CR67's best feature is it's score, absolutely. TLOL is an excellent song, but IMHO not the best that's ever appeared in a Bond film (there's probably a thread on that subject somewhere here).
CR67's best feature is it's score, absolutely. TLOL is an excellent song, but IMHO not the best that's ever appeared in a Bond film (there's probably a thread on that subject somewhere here).
Sigh, The Look Of Love. I was having a teen snogging session to this song in late 1982, not even knowing its a Bond tune. Or caring
It will be great if they don't remake anything and instead have an original idea and concept. Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
It will be great if they don't remake anything and instead have an original idea and concept. Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
Point well taken. However, what I was proposing re OHMSS was not an homage but a straight adaptation of the novel utilizing IMO, the far superior talents of Craig as Bond. With regards to YOLT, the film version strays so far from the novel that another film would not be so much a remake, but a much more faithful screen adaptation of the original novel and a direct sequel to OHMSS.
It will be great if they don't remake anything and instead have an original idea and concept. Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
Point well taken. However, what I was proposing re OHMSS was not an homage but a straight adaptation of the novel utilizing IMO, the far superior talents of Craig as Bond. With regards to YOLT, the film version strays so far from the novel that another film would not be so much a remake, but a much more faithful screen adaptation of the original novel and a direct sequel to OHMSS.
Since the film was already one of the straightest adaptations of a Fleming book, and the film was already done so well even with a non-actor as Bond, it would be boring, IMHO, to see it done again. But I also don't think Craig's talents are good enough to be able to remake it even better. He is especially weak when it comes to romance, and that's the kind of talent that is needed to make OHMSS even better.
I definitely would love to see an adaptation of Fleming's YOLT on screen. Making a film of that novel would not at all be a remake of the Connery film.
if they're clever they can find a way to leap straight into the Garden of Death stuff without having to repeat any of OHMSS. find some other excuse for Bond to be so messed up he is useless at his regular job, so M gives him a dull diplomatic assignment. Or skip all that too, just one way or another in the last scene he is pointed to a Garden of Death in a Cliffside castle and a nutbar named Shatterhand who turns out to be Blofeld. No reason at all to repeat what has already been properly adapted to get to the good stuff. (and theres a lot of Fleming left to adapt besides the Garden of Death)
Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
at this point the Craig films have drifted so far from what we think a Bond film usually looks like, the constant use of homages, easter eggs and recycled plot threads is the only way to indicate its still the same character.
I say get on with adapting the as-yet-unused Fleming content. There is a lot if it, and there's no need to clumsily highlight "this is still a James Bond film" when adapting genuine Fleming.
if they're clever they can find a way to leap straight into the Garden of Death stuff without having to repeat any of OHMSS. find some other excuse for Bond to be so messed up he is useless at his regular job, so M gives him a dull diplomatic assignment. Or skip all that too, just one way or another in the last scene he is pointed to a Garden of Death in a Cliffside castle and a nutbar named Shatterhand who turns out to be Blofeld. No reason at all to repeat what has already been properly adapted to get to the good stuff. (and theres a lot of Fleming left to adapt besides the Garden of Death)
Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
at this point the Craig films have drifted so far from what we think a Bond film usually looks like, the constant use of homages, easter eggs and recycled plot threads is the only way to indicate its still the same character.
I say get on with adapting the as-yet-unused Fleming content. There is a lot if it, and there's no need to clumsily highlight "this is still a James Bond film" when adapting genuine Fleming.
I think SPECTRE was much more guilty of that than the other Craig films. To be honest, I never had the issue as to whether they were Bond films or not. But the use of Fleming material does help....or at least good writing in general from people who understand Fleming and have a "feel" for it in general.
It will be great if they don't remake anything and instead have an original idea and concept. Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
Point well taken. However, what I was proposing re OHMSS was not an homage but a straight adaptation of the novel utilizing IMO, the far superior talents of Craig as Bond. With regards to YOLT, the film version strays so far from the novel that another film would not be so much a remake, but a much more faithful screen adaptation of the original novel and a direct sequel to OHMSS.
I'd love to see faithfull Fleming-esque versions Moonraker in particular, in fact most of the 70's films. I hope that eventually high quality In period TV adaptations will come about.
Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Based on Spectre’s ending, P&W probably sketched out an adaptation of YOLT, and this is probably the script that has been shelved in favor of whatever Boyle and Hodge are coming up with.
