Bond's backstory

GoldenEye85

Do you like that we are finally getting some backstory for the character of James Bond, or would you rather they didn't go this route?

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

I like that we are finally gaining some backstory to him and why he is the cold-hearted bastard that he is. I mean I don't want an entire movie to focus on this, but to have it written into the storyline like it was in Skyfall should be fine.

To those that have read the books, do any of them mention Bond's childhood or parents any more or less?

Thunderpussy

To be honest I think Fleming left Bond's back story, deliberately vague.
As Bond fills the role of one of the archetypal heros...... The stranger who
Arrives, sorts out the problem and moves on.

AlphaOmegaSin

I agree, Fleming had the Reader imagining Bonds Back story a lot of the Time -{

Blackleiter

GoldenEye85 wrote:

Do you like that we are finally getting some backstory for the character of James Bond, or would you rather they didn't go this route?

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

I like that we are finally gaining some backstory to him and why he is the cold-hearted bastard that he is. I mean I don't want an entire movie to focus on this, but to have it written into the storyline like it was in Skyfall should be fine.

To those that have read the books, do any of them mention Bond's childhood or parents any more or less?

I'm glad we have gotten some insight into Bond the man. It makes him a more interesting character. But after three movies, each of which explores Bond's backstory to some extent, I think that's enough for a while.

broadshoulder

GoldenEye85 wrote:

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

?

You can find his backstory in the final chapters of You Only Live Twice..

GoldenEye85

I've never read the books, unfortunately!

SFPROPS

Also, John Pearson's authorized "Biography" of James Bond gives most of his backstory, and it comes with some motivation as to why he is who he is.

Virgil37

I agree, enough backstory. I think in SPECTRE things will happen to him that will shape his future.

Gassy Man

I don't need my heroes all edgy and angsty, and I don't need them to have backstories that essentially amount to trivial psychobabble to try to rationalize their behavior. To me, that makes them more sloppy than complex. I prefer my heroes to be more traditional -- heroic, brave, intelligent, adventurous, and moralistic by nature rather than some concoction of Freudian claptrap.

In this respect, it's enough for me to believe that Bond is cut of this cloth and only tempered by his life experiences. They are dark because of his profession, but he is not a dark figure. I could have watched Bond movies ad infinitum without a lot of backstory.

AlphaOmegaSin

Bond (In the Books) is a Man who lives each Day to the full -{

Thunderpussy

Yes Bond likes to live well.

DEFIANT 74205

GoldenEye85 wrote:

Do you like that we are finally getting some backstory for the character of James Bond, or would you rather they didn't go this route?

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

Even if we were to discount all such references in the books, you're missing the fact that he had been married to Tracy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, his enduring friendship with Felix Leiter all throughout the films, the fact that he holds the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy (he's been in uniform in three films); his love for fine dining, gambling and alcohol; and so on. It's true that the films hadn't mentioned Bond's family history, but that had been mentioned in the books and in John Pearson's Authorised Biography of James Bond.

I don't agree that he had been "one dimensional" at all. The filmmakers had dealt with who Bond is. You just have to look deeper.

GoldenEye85 wrote:

I've never read the books, unfortunately!

Well then you should. It'd give you a deeper insight into the character. Fleming had created the character in print. The only way to properly get to know the character is to read the Fleming books.

AlphaOmegaSin

And the Novels by Continuation Writers -{

broadshoulder

DEFIANT 74205 wrote:

GoldenEye85 wrote:

Do you like that we are finally getting some backstory for the character of James Bond, or would you rather they didn't go this route?

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

Even if we were to discount all such references in the books, you're missing the fact that he had been married to Tracy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, his enduring friendship with Felix Leiter all throughout the films, the fact that he holds the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy (he's been in uniform in three films); his love for fine dining, gambling and alcohol; and so on. It's true that the films hadn't mentioned Bond's family history, but that had been mentioned in the books and in John Pearson's Authorised Biography of James Bond.

I don't agree that he had been "one dimensional" at all. The filmmakers had dealt with who Bond is. You just have to look deeper.

GoldenEye85 wrote:

I've never read the books, unfortunately!

Well then you should. It'd give you a deeper insight into the character. Fleming had created the character in print. The only way to properly get to know the character is to read the Fleming books.

Well said. I am reading OHMSS and the character leaps off the page +1 -{

AlphaOmegaSin

One of my favorite Scenes from any Bond Novel is in Moonraker. Bond threatens Krebs with 'Plastic Surgery' from a Glass Bottle if he refuses to answer his Questions -{

BIG TAM

Blackleiter wrote:

GoldenEye85 wrote:

Do you like that we are finally getting some backstory for the character of James Bond, or would you rather they didn't go this route?

For me, it's been 50+ yrs of Bond being a one dimensional character and only twice in these 23 movies, do we even get anything into just WHO James Bond is. Briefly in GoldenEye when Janus is revealed to be 006 and he mentions that both he and Bond are orphans but where Bond's had the "luxury" of dying in a climbing accident, Alec's were Lienz Cossack's that survived the British betrayal and firing squads. The second was in 2012's Skyfall.

I like that we are finally gaining some backstory to him and why he is the cold-hearted bastard that he is. I mean I don't want an entire movie to focus on this, but to have it written into the storyline like it was in Skyfall should be fine.

To those that have read the books, do any of them mention Bond's childhood or parents any more or less?

I'm glad we have gotten some insight into Bond the man. It makes him a more interesting character. But after three movies, each of which explores Bond's backstory to some extent, I think that's enough for a while.

I agree. Each actor should have something that defines them. For Craig it's the flesh & blood element of the character. I also like that his films have a continuity which gives 007 a further believability. The Bond films should stretch themselves a little & the Craig era has been a surprising revelation.

CmdrAtticus

I don't mind Bond's backstory being brought up in future films, as long as it is not the focus of the scene. I would enjoy it if it is mentioned about his Aunt raising him and his Eton and Fettes schooling (and why he'd been tossed out of Eton), I would also like it if they had a scene of him golfing with Bill Tanner (or even the two of them making plans for playing on a near future date), or even picking up his suit at the tailor. Those are just small things that would make him even more three dimensional as a character without hitting us over the head with why he became who he is. We pretty much have figured that out now from the first three films and it does not have to be covered any further.