An Indiana Jones style Bond

MilleniumForce

A lot of people think that if Spielberg had directed a Bond film, it would be similar to Indianna Jones, excluding the religious stuff, but in terms of scale, locations, characters etc. Would a film like that have worked? The closest I can think of is episode 2 of James Bond Jr., which has a raiders style location, or even the end of NSNA where the warheads are hidden. Personally, I think I would have liked something like it. The series has already gone to the limits of space, so if a film like this were to be made when Spielberg was considered, say 1981, I'm sure it would have done fine and would still be popular today, and be seen as much as a classic as TSWLM.

Gassy Man

I think Spielberg would have done a fine job if -- if -- he would have picked the right actor to play Bond. Though Roger Moore would have been capable in the early 1980s, Spielberg likely would have wanted to work with someone of his own choosing. He wanted, for instance, Tom Selleck for Indiana Jones . . . who would not have been my first choice. He did later work with Sam Neill, but I wonder who in Spielberg's stable might have been a contender? Liam Neeson?

Of course, I'm discounting that he might have been able to convince Connery and Broccoli to make another film.

Matt S

If Spielberg directed a Bond film, would that mean John Williams would need to work with the Bond theme? Has John Williams scored any spy films?

broadshoulder

I've said this before but Broccoli would not allowed free reign - hence the many clashes. Broccoli always choose directors he could control.

AlphaOmegaSin

Indiana Jones is basicly his own Vision of Bond -{

Number24

I think the Afghan and Tunisian scenes of TLD were a lot like an Indiana Jones Movie.

Barbel

Matt S wrote:

Has John Williams scored any spy films?

Yes, he did The Eiger Sanction forty years ago, an Eastwood movie.

The Wicker Man

I would love to have seen what a Spielberg James Bond film would have turned out like. My guess would be pretty awesome.
If we take what he achieved with the Indiana Jones films, how he mixed exciting action sequences, romance, great adventure, terrific style and comedy moments that fit into the films seamlessly then we would be onto a winner of a Bond film.
He also strikes me as somebody who is a genuine movie historian and would be totally respectful to the James Bond history, not changing the style of the films too much but just enough to put his own stamp on it.

Matt S

I feel like we would get a film close to Never Say Never Again, and that would not be a good thing. It's the only American director's take on James Bond. It proves that Cubby was right to only want British directors for James Bond.

AlphaOmegaSin

Spielberg has always been a quirky Director, so I would imagine that his Bond Film would probably be similar to DAD.

HowardB

Matt S wrote:

I feel like we would get a film close to Never Say Never Again, and that would not be a good thing. It's the only American director's take on James Bond. It proves that Cubby was right to only want British directors for James Bond.

That's more than a bit of a broad generalization, especially considering that NSNA was made outside of EON, etc. I don't believe you need a British director to do a good Bond film, you need the "right" director.

With regard to "Raiders" being Spielberg's version of Bond, maybe to a small point but I always thought it was Spielberg's ode to the old Saturday matinee movie "Serials".

I think it ultimately comes down to which Spielberg would be directing: the very young Spielberg who was being considered by EON as a typical "hired hand" director or the powerful "producer, directer. etc, etc Spielberg who has total control over his films.

All that being said, Spielberg is an uber talented guy who has created some all time classic films. He understands what works on the screen and has great respect and has been influenced greatly by classic cinema and other great directors. I'm sure he could deliver the goods with Bond.

AlphaOmegaSin

HowardB wrote:

Matt S wrote:

I feel like we would get a film close to Never Say Never Again, and that would not be a good thing. It's the only American director's take on James Bond. It proves that Cubby was right to only want British directors for James Bond.

That's more than a bit of a broad generalization, especially considering that NSNA was made outside of EON, etc. I don't believe you need a British director to do a good Bond film, you need the "right" director.

With regard to "Raiders" being Spielberg's version of Bond, maybe to a small point but I always thought it was Spielberg's ode to the old Saturday matinee movie "Serials".

I think it ultimately comes down to which Spielberg would be directing: the very young Spielberg who was being considered by EON as a typical "hired hand" director or the powerful "producer, directer. etc, etc Spielberg who has total control over his films.

