Blofeld and his end in FYEO

Kent007

I've looked around for this somewhere else and couldn't find it so thought I'd create a new topic.
Does anyone know why there's no actor playing Blofeld in the PTS of FYEO? Obviously he is played by someone but we never see his face and know who it is.
I'm guessing because it was such a small part they may have struggled to get anyone to play it and also as Blofeld was Bond's arch-rival and was responsible for the murder of his wife, does anyone else think the way in which he meets his end isn't suitable? It seems too light hearted

James Bill

According to IMDB, it's a guy called John Hollis. They're also saying the reason he's not credited is because of the Thunderball legal disputes. Nothing to do with the size of the part: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391197/

Kent007

James Bill wrote:

According to IMDB, it's a guy called John Hollis. They're also saying the reason he's not credited is because of the Thunderball legal disputes. Nothing to do with the size of the part: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391197/

Ahhh cheers! I did think that it was weird how we never see his face and he wasn't credited. That explains it.

chrisisall

I'd like to ask how many here like it, how many hate it, and who just thinks it's...ehhh, okay?

I used to hate it myself, but the stainless steel explanation got me to re-evaluate it. Now I actually like it.

Sir Hillary Bray

The "Blofeld-but-we-can't-call-him-that" angle is terrible. Ruins a good stunt sequence. They would have been better off making him a random villain like the Castro guy in the OP PTS. Instead, this is by far the worst part of an otherwise good film.

Charmed & Dangerous

Sir Hillary Bray wrote:

The "Blofeld-but-we-can't-call-him-that" angle is terrible. Ruins a good stunt sequence. They would have been better off making him a random villain like the Castro guy in the OP PTS. Instead, this is by far the worst part of an otherwise good film.

+1.

I appreciate that FYEO is part homage to OHMSS as after the theatrics of Moonraker, Cubby wanted to bring Bond 'back win to earth', so the sequence including Bond visiting Tracey's grave and the Blofeld antics were meant to connect to earlier more serious Bonds. But the way it was handled to avoid any potential litigation by McClory, by implying it was Blofeld but not showing him, and the jokey treatment culminating in dropping him down a chimney, was a cop out and robbed it of any suspense.

Thunderpussy

Wasn't the original pts to be tbe sinking of the ship, but it was thought yo be a bit lack luster
for a Bond . So they came up with the chopper gag. Doesn't bother me too much except I would
of rather had Bond kill Blofeld a bit more seriously.

Gassy Man

I saw this in the theater in 1981, and people actually cheered at the end of the PTS. The notion of Blofeld was still reasonably well positioned in the minds of the fans in those days, and they also were more accepting of the camp. In the 70s and early 80s, Roger Moore pretty much defined Bond, and Bond was defined as light comedy, not raw action. The complaints I heard after the lights came up was that the rest of the film wasn't fun or funny enough.

Dexter Smythe

Gassy Man wrote:

I saw this in the theater in 1981, and people actually cheered at the end of the PTS. The notion of Blofeld was still reasonably well positioned in the minds of the fans in those days, and they also were more accepting of the camp. In the 70s and early 80s, Roger Moore pretty much defined Bond, and Bond was defined as light comedy, not raw action. The complaints I heard after the lights came up was that the rest of the film wasn't fun or funny enough.

I think it was hilarious! In fact my Dad(who isn't a big Bond fan) loved the part where Blofeld tries to race his wheelchair away from the approaching chopper......but the Thunderball angle for not showing him seems correct.Kevin McClory was a pain in the ass.

AlphaOmegaSin

Maybe EON should of spent Money to put Mcclory on a long 'Holiday' down the Quarry.

Thunderpussy

) I recently read one theory that the pts, should be viewed as a " dream sequence " of Bond
wanting revenge on Blofeld. I don't think that really holds up, but if it gets you through
it, then go with it. )

AlphaOmegaSin

Thunderpussy wrote:

) I recently read one theory that the pts, should be viewed as a " dream sequence " of Bond
wanting revenge on Blofeld. I don't think that really holds up, but if it gets you through
it, then go with it. )

*Ahem* My Theory )

Thunderpussy

Sorry Alphs. Couldn't remember the talented, goodlooking and forgiving AJB member
who had posted it. )

AlphaOmegaSin

You got everything except goodlooking correct )

lueth2048

chrisisall wrote:

I'd like to ask how many here like it, how many hate it, and who just thinks it's...ehhh, okay?

