The only thing that stinks is that Bond 22 won't be based on any book of Ian Fleming's because he only wrote 13 books, while still 7 movies were made up, such as the newer movies: Die Another Day, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and the World is not Enough.
1. Goldfinger 2. Skyfall 3. Goldeneye 4. The Spy Who Loved Me 5. OHMSS
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"I never joke about my work, 007."
The only thing that stinks is that Bond 22 won't be based on any book of Ian Fleming's because he only wrote 13 books
Don't you mean 14 books? ?:)
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Remember -- the genesis of our whole discussion is that I took exception to the ending being characterized as leaving "a plot hole." (i.e. a mistake) It's not -- it's a story thread that will be picked up in the next film, just as Dr. No (the novel) picks up with Bond's recuperation from Klebb's near fatal stabbing.
I wasn't intending to characterize the ending as a 'mistake' -- simply the result of an uneven script. I don't mind the character or the idea that it laps over into the next film. I was simply stating that with the culmination of the 'Bond, James Bond' line at the end of CR seemed to imply, or at least I inferred, that somehow Bond was 'born' at that moment. But I felt there was nothing of significance happening to Bond at that moment since this was his first meeting with Mr. White. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Remember -- the genesis of our whole discussion is that I took exception to the ending being characterized as leaving "a plot hole." (i.e. a mistake) It's not -- it's a story thread that will be picked up in the next film, just as Dr. No (the novel) picks up with Bond's recuperation from Klebb's near fatal stabbing.
I wasn't intending to characterize the ending as a 'mistake' -- simply the result of an uneven script. I don't mind the character or the idea that it laps over into the next film. I was simply stating that with the culmination of the 'Bond, James Bond' line at the end of CR seemed to imply, or at least I inferred, that somehow Bond was 'born' at that moment. But I felt there was nothing of significance happening to Bond at that moment since this was his first meeting with Mr. White. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Don't worry about it -- It's fun to argue this stuff. What else are you going to do on a blog?
So here's another one -- actually it's something that I wrestled with after someone else (I forget who) brought it up. I think I've resolved it after my lastest viewing.
It concerns the chronology of Bond's presence in Madagascar, then London, then especially the Bahamas and Miami.
Someone wondered on one of the threads how Bond could have gone from playing cards in the Bahamas to killing Demetrios at the Museum to foiling the Miami International plot on the same night. I argued the museum and airport events must have been on a different night, but couldn't really prove it. But at my last viewing, I noticed that the airport bomber's cell phone date was July 9 (2 a.m. I think).
So the chronology is possible, although the writers do not feel it's necessary (neither do I) to explain it in detail in the movie. But here how it might work:
1) We know that Bond is in Madagascar on July 6, because that's the date on the cell phone when Bond checks it and finds the call from Demetrios (a call we see Mollaka answer at the snake pit). It's probably sometime in the morning.
2) Bond is in M's London apartment late that same evening. How does he make it there? Easy. It's 11 hours by commercial jet from Madagascar to London. Let's say he left Madagascar by noon (and presumably through some MI6 rather than commercial flight, since he was there with a team to kidnap Mollaka for questioning), he could have been back in London and had time to break into M's apartment by 11 p.m. London time (or 2 a.m. July 7, Madagascar time, which is GMT +3 hours).
3) Bond leaves the next morning, say 10 a.m. July 7, London time, for the Bahamas, seemingly taking M's advice to stick his head in the sand, but actually to follow up on Ellipsis. He arrives at approximately 2 p.m. Bahamas time (same as Miami time). He checks out the hotel, goes swimming. That evening he goes gambling, wins the car and meets Solange. During this time, LeChiffre finds out about Mollaka and asks about when Ellipsis is scheduled. His henchman says it's in "less than 36 hours," which would be absolutely true if the big unveiling of the jet was on the morning of July 9.
