Bond 10 & 18

Italus_NT

Has anybody ever realized that TND is like a souped up, grittier version of The Spy Who Loved Me?

Barbel

Yes, and likewise TSWLM is very similar to YOLT.

All three (+ to an extent MR, which uses a variation) use what I call Standard Bond Plot #2. The villain is trying to cause two world powers to wage war against each other, 007 teams up with a (beautiful, naturally) female agent from another country to prevent this happening. They bicker at first but end up together.

(Standard Bond Plot #1: 007 is sent to investigate the smuggling of something non-threatening in itself but precious (gold, diamonds, Fabergé eggs, microchips...) and finds that while the villain is doing this, there's a more sinister scheme afoot. He's aided by a (beautiful, naturally) female associate of the villain who switches sides, convinced by Bond's incomparable charm.)

This earlier thread may be of interest: https://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/17739/tswlmtnd-connection/

Higgins

Bond Plot #1 and #2.

I like how you are thinking, Barbel.

Do you have #3 and #4 as well?

Any other categories that you've worked out over the years (just keep you talking ).

Barbel

) Rather than me rambling on, why don't you have a bash?

Higgins

Dalton has not been mentioned so far, or Asp9mm

Barbel

...that would be because whoever's playing Bond isn't relevant, and Asp9mm hasn't decided to chip in. Go on, what would be your thoughts on Standard Bond Plot #3?

Higgins

I haven't thought it as deeply as you, that's why I have been asking.

Imo, world domination would be one repetitive story, using other countries to blame (preferrably Russia and China) for the villain's plot would be another one.

Monopolising on natural resources (Sun (TMWTGG) and water(QoS), gold (GF)) would be another reoccuring pattern.

Barbel

Off the top of my head, then:

Standard Bond Plot #3. Something or someone has gone missing (the Secret Service's agents in Jamaica, two atomic bombs, an ATAC, a Tiger helicopter....), 007 is sent to investigate and teams up with a (beautiful, naturally) female against the villain who has killed her father (Honey thinks so, anyway), parents (Melina is pretty sure), brother (Domino), best bud (Natalya)....

These are generalisations and not absolutes, of course. For example AVTAK uses Plot#2, but Stacey is motivated by revenge and isn't in Zorin's control (though MayDay is, and she's the one who changes sides).

Thunderpussy

I think there's an old expression scriptwriters
Use. In that there are only seven stories, everything
Else is either a variation or combination of these
Classic story ideas.

Silhouette Man

Thunderpussy wrote:

I think there's an old expression scriptwriters
Use. In that there are only seven stories, everything
Else is either a variation or combination of these
Classic story ideas.

Yes, I've heard that myself, TP, and it's no doubt true. There's nothing new under the sun, as they say.

Dirty Punker

A running gag in the Brosnan films is the use of satellites, I don't know if that's ever been noted before.

Remington

They're both similar. And I love them both for that reason.
-{

Agent Kino

Love Bond plot 1 and 2. Just my type of movies.

Jimmy Bond

More interesting is how they're both made without the influence/guiding force/partnership of a previous producer, in specific Saltzman and Broccoli, respectively. Certainly an interesting coincidence.

Charmed & Dangerous

I guess that's because using a previously successful formula means the film will be on fairly safe ground. YOLT, the origin as it were for this standard plot, had two producers and was one of the most successful in the franchise.

I guess another standard plot variation would be the villain plotting something for his own ends - increasing the price of his own gold, establishing a title and amnesty for past crimes, breaking into the Bank of England and transferring cash etc - which has a diabolical impact on the West, but which falls short of setting two super-powers against each other.

caractacus potts

and You Only Live Twice was the first made without the influence/guiding force/partnership of Fleming!
he'd had some involvement with the first three films, at least visiting the sets and commenting on the filmmakers' choices. and had been involved in the production of Thunderball since before there was an EON series.
Then once he's gone they throw out his texts and build the volcano HQ instead.