Why has there never been a weather-controlling plot in a Bond Film?

Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
edited January 2016 in The James Bond Films
I see that this topic has never come up before and I've been wondering about it for a good while now so I thought that I would start a new thread to get other members' opinions on it.

I was wondering why there was never a weather-controlling plot in a James Bond film (especially during the rather silly 1970s era Bond films with Roger Moore) as the first of the Derek Flint films had one (Our Man Flint, 1966), as did The Avengers (1998) with Sean Connery as the villain August de Wynter.

I know that DAF and (especially) DAD with the Icarus satellite were kind of in this territory though.

So what do we think?
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
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Comments

  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    Ridiculous idea...

    That tips the scale into DAD territory..
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Only a guess on my part but I think it may be because "our man flint" had used it, so Bond couldn't ?
    Our man flint was a huge hit, so the story idea would have been well known, so parallels would have
    been drawn ?
    Although in one of the many early scripts for TSWLM, I do think control of the weather was an idea,
    but then, there seem to have been so many ideas for it. In the early stages.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    The Avengers film, with Ralph Fiennes and Sir Sean, tackled a weather-controlling plot...I'd be wary of this in the short term, unless some writer has really come up with a crackerjack variation.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
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  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Also, an episode of The Avengers, black and white, Emma Peel, with Geoffrey Palmer (Admiral Roebuck in TND) dealt with this in usual surreal fashion, with individuals getting drowned in field under a mysterious rain cloud downpour. Thing is, it's never quite convincing.

    I have thought it would be good to have an action scene based around the recent floods, a speedboat wizzing along a river flanked by terraced houses. But that takes forethought and planning.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    It was also done on Get Smart. It's just too silly for Bond.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    Ironically it would be too silly (Avengers style) or too close to real life, because of the climate changes in the last decades.
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Ironically it would be too silly (Avengers style) or too close to real life, because of the climate changes in the last decades.

    A plot that is too close to real life is not a problem for me in a James Bond film though, whereas a silly plot is, but then I like my Bond fairly serious. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    The question is perhaps more how to make a climate change plot work in a Bond movie. While the climate is changing at an alarming rate, it's far from rapid enough to be a ticking clock situation in a suspense movie.
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Ironically it would be too silly (Avengers style) or too close to real life, because of the climate changes in the last decades.

    That's actually a remarkably accurate comment! I think you are bang-on that it would likely polarise viewers.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    I didn't write that it would polarize viewers, but I guess it would do that too. People who believe more than 97% of climate experts, and the ones that are moro ..... not inclined to believe science. :v
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    Personally I'd like to see one set in Cumbria at Christmas time :)) :)) :))

    It does strike me that with the retreat of the Cold war it is very hard to get rid of an earth-in-peril scenario...
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    My impression is the oposite: after the end of the cold war it has been very hard to find a belivable earth-in-peril scenaria.
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    Dr Snow?
    The Man With The Golden Sun?
    Thunderandlightningball?

    ...I'll leave quietly...
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    My impression is the oposite: after the end of the cold war it has been very hard to find a belivable earth-in-peril scenaria.

    Thats what I said.

    I think :#
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Dr Snow?
    The Man With The Golden Sun?
    Thunderandlightningball?

    ...I'll leave quietly...

    A view to a chill ,
    the worlds weather is not enough ,
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Live and let dry? Moonrainer? Or how about Snowfall?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    My impression is the oposite: after the end of the cold war it has been very hard to find a belivable earth-in-peril scenaria.
    Except maybe for the threat of isis/jihadists the cold war of a generation maybe?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Number24 wrote:
    My impression is the oposite: after the end of the cold war it has been very hard to find a belivable earth-in-peril scenaria.
    Except maybe for the threat of isis/jihadists the cold war of a generation maybe?

    Well yes, they are the threat now but I doubt that Eon would touch such a controversial topic in any of their films.
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Silhouette Man wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Number24 wrote:
    My impression is the oposite: after the end of the cold war it has been very hard to find a belivable earth-in-peril scenaria.
    Except maybe for the threat of isis/jihadists the cold war of a generation maybe?