4) Demetrios calls Solange and says he's on the last flight (it only takes an hour) to Miami. We don't know if the flight is already in the air or if Demetrios simply means he's booked on it. But it's obviously already late at night, so just as obviously, the museum scene and airport scenes could not have happened later that evening. I've always held they happened following evening. Given the time on the bomber's cell, that seems to be confirmed.
That resolves another question: if Demetrios was on the last flight, how did Bond get to Miami? And even if he could have gotten on that particular flight, why would he want to? Wouldn't Demetrios have noticed him? My explanation is that Bond would have chosen another way (a charter, for example) to get to Miami, and simply picked up Demetrios' trail there. The screenwriters might have shown Bond calling a charte company or the British Consulate in Orlando and asking someone to meet Demetrios' plane and continue the tail while Bond was on his way so that Bond didn't miss the guy. They didn't, but as I've said before I don't really think it's necessary for the writers to explain every twist and turn, provided they don't break the rules of physics. I think having Bond in the Bahamas and the museum and airport on the same night would have done that.
Anyway, am I full of s***, or does it all make sense to you all?
I mean, you see it a lot of times (which is good) and always take something new.
I like and accept your theory. Kudos
Thanks, Johmss. Although I'm afraid that my last post on this thread may actually be a symptom of a very sick mind. ) That's waaay too much thinking about CR.
Something occurred to me the other day and I'm not sure if I missed something in the story. Maybe someone here can clear it up. In CR, Dimitrios sends Mollaka character the password 'Ellipsis' and Mollaka gets up and runs off, obviously having some errand he needed to address concerning the planned bombing. So what was it he was supposed to do? The term 'ellipsis' was apparently the security password to get through the airport, so why was that being sent to the bombmaker? If there was something the Mollaka had to do, what was it? And how did his demise at the embassy effect the plan? Mollaka's death seemed to have no ramification on the terrorist plot, so why did Dimitrios send him the password?
Mollaka was hired to go to Miami and blow up the Sky Fleet plane - Bond killed both him and his replacement. Dimitrios and Le Chiffre discuss this on board his yacht.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,799Chief of Staff
Something occurred to me the other day and I'm not sure if I missed something in the story. Maybe someone here can clear it up. In CR, Dimitrios sends Mollaka character the password 'Ellipsis' and Mollaka gets up and runs off, obviously having some errand he needed to address concerning the planned bombing. So what was it he was supposed to do? The term 'ellipsis' was apparently the security password to get through the airport, so why was that being sent to the bombmaker? If there was something the Mollaka had to do, what was it? And how did his demise at the embassy effect the plan? Mollaka's death seemed to have no ramification on the terrorist plot, so why did Dimitrios send him the password?
This slightly bugs me too.
I just assume that Mollaka was then to proceed to Miami to blow the plane up - or pass a bomb and the password on to the guy who would do the job, so that there is no direct link to Dimitrios. Again, I assume the bomb Mollaka has with him is for a different job.
A lot of assuming going on there, but I can live with it.
There's a short scene on Le Chiffre's boat. Le Chiffre says he (meaning Mollaka) was under surveillance from the British secret service. He also wonders aloud if Dimitrios can be trusted. Dimitrious responds by saying that he doesn't care, he only cares about his reputation. Dimitrious then says that he has a replacement and all he needs is the particulars and payment.
In short, Mollaka was the bomb maker and the bomber before Bond intervened.
There's a short scene on Le Chiffre's boat. Le Chiffre says he (meaning Mollaka) was under surveillance from the British secret service. He also wonders aloud if Dimitrios can be trusted. Dimitrious responds by saying that he doesn't care, he only cares about his reputation. Dimitrious then says that he has a replacement and all he needs is the particulars and payment.
In short, Mollaka was the bomb maker and the bomber before Bond intervened.
Thanks, MNL. I figure Mollaka must have been intended as the original bomber, but couldn't remember if anything was said to that effect. However, if Dimitrios said something about needing the particulars, I can't imagine what he was referring to if he already had the scheme in place.
