With Skyfall being released this October, Eon Productions is commemorating the James Bond franchise and celebrating fifty-years of 007. The franchise now holds the record as longest running film series in the history of film with a total running time of over 45 hours.
James Bond movies have charmed and thrilled multiple generations of audiences in all corners of the world and have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide.
So now, with Eon's 23rd Bond film soon to be released, might be as good a time as any, to look back at James Bond films and the part they played in movie history.
James Bond movies have charmed and thrilled multiple generations of audiences in all corners of the world and have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide.
So now, with Eon's 23rd Bond film soon to be released, might be as good a time as any, to look back at James Bond films and the part they played in movie history.
Ian Fleming, former British Navy Intelligence Officer and creator of James Bond, wrote his 12 Bond novels based on his own lifestyle and experiences within the Navy. He also intended to sell the rights to his work to be adapted into a motion picture. Although the rights to his first Bond-book “Casino Royale” were picked up in the early fifties and a subsequent film was made, albeit a one-hour TV special, he had problems selling his vision to major studios. Producers deemed the material too risky and sexual, even the The Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, turned down the chance to direct.
It was finally in 1961, eight years after the publication of the first Bond-novel, that American film producer Albert R. Broccoli partnered with Harry Saltzman, who had purchased the rights to all 007 books, except “Casino Royale”. The producers were offered $1 million from United Artists to adapt either “Thunderball” or “Dr. No”.
It was finally in 1961, eight years after the publication of the first Bond-novel, that American film producer Albert R. Broccoli partnered with Harry Saltzman, who had purchased the rights to all 007 books, except “Casino Royale”. The producers were offered $1 million from United Artists to adapt either “Thunderball” or “Dr. No”.
The British Spy has been played by 6 different actors over the years, but the first one to say “Bond. James Bond.” was Scotsman Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No. Surprisingly enough, the now legendary actor, was not the first choice to play the iconic spy. It was only after the producers failed to reach a deal with actors Cary Grant, James Mason and Patrick McGoohan, that Connery was brought on board.
Directed by Terence Young, who would go on to direct two further Bond films, the film garnered mostly negative reviews upon release, but earned enough to justify starting production on a sequel. Ian Fleming, who initially disliked Sean Connery's performance as Bond, eventually warmed to the actor, who went on to star in six official Bond film and one independent production.
Directed by Terence Young, who would go on to direct two further Bond films, the film garnered mostly negative reviews upon release, but earned enough to justify starting production on a sequel. Ian Fleming, who initially disliked Sean Connery's performance as Bond, eventually warmed to the actor, who went on to star in six official Bond film and one independent production.
Most of the original cast and crew returned one year later for the sequel, From Russia With Love, which was shot on location in Europe for global appeal. Desmond Llewelyn first appeared as Major Boothroyd, now know to audiences as Q. The actor went on to portray the role in a total of 17 Bond films.
Contrary to it's predecessor, “From Russia With Love” was an instant critical and commercial hit.
Goldfinger, the first Bond film to win an Oscar (Best Sound Effects), shattered box-office records in 1964 and established Bond as a franchise to be reckoned with. The film was the first Bond film to feature the iconic Aston Martin DB5 and starred Gert Fröbe as Goldfinger and Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore.
In 1965, Broccoli finally got to adapt the novel which had attracted him to Bond in the first place, I an Fleming's best-selling Bond novel Thunderball. The film went on to become the most successful Bond film to date. However, lead-actor Connery, although satisfied with his performance in the film, was beginning to talk about leaving the film series and focusing on more serious parts.
He ultimately announced his retirement from the Bond series after the release of You Only Live Twice in 1967.
Contrary to it's predecessor, “From Russia With Love” was an instant critical and commercial hit.
Goldfinger, the first Bond film to win an Oscar (Best Sound Effects), shattered box-office records in 1964 and established Bond as a franchise to be reckoned with. The film was the first Bond film to feature the iconic Aston Martin DB5 and starred Gert Fröbe as Goldfinger and Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore.
In 1965, Broccoli finally got to adapt the novel which had attracted him to Bond in the first place, I an Fleming's best-selling Bond novel Thunderball. The film went on to become the most successful Bond film to date. However, lead-actor Connery, although satisfied with his performance in the film, was beginning to talk about leaving the film series and focusing on more serious parts.
