Anyone agree that each actor has his own....

yodboy007yodboy007 McMinn CountyPosts: 129MI6 Agent
edited January 2008 in James Bond Music
....trademark variation of the James Bond Theme?

Think about it. Each actor has the James Bond Theme played in a different way that may or may not intentionally represent their style of portraying Bond.

Connery has the Monty Norman James Bond Theme from Dr. No as well as John Barry's "007 Theme" in FRWL, TB, YOLT, and DAF. This has a classic feel to it. Each time I hear these themes, I think of Connery's Bond.

Lazenby did not have time to get one.

Moore's came in his later films. This variation of the James Bond Theme was played in I believe MR first, and was definitely in OP. It always plays when Bond is about to do something cool or bizarre, like ride a gondola thru town or ride down the banister of the stairs with a machine gun. This has a fun and humorous feel to it. The disco twist that Hamlisch put on the James Bond Theme in TSWLM during the precredits also works great for Moore. Every time I hear these themes, I think of Moore's Bond.

Dalton kind of has one. The way Kamen played the James Bond Theme in LTK was unique, especially in the final action sequence. Every time I hear this variation, I think of Dalton's Bond.

Brosnan's variation in my view is the techno James Bond Theme by Moby. It was in TND. This one has a feel that represents his films really well (high-tech gadgets and stuff like that). Every time I hear this one, I think of Brosnan's Bond.

Hopefully Craig will get one, preferably darker in tone like Dalton's.

Tell me if you ever noticed this or if you disagree. If not, pop in DN, FRWL, OP, TLD, and TND to find each variation of James Bond's theme. I hope this can be a fun topic.

Comments

  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,906Chief of Staff
    Granted, Lazenby didn't have time to get his own "signature" variation on the Bond Theme, but I think the version heard in OHMSS is so unique that I always associate it only with that film--and, consequently, with Lazenby himself.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Yes, it's got a sort of punchy feel, Lazenby's theme. Not sure of the instrument, but it's different. In the pts, for instance, and at the end (when it's not really appropriate imo).

    In my view, Craig already has one. It's the theme played during the trailer of Casino Royale, quite tragic and operatic sounding. But sadly it wasn't used in the film itself. I'm not sure the smooth or cocky traditional theme quite suits Craig's interpretation.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,860Chief of Staff
    For Connery, Barry almost invariably used the guitar-led version of the James Bond Theme we all know and love. Its use when Connery says THE LINE on his return in the DAF PTS is proof of that.

    For Lazenby, he used a synth playing the famous riff.

    For Moore, he used his orchestral variation as premiered on his "Concert John Barry" album, recorded between DAF and LALD.

    For Dalton, he initially used the orchestral version then very effectively featured a synth backing during action sequences ("Ice Chase").

    David Arnold's variations on the Bond Theme to accompany Brosnan were varied but leaned toward the traditional with a marked preference for the bebop rather than the riff.
  • a rogue AIa rogue AI Posts: 128MI6 Agent
    Each actor also had a personal Bond theme - not the James Bond theme - associated with them, I believe. For instance, Connery has the Norman/Barry one, and to a lesser degree the 007 theme, while Lazenby was blessed to get the OMHSS titles/Escape from Piz Gloria one. We could associate him with the whole mood and ambience of that soundtrack.

    It's a shame that Barry never revisited that sound (and that theme as well), but since it was absolutely perfect, he needn't have done so and maybe, somehow, he might have marred it. No disrespect to Mr. Barry, but his whole work on OHMSS was absolutely perfect exactly as it was.
  • The CatThe Cat Where Blofeld is!Posts: 711MI6 Agent
    a rogue AI wrote:
    It's a shame that Barry never revisited that sound (and that theme as well), but since it was absolutely perfect, he needn't have done so and maybe, somehow, he might have marred it. No disrespect to Mr. Barry, but his whole work on OHMSS was absolutely perfect exactly as it was.

    OHMSS as it appears today doesn't represent Barry's vision at all. The score was edited practically in a shredder with major chunks of the music thrown out the window. If you could only see what Barry really attempted with the score before it was taken over by Hunt who removed major passages. But film making is supposed to be collaborative, right? ;)
  • a rogue AIa rogue AI Posts: 128MI6 Agent
    edited January 2008
    Do you mean the music as it appears while watching the film? (e.x. in the dvd release)

    I was referring to the score as we got it on the remastered and, most importantly, expanded audio cd recent release, which I assume to be pure Barry.
  • The CatThe Cat Where Blofeld is!Posts: 711MI6 Agent
    a rogue AI wrote:
    Do you mean the music as it appears while watching the film? (e.x. in the dvd release)

    I was referring to the score as we got it on the remastered and, most importantly, expanded audio cd recent release, which I assume to be pure Barry.

    That's a tad better apart from the contractually obliged hidious sequencing. But the real deal is seeing (hearing) it in the movie. :)
  • BarryFanBarryFan U.S.Posts: 13MI6 Agent
    "in a shredder"
    "not Barry's vision at all"

    Do tell, oh wizened one.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,948MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    For Connery, Barry almost invariably used the guitar-led version of the James Bond Theme we all know and love. Its use when Connery says THE LINE on his return in the DAF PTS is proof of that.

    For Lazenby, he used a synth playing the famous riff.

    For Moore, he used his orchestral variation as premiered on his "Concert John Barry" album, recorded between DAF and LALD.

    For Dalton, he initially used the orchestral version then very effectively featured a synth backing during action sequences ("Ice Chase").

    David Arnold's variations on the Bond Theme to accompany Brosnan were varied but leaned toward the traditional with a marked preference for the bebop rather than the riff.

    There was a nice programme on UKTV a year or two back (can't remember which one sadly) which prefaced each Bond's tenure with a shot of their signature car (the originals, no less) driving along a country with a Bond theme from their period playing in the background- rather nice touch. So you got DB5/John Barry Seven version; DBS/synth OHMSS version; Lotus Esprit S1/Bond '77; Aston V8/Ice Chase; and I think it was the BMW Z8/Moby.
  • The CatThe Cat Where Blofeld is!Posts: 711MI6 Agent
    BarryFan wrote:
    "in a shredder"
    "not Barry's vision at all"

    Do tell, oh wizened one.

    Well, it's just as I said. A lot of the music was cut out from the picture and doesn't appear as Barry planned it - it's about 20-25 minutes like that. If you'd like to know even more than that, drop me a PM or an e-mail.
  • KissyLoverKissyLover AustraliaPosts: 139MI6 Agent
    BarryFan wrote:

    Do tell, oh wizened one.

    LOL...Thankyou for my first chuckle for the day BarryFan. :))
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