Funny how the bomb mollaka has is some huge bomb looking thing. Then the bomb that's used is a tiny little keyring .
Different bombs for different jobs, like screwdrivers. There's no reason to think the bomb Mollaka had in his pack was the same one he would have used at the airport. The pipe bomb might have been tough to get through customs.
Something occurred to me the other day and I'm not sure if I missed something in the story. Maybe someone here can clear it up. In CR, Dimitrios sends Mollaka character the password 'Ellipsis' and Mollaka gets up and runs off, obviously having some errand he needed to address concerning the planned bombing. So what was it he was supposed to do? The term 'ellipsis' was apparently the security password to get through the airport, so why was that being sent to the bombmaker? If there was something the Mollaka had to do, what was it? And how did his demise at the embassy effect the plan? Mollaka's death seemed to have no ramification on the terrorist plot, so why did Dimitrios send him the password?
This slightly bugs me too.
I just assume that Mollaka was then to proceed to Miami to blow the plane up - or pass a bomb and the password on to the guy who would do the job, so that there is no direct link to Dimitrios. Again, I assume the bomb Mollaka has with him is for a different job.
A lot of assuming going on there, but I can live with it.
There's a short scene on Le Chiffre's boat. Le Chiffre says he (meaning Mollaka) was under surveillance from the British secret service. He also wonders aloud if Dimitrios can be trusted. Dimitrious responds by saying that he doesn't care, he only cares about his reputation. Dimitrious then says that he has a replacement and all he needs is the particulars and payment.
In short, Mollaka was the bomb maker and the bomber before Bond intervened.
Thanks, MNL. I figure Mollaka must have been intended as the original bomber, but couldn't remember if anything was said to that effect. However, if Dimitrios said something about needing the particulars, I can't imagine what he was referring to if he already had the scheme in place.
I guess, like MNL, it was always perfectly clear to me that Mollaka was the original bomber. And exactly what was Mollaka going to do after getting the call from Demetrios? Who knows? A bomber's work is never done, I suppose. Maybe he needed to pack, or call the newspaper to stop home delivery while he's overseas. But I think you're mistaken about the sequence of events.
There's no reason to think Mollaka was going to do anything but watch the end of the cobra-mongoose bout, or maybe grab a beer. The reason he left in a hurry is because he spotted Bond's colleague, who kept touching his ear as if he was wearing a listening device, watching him. His retreat to the Embassy was for sanctuary, never imagining in a million years that Bond would go after him there. That's a belief shared by a few AJBers, judging from their indignation that M didn't fire Bond's ass in the apartment scene.
Another point I'd like to make: "Ellipsis" isn't just a password. I say this because a while back someone scoffed that Bond could have guessed the password --- well, Ellipsis is the name of the whole operation, like "Operation Thunderball" --- It's the code name for LeChiffre's unauthorized plan to use a client's money to buy an airline's stock, blow up the company's chief asset and short sell the stock. On the boat, he asks his henchman how much time before "Ellipsis" expires, meaning how long do we have for the plan to succeed. The guy tells him 36 hours. Remember -- when you sell short, you're under a deadline to replace the shares you borrowed, whether they've gone up or down. Obviously, he needed the plane blown up before the deadline so that he could return cheaper shares and make his money. So when Bond "guesses" the password, he's simply using his head. Could the name of the operation also be the password? Hackers use those kinds of strategies all the time for figuring out passwords. Try the mark's children's names, his birthdate, combinations of both, whatever. Granted Bond was awfully lucky to get it the first try, but he is, after all, James Bond.
As for the "particulars" Demetrios mentions, that just means the details. He's got a guy willing to replace Mollaka, he just needs the details and the money. If I say to you, "hey wanna blow something up for me? Something high profile" You might say, if you were a bomber, "Sure Highhopes. I'm always willing, if the money is right. What's the job?" The specifics of the job would be the particulars.
Tee HeeCBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
I have a question reguarding the plot which I alluded to in my "Cellular Royale" thread.