He ultimately announced his retirement from the Bond series after the release of You Only Live Twice in 1967.
The coveted role went to Australian model George Lazenby in 1969, who received mostly positive reviews for his performance in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but chose to cancel his contract believing the franchise to fail in the 70's. As love interest Tracy Draco, Broccoli and Saltzman cast veteran English actress Diana Rigg, who gave a memorable performance as Bond's first-and-only wife.
Sean Connery, replacing potential new Bond John Gavin, and director Guy Hamilton returned for once more for 1971's Diamonds Are Forever. This would be Connery's last Eon-produced Bond film, although making the independently produced “Never Say Never Again” in 1983.
Sean Connery, replacing potential new Bond John Gavin, and director Guy Hamilton returned for once more for 1971's Diamonds Are Forever. This would be Connery's last Eon-produced Bond film, although making the independently produced “Never Say Never Again” in 1983.
Once again, Broccoli and Saltzman found themselves on the look-out for a new Bond actor. Roger Moore, already in his mid-forties, approached the role in a more comedic way. He first appeared as Bond in 1973's Live and Let Die. The producers tried keeping Bond fresh and relevant during Moore's seven-film turn as Bond by adding more characters to Fleming's stories and introducing new gadgets to each film.
After the relative financial disappointment of 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun, co-producer Harry Saltzman sold his stake in the Eon production company.
The Spy Who Loved Me, released in 1977, not only represents the first Broccoli-only produced Bond film, but also stands as the first wholly original film in the franchise. Fleming had granted the producers the rights to use the name of his novel, but not the plot.
Moore also starred in 1979's Moonraker, 1981's For Your Eyes Only, 1983's Octopussy and 1985's A View To A Kill.
After the relative financial disappointment of 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun, co-producer Harry Saltzman sold his stake in the Eon production company.
The Spy Who Loved Me, released in 1977, not only represents the first Broccoli-only produced Bond film, but also stands as the first wholly original film in the franchise. Fleming had granted the producers the rights to use the name of his novel, but not the plot.
Moore also starred in 1979's Moonraker, 1981's For Your Eyes Only, 1983's Octopussy and 1985's A View To A Kill.
Shakespearean actor Timothy Dalton had been offered the role of Bond twice before, once after Connery's resignation in 1968 and once in 1980, but it was only in 1987's The Living Daylights that Dalton was finally able to commit to the role. His performance in 1989's Licence to Kill is often credited as being closest to the Bond in Fleming's novels.
A legal dispute Eon and United Artists postponed the production of Dalton's third Bond film, until the actor finally resigned in 1994.
A legal dispute Eon and United Artists postponed the production of Dalton's third Bond film, until the actor finally resigned in 1994.
In 1995, director Martin Campbell successfully revived the Bond franchise with GoldenEye, starring Irishman Pierce Brosnan and Dame Judi Dench as the first-ever female M. The film was a financial and critical success.
Brosnan also starred in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999's The World Is Not Enough and 2002's Die Another Day. He was released from his contract as MGM wanted to reboot the franchise with a new actor portraying 007.
Brosnan also starred in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999's The World Is Not Enough and 2002's Die Another Day. He was released from his contract as MGM wanted to reboot the franchise with a new actor portraying 007.
With the success of “The Bourne Identity” and “Batman Begins”, producers decided to ground Bond in realism for 2006's Casino Royale. Daniel Craig was chosen to portray a less experienced and more vulnerable version of the famous British spy. The actor overcame dominant criticism and was praised for his emotional turn after the release of the film.
The follow-up, 2008's Quantum of Solace failed to impress critics and is widely regarded as a failure. Production on the 23rd Bond film was delayed after the onset of MGM's financial troubles.
Now however, Skyfall is set to be released on the 26th of October. The film is directed by Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes and will revolve around Bond's relationship with M.
The follow-up, 2008's Quantum of Solace failed to impress critics and is widely regarded as a failure. Production on the 23rd Bond film was delayed after the onset of MGM's financial troubles.
Now however, Skyfall is set to be released on the 26th of October. The film is directed by Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes and will revolve around Bond's relationship with M.
By Movie Parliament Minister for History,
Leonhard Balk
Are you looking forward to “Skyfall”? Leave us your comments in the section below.
Leonhard Balk
Are you looking forward to “Skyfall”? Leave us your comments in the section below.
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