All that being said, Spielberg is an uber talented guy who has created some all time classic films. He understands what works on the screen and has great respect and has been influenced greatly by classic cinema and other great directors. I'm sure he could deliver the goods with Bond.

There's no Action Film that has not been influenced by the Bond Franchise.

Gassy Man

HowardB wrote:

Matt S wrote:

I feel like we would get a film close to Never Say Never Again, and that would not be a good thing. It's the only American director's take on James Bond. It proves that Cubby was right to only want British directors for James Bond.

That's more than a bit of a broad generalization, especially considering that NSNA was made outside of EON, etc. I don't believe you need a British director to do a good Bond film, you need the "right" director.

With regard to "Raiders" being Spielberg's version of Bond, maybe to a small point but I always thought it was Spielberg's ode to the old Saturday matinee movie "Serials".

I think it ultimately comes down to which Spielberg would be directing: the very young Spielberg who was being considered by EON as a typical "hired hand" director or the powerful "producer, directer. etc, etc Spielberg who has total control over his films.

All that being said, Spielberg is an uber talented guy who has created some all time classic films. He understands what works on the screen and has great respect and has been influenced greatly by classic cinema and other great directors. I'm sure he could deliver the goods with Bond.

I'll just say that Raiders of the Lost Ark is plotted identically to the Bond formula --

PTS with Bond/Indy in the field but connected to the main plot
Return to headquarters to meet with the boss/get orders
Back out in the field
An investigation leads to revelations of a greater plot.
Fighting an enemy organization with the goal and resources for world domination
A love interest
A loyal ally
Lots of set pieces and action sequences
A theme for the main character

What is different is the nature of the character. Bond is urbane and witty. Indy is plucky and a wiseguy. One is quintessentially "British" and the other is quintessentially "American."

There are other elements, of course. In the same way that Bond was influenced by Bulldog Drummond and so forth, Indiana Jones is influenced by Doc Savage and some Charleton Heston and John Wayne films, among others. But Raiders of the Lost Ark is definitely Spielberg's version of a Bond film. That's why I believe he would have done a great job, but only if he could have picked the right actor to play his concept of Bond (which would have been Connery-esque).

Thunderpussy

Bond set the basic formula for all action films that followed.
From the big action sequences, stunt work and the hero only
Pausing to deliver a quip. -{

AlphaOmegaSin

But none have been able to reach Bonds Level -{

broadshoulder

Thunderpussy wrote:

Bond set the basic formula for all action films that followed.
From the big action sequences, stunt work and the hero only
Pausing to deliver a quip. -{

And that can be traced back to Dr No - in fact, it can go to the books.

Thunderpussy

Only last week I watched ( The Black Windmill 1974), a great early 70s
Thriller. ( a great film, I'm not running it down) but like many action
Films of the time, it really only had about two action sequences in it.
Now if you compare that to TMWTGG ( same year) and it has action
All over the place. . It wouldn't be until Raiders of the lost ark, that
Other action films caught up to the action filled entertainment of a Bond.

Number24

To be reasonable to Speilberg he has made movies as differnet as "Saving private Ryan", "Always", "Munich", "Lincoln" , "Minority report" and "Hook". He can make movies in many styles, not only Indiana Jones. I know Indy was what he did when he couldn't make Bond (His Bond), but still.

Gassy Man

Thunderpussy wrote:

Bond set the basic formula for all action films that followed.
From the big action sequences, stunt work and the hero only
Pausing to deliver a quip. -{

Yeah, but North by Northwest set the pattern for Bond. Heck, one could argue The Prisoner of Zenda and any number of films set the pattern for that. Plus there are thousands and thousands of films that have been lost or simply are no longer shown that might have had similar ideas.

Gassy Man

Number24 wrote:

To be reasonable to Speilberg he has made movies as differnet as "Saving private Ryan", "Always", "Munich", "Lincoln" , "Minority report" and "Hook". He can make movies in many styles, not only Indiana Jones. I know Indy was what he did when he couldn't make Bond (His Bond), but still.

Depending on the period, his films can have a different quality, but they eventually all seem like Spielberg movies. He has certain signature shots, for instance, that turn up in all of his movies. Spielberg also watches old movies to get "inspired" when he makes his. That's why although his movies still seem contemporary in how they are filmed, they often remind people of other movies.

