Machine-Gun Granny: Best. Bit Villian. Ever.

bigzilchobigzilcho Toronto, ONPosts: 245MI6 Agent
Greetings, fellow Bond fans.

I want to focus on what I consider to be one of the all-time greatest bits of Bondian business.

While prisoner to Oddjob and his men in GF, Bond is greeted at the entrance of Auric Enterprises by a kindly old lady.

As long as movies are being watched, I guarantee that initial silent exchange between Bond and Granny will always get a huge laugh from any audience in the world. Sean's reaction is absolutely priceless.

When Bond discards his unwelcome passenger, he turns to escape but is greeted by Granny who is now weilding a machine-gun half her size.

It is that moment, where Bond's smile instantly vanishes as Granny stars shooting bullets off the windshield...Bond swerving like crazy...thats as good as anything filmed in the series.

In one word: electrifying!

Film students and future Bond film-makers should study these 20 seconds carefully. IMO it captures the essence of Bond perfectly. Laughs, thrills and a perfect touch of the bizarre. But it is that lightning-quick double-take of Bond's that sums it all up.

Bravo to Guy Hamilton and Peter Hunt for giving us, pound-for pound, the best villian bit in the series.

It is a reminder that a character can make a huge impression with about ten seconds of screen-time.

Any other minor villian fans out there?


"If I fail to report, 008 replaces me."

Comments

  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    This was reportedly Alfred Hitchcock's favourite moment in a Bond film; apparently he called Guy Hamilton and told him he wished he'd thought of that.

    I agree, she's great. The only improvement would have been if Bond had actually run her over with the Aston Martin :D
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
  • Mr MartiniMr Martini That nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,707MI6 Agent
    I have to agree, seeing "Granny" shotting that machine gun is awesome. But my questions are, Is that Aurics Mom? What happened to her?
    Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
  • Sir Hillary BraySir Hillary Bray College of ArmsPosts: 2,174MI6 Agent
    Thanks, zilcho, for brightening my day. This bit cracks me up. My favorite thing is that the old crone can barely hold the machine gun -- she looks like she's gonna pull a Tiffany Case and fall over backward.

    Agree with jetset on hitting her with the DB5 -- the we could have been treated to another lifelike dummy, like the one thrown from the ejector seat. :))
    Hilly...you old devil!
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited February 2007
    The machine-gun granny was indeed fantastic. {[] What I love about her is that on one level she is completely absurd (like much in GF) yet, just like everything else in the film, she comes across as incredibly convincing. I find her to be enormously effective and simply a terrific character. :D Another great thread Big; keep it coming. -{
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • JennyFlexFanJennyFlexFan Posts: 1,497MI6 Agent
    Yes Zilcho! I love the old lady villain, I wish we had seen more of her. I've always thought of her as GF's mom (Auric's mom has got it goin' on... ;))

    And I also agree that I am a huge fan of the bit part villains, Jenny Flex, Naomi, Pan Ho, Heller, etc. etc. you name it, I probably like them.
  • Moore Not LessMoore Not Less Posts: 1,095MI6 Agent
    Granny has got a lot to answer for. She is the beginning of what ultimately led to sight gags like the double take pigeon. :D

    Granny is totally out of left field. She appears out of nowhere with no explanation of who she is firing a machine gun at Bond and then she's gone never to be seen or heard of again. It's bizarre, but it's also amusing and enjoyable to watch.
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    Dan Same wrote:
    just like everything else in the film, she comes across as incredibly convincing.

    Odd, but ok? lol
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited July 2007
    Odd, but ok? lol
    What I mean is that much of GF would be incredibly odd in most other films, but in GF is handled brilliantly. It may sound funny that something could be odd but convincing, but I don't mean that it's odd in GF. I mean that it would be odd in any other film that IMO is nowhere near as good as GF. But GF isn't unique here. Most of the best Bond films arguably feature elements that would be absurd in other films. -{
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    Dan Same wrote:
    Odd, but ok? lol
    What I mean is that much of GF would be incredibly odd in most other films, but in GF is handled brilliantly. It may sound funny that something could be odd but cnvincing, but I don't mean that it's odd in GF. I mean that it would be odd in any other film that IMO is nowhere near as good as GF. But GF isn't unique here. Most of the best Bond films arguably feature elements that would be absurd in other films. -{

    B-) I know mate, she does have an aura of convincement about her. :v

    "You must be joking"
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
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