I love how that novel opens (Fleming was a master of the First Sentence): "It was one of those Septembers when it seemed that the summer would never end." :007)
The whole Draco's men thing doesn't work for me, I mean, he kills one of them doesn't he? Things are bound to be a bit frosty after that, but Bond doesn't kill one of them in the book.
Good call. That's the one part of the PTS that never made sense to me either.
The whole Draco's men thing doesn't work for me, I mean, he kills one of them doesn't he? Things are bound to be a bit frosty after that, but Bond doesn't kill one of them in the book.
Good call. That's the one part of the PTS that never made sense to me either.
He was a prick; none of Draco's men liked him anyway.... )
I think the very beginning of the movie is a bit confusing, as it opens in M's office, with M talking about operation Bedlam and Q talking about miniaturization. Then it abruptly cuts to Bond chasing Tracy, with the suicide attempt which is how the novel opens. Of course by opening at M's office they were reassuring the audience that this is a James bond movie even if Sean Connery is not in it, but now it seems redundant.
1. There's no reason for Bond to think she is attempting suicide.
2. Tracy's head never dips underwater for even a second, so why is she unconscious?
3. Who are the henchmen? Are they Draco's men? They don't seem overly concerned with Tracy.
After I read the novel it made more sense, but that scene probably should have been left in the middle of the story where it belonged.
(If I recall correctly, the drive to the ocean took place after her gambling loss? )
1. That's a classical suicide method, and who goes swimming with their clothes on? When I was a kid I was confused, but she's clearly not trying to go for a swim.
2. Stress?
3. This is answered when Bond meets Draco. We see one of the men three times until they are explained, and I like that mystery about it.
1. There's no reason for Bond to think she is attempting suicide.
2. Tracy's head never dips underwater for even a second, so why is she unconscious?
3. Who are the henchmen? Are they Draco's men? They don't seem overly concerned with Tracy.
After I read the novel it made more sense, but that scene probably should have been left in the middle of the story where it belonged.
(If I recall correctly, the drive to the ocean took place after her gambling loss? )
1. Clothes on, at that time when nobody is there anyway,...There's no reason for him to think she's going for a swim, that's for sure.
2. I always thought Bond did something to her to make her unconscious and easily take her out when she tries to fight him. It's a long distance shot, so it's not clear. but it is also a beautiful shot, and the music is amazing. OHMSS is probably my favourite Barry score.
3. Yes, Draco's men. They are obviously more concerned with Bond and he with them when they appear.
As you say, in the novel it makes more sense. I seem to remember the gambling loss is told as flashback, and just after the beach, Bond and Tracy are taken to Draco, so the connection is immediately made. In any case, you assume Tracy must be related in some way to them.
2. I always thought Bond did something to her to make her unconscious and easily take her out when she tries to fight him. It's a long distance shot, so it's not clear. but it is also a beautiful shot, and the music is amazing. OHMSS is probably my favourite Barry score.
Perhaps it's like when Draco knocks her out when leaving Piz Gloria. It dosen't look like Bond punches her. Maybe it's the Vulcan nerve pinch?
I completely agree about the beautiful shot and the music. The sequence of Bond rescuing Tracy is very much like a ballet, except Lazenby doesn't move with all that much grace.
2. I always thought Bond did something to her to make her unconscious and easily take her out when she tries to fight him. It's a long distance shot, so it's not clear. but it is also a beautiful shot, and the music is amazing. OHMSS is probably my favourite Barry score.
Perhaps it's like when Draco knocks her out when leaving Piz Gloria. It dosen't look like Bond punches her. Maybe it's the Vulcan nerve pinch?
I completely agree about the beautiful shot and the music. The sequence of Bond rescuing Tracy is very much like a ballet, except Lazenby doesn't move with all that much grace.
Yes, exactly, some nerve pinch or something. I think Lazenby moves just fine, but I very much dislike the "this never happened to the other fella" line. Bond must never break the fourth wall. They were obviously in a risk taking mood.
I very much dislike the "this never happened to the other fella" line. Bond must never break the fourth wall. They were obviously in a risk taking mood.
As I've said before, I take this as a Cinderella line, although it's clearly meant to be taken in more than one way. :007)
I very much dislike the "this never happened to the other fella" line. Bond must never break the fourth wall. They were obviously in a risk taking mood.
