Clichéd Spy Fiction Tropes in the James Bond Films (and Novels)?

Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
So, as the thread title says, what do you consider to be examples of clichéd spy fiction tropes in the James Bond films and novels?

One that comes to mind for me is the placing of the hair over the door as a makeshift silent intruder alarm in the 1953 Ian Fleming Casino Royale novel and 1962 Dr. No film.

I'm sure however that there are plenty of others that we can collate and discuss further in this thread. :) -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).

Comments

  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,616MI6 Agent
    Spies live a glamorous life.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:

    Thank you for those, Barbel. I did the usual search before starting this thread but nothing came up. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Le SamouraiLe Samourai Honolulu, HIPosts: 573MI6 Agent
    I can think of a few off the top of my head...

    * Smuggling a defector out of enemy territory (the cinematic TLD)
    * Fake defection (TLD again… Actually, TLD has quite a few classic spy tropes)
    * Indentifying allies by exchanging inane gibberish (FRWL)
    * The wicked 'Oriental' mastermind (DN)
    * Codebreaking (FRWL)
    * The villain being killed by guano (DN, the book… Just kidding! I don't think this has become a standard spy trope yet.)
    * McGuffins (FRWL, FYEO, GE)

    John Gardner's novels are loaded with spy tropes, especially double and triple crosses.
    —Le Samourai

    A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
    Agent In Training
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    I can think of a few off the top of my head...

    * Smuggling a defector out of enemy territory (the cinematic TLD)
    * Fake defection (TLD again… Actually, TLD has quite a few classic spy tropes)
    * Indentifying allies by exchanging inane gibberish (FRWL)
    * The wicked 'Oriental' mastermind (DN)
    * Codebreaking (FRWL)
    * The villain being killed by guano (DN, the book… Just kidding! I don't think this has become a standard spy trope yet.)
    * McGuffins (FRWL, FYEO, GE)

    John Gardner's novels are loaded with spy tropes, especially double and triple crosses.
    I've killed many a foe with help from the bat.
    (more batarangs than guano though...)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    To me, though, the biggest cliche of the past 30 years has been your own people are the enemy -- well, that and the idea that partners have to initially despise each other but in the course of the story come to grudgingly accept one another. I always roll my eyes.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    To me, though, the biggest cliche of the past 30 years has been your own people are the enemy -- well, that and the idea that partners have to initially despise each other but in the course of the story come to grudgingly accept one another. I always roll my eyes.
    It's a comic book thing. 8-)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,616MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    To me, though, the biggest cliche of the past 30 years has been your own people are the enemy -- well, that and the idea that partners have to initially despise each other but in the course of the story come to grudgingly accept one another. I always roll my eyes.

    GoldenEye and Spectre really have those covered. I knew Denbigh was an enemy before the movie started. I feel like it could have worked in GoldenEye if the dialogue was better.

    And this has to be what I disliked most about the Get Smart movie from 2008. Not only was it so cliched, it ruined the fantastic dynamic of the TV series.

    Do people find the typical-of-real-life aspects of enemies just being enemies and good guys getting along to be cliched?
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    To me, though, the biggest cliche of the past 30 years has been your own people are the enemy -- well, that and the idea that partners have to initially despise each other but in the course of the story come to grudgingly accept one another. I always roll my eyes.
    It's a comic book thing. 8-)
    Archie/Reggie.
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    To me, though, the biggest cliche of the past 30 years has been your own people are the enemy -- well, that and the idea that partners have to initially despise each other but in the course of the story come to grudgingly accept one another. I always roll my eyes.

    GoldenEye and Spectre really have those covered. I knew Denbigh was an enemy before the movie started. I feel like it could have worked in GoldenEye if the dialogue was better.

    And this has to be what I disliked most about the Get Smart movie from 2008. Not only was it so cliched, it ruined the fantastic dynamic of the TV series.

    Do people find the typical-of-real-life aspects of enemies just being enemies and good guys getting along to be cliched?
    They're making movies for a 14-year-old mindset.
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 Agent
    Any more takers on this one? :)
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
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