After playing poker for four hours, Le Chiffre returns to his hotel room as Valenka has called for him. Bond, having placed a bug in Le Chiffre's inhaler, grabs the parcel containing his gun and cell phone and follows him up to the fourth floor. As we all know, Le Chiffre is confronted by a royaly ****ed off Obanno and his Lieutenant. After threatening Le Chiffre and his girlfriend, the two men leave only to end up in a fight with Bond.
My question is: What did a pistol-packing 007 exactly hope to accomplish by following Le Chiffre up to his room with Vesper at his side no less? We know Le Chiffre possesses a lot of useful information and can't be killed. This is also why I find it reckless of 007 to grab a table knief and charge after Le Chiffre after he gets wiped out.
Bond's following of Le Chiffre seems like a poor setup on the part of the writers to confront Bond with Le Chiffre's clients.
Any thoughts?
"My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised..."
As a spy, I suppose it never hurts to listen in on the target...especially when there's a chance the suspect might be involved with any pending terrorist plots.
The part with the knife, IMO, was excellent and is one of the only parts of the film that makes sense to me and falls within character. Early on, when M informs Bond that there's going to be a hifh-stakes poker game, Bond replies "Good. We know where he'll be. Do you want a clean kill or do you want to make an example of him?" Instead, M wants to play cards with him, on the off chance that he might get chatty if he loses. I like the idea that Bond, as a blunt instrument, basically says "To blazes with playing games, I'm just gonna kill him." Since Vesper wasn't going to give him another chance to do things M's way, he resorts to his own plan.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
I agree, darenhat...I think he wanted to surveil Le Chiffre, and the violence erupted as a result of this proximity.
And I also think you're spot-on with regard to Bond with the knife...a recurrence of the 'recklessness' which characterized his much commented-upon embassy shoot-up, and perhaps one of the final vestiges of the 'developing' 00 agent he is becoming.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Tee HeeCBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
As a spy, I suppose it never hurts to listen in on the target...especially when there's a chance the suspect might be involved with any pending terrorist plots.
The part with the knife, IMO, was excellent and is one of the only parts of the film that makes sense to me and falls within character. Early on, when M informs Bond that there's going to be a hifh-stakes poker game, Bond replies "Good. We know where he'll be. Do you want a clean kill or do you want to make an example of him?" Instead, M wants to play cards with him, on the off chance that he might get chatty if he loses. I like the idea that Bond, as a blunt instrument, basically says "To blazes with playing games, I'm just gonna kill him." Since Vesper wasn't going to give him another chance to do things M's way, he resorts to his own plan.
Yes, listening in on your enemies is indeed helpful, but at their front door door step? Even when you have an earpiece? What the hell did he need Vesper for?
Being a strong opponent of the reboot, I guess I just don't like seeing this side of Bond. I don't want to see him as a "blunt instrument" making irrational decisions. Are you honestly going to tell me that Bond was going to kill Le Chiffre in public with all his minions surrounding him? That would have been suicide. I guess I just prefer the experienced Bond who knows exactly what to do.
But you're right, as Bond is supposed to be rash and inexperienced, this stunt definitely fits his personality. But I can't help but become angry at some of the stupid things he is doing.
"My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised..."
Being a strong opponent of the reboot, I guess I just don't like seeing this side of Bond. I don't want to see him as a "blunt instrument" making irrational decisions. Are you honestly going to tell me that Bond was going to kill Le Chiffre in public with all his minions surrounding him? That would have been suicide. I guess I just prefer the experienced Bond who knows exactly what to do.
Well, we don't know for sure that the killing was going to be too public...after all, I don't think you can get much more public than his killing of Dimitrios, and no one seemed to care too much about that .
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
I agree with what everyone says about grabbing the knife as another sign of Bond's recklessness as a new double-0.