As I've said before, I take this as a Cinderella line, although it's clearly meant to be taken in more than one way. :007)
That's how I take it. He picks up the shoe before saying it
I always assumed, the line along with the titles. Was trying to
confirm to the audience that, although a different actor, it was
" The same old James, even more so " )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I always assumed, the line along with the titles. Was trying to
confirm to the audience that, although a different actor, it was
" The same old James, even more so " )
The titles and the scene in Bond's office reinforce that, but that line has made people think otherwise.
It says something about this film ( or maybe me) that I never really get a sense of a rapport between Draco's men and Bond. To the point where, in the final attack on Piz Gloria, it doesn't really gel that these are the same hoodlums who attacked Bond in the pts, now on the same side.
It could work v well, rather like the Bond Tracey dynamic, where they start of hating each other and then get it on.... I mean I don't even figure when the black guy has a knife to Bond in the car going across the bridge that he's kind of pissed cos he's the guy Bond beat up in the hotel room the night before 'Gatecrasher...'
So to have them join forces in the end should be a great moment, but none of them have made any impression on me at all. The blond guy who trails Bond up to Piz Gloria is the guy who helps him nick the safe in Bern, but does he show up earlier? Not sure.
Again, that they try to kill Bond, and he kills one of them, in the pts does alter things but the thing is, with no action otherwise, and little intrigue either for the first 40 mins or so, these fights needed to be ramped up by the director to create a bit of action.
I don't mean at the start, I mean towards the end where there might be a bit of camararaderie.
But even then, a bit of something, edge or tension or conflict other than just fisticuffs in the beginning of the movie. Instead, they just don't register with me.
I don't mean at the start, I mean towards the end where there might be a bit of camararaderie.
But even then, a bit of something, edge or tension or conflict other than just fisticuffs in the beginning of the movie. Instead, they just don't register with me.
The key final scenes are between Tracy and Blofeld, Bond and Marc Ange....why should they have room for camaraderie amongst the "hoods"
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
This thread has made me reflect on what is my favourite Bond film and, in doing so, I have realised some of the things that make it my favourite film.
Firstly, it is one of the closest adaptations of the source material, but it has some quirks. It is those quirks that, in my opinion, make the film.
For example, the PTS...
Is it dawn, is it dusk? I've always imagined it to be dawn. What doesn't make sense is that he's wearing his DJ driving in the town where he ultimately stays in the hotel, the day before he arrives there. But it doesn't matter - because it sets the scene. It's straight in to the action, establishing the new Bond (even with the breaking the 4th wall which - strangely - I think works well as it shows a Bond who loves a bit of a scrap and a challenge). To get bogged down in the logistics just spoils a good film.
Then there's the tyres squealing on the sand. How's that happen? Actually, who cares? It creates drama and urgency.
What about Draco's thugs? Where do they come from? Again, who cares? More drama.
I love the brief speeded up bits of film during the fight. The camera angles are traditional, artistic angles. This is a photographer who is an artist, not a person who points a camera. We see a bit more of this in the back projections during the bob sled chase. Impossible movement but it doesn't matter, it makes it more exciting and dramatic.
It's quirky, but it's good. It's a bit of brave film making which tries to say: "This is a new Bond". Poor George had it tough, taking over from an established Bond actor. He was the first, in a long line of people. All of whom made the role iconic. Sadly George didn't have time to develop as he left the franchise but I honestly think that he could have grown into the role. His lack of experience shows through but translates on screen as a cocksure, young agent who thinks he knows it all.
One of the best pre credits of any Bond film, and now virtually legendary in it's own right, fantastically stylish and atmospheric, probably my favourite pc.
Comments
+1 True, great beginning.
Good call. That's the one part of the PTS that never made sense to me either.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
The Lazenby intro (cigarette etc.) is cool, a little dated, but still cool. But everything else seems a bit messy and mashed together.
"Better make that two."
1. There's no reason for Bond to think she is attempting suicide.
2. Tracy's head never dips underwater for even a second, so why is she unconscious?
3. Who are the henchmen? Are they Draco's men? They don't seem overly concerned with Tracy.
After I read the novel it made more sense, but that scene probably should have been left in the middle of the story where it belonged.
