Royale – 2006

22 – Quantum Of Solace – 2008

23 – Skyfall – 2012 [ Yet To Be Released ]

James Bond is the fictional character of M 16 agent . His code sign is 007 . He first appeared in the books of Ian Fleming . Earlier Bond films were based on the novels of Ian Fleming but later films were based on some original storylines  also .

Ian Fleming first approached Sir Alexander Korda to make films based on his novels .  Alfred Hitchcock was also approached to direct a Bond film with Richard Burton as Bond . But things didn’t materialize . It is very strange that major Hollywood studios were also reluctant to put their money in Bond films because they thought it is too British and too sex oriented . Slowly in 1961 things started falling in place . Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Salzman stablished their production company Eon Production and started filming ” Dr. No  “ .

Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Salzman produced Bond films under their banner Eon Films till 1975 and after that Broccoli became the sole producer . This is the reason , Bond films are called and known as Eon series films .

In fact the creator of James Bond , Ian Fleming had created a sketch of Bond as per his vision. Broccoli and Salzman started searching for a suitable actor as per Flemings’ sketch and vision . Their first choice was Cary Grant . But he wanted to do just one film . Then James Mason was approached but he wanted to do just two films . Rex Harrison and David Niven were also approached but they also refused to play Bond for various other reasons and finally and reluctantly Sean Connery was chosen .

Ian Fleming's Image of James Bond

Ian Fleming's Screen James Bond

Sean Connery was the first Bond . He was the first one whom I saw as a Bond and therefore till date , for me , he is synonymous with James Bond . He acted in 6 + 1 films { 6 Bond Films Eon Series & 1 Non Eon Series }; ” Dr. No ” [ 1962 ] , ” From Russia With Love”  [ 1963 ] , ” Goldfinger ” [ 1964 ] , ” Thunderball ” [ 1965 ] and ” You Only Live Twice ” [ 1967 ] . After the gap of 1 movie , he returned again as Bond in ” Diamonds Are Forever ” [ 1971 ] . That was last movie of Sean Connery as Bond . An era ended with his retirement . Sean Connery again returned 12 years later to play Bond in a non – Eon series ” Never Say Never Again ” [ 1983 ] .

Sean Connery - James Bond - 1

After Sean Connery’s refusal to play Bond , George Lazenby played Bond just once . ” On Her Majesty’s Secret Service [ 1969 ] was his first and last film . He was rejected by the audience . In fact I disliked him so much that I am yet to see that film . After this , Sean Connery again returned as Bond in ” Diamonds Are Forever ” [ 1971 ] .

“

George Lazenby - James Bond - 2

After Sean Conner’s last film , Roger Moore was chosen to play the iconic character . He played Bond in 7 films and then retired after playing Bond for 12 long years . After initial hitch , he was accepted as Bond and after Sean Connery , he is considered the most successful Bond . For some section of audience , he is the most successful Bond ever  . His Bond films are ;  ” Live And Let Die  “  [ 1973  ] , ” The Man With The Golden Gun  “  [ 1974  ] , ” The Spy Who Loved Me “  [ 1977  ] , ” Moonraker  “  [ 1979  ] , ” For Your Eyes Only “  [ 1981  ] , ” Octopussy  “  [  1983  ] and  ” A view To A Kill  “  [ 1985  ] . After this film , Roger Moore retired at the age of 58 . For me an era again ended .

Roger Moore - James Bond - 3

Then came Timothy Dalton . He was chosen to play Bond when Sean Connery retired . But he refused on the grounds of age . Eventually he came after Roger Moore’s retirement . Like George Lazenby , he was also outright rejected . He also played Bond in just two films . ” The Living Daylights ” [ 1987 ] and ” License To Kill ” [ 1989 ] are his starrers as Bond .

Timothy Dalton - James Bond - 4

Third most successful Bond , Pierce Brosnan acted in 4 Bond films . He was supposed to play Bond after Roger Moore but fate willed otherwise . Ultimately he replaced Timothy Dalton . ” Golden Eye ” [ 1995 ] , ” Tomorrow Never Dies ” [ 1997 ] , ” The World Is Not Enough ” [ 1999 ] and ” Die Another Day ” [ 2002 ] . According to me he is the third most acceptable James Bond after Sean Connery and Roger Moore.

Pierce Brosnan - James Bond - 5

When Pierce Brosnan was replaced with Daniel Craig , there was again a furore . Many Bond fans and this includes me , found him uncouth and rustic . He is yet to get wide acceptance as the 6th Bond but he has already churned two successful Bond movies ; ” Casino Royale ” [ 2006 ] and ” Quantum Of Solace ” [ 2008 ] . His 3rd Bond film ” Skyfall ” [ 2012 ] is ready for release in the 50th year of Bond , James Bond .

Daniel Craig - James Bond - 6

Produced mainly at Pinewood Studios , United Kingdom , this longest running film series in the history of motion pictures has grossed US $ 5 billion till date . Bond series is second only to Harry Potter series in total box office collection .

Countries of the World Visited by James Bond in Films

James Bond Island

Permanent Characters of Bond Films

The first Bond film , which I watched , was the third Bond film . It was Sean Connery starrer ” Goldfinger “ . I watched it in the Niranjan Talkies of Allahabad . The year was 1967 . This 1974 Bond film was running to packed houses and I went to watch it with my friends . It was nothing like the Hindi films , which I had seen before coming to Allahabad . The memory is still fresh  and till now I am a hardcore fan of James Bond films .

Out of non Eon series , I have seen Sean Connery starrer ” Never Say Never Again ” [ 1983 ] . I have not seen non Eon ” Casino Royale ” [ 1954 & 1967 ] . So cannot comment about two most famous non Eon Bonds ; Barry Nelson and David Niven .

In this 50th year , through this blog , I express my feelings as a fan . My keenness should be gauged by the fact that till date I have missed only few Bond films .

How can you not see Bond , James Bond !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

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