Spielberg met up with Lucas in Hawaii after he was turned down by Broccoli, depressed and disheartened. It was then that Lucas pitched the basic idea for Indiana Jones, which led to Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is his Bond film. Had Spielberg been allowed to direct a Bond film proper, I suspect he would have talked Broccoli into hiring Connery. I think Connery would have done it, if the money was right and if it was obvious Spielberg would give him artistic freedom. Obviously, Spielberg wanted to work with him (and gave a nod to the Bond films) when he cast him as Indiana Jones' father (get it?). I think the fact that Spielberg never really made a fantasy spy movie is also an indication of how much he wanted to make an actual Bond film -- he just didn't seem content to do a spy imitator. Superficially, Indiana Jones seems different, but it is as close to Bond movie without being one.

Thunderpussy

" All that you say could be true " Gassy Man but ..........

The films you mention were one offs, not a series. Which have to keep up a standard.
The Indy series went off the rails with the fourth film. ) The Bond series was lucky
to have some brilliant source material from the imagination of Ian Fleming, and the
Added talents of many skilled technicians, writers, musicians, actors etc. -{

AlphaOmegaSin

I hope that he is approached again one Day with the Opportunity to direct a Future Bond Outing -{

On the Subject of Inspirations, every Spy/Action Film in History has pretty much borrowed Ideas and Themes from one another.

Thunderpussy

I think it's funny how much history repeats itself.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe was in a state of flux, many
New alliances being formed etc. Britain was worried about German invasion
Hence the novels like" The riddle of the sands" and " The 39 steps". I'm certain
these stories Influenced Fleming, and his own adventures for Bond.
We're now in similar times with once again Russia becoming a global " Bad Guy"
and behind the scenes fighting to win alliances with the ex soviet satellite. Countries.
So in my opinion a character like Bond is perfectly suited for today's world. -{

AlphaOmegaSin

I think that Cold War 2 will be much more dangerous then the original one was

Number24

I would have loved an alternate reality were Roger Moore resigned as Bond in the eighties and the series continued with Liam Neeson as Bond directed by Stephen Spielberg. The budgets would have been bigger too, with such a big name director.

Will Once

Wasn't Indiana Jones modeled on James Bond? This is from Wikipedia:

Spielberg told Lucas how he wanted his next project to be something fun, like a James Bond film (this would later be referenced when they cast Sean Connery as Henry Jones, Sr.). According to sources, Lucas responded to the effect that he had something "even better," or that he'd "got that beat."

I remember reading that the Temple of Doom scene set in the night club was supposed to be in Raiders but they ran out of time or budget to film it. So we could have had one of our first scenes showing Indy in a white tux.

In the opening scene of Dr No it takes more than a minute to show James Bond's face. In Raiders, it takes more than three minutes to see Indy's face. It's an injoke to say that this is Bond, only more so.

AlphaOmegaSin

He was was inspired by Bond and the classic Adventure Films of the 30's/40's

The Debonair Bond

Indiana Jones wasn't originally modeled on Bond though.

Around the time George Lucas was writing the story of what would become Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, he had essentially two different ideas based on the serials of the 30's and 40's that he thought could be made into great movies. One idea was based on the Buck Rogers / Flash Gordon serials, and that eventually became Star Wars. The other was based more on the Action/Adventure serials of the 30's and 40's, taking on inspiration from Doc Savage and the Republic serials, and this eventually became Indiana Jones. Indy in the incarnation which George first imagined was much more Bondian in his personality, as he had various relationships with his students and was more morally grey than he became in the film. In a large way, much of that aspect of his personality was dropped in the films.

Sure, Indy was Steven Spielberg's way of making a Bond film, but the Indy films are really a different genre and film altogether. Indy is much more of a classic action/adventure film which takes influence from several Hollywood classics like Casablanca and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and is very much a character that is embeded into the culture and the type of hero that existed in the 30's. Bond is really more of a thriller. A few things from Bond did make it into Indy, like the opening title sequence, and the white dinner jacket and so forth, but Indy is at the end of the day a beast of its own