The Name's Bond

"The name's Bond, James Bond.", dialogue that is almost universally
linked with Sean Connery as Bond in DR. NO. It seems that from the very
first moment that he appeared on screen Connery was Ian Fleming's Bond,
he was and for most people still is the ultimate Bond. Even though
Connery is a Scot and much more thick set than the Bond from the
novels, he still captivated the audiences in the 60's to the extent
that he has never been replaced... or has he?

Not withstanding CASINO ROYAL with Niven as an aging Bond and Allen as
"Little Jimmy" Bond (the long haired lover from Manhattan?) we moved
from Connery to George Lazenby in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. Of
course Lazenby only made one film and never really had a chance to get
into the role, but many still say he was the worst of the Bonds. As to
his reasons for "quitting" some say he asked for too much money, others
say he had back problems, most say he was just sacked. Whatever the
truth may have been, Connery was persuaded to come back against his
will for DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, and once more encapsulated the role that
he was born for.

Connery was then able to retire from the role (or so it seemed) when
Roger Moore stepped into the frame for LIVE AND LET DIE. For many
people Moore was 'The Saint', at least the TV version, and the
transition to Bond was not easy. Never-the-less, Moore made seven Bond
films matched only by Connery and then only after the lame NEVER SAY
NEVER AGAIN. Moore was probably much closer to Fleming's view of the
suave, womanising Englishman with a detailed knowledge of any number of
obscure subjects. But, as the he went from film to film, Moore injected
far too much self mocking into his performance until we were left with
little more than a cardboard cut-out surrounded by high-tech gadgets
and vacuous bimbo's with more breasts than brains. For me at least
Moore nearly killed Bond and buried him for good.

Next came Timothy Dalton, a Welshman much more in Connery's mould who
actually had some acting ability. This was to be his ultimate downfall,
while THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS followed the normal Bond style, A LICENSE TO
KILL took a completely different approach. Instead of the solid, almost
cold spy we were faced with a man, a human being who had thoughts and
feelings - this was not Bond. Dalton proved his talent and lost his job
in the same instance.

Dalton stepped out and Brosnan stepped in, keeping up the Celtic
presence Bond was now to be played by an Irishman. Brosnan had quite a
different look to most of the previous Bonds, being closer to Lazenby
in general appearance, and in many ways colder in character than most
of his predecessors. This was a Bond who kept things much more to
himself; where Connery had strength, Brosnan had poise; where Lazenby
had wisecracks Brosnan was tight lipped; where Moore had a cheeky grin
Brosnan had an emotionless stare and where Dalton had anger Brosnan had
calm. That's not to say that Brosnan couldn't conjure up the qualities
of his peers when required, but these qualities became much less overt
in his performance.

Well that brings us up to date, the current Bond films have lost a lot
of the sexist attitudes of the 60's while retaining the Bond "girls",
what were once decorative shapes have now become decorative strengths,
to be feared as well as watched. Of course nothing is perfect, the
films are still made by men for men, but Judi Dench taking over "M" has
improved some matters. "Q" is till "Q" despite that fact that Bond
keeps changing, so while Bond stays the same age, the rest of the cast
get older around him, - the only face that has been replaced with him
is Moneypenny - now performed with great expertise by Samantha Bond (no
relation).

The question remains, who is the "real" Bond? Well, as I said at the
start, for many it is and always will be Connery. But, there is growing
admiration for the work that Pierce Brosnan has done in the role, and
with only three films under his belt he is already a serious contender.
I believe he has already stripped Connery of the title and predict that
this opinion will become much more widespread with the release of the
last Bond this century THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.

It's just a pity that we still have to hear "shaken not stirred"
instead of Fleming's original "stirred not shaken", any real Bond would
know how the drink should be properly served!