As for picking up the package, I think Darenhat is right: he just needed the cell phone in order to pick up exactly where LeChiffre was in the building. It makes sense to me that Bond would want to check out what his enemy is up to between poker hands. And to be armed while doing so.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Being a strong opponent of the reboot, I guess I just don't like seeing this side of Bond. I don't want to see him as a "blunt instrument" making irrational decisions. Are you honestly going to tell me that Bond was going to kill Le Chiffre in public with all his minions surrounding him? That would have been suicide. I guess I just prefer the experienced Bond who knows exactly what to do.
And you'll get him, I think, starting with #22; that's the good news.
Indeed, the notion of attacking Le Chiffre with a knife---while surrounded by his entourage---is suicide...which, to me, is exhilarating. Still, as I said, I believe this is the final vestige of the 'developing' (or 'rookie,' if you will) 007.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Tee HeeCBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
Well, we don't know for sure that the killing was going to be too public...after all, I don't think you can get much more public than his killing of Dimitrios, and no one seemed to care too much about that .
Very true. There are people walking all around them as the whole confrontation is taking place, yet nobody catches eye of the knief or the stabbing.
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
Seems like a bit of a stretch. I could perhaps accept that the ear piece had a short range, but not the presence of Vesper. Bond should have just sent her to the room in the first place. And Vesper is supposed to be the "bloody idiot?"
Well, we don't know for sure that the killing was going to be too public...after all, I don't think you can get much more public than his killing of Dimitrios, and no one seemed to care too much about that .
No one seemed to care too much because they thought Dimitrios was a new exhibit. After all, it was a Body World's exhibition.
Tee HeeCBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
Seems like a bit of a stretch. I could perhaps accept that the ear piece had a short range, but not the presence of Vesper. Bond should have just sent her to the room in the first place. And Vesper is supposed to be the "bloody idiot?"
I think taking Vesper with him was the right thing to do. Walking around near LeChiffre's suite on your own could invite trouble, having someone with you could just divert suspicion enough (certainly to the untrained eye} - or give you some valuable seconds to use.
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
Seems like a bit of a stretch. I could perhaps accept that the ear piece had a short range, but not the presence of Vesper. Bond should have just sent her to the room in the first place. And Vesper is supposed to be the "bloody idiot?"
Vesper didn't become a "bloody idiot" until she refused to give him the money to buy back in. )
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
The script had an omitted bit of dialogue, here, where Vesper talks about her own father's gambling problems...and that he always thought he could win...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
Seems like a bit of a stretch. I could perhaps accept that the ear piece had a short range, but not the presence of Vesper. Bond should have just sent her to the room in the first place.
Just to let you know the full workings of the earpiece. The earpiece is a sonic wireless earpiece and works like a deaf aid at the bank when switched to the T position. Bank counters have a speaker that sends out an induction loop, basically a sonic field that is picked up by the wireless device.
So, the bug transmits to the phone, the phone sends out an induction loop to the sonic wireless earpiece in Bond's ear so he can listen in.
Looking at the size of the bug it would have an incredibly small range, as a bug powered from a 9 volt battery can only send to about 150 metres.
Incidentally, the bug Bond uses is far to small to be a working bug, but everything else works fine. And you can buy the sonic wireless earpieces and induction loops on eBay. All you need is a bug (Ebay again), and a mobile phone with a radio facility that picks up FM signals in the 90 - 101 range. Plug the induction loop into the phone jack, screw in the earpiece, drop off the bug and you are now James Bond!
So the wife and I decided to watch CR again last night (it had been a while for both of us) and I did tend to pick up on a few things that I looked past previously. But maybe someone can help me with this little question (forgive me if someone has already asked it)
Who was the unlucky guy who was shocked to find the dead general in his boot outside the casino?
Mathis claimed that the bodies were 'useful'. The police were examining this guy when all of a sudden a cell phone goes off revealing the cars hidden secret. We're we supposed to know who this 'innocent bystander?' was? I remember everyone in the theater laughing, but all I remember thinking was 'poor guy, what did he do to deserve that?'