Either way, I don’t want any more Blofeld in the Craig era. They have effectively poisoned that well for the time being. The best bet is to get a final film with Craig that plays to his strengths (unlike Spectre) and is unencumbered by universe-building baggage (again, unlike Spectre).
It will be great if they don't remake anything and instead have an original idea and concept. Too much familiarity (or "homage") bogged down Spectre among other things. Of course it's hard to keep creating new scenarios when a character has already done so much. But if a Bond film retreads too much of what has already been done before it will get lost in the pack instead of standing out.
Point well taken. However, what I was proposing re OHMSS was not an homage but a straight adaptation of the novel utilizing IMO, the far superior talents of Craig as Bond. With regards to YOLT, the film version strays so far from the novel that another film would not be so much a remake, but a much more faithful screen adaptation of the original novel and a direct sequel to OHMSS.
I'd love to see faithfull Fleming-esque versions Moonraker in particular, in fact most of the 70's films. I hope that eventually high quality In period TV adaptations will come about.
High-quality period tv adaptations would be great, but Moonraker could also be modernized and filmed fairly easily.
Based on Spectre’s ending, P&W probably sketched out an adaptation of YOLT, and this is probably the script that has been shelved in favor of whatever Boyle and Hodge are coming up with.
Either way, I don’t want any more Blofeld in the Craig era. They have effectively poisoned that well for the time being. The best bet is to get a final film with Craig that plays to his strengths (unlike Spectre) and is unencumbered by universe-building baggage (again, unlike Spectre).
They might always do both.
Lifestyle guide to the products and locations featured in the James Bond films.
As long as EON has exclusive film rights and is calling the shots (until 2035 anyway) I don't think we will see anything but Bond theatrical films. I don't think they are looking to compete with themselves or dilute the brand. They have enough trouble getting out a film every four years. After 2035, unless EON is able to pull off some legal gymnastics we will see the good, the bad, and ugly with Bond. With regards to P&W's script I would assume that EON will stash that away to be rewritten, polished or cannibalised another day.
how many abandoned scripts are there by now? there's gotta be dozens (including Feldman's and McClory's)
do any of them circulate? any find-able online?
if only they could be compiled them all into one big fat PDF and circulated amongst us obsessives, like is done with live/rare rock concert recordings. I feel my life is incomplete knowing they exist and I cant read them!
how many abandoned scripts are there by now? there's gotta be dozens (including Feldman's and McClory's)
do any of them circulate? any find-able online?
thanks Barbel
that first article links in turn to this huge piece in the Telegraph newspaper, giving loads of plot details about Ben Hecht's various attempts at a Casino Royale script, which included action scenes in the brothels of Hamburg! (approximately where we got the airport sequence in the Craig version) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/8345119/Casino-Royale-discovering-the-lost-script.html Notorious is one of my favourite Hitchcock movies, and exactly the tone I'd love to have seen in an early Casino Royale. If only Feldman could have come to an agreement with Saltzman/Broccoli before McClory, I assume he'd have been slightly more professional.
I wonder if we have a thread on this early Ben Hecht script? I don't want to go off-topic here.
Well, it never happened unfortunately.
Yes, Notorious is one of Hitchcock's best- Bergman is perfect, Grant displays both sides of his character, and Claude Rains once again (cf Casablanca though there are others) effortlessly owns the entire movie. As you say, exactly the tone for an early CR.
Well, it never happened unfortunately.
Yes, Notorious is one of Hitchcock's best- Bergman is perfect, Grant displays both sides of his character, and Claude Rains once again (cf Casablanca though there are others) effortlessly owns the entire movie. As you say, exactly the tone for an early CR.
I bumped the other thread, hopefully it generates more discussion. Seems like holy grail stuff to me.
Amazing how with Billy Wilder(!), Joseph Heller(!!) and Terry Southern(!!!) contributing to the post-Hecht script, the funny version actually isn't even funny!
Since the film was already one of the straightest adaptations of a Fleming book, and the film was already done so well even with a non-actor as Bond, it would be boring, IMHO, to see it done again. But I also don't think Craig's talents are good enough to be able to remake it even better. He is especially weak when it comes to romance, and that's the kind of talent that is needed to make OHMSS even better.