    Well yes, they are the threat now but I doubt that Eon would touch such a controversial topic in any of their films.
    It is probably far too much of a political issue for a modern bond film, but so was the cold war, and bond bashed his fair share of Russians.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Silhouette Man wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Except maybe for the threat of isis/jihadists the cold war of a generation maybe?

    Well yes, they are the threat now but I doubt that Eon would touch such a controversial topic in any of their films.
    It is probably far too much of a political issue for a modern bond film, but so was the cold war, and bond bashed his fair share of Russians.

    Bond didn't often fight the Russians. When he did fight Russians they were usually renegades. It's really only in For Your Eyes Only that Bond is against the Russians. They were careful to not make the Russians the enemies. Bond's enemies are rarely part of real world countries or organisations. I don't think Bond will ever be up against any real terrorist groups.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Silhouette Man wrote:

    Well yes, they are the threat now but I doubt that Eon would touch such a controversial topic in any of their films.
    It is probably far too much of a political issue for a modern bond film, but so was the cold war, and bond bashed his fair share of Russians.

    Bond didn't often fight the Russians. When he did fight Russians they were usually renegades. It's really only in For Your Eyes Only that Bond is against the Russians. They were careful to not make the Russians the enemies. Bond's enemies are rarely part of real world countries or organisations. I don't think Bond will ever be up against any real terrorist groups.

    Yes, you've said what I was about to say much more eloquently than I ever could! Thanks! :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Renegade Russians are still Russian are they not? Smersh was an authentic offshoot of the kgb, Bond was actually banned there at one point, he was deemed anti Soviet (really???) by the Russian authorities.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Those Soviets were always left wing commies, if you ask me ! :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    A relevant article on the subject of the OP:

    http://io9.gizmodo.com/5815423/10-villains-who-used-bad-weather-as-a-weapon
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Renegade Russians are still Russian are they not? Smersh was an authentic offshoot of the kgb, Bond was actually banned there at one point, he was deemed anti Soviet (really???) by the Russian authorities.

    Smersh was never an enemy of Bond in the films. Films that have renegade Russians, like OP, AVTAK, TLD and GE, portray the Russian government more positively. Until TSWLM, FRWL was the only Bond film, I believe, that had a Russians, and it was made clear that Klebb was no longer working for Russia. When the Russians returned to Bond in TSWLM they were the good guys. The Russian government was never made out to be terrible, and they denounced any of the truly terrible Russians.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Renegade Russians are still Russian are they not? Smersh was an authentic offshoot of the kgb, Bond was actually banned there at one point, he was deemed anti Soviet (really???) by the Russian authorities.

    Smersh was never an enemy of Bond in the films. Films that have renegade Russians, like OP, AVTAK, TLD and GE, portray the Russian government more positively. Until TSWLM, FRWL was the only Bond film, I believe, that had a Russians, and it was made clear that Klebb was no longer working for Russia. When the Russians returned to Bond in TSWLM they were the good guys. The Russian government was never made out to be terrible, and they denounced any of the truly terrible Russians.

    Very much agreed, again. -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    There were many crazy Russians in the Bond films, like Klebb, Orlov, Zorin and Orumov, but you could say the same for other nationalities. There were a lot of crazy British people in Bond as well.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    edited January 2016
    I don't disagree, but I never suggested bond had gone up against the Russian government, Bond was under the impression grant worked for smersh in frwl, and in literary bond mi6 are regularly Trying to get one over on the "Russians"
    As for smersh not being an enemy of Bond, I'm afraid I will have to disagree with you Matt ( not the first and I'm sure not the last time) as smersh was part of the kgb and bond worked for the brutish secret service, at the time of the cold war they were very much on opposing sides.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    The producers never wanted Bond involved in real politics. So why
    they were happy to have spectre as the real bad guys. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    I think they've touched on it on occasion, tld in Afghanistan comes to mind, but I think the bond films should keep on the more fantastical side of life.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
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