DAF - Saved by the title song?

MilleniumForce

So I watched the new episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats does Countdown, and there was a part where Sean Lock and the guest recreated the classic Plenty O'Toole casino scene (it was pretty funny, seriously check it out). This got me thinking though; DAF is, IMO, only remembered for the title theme. Sure, you ask someone to name a Connery Bond film, and the first two they'd likely say would be GF and DAF. But the only reason DAF is well known is because of how well known the theme is. Think about it; DAF has no iconic imagery (except for the car stunt). All of Connery's other films are referenced in pop culture, especially by Austin Powers, but DAF rarely is (in fact, one of the best references to it was in Alan Partridge when he said about starting dinner when the moon buggy appears). It's a film that's only known for two things; the theme and Connery's famous return to the role. It doesn't help that DAF isn't really a well loved film either. It makes me wonder, if it was released in the middle of Connery's run, and had a different theme song, it'd be highly unlikely to be remembered so well by non fans. It's mostly down to the song which, along with Goldfinger, has to be the most famous and iconic theme of all of Bond.

Oakvale

The DAF soundtrack as a whole is pretty good, and the title song is fantastic.

I think the main reason DAF doesn't get as much of the comedic stick is because it in itself is a soft comedy that pokes fun at many things in Bond at the time. It's a rather self depreciating film.

Barbel

MilleniumForce wrote:

It's mostly down to the song which, along with Goldfinger, has to be the most famous and iconic theme of all of Bond.

No, of course they're not. THIS is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ooeia4mqEM and it always will be.

MilleniumForce

Barbel wrote:

MilleniumForce wrote:

It's mostly down to the song which, along with Goldfinger, has to be the most famous and iconic theme of all of Bond.

No, of course they're not. THIS is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ooeia4mqEM and it always will be.

I feel.....stupid. Ok, besides that one....

Barbel

Both GF and DAF have a good case for being the most famous and iconic Bond songs, though.

heartbroken_mr_drax

Most non-fans seem to remember the titles based on either the song, the succinctness/cadence of the title (ends up entering slang/lexicon), the naughtiness of the title or potentially just the film. Good luck trying to get them to place the plot

Gassy Man

I'm not sure how many people know the title song, but if you were a child of the 1970s, as I was, in America, you knew the movie. It was shown on TV, and there were toys from it widely available -- I still have the Dinky moon buggy, for instance. I think Wynt and Kidd and Bambi and Thumper resonated with a lot of people, too. One thing to remember is that 1960s spy craze had had its run by that point. Additional Harry Palmer, Derek Flint, and Matt Helm movies, for instance, were all cancelled by that point. Pop culture had moved on to other things. Even if Goldfinger had been released then, it would have been a vastly different movie because the momentum of the 1960s had given way to the harder-edged pessimism of the 1970s. If DAF had been made in the 1960s, it would have had a very different tone -- likely far less campy and self-referential. The soundtrack to DAF overall is a lot more haunting that any of the 1960s Bonds were.

superado

For the mess that was DAF as implied by the thread's title, it was Sean Connery's sheer star power that "saved" it and any other redeeming factor like the title song, is a distant second at best.

Revolver66

Personally, I'd say that Live and Let Die is a more iconic or well known song than Diamonds

heartbroken_mr_drax

Revolver66 wrote:

Personally, I'd say that Live and Let Die is a more iconic or well known song than Diamonds

Agreed. Although Diamonds are Forever was sampled by Kanye West (brilliantly, it won a Grammy) - LALD was covered by Guns n Roses giving it a new audience in the 90s.

Firemass

Interesting observation MF. -{

I'd say the title song and Connery are the main reasons people remember DAF…and mistakenly think that it's a classic.

UnderwaterBattle007

I was a 13 year old teenage boy in 1971 when DAF came out. My perception of that film now I'm all but in my 60's compared to that early puberty driven young lad is totally different.

I can remember the opening title sequence, yes the song is great, but the boobs on the model are fantastic and I swear you can see the whole package so to speak. Tiffany Case in a bikini, boobs everywhere the hormones were racing I can tell you.

The car chase, the moon buggy and all the space stuff was totally so far out for me in 1971.

I will be rewatching it again shortly but back then I thought it was the greatest Bond film I'd ever seen.

Blackleiter

Gassy Man wrote:

I'm not sure how many people know the title song, but if you were a child of the 1970s, as I was, in America, you knew the movie. It was shown on TV, and there were toys from it widely available -- I still have the Dinky moon buggy, for instance. I think Wynt and Kidd and Bambi and Thumper resonated with a lot of people, too. One thing to remember is that 1960s spy craze had had its run by that point. Additional Harry Palmer, Derek Flint, and Matt Helm movies, for instance, were all cancelled by that point. Pop culture had moved on to other things. Even if Goldfinger had been released then, it would have been a vastly different movie because the momentum of the 1960s had given way to the harder-edged pessimism of the 1970s. If DAF had been made in the 1960s, it would have had a very different tone -- likely far less campy and self-referential. The soundtrack to DAF overall is a lot more haunting that any of the 1960s Bonds were.

I concur! -{

Gassy Man

Hey, welcome back! Where have you been?

Mr Snow

Gassy Man wrote:

The soundtrack to DAF overall is a lot more haunting that any of the 1960s Bonds were.

Agree to disagree but in my opinion Thunderball would be the most haunting of all the Soundtracks - not just the 60's.

Barbel

I love the TB soundtrack (hell, I love TB full stop), but YOLT is more haunting IMHO.

Chriscoop

I would agree that YOLT is more haunting for me also, but DAF soundtrack is moreish, tb is just exciting and fits the film perfectly Barbel you and I share a healthy love of thunderball.

Chriscoop

On the original question, I don't think just the title song saved DAF, connerys return, the whole brilliant soundtrack ( who doesn't like wint and kidds cues or the triumph stag scene bond theme?) and some fantastic scenes saved it.

Thunderpussy

It also has the wittiest script, with many laugh out loud lines ) ... Perhaps not the best script .....

Chriscoop

I like DAF... Intact I like every bond film, I suppose that's what makes me a bond fan :007)

Gassy Man

OGG007 wrote:

Gassy Man wrote:

The soundtrack to DAF overall is a lot more haunting that any of the 1960s Bonds were.

Agree to disagree but in my opinion Thunderball would be the most haunting of all the Soundtracks - not just the 60's.

Poor word choice on my part -- I meant spooky or disturbing rather than poignant or memorable. I think DAF is the former while I'd agree that both TB and YOLT are the latter.

superado

Chriscoop wrote:

On the original question, I don't think just the title song saved DAF, connerys return, the whole brilliant soundtrack ( who doesn't like wint and kidds cues or the triumph stag scene bond theme?) and some fantastic scenes saved it.

To also add to my post, because of Connery's return, DAF would have even survived a title song by Sonny and Cher!

Blackleiter

Gassy Man wrote:

Hey, welcome back! Where have you been?

Dealing with family issues, work issues, political issues, you name it. But I'm glad to be back older...errr...I mean better than ever! 8-)

BIG TAM

Dear oh dear, poor old DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. It doesn't half get some stick these days. I love it & make no apologies for doing so. Okay, I agree the oil rig stuff is a bit flat. Even with all the effects properly rigged I doubt it would have been any more exciting a climax. But it does feature a favourite line of mine, from Blofeld to Bond: "Jealousy? From you, Mr. Bond? I'm flattered."