I definitely would love to see an adaptation of Fleming's YOLT on screen. Making a film of that novel would not at all be a remake of the Connery film.
For me unfortunately, Lazenby is the film's fatal flaw. Even though I appreciate and enjoy it now, when I watch it I keep thinking to myself, enough of the stand-in, when is the real Bond actor showing up. IMO, I actually think Craig would do very well in the romance scenes as he did in CR.
But I guess enough of this. We should really be getting back to talk of Boyle, etc but there doesn't seem to be anything new leaking out since Boyle's statement that he would be directing Bond 25 pending a script.
The million dollar question to still to be answered is what is it about that Hodge script/story idea that knocked EON, MGM, and Craig's socks off besides it bringing Boyle along with it and being better than what P&W produced?
what is it about that Hodge script/story idea that knocked EON, MGM, and Craig's socks off besides it bringing Boyle along with it and being better than what P&W produced?
Since the film was already one of the straightest adaptations of a Fleming book, and the film was already done so well even with a non-actor as Bond, it would be boring, IMHO, to see it done again. But I also don't think Craig's talents are good enough to be able to remake it even better. He is especially weak when it comes to romance, and that's the kind of talent that is needed to make OHMSS even better.
I definitely would love to see an adaptation of Fleming's YOLT on screen. Making a film of that novel would not at all be a remake of the Connery film.
For me unfortunately, Lazenby is the film's fatal flaw. Even though I appreciate and enjoy it now, when I watch it I keep thinking to myself, enough of the stand-in, when is the real Bond actor showing up. IMO, I actually think Craig would do very well in the romance scenes as he did in CR.
But I guess enough of this. We should really be getting back to talk of Boyle, etc but there doesn't seem to be anything new leaking out since Boyle's statement that he would be directing Bond 25 pending a script.
The million dollar question to still to be answered is what is it about that Hodge script/story idea that knocked EON, MGM, and Craig's socks off besides it bringing Boyle along with it and being better than what P&W produced?
I think it's been said before but Lazenby's woodenness makes Bond more vulnerable and thus the death of his wife more poignant. The film wouldn't have been as good with Connery, even though Connery was a better actor.
As for Craig not being good at romance, I'm assuming that Matt S hasn't actually seen Casino Royale (06).
Since the film was already one of the straightest adaptations of a Fleming book, and the film was already done so well even with a non-actor as Bond, it would be boring, IMHO, to see it done again. But I also don't think Craig's talents are good enough to be able to remake it even better. He is especially weak when it comes to romance, and that's the kind of talent that is needed to make OHMSS even better.
I definitely would love to see an adaptation of Fleming's YOLT on screen. Making a film of that novel would not at all be a remake of the Connery film.
For me unfortunately, Lazenby is the film's fatal flaw. Even though I appreciate and enjoy it now, when I watch it I keep thinking to myself, enough of the stand-in, when is the real Bond actor showing up. IMO, I actually think Craig would do very well in the romance scenes as he did in CR.
But I guess enough of this. We should really be getting back to talk of Boyle, etc but there doesn't seem to be anything new leaking out since Boyle's statement that he would be directing Bond 25 pending a script.
The million dollar question to still to be answered is what is it about that Hodge script/story idea that knocked EON, MGM, and Craig's socks off besides it bringing Boyle along with it and being better than what P&W produced?
I think it's been said before but Lazenby's woodenness makes Bond more vulnerable and thus the death of his wife more poignant. The film wouldn't have been as good with Connery, even though Connery was a better actor.
As for Craig not being good at romance, I'm assuming that Matt S hasn't actually seen Casino Royale (06).
Casino Royale is exactly why I don't think Craig is good at romance. Lazenby did much better.
I think it's been said before but Lazenby's woodenness makes Bond more vulnerable and thus the death of his wife more poignant. The film wouldn't have been as good with Connery, even though Connery was a better actor.
That's a great point and something I was also pondering. Connery is certainly a good enough actor to pull off the romance aspect of OHMSS but I have a hard time imagining Connery's take on Bond in that film. It would have been very much out of character for Connery's Bond to fall in love and display that sort of vulnerability...if anything it would have been quite a departure. More than likely OHMSS with Connery would have been a much different film with respect to the relationship with Tracy.