(If I recall correctly, the drive to the ocean took place after her gambling loss? )
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
1. That's a classical suicide method, and who goes swimming with their clothes on? When I was a kid I was confused, but she's clearly not trying to go for a swim.
2. Stress?
3. This is answered when Bond meets Draco. We see one of the men three times until they are explained, and I like that mystery about it.
1. Clothes on, at that time when nobody is there anyway,...There's no reason for him to think she's going for a swim, that's for sure.
2. I always thought Bond did something to her to make her unconscious and easily take her out when she tries to fight him. It's a long distance shot, so it's not clear. but it is also a beautiful shot, and the music is amazing. OHMSS is probably my favourite Barry score.
3. Yes, Draco's men. They are obviously more concerned with Bond and he with them when they appear.
As you say, in the novel it makes more sense. I seem to remember the gambling loss is told as flashback, and just after the beach, Bond and Tracy are taken to Draco, so the connection is immediately made. In any case, you assume Tracy must be related in some way to them.
Perhaps it's like when Draco knocks her out when leaving Piz Gloria. It dosen't look like Bond punches her. Maybe it's the Vulcan nerve pinch?
I completely agree about the beautiful shot and the music. The sequence of Bond rescuing Tracy is very much like a ballet, except Lazenby doesn't move with all that much grace.
Yes, exactly, some nerve pinch or something. I think Lazenby moves just fine, but I very much dislike the "this never happened to the other fella" line. Bond must never break the fourth wall. They were obviously in a risk taking mood.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
That's how I take it. He picks up the shoe before saying it
confirm to the audience that, although a different actor, it was
" The same old James, even more so "
The titles and the scene in Bond's office reinforce that, but that line has made people think otherwise.
It could work v well, rather like the Bond Tracey dynamic, where they start of hating each other and then get it on.... I mean I don't even figure when the black guy has a knife to Bond in the car going across the bridge that he's kind of pissed cos he's the guy Bond beat up in the hotel room the night before 'Gatecrasher...'
So to have them join forces in the end should be a great moment, but none of them have made any impression on me at all. The blond guy who trails Bond up to Piz Gloria is the guy who helps him nick the safe in Bern, but does he show up earlier? Not sure.
Again, that they try to kill Bond, and he kills one of them, in the pts does alter things but the thing is, with no action otherwise, and little intrigue either for the first 40 mins or so, these fights needed to be ramped up by the director to create a bit of action.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Why should the be "a sense of rapport" between Draco's men and Bond. They do what they are told from Marc Ange...
But even then, a bit of something, edge or tension or conflict other than just fisticuffs in the beginning of the movie. Instead, they just don't register with me.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
The key final scenes are between Tracy and Blofeld, Bond and Marc Ange....why should they have room for camaraderie amongst the "hoods"
Firstly, it is one of the closest adaptations of the source material, but it has some quirks. It is those quirks that, in my opinion, make the film.
For example, the PTS...
Is it dawn, is it dusk? I've always imagined it to be dawn. What doesn't make sense is that he's wearing his DJ driving in the town where he ultimately stays in the hotel, the day before he arrives there. But it doesn't matter - because it sets the scene. It's straight in to the action, establishing the new Bond (even with the breaking the 4th wall which - strangely - I think works well as it shows a Bond who loves a bit of a scrap and a challenge). To get bogged down in the logistics just spoils a good film.
Then there's the tyres squealing on the sand. How's that happen? Actually, who cares? It creates drama and urgency.
What about Draco's thugs? Where do they come from? Again, who cares? More drama.
I love the brief speeded up bits of film during the fight. The camera angles are traditional, artistic angles. This is a photographer who is an artist, not a person who points a camera. We see a bit more of this in the back projections during the bob sled chase. Impossible movement but it doesn't matter, it makes it more exciting and dramatic.
It's quirky, but it's good. It's a bit of brave film making which tries to say: "This is a new Bond". Poor George had it tough, taking over from an established Bond actor. He was the first, in a long line of people. All of whom made the role iconic. Sadly George didn't have time to develop as he left the franchise but I honestly think that he could have grown into the role. His lack of experience shows through but translates on screen as a cocksure, young agent who thinks he knows it all.
OHMSS is one of the under rated classics.
You think Tracy has the gaul to drown herself in a bathtub? She wanted to go out with class. :007)