Comments
Nice detailed explanations everyone, they make my head hurt sadly.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Check out my Instagram: @livingthebondlife
"I never joke about my work, 007."
I wasn't intending to characterize the ending as a 'mistake' -- simply the result of an uneven script. I don't mind the character or the idea that it laps over into the next film. I was simply stating that with the culmination of the 'Bond, James Bond' line at the end of CR seemed to imply, or at least I inferred, that somehow Bond was 'born' at that moment. But I felt there was nothing of significance happening to Bond at that moment since this was his first meeting with Mr. White. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Don't worry about it -- It's fun to argue this stuff. What else are you going to do on a blog?
So here's another one -- actually it's something that I wrestled with after someone else (I forget who) brought it up. I think I've resolved it after my lastest viewing.
It concerns the chronology of Bond's presence in Madagascar, then London, then especially the Bahamas and Miami.
Someone wondered on one of the threads how Bond could have gone from playing cards in the Bahamas to killing Demetrios at the Museum to foiling the Miami International plot on the same night. I argued the museum and airport events must have been on a different night, but couldn't really prove it. But at my last viewing, I noticed that the airport bomber's cell phone date was July 9 (2 a.m. I think).
So the chronology is possible, although the writers do not feel it's necessary (neither do I) to explain it in detail in the movie. But here how it might work:
1) We know that Bond is in Madagascar on July 6, because that's the date on the cell phone when Bond checks it and finds the call from Demetrios (a call we see Mollaka answer at the snake pit). It's probably sometime in the morning.
2) Bond is in M's London apartment late that same evening. How does he make it there? Easy. It's 11 hours by commercial jet from Madagascar to London. Let's say he left Madagascar by noon (and presumably through some MI6 rather than commercial flight, since he was there with a team to kidnap Mollaka for questioning), he could have been back in London and had time to break into M's apartment by 11 p.m. London time (or 2 a.m. July 7, Madagascar time, which is GMT +3 hours).
3) Bond leaves the next morning, say 10 a.m. July 7, London time, for the Bahamas, seemingly taking M's advice to stick his head in the sand, but actually to follow up on Ellipsis. He arrives at approximately 2 p.m. Bahamas time (same as Miami time). He checks out the hotel, goes swimming. That evening he goes gambling, wins the car and meets Solange. During this time, LeChiffre finds out about Mollaka and asks about when Ellipsis is scheduled. His henchman says it's in "less than 36 hours," which would be absolutely true if the big unveiling of the jet was on the morning of July 9.
4) Demetrios calls Solange and says he's on the last flight (it only takes an hour) to Miami. We don't know if the flight is already in the air or if Demetrios simply means he's booked on it. But it's obviously already late at night, so just as obviously, the museum scene and airport scenes could not have happened later that evening. I've always held they happened following evening. Given the time on the bomber's cell, that seems to be confirmed.
That resolves another question: if Demetrios was on the last flight, how did Bond get to Miami? And even if he could have gotten on that particular flight, why would he want to? Wouldn't Demetrios have noticed him? My explanation is that Bond would have chosen another way (a charter, for example) to get to Miami, and simply picked up Demetrios' trail there. The screenwriters might have shown Bond calling a charte company or the British Consulate in Orlando and asking someone to meet Demetrios' plane and continue the tail while Bond was on his way so that Bond didn't miss the guy. They didn't, but as I've said before I don't really think it's necessary for the writers to explain every twist and turn, provided they don't break the rules of physics. I think having Bond in the Bahamas and the museum and airport on the same night would have done that.
Anyway, am I full of s***, or does it all make sense to you all?
Can i go with you to see it again?
I mean, you see it a lot of times (which is good) and always take something new.
I like and accept your theory. Kudos
Thanks, Johmss. Although I'm afraid that my last post on this thread may actually be a symptom of a very sick mind.
This slightly bugs me too.
I just assume that Mollaka was then to proceed to Miami to blow the plane up - or pass a bomb and the password on to the guy who would do the job, so that there is no direct link to Dimitrios. Again, I assume the bomb Mollaka has with him is for a different job.