I think what is interesting is what Bond actor would have been best suited for OHMSS ? I think Craig would have been more than up to it. Dalton comes to mind...but maybe a bit too heavy and Shakespearean? IMO, I think that Brosnan's Bond might have fit very well in OHMSS. Brosnan may not be quite the actor that Connery, Dalton, and Craig are but his well rounded portrayal of Bond could have worked very well in OHMSS. Not to give short shrift to the late great Roger Moore, OHMSS was just a bit too serious for him IMO.
There is a short interview with Naomie Harris in the latest issue of Total Film. She is asked who she wants to direct Bond 25. She replies: "I'd love it if Danny Boyle would. He's extraordinary. I think he would have an amazing twist. I'd love it if Sam Mendes came back as well. But Yeah, who knows?"
Well, that relying makes me suspect Naomie Harris knew :007)
There is a short interview with Naomie Harris in the latest issue of Total Film. She is asked who she wants to direct Bond 25. She replies: "I'd love it if Danny Boyle would. He's extraordinary. I think he would have an amazing twist. I'd love it if Sam Mendes came back as well. But Yeah, who knows?"
Well, that relying makes me suspect Naomie Harris knew :007)
A bit of foreshadowing. I'm going to give a bit of credit to "Someone" here. Could Mendes have been on deck in the event that Boyle or one of the other hot prospects was not available? A scenario where Mendes agrees that if no one else EON deems worthy of directing Bond 25 is available, he would be willing to step in and take the helm.
The interview can be interpreted that way. It's doubtfull that Harris' suggestion of Boyle is by chance, especially what she says about an "amazing twist". She was probably told by EON about the Boyle/Hodges script and the talks about Boyle directing. Her mention of Sam Mendes would imply that Mendes will direct if the Purvis/Wade script gets filmed.
The interview can be interpreted that way. It's doubtfull that Harris' suggestion of Boyle is by chance, especially what she says about an "amazing twist". She was probably told by EON about the Boyle/Hodges script and the talks about Boyle directing. Her mention of Sam Mendes would imply that Mendes will direct if the Purvis/Wade script gets filmed.
As good a theory as any. Wouldn't surprise me if it were true. Mendes is apparently available as he is apparently no longer connected to Voyeur's Motel. But Boyle/Hodge seem to have really pressed all the right buttons with all the right people.
The interview can be interpreted that way. It's doubtfull that Harris' suggestion of Boyle is by chance, especially what she says about an "amazing twist". She was probably told by EON about the Boyle/Hodges script and the talks about Boyle directing. Her mention of Sam Mendes would imply that Mendes will direct if the Purvis/Wade script gets filmed.
As good a theory as any. Wouldn't surprise me if it were true. Mendes is apparently available as he is apparently no longer connected to Voyeur's Motel. But Boyle/Hodge seem to have really pressed all the right buttons with all the right people.
Comments
CR 67 still has the best song to appear in any Bond film ("The Look of Love").
Sigh, The Look Of Love. I was having a teen snogging session to this song in late 1982, not even knowing its a Bond tune. Or caring
Point well taken. However, what I was proposing re OHMSS was not an homage but a straight adaptation of the novel utilizing IMO, the far superior talents of Craig as Bond. With regards to YOLT, the film version strays so far from the novel that another film would not be so much a remake, but a much more faithful screen adaptation of the original novel and a direct sequel to OHMSS.
Since the film was already one of the straightest adaptations of a Fleming book, and the film was already done so well even with a non-actor as Bond, it would be boring, IMHO, to see it done again. But I also don't think Craig's talents are good enough to be able to remake it even better. He is especially weak when it comes to romance, and that's the kind of talent that is needed to make OHMSS even better.
I definitely would love to see an adaptation of Fleming's YOLT on screen. Making a film of that novel would not at all be a remake of the Connery film.
I say get on with adapting the as-yet-unused Fleming content. There is a lot if it, and there's no need to clumsily highlight "this is still a James Bond film" when adapting genuine Fleming.
I think SPECTRE was much more guilty of that than the other Craig films. To be honest, I never had the issue as to whether they were Bond films or not. But the use of Fleming material does help....or at least good writing in general from people who understand Fleming and have a "feel" for it in general.
I'd love to see faithfull Fleming-esque versions Moonraker in particular, in fact most of the 70's films. I hope that eventually high quality In period TV adaptations will come about.
