Fleming's description of Bond is so different from any of the screen versions that I have never pictured Bond as one of the Bond actors...instead, in my head I see Bond as the lean-faced, dark-haired, grey-eyed man with the "cruel mouth" that Fleming describes pretty consistently in the novels. I think the closest to my vision of Bond is represented by this book jacket illustration from the 70s, although, I suppose the case could be made that he looks like Sean Connery, only with the classic "comma" of hair above the right eyebrow!
Not quite like that. More hair, fuller face, not as handsome, more ruthless looking.
In looks probably Sean Connery, but in character it has to be Daniel Craig. The description of James Bond in Casino Royale talks of a cold, ruthless man and only Daniel Craig has portrayed him that way.
I always imagine Dalton in my head when reading the books. I don't know what it is, I think because in many ways his portrayal of the character was based more on what Fleming envisioned. I suppose Daniel has done that as well, but I think physically Dalton has more of what Fleming describes. Plus he has dark hair.
Clive Owen fit the bill for me after seeing the BMW short films. His mannerisms/attitude resonate with the more 'sedate' Bond of the novels for me. I could see him snorkeling around as a hobby - a bit more worldly than the on-screen incarnations we've been given.
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
Clive Owen fit the bill for me after seeing the BMW short films. His mannerisms/attitude resonate with the more 'sedate' Bond of the novels for me. I could see him snorkeling around as a hobby - a bit more worldly than the on-screen incarnations we've been given.
If this guys not to old, hes definetly the next bond, no question about it. Even though i dont picture him at all, hes the clossest we've got that i've seen.
Hmm this is a tricky one. I've recently read several of the books for the first time and I am inclined to say Connery. However as other people have pointed out maybe that is because either most of the books have been made into films starring him OR because he is the closest actor to the period.
I think there is a complexity to the character that goes beyond Connery however. The IF Bond is clearly a very human figure who sometimes has trouble coping with his violent life. You never really got that impression with Sean. If I were to put money on it I would say the IF Bond is a mix of Connery, Dalton and Brosnan. Connery for his sexual aggression and smoothness, Dalton for his darker edge and Brosnan for his emotional vulnerability. All 3 actors also have that "gentleman" look about them which fits the literary character. Something DC doesn't quite have IMO.
Additionally Lazemby is quite close BUT the fact that he only did one makes it a little harder to judge. TD and PB were each given a little more time to explore the character.
I suppose its easier to say who the actors LEAST like the IF Bond are. IMO in terms of style its Roger Moore (too comic and tongue in cheek). In terms of looks its Daniel Craig (too brutish and muscley).
I most always think of Fleming's portrayal of Bond. None of the actors come into mind while reading them. I am a big Sir Roger fan, but I am currently reading a copy of Live and Let Die, and Moore is on the cover, though he does not come to mind while reading the text.
j.bladesCurrently? You must be joking?Posts: 530MI6 Agent
edited June 2010
Now that it comes to mind i actually picture Ian's own brother Peter ( who was one of the individuals that Ian based 007 on) When I read the Bond novels, what do you guys think? Ive been reading up on him & apparently he was the guy who told Ian to make M's secretarys name Moneypenny, also he married a actress, and went on many expeditions around the world.
Sounds like Bond to me! B-)
or
"I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink."
When reading the bond novels and seeing the events plan out in your head who do you picture as 007? is it one of the 6 so far to play him in the movies or do you see a different bond when reading the books
A cross between Lazenby and Dalton. The novel Bond appears too intelligent to be a Connery or Craig Bond. Don't picture Moore or Brosnan.
"And if I told you that I'm from the Ministry of Defence?" James Bond - The Property of a Lady
I'm actually re-reading CR at the moment and am struggling to put a specific face to Bond. In the past Connery often came to mind but now Im not so sure as I don't really see Connery in CR. One thing that sticks out in Royale is that he's often quite vulnerable and damaged, particularly after the torture sequence (as he is in most of the books) ("Her voice faltered, the mention of the villa had made Bond's eyes flicker").
He's also quite gentle and comforting around women at times ("It's alright Vesper, I'm sorry I was so rough, its just that I was jealous of you in the sunshine while I'm stuck here"). I didn't really get this impression with Connery's Bond.
Professionally IMO he is also too disciplined to be Craig's Bond. At the start when he's looking round his room for signs that it had been searched, the book talks about his methodical attention to detail. Vesper also refers to his expertise later on.
I'd say the actors that Ive visualised so far are Dalton, Lazenby and Brosnan.
I picture Dalton in most of the novels, though I could also see Stewart Granger (which is why Fleming saw him as playing Bond in the films - I also think Granger looked like an idealized version of Fleming). I'm also posting a photo of Hoagy Carmichael, so you can see why Fleming had Vesper describing Bond as looking somewhat like him.