A lot of assuming going on there, but I can live with it.
In short, Mollaka was the bomb maker and the bomber before Bond intervened.
Thanks, MNL. I figure Mollaka must have been intended as the original bomber, but couldn't remember if anything was said to that effect. However, if Dimitrios said something about needing the particulars, I can't imagine what he was referring to if he already had the scheme in place.
Different bombs for different jobs, like screwdrivers. There's no reason to think the bomb Mollaka had in his pack was the same one he would have used at the airport. The pipe bomb might have been tough to get through customs.
I guess, like MNL, it was always perfectly clear to me that Mollaka was the original bomber. And exactly what was Mollaka going to do after getting the call from Demetrios? Who knows? A bomber's work is never done, I suppose. Maybe he needed to pack, or call the newspaper to stop home delivery while he's overseas. But I think you're mistaken about the sequence of events.
There's no reason to think Mollaka was going to do anything but watch the end of the cobra-mongoose bout, or maybe grab a beer. The reason he left in a hurry is because he spotted Bond's colleague, who kept touching his ear as if he was wearing a listening device, watching him. His retreat to the Embassy was for sanctuary, never imagining in a million years that Bond would go after him there. That's a belief shared by a few AJBers, judging from their indignation that M didn't fire Bond's ass in the apartment scene.
Another point I'd like to make: "Ellipsis" isn't just a password. I say this because a while back someone scoffed that Bond could have guessed the password --- well, Ellipsis is the name of the whole operation, like "Operation Thunderball" --- It's the code name for LeChiffre's unauthorized plan to use a client's money to buy an airline's stock, blow up the company's chief asset and short sell the stock. On the boat, he asks his henchman how much time before "Ellipsis" expires, meaning how long do we have for the plan to succeed. The guy tells him 36 hours. Remember -- when you sell short, you're under a deadline to replace the shares you borrowed, whether they've gone up or down. Obviously, he needed the plane blown up before the deadline so that he could return cheaper shares and make his money. So when Bond "guesses" the password, he's simply using his head. Could the name of the operation also be the password? Hackers use those kinds of strategies all the time for figuring out passwords. Try the mark's children's names, his birthdate, combinations of both, whatever. Granted Bond was awfully lucky to get it the first try, but he is, after all, James Bond.
As for the "particulars" Demetrios mentions, that just means the details. He's got a guy willing to replace Mollaka, he just needs the details and the money. If I say to you, "hey wanna blow something up for me? Something high profile" You might say, if you were a bomber, "Sure Highhopes. I'm always willing, if the money is right. What's the job?" The specifics of the job would be the particulars.
After playing poker for four hours, Le Chiffre returns to his hotel room as Valenka has called for him. Bond, having placed a bug in Le Chiffre's inhaler, grabs the parcel containing his gun and cell phone and follows him up to the fourth floor. As we all know, Le Chiffre is confronted by a royaly ****ed off Obanno and his Lieutenant. After threatening Le Chiffre and his girlfriend, the two men leave only to end up in a fight with Bond.
My question is: What did a pistol-packing 007 exactly hope to accomplish by following Le Chiffre up to his room with Vesper at his side no less? We know Le Chiffre possesses a lot of useful information and can't be killed. This is also why I find it reckless of 007 to grab a table knief and charge after Le Chiffre after he gets wiped out.
Bond's following of Le Chiffre seems like a poor setup on the part of the writers to confront Bond with Le Chiffre's clients.
Any thoughts?
-Roger Moore
The part with the knife, IMO, was excellent and is one of the only parts of the film that makes sense to me and falls within character. Early on, when M informs Bond that there's going to be a hifh-stakes poker game, Bond replies "Good. We know where he'll be. Do you want a clean kill or do you want to make an example of him?" Instead, M wants to play cards with him, on the off chance that he might get chatty if he loses. I like the idea that Bond, as a blunt instrument, basically says "To blazes with playing games, I'm just gonna kill him." Since Vesper wasn't going to give him another chance to do things M's way, he resorts to his own plan.