Either way, I don’t want any more Blofeld in the Craig era. They have effectively poisoned that well for the time being. The best bet is to get a final film with Craig that plays to his strengths (unlike Spectre) and is unencumbered by universe-building baggage (again, unlike Spectre).
High-quality period tv adaptations would be great, but Moonraker could also be modernized and filmed fairly easily.
do any of them circulate? any find-able online?
if only they could be compiled them all into one big fat PDF and circulated amongst us obsessives, like is done with live/rare rock concert recordings. I feel my life is incomplete knowing they exist and I cant read them!
These may be of interest:
http://www.slashfilm.com/casino-royale-discovering-lost-script/
https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2015/06/06/1960-first-attempt-at-a-thunderball-script/
https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/1961-eons-first-try-at-a-thunderball-script/
https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/1965-thunderballs-script-drips-with-swagger/
that first article links in turn to this huge piece in the Telegraph newspaper, giving loads of plot details about Ben Hecht's various attempts at a Casino Royale script, which included action scenes in the brothels of Hamburg! (approximately where we got the airport sequence in the Craig version)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/8345119/Casino-Royale-discovering-the-lost-script.html
Notorious is one of my favourite Hitchcock movies, and exactly the tone I'd love to have seen in an early Casino Royale. If only Feldman could have come to an agreement with Saltzman/Broccoli before McClory, I assume he'd have been slightly more professional.
I wonder if we have a thread on this early Ben Hecht script? I don't want to go off-topic here.
EDIT: yes, a thread exists... funny it didn't get much discussion?
https://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/36335/ben-hecht-script-for-casino-royale-found-by-jounalist-jeremy-duns/
Yes, Notorious is one of Hitchcock's best- Bergman is perfect, Grant displays both sides of his character, and Claude Rains once again (cf Casablanca though there are others) effortlessly owns the entire movie. As you say, exactly the tone for an early CR.
Amazing how with Billy Wilder(!), Joseph Heller(!!) and Terry Southern(!!!) contributing to the post-Hecht script, the funny version actually isn't even funny!
For me unfortunately, Lazenby is the film's fatal flaw. Even though I appreciate and enjoy it now, when I watch it I keep thinking to myself, enough of the stand-in, when is the real Bond actor showing up. IMO, I actually think Craig would do very well in the romance scenes as he did in CR.
But I guess enough of this. We should really be getting back to talk of Boyle, etc but there doesn't seem to be anything new leaking out since Boyle's statement that he would be directing Bond 25 pending a script.
The million dollar question to still to be answered is what is it about that Hodge script/story idea that knocked EON, MGM, and Craig's socks off besides it bringing Boyle along with it and being better than what P&W produced?
The question is the answer, my friend.
As for Craig not being good at romance, I'm assuming that Matt S hasn't actually seen Casino Royale (06).
Casino Royale is exactly why I don't think Craig is good at romance. Lazenby did much better.
That's a great point and something I was also pondering. Connery is certainly a good enough actor to pull off the romance aspect of OHMSS but I have a hard time imagining Connery's take on Bond in that film. It would have been very much out of character for Connery's Bond to fall in love and display that sort of vulnerability...if anything it would have been quite a departure. More than likely OHMSS with Connery would have been a much different film with respect to the relationship with Tracy.
I think what is interesting is what Bond actor would have been best suited for OHMSS ? I think Craig would have been more than up to it. Dalton comes to mind...but maybe a bit too heavy and Shakespearean? IMO, I think that Brosnan's Bond might have fit very well in OHMSS. Brosnan may not be quite the actor that Connery, Dalton, and Craig are but his well rounded portrayal of Bond could have worked very well in OHMSS. Not to give short shrift to the late great Roger Moore, OHMSS was just a bit too serious for him IMO.
Well, that relying makes me suspect Naomie Harris knew :007)
A bit of foreshadowing. I'm going to give a bit of credit to "Someone" here. Could Mendes have been on deck in the event that Boyle or one of the other hot prospects was not available? A scenario where Mendes agrees that if no one else EON deems worthy of directing Bond 25 is available, he would be willing to step in and take the helm.
As good a theory as any. Wouldn't surprise me if it were true. Mendes is apparently available as he is apparently no longer connected to Voyeur's Motel. But Boyle/Hodge seem to have really pressed all the right buttons with all the right people.
I agree that it’s plausible.