Bill Tanner re-visited
Lexi
LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
As a "newbie" bond fan, (DAD I think was my first cinematical Bond Movie), most of my bond knowledge comes from watching bond films when they came on at Christmas time, plus, having not read any flemming novels, (cowering in the corner with hands over my head waiting for a barrage of abuse! ;% ) Could one of you lovely MI6 agents tell me who Bill Tanner is?
Perhaps a quick trip to the book store is in order...!
Perhaps a quick trip to the book store is in order...!
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Comments
However, in the books it is hinted that he is Bonds best friend, at least in MI6. I found it interesting that this didn't come out in the Brosnan movies when Michael Kitchen played Bill.
I would like to see the character developed throughout Craig's tenure, but I feel that they will do more with Felix Leiter than Bill Tanner.
Am I right in saying that Bond plays felix's best man in LTK? I guess this is why I was getting confused, as on here it was saying that Bill is Bond's BF, but you only ever hear or see Felix and Bond being good chums !
thanks for the info...I have a strange urge to see all the old 'classic' Bond movies now, just to brush up on my knowledge, most of the subtle jokes on here go right over my head
We try to be a fit for everyone, from the newcomer to the hardcore {[]
No such abuse is forthcoming, my dear, I assure you. I would merely say that you'll have a good if you choose to read them. Although very much of their time (early '50s to early '60s), they're as entertaining a series of escapist thrillers as anything out there, IMO B-) In addition, I believe you'll begin to see some very stark, substantial differences between Literary and Cinematic Bond...
Start with the first novel, Casino Royale, and read them in sequence if at all possible. I envy you the adventure of a 'first read' -{
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I know, and it's much aprreciated, but like any fan forum, there are always going to be jokes that some don't get, but it's all the more fun! {[] (especially when you suddenly get it, 15 threads down!)
Thanks, I might just do that! It will be such an easy read, as I'll have the face that is Craig in my head....mmmmm....:x
Ian Fleming once said that he wrote Bond as a kind of coat peg onto which readers could hang their own conceptions of the character. You could easily read the whole set of Fleming novels and visualise Bond as Daniel Craig throughout!
When I first read them all, I visualised him as a mid-1960s Sean Connery... because to me at the time that was the 'real' Bond!
I do the same, the way I see bond in the novels doesn't really fit with any of the actors who have portrayed him on screen. however I also can't really put into many words how I see Bond in my head, I just see Bond.
Absolutely. A tall man with black hair- Sean Connery? Tim Dalton?... that's who I see when reading the books- but not Daniel Craig (medium height with blond hair).
Barbel (a tall man with grey hair that used to be blond/brown
In the novels Tanner is Chief Of Staff and I have always understood that this effectively makes him Deputy Director of MI6.
In the movies he has appeared in:
TMWTGG - here he was only referred to as Chief of Staff.
FYEO - here he is Colonel Tanner played by James Villiers. Tanner's inclusion was a last minute thing when Bernard Lee fell ill and could not play M. You can tell the lines were written for M and they did not have the time to change them. There is no hint that Tanner and Bond are friends.
GE - played by the excellent Michael Kitchen. Friendly with Bond but no hint they are more than just work colleagues.
THD - Tanner was meant to be in TND but Michael Kitchen was to busy with Foyle War on TV so Charles Robinson was substituted.
TWINE - again played by Michael Kitchen and no hint of an especially close relationship with Bond. In both GE and TWINE Bond calls him Tanner rather than Bill.
It would be nice to see the Tanner character developed as per the novels, and if Moneypenny is not to make a reappearance Tanner would be a perfect character for Bond to have a friendly relatioship with within MI6.
In the novels Tanner is Chief Of Staff and I have always understood that this effectively makes him Deputy Director of MI6.
In the movies he has appeared in:
TMWTGG - here he was only referred to as Chief of Staff.
FYEO - here he is Colonel Tanner played by James Villiers. Tanner's inclusion was a last minute thing when Bernard Lee fell ill and could not play M. You can tell the lines were written for M and they did not have the time to change them. There is no hint that Tanner and Bond are friends.
GE - played by the excellent Michael Kitchen. Friendly with Bond but no hint they are more than just work colleagues.
THD - Tanner was meant to be in TND but Michael Kitchen was to busy with Foyle War on TV so Charles Robinson was substituted.
TWINE - again played by Michael Kitchen and no hint of an especially close relationship with Bond. In both GE and TWINE Bond calls him Tanner rather than Bill.
It would be nice to see the Tanner character developed as per the novels, and if Moneypenny is not to make a reappearance Tanner would be a perfect character for Bond to have a friendly relatioship with within MI6.
I must get down to that book shop and get me some novels!
(am currently reading Daniel Craig's "Ultimate Professional" biography, which is very interesting reading!)