And I also think you're spot-on with regard to Bond with the knife...a recurrence of the 'recklessness' which characterized his much commented-upon embassy shoot-up, and perhaps one of the final vestiges of the 'developing' 00 agent he is becoming.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Yes, listening in on your enemies is indeed helpful, but at their front door door step? Even when you have an earpiece? What the hell did he need Vesper for?
Being a strong opponent of the reboot, I guess I just don't like seeing this side of Bond. I don't want to see him as a "blunt instrument" making irrational decisions. Are you honestly going to tell me that Bond was going to kill Le Chiffre in public with all his minions surrounding him? That would have been suicide. I guess I just prefer the experienced Bond who knows exactly what to do.
But you're right, as Bond is supposed to be rash and inexperienced, this stunt definitely fits his personality. But I can't help but become angry at some of the stupid things he is doing.
-Roger Moore
Well, we don't know for sure that the killing was going to be too public...after all, I don't think you can get much more public than his killing of Dimitrios, and no one seemed to care too much about that
As far the earpiece, I assumed it was a short range receiver. And I think Vesper just happened to follow Bond down the hall.
As for picking up the package, I think Darenhat is right: he just needed the cell phone in order to pick up exactly where LeChiffre was in the building. It makes sense to me that Bond would want to check out what his enemy is up to between poker hands. And to be armed while doing so.
And you'll get him, I think, starting with #22; that's the good news.
Indeed, the notion of attacking Le Chiffre with a knife---while surrounded by his entourage---is suicide...which, to me, is exhilarating. Still, as I said, I believe this is the final vestige of the 'developing' (or 'rookie,' if you will) 007.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Very true. There are people walking all around them as the whole confrontation is taking place, yet nobody catches eye of the knief or the stabbing.
Seems like a bit of a stretch. I could perhaps accept that the ear piece had a short range, but not the presence of Vesper. Bond should have just sent her to the room in the first place. And Vesper is supposed to be the "bloody idiot?"
I pray this will be so. Now only if they can bring in Q and replace that statue Villiers with Moneypenny. :v
-Roger Moore
No one seemed to care too much because they thought Dimitrios was a new exhibit. After all, it was a Body World's exhibition.
Yes, but the difference is that Dimitrios's insides were not on the outside. I suppose Bond could of arranged that too with nobody noticing.
-Roger Moore
I think taking Vesper with him was the right thing to do. Walking around near LeChiffre's suite on your own could invite trouble, having someone with you could just divert suspicion enough (certainly to the untrained eye} - or give you some valuable seconds to use.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Just to let you know the full workings of the earpiece. The earpiece is a sonic wireless earpiece and works like a deaf aid at the bank when switched to the T position. Bank counters have a speaker that sends out an induction loop, basically a sonic field that is picked up by the wireless device.
So, the bug transmits to the phone, the phone sends out an induction loop to the sonic wireless earpiece in Bond's ear so he can listen in.
Looking at the size of the bug it would have an incredibly small range, as a bug powered from a 9 volt battery can only send to about 150 metres.
Incidentally, the bug Bond uses is far to small to be a working bug, but everything else works fine. And you can buy the sonic wireless earpieces and induction loops on eBay. All you need is a bug (Ebay again), and a mobile phone with a radio facility that picks up FM signals in the 90 - 101 range. Plug the induction loop into the phone jack, screw in the earpiece, drop off the bug and you are now James Bond!
Sorry for being a geek.
Who was the unlucky guy who was shocked to find the dead general in his boot outside the casino?
Mathis claimed that the bodies were 'useful'. The police were examining this guy when all of a sudden a cell phone goes off revealing the cars hidden secret. We're we supposed to know who this 'innocent bystander?' was? I remember everyone in the theater laughing, but all I remember thinking was 'poor guy, what did he do to deserve that?'
Does anyone have any explanation?