“The name’s Bond… James Bond.”
Farewell to Sir Sean Connery (1930 – 2020), who has passed at the age of 90. Knighted in 2000 and an Oscar winner in 1988 for his role as Jimmy Malone in The Untouchables, Connery had a long and successful career which included leading roles in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Highlander, The Hunt for Red October and The Rock. But it’s as 007 as the proud Scot will always be best remembered, being the first, and to many the definitive, James Bond.
It’s only a few months before the latest James Bond film No Time to Die is released so it’s exciting times for 007. As part of the promotion, I saw on the BBC website that the Royal Mail were releasing stamps to celebrate the 25th film in the franchise. As I’ve done numerous Bond-themed posts including on his cars and the best songs I just had tovshare these with you. Would you buy any?
It’s easy to think that great songs must have topped the charts (or at least like in my last Gr8at post), come pretty close. But whether through lack of promotion, more people buying the album, the band not being well known enough at the time or for any other number of reasons, some singles have had mediocre UK chart placings. Which of the following most surprised you? Do you have a favourite?
Meeting you with a view to a kill
Face to face in secret places, feel the chill
Nightfall covers me, but you know the plans I’m making
Still overseas, could it be the whole Earth opening wide
A sacred why, a mystery gaping inside.
Taken from the song A View to a Kill by Duran Duran, from the 1982 James Bond film of the same name. As well as just failing to reach number one in the UK, it remains the only song from the franchise to top the US charts. Is it your favourite film from the series? Here are mine.
I had planned on doing a wider description of Dublin’s Wax Museum, especially after I previously did an introductory style piece. But although the museum includes information about Irish history, its politics and its many famous writers, it will always be a very visual place and so my post will focus on that too. Below are a mix of musicians and very fictional entertaining characters, including the fifth James Bond, a boy wizard, the King of Pop and a very hairy Wolfman. How good do you think they are?
I’ll be writing my thoughts on Spectre soon, but I wanted to discuss in extra detail the aspect of Bond theme tunes. Especially as there was such a cool response to Sam Smith’s much anticipated song Writing’s on the Wall. I sided with the majority and was hugely disappointed. Smith is clearly an undoubted award-winning talent, and he is evdently aware of previous Bond songs, but for me there wasn’t a strong enough melody and I didn’t like his style of singing for the song. Unlike the hugely popular Skyfall and every other Bond theme, it did actually top the UK charts so clearly has its fanbase.
Where would you rank it in terms of Bond themes? Are there any you particularly like or dislike? I’ve focused on the songs themselves, but if you are curious about the graphics side within the credits, I recommend this piece by Vinnie H.
I saw the 24th James Bond film Spectre earlier today. Before I post my review and other ideas I have regarding the Bond franchise, I thought I’d put up a quiz showing films it has inspired within the past 25 years. Whether it seeking to emulate the action, adrenalin, style and sophistication or gently mock some of 007’s more formulaic and overblown outings, these films all owe a great deal of Bond for creating such a successful spy genre. How many of them can you get? Are you a fan of them or do you resent them? Don’t forget to check out these Bond quizzes if you haven’t done them already (1,2 and 3)
(1990s)
(1990s)
(2000s)
(2000s)
(2000s)
(2010+)
Answers below
With the latest James Bond film Spectre being released later this year, the timing of The National Film Museum’s Bond in Motion was wonderfully timed. Quite unsurprisingly, it has been extended. After all, the films are the longest continually running and the third-highest grossing film series to date, which started in 1962 with Dr. No, starring Sean Connery as Bond.
Bond is known for many things. His immaculate appearance. The beautiful women he regularly seduces. His humorous one liners and legendary introduction. Not to mention his love of a Martini, his armed combat skills and his incorporation of gadgets. And who can forget his love of the finest sports cars and alternative getaway vehicles?
Having just got back from a wonderful trip to Rome, I just had to do a quiz that celebrated such a beautiful, romantic and historical country’s contribution to cinema. See how many of the six films set in Italy you can work out. Answers as always below. I will be doing a second part soon so don’t worry if you struggle to get them all.
(1950s)
(1960s)
(1970s)
(1980s)
(2000+)
(2000+)
Click for answers
Alex Raphael 