I used to hate it myself, but the stainless steel explanation got me to re-evaluate it. Now I actually like it.

What is the explanation for the stainless steel reference?

Jarvio

I really like the PTS in it's own right, and I really like the FYEO film itself. BUT... the two just don't fit together IMO.

AlphaOmegaSin

lueth2048 wrote:

chrisisall wrote:

I'd like to ask how many here like it, how many hate it, and who just thinks it's...ehhh, okay?

I used to hate it myself, but the stainless steel explanation got me to re-evaluate it. Now I actually like it.

What is the explanation for the stainless steel reference?

I think it's a Term the Mafia used to explain a Platter of Food served on Stainless Steel.

hehadlotsofguts

I think the PTS is hilarious, especially when Bond gets the upper hand and Blofeld's scream as he is dropped in the chimney.

Regarding the stainless steel line,, the Mafia would offer delis with stainless steel counters as a bribe to rival gangs as stainless steel is more hygienic than wood or something.

Dexter Smythe

So,my question for all of the English guys is............what do the docks area where the film was shot look like today?

Thunderpussy

Wasn't that area cleaned up and the " Dome " built.

BIG TAM

chrisisall wrote:

I'd like to ask how many here like it, how many hate it, and who just thinks it's...ehhh, okay?

I used to hate it myself, but the stainless steel explanation got me to re-evaluate it. Now I actually like it.

I watched FYEO last night for the first time in ages. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It seemed less set-piece led than I remembered it & the story flowed at a good pace. Definitely Moore's best 007 performance & he looked pretty good too. The aging process hadn't entirely taken its toll in 1981.

Anyway, the PTS. I quite like it. The idea's good as is the execution. Even the jokey pay-off no longer grates. It's a tense, fun opening to a fairly balanced espionage adventure.

Absolutely_Cart

I love that part. Moore finishes job for real after Connery's stumbling in DAF.

And yes, it's Blofeld. To say it's not Blofeld would be 10% correct and 90% nitpicking.

AlphaOmegaSin

I think it was more of a swipe at McClory then anything else.

Absolutely_Cart

Perhaps the mysterious bald man is a symbol for McClory.

Eon was bringing flowers to Thunderball's funeral, McClory hi-jacked their helicopter and Eon dumped them in a pit.

Thunderpussy

I always thought it was Blofeld's younger, less skilled Brother
Played by Adam Sandler .

broadshoulder

Dexter Smythe wrote:

So,my question for all of the English guys is............what do the docks area where the film was shot look like today?

Beckton gasworks have gone, Basically City airport has taken over. Beckton is shown to be on the tube maps.That time before the entrepeneurs had rebooted Docklands - London was full of rotting docks and gasworks.All gone now

John Hollis can be seen in 'The Empire Strikes Back' as Lobot. Lando Calrissian's aide.He can also be scene in Jon Pertwees story 'The Mutants' where his Dutch accent can be heard.

Its good to see my favourite Bond PTS being appreciated. Its amazing on the big screen.

MilleniumForce

For me it's the highlight of the film with the 2CV chase. Its fun, and I can only imagine the reaction of fans seeing the classic villain for the first time in 10 years.

chrisisall

MilleniumForce wrote:

I can only imagine the reaction of fans seeing the classic villain for the first time in 10 years.

We honestly didn't know quite what to think, but we were surprised to say the least. )

Barbel

Absolutely_Cart wrote:

And yes, it's Blofeld. To say it's not Blofeld would be 10% correct and 90% nitpicking.

Too right. The only reason he isn't named (and they went so far as to remove a reference to "10 years since our last meeting") is to avoid McClory-related legal problems. Nice to see Moore deal with Blofeld, tying the Bondverse together nicely... as far as it can be, anyway!

chrisisall

Barbel wrote:

Nice to see Moore deal with Blofeld, tying the Bondverse together nicely... as far as it can be, anyway!

Fake undewater close-up bubbles notwithstanding, the general consensus among me & my friends back then was that they'd corrected fairly well for Moonraker's debacle. No one had a bad word to say about the PTS or even the Thatcher bit. Biggest complaint I remember hearing was "Crap! The blew up the Lotus!" )

Barbel

My biggest complaint (predictably) was the score, not including the title song. Back then, I was thrilled to see real Fleming up there on the screen.