Fleming's description of Bond is so different from any of the screen versions that I have never pictured Bond as one of the Bond actors...instead, in my head I see Bond as the lean-faced, dark-haired, grey-eyed man with the "cruel mouth" that Fleming describes pretty consistently in the novels. I think the closest to my vision of Bond is represented by this book jacket illustration from the 70s, although, I suppose the case could be made that he looks like Sean Connery, only with the classic "comma" of hair above the right eyebrow!
That looks fairly accurate to Fleming's descriptions.
I know I've seen that painting before. Isn't that from a paperback Casino Royale?
I've always liked the painting of Bond on the American paperback Colonel Sun. I think the artist must have read descriptions in the novels before he came up with this:
A shame he didn't paint more poses of the character.
I own some nice photos of Ian Fleming, and when I read the early novels, I see a young Ian Fleming in my mind's eye as Bond. To my mind, Bond has always been an extension of the author. Fleming was himself Bond.
Bond isn't just a physical description. He's an emotional state of being. The way Fleming carried himself, his emotional expression or lack thereof. One shot of Fleming in uniform standing in front of a fireplace is very Bondish:
The above is how I see James Bond when I read Casino Royale, the first and my personal favorite of all the Bond novels.
Richard
The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
The relaxed confidence and bemused intelligence, together with the physical grace, is courtesy of the actor. I like to think that after Sean Connery met Ian Fleming on the set of Dr. No, he quietly and subtlely invested the character with something of the author's physicality.
Really, all Sean Connery had to do to be James Bond was to just stand there.
Richard
The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
Comments
Clive Owen fit the bill for me after seeing the BMW short films. His mannerisms/attitude resonate with the more 'sedate' Bond of the novels for me. I could see him snorkeling around as a hobby - a bit more worldly than the on-screen incarnations we've been given.
If this guys not to old, hes definetly the next bond, no question about it. Even though i dont picture him at all, hes the clossest we've got that i've seen.
here guys check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKYUtUw-8ig its not long.
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
I think there is a complexity to the character that goes beyond Connery however. The IF Bond is clearly a very human figure who sometimes has trouble coping with his violent life. You never really got that impression with Sean. If I were to put money on it I would say the IF Bond is a mix of Connery, Dalton and Brosnan. Connery for his sexual aggression and smoothness, Dalton for his darker edge and Brosnan for his emotional vulnerability. All 3 actors also have that "gentleman" look about them which fits the literary character. Something DC doesn't quite have IMO.
I suppose its easier to say who the actors LEAST like the IF Bond are. IMO in terms of style its Roger Moore (too comic and tongue in cheek). In terms of looks its Daniel Craig (too brutish and muscley).
Sounds like Bond to me! B-)
or
~ Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
A cross between Lazenby and Dalton. The novel Bond appears too intelligent to be a Connery or Craig Bond. Don't picture Moore or Brosnan.
He's also quite gentle and comforting around women at times ("It's alright Vesper, I'm sorry I was so rough, its just that I was jealous of you in the sunshine while I'm stuck here"). I didn't really get this impression with Connery's Bond.
Professionally IMO he is also too disciplined to be Craig's Bond. At the start when he's looking round his room for signs that it had been searched, the book talks about his methodical attention to detail. Vesper also refers to his expertise later on.
I'd say the actors that Ive visualised so far are Dalton, Lazenby and Brosnan.
-{
But you yourself are nothing so divine.
Just next in line.
Err, Fleming didn't draw this. I believe it's the portrait commissioned by the newspaper as a study for the syndicated comic strip.
This is Ian Fleming's image of James Bond; commissioned to aid the Daily Express comic strip artists.
You are right. Fleming dident do the actual drawing but it is his vision of the character.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
That looks fairly accurate to Fleming's descriptions.
I know I've seen that painting before. Isn't that from a paperback Casino Royale?
I've always liked the painting of Bond on the American paperback Colonel Sun. I think the artist must have read descriptions in the novels before he came up with this:
A shame he didn't paint more poses of the character.
I own some nice photos of Ian Fleming, and when I read the early novels, I see a young Ian Fleming in my mind's eye as Bond. To my mind, Bond has always been an extension of the author. Fleming was himself Bond.
Bond isn't just a physical description. He's an emotional state of being. The way Fleming carried himself, his emotional expression or lack thereof. One shot of Fleming in uniform standing in front of a fireplace is very Bondish:
The above is how I see James Bond when I read Casino Royale, the first and my personal favorite of all the Bond novels.
Richard
http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a432/Richard--W/sean_connery_is_bond.jpg
The relaxed confidence and bemused intelligence, together with the physical grace, is courtesy of the actor. I like to think that after Sean Connery met Ian Fleming on the set of Dr. No, he quietly and subtlely invested the character with something of the author's physicality.
Really, all Sean Connery had to do to be James Bond was to just stand there.
Richard