When Bond got the Aston in Goldfinger (the book) it was so he could be passable as a wealthy young man and get close to Goldfinger. Same as in the film Casino Royale, bond gets the Aston to pass himself as "someone who belongs at that table". Before that he got a Ford rent-a-car. We'll see how they insinuate the new Aston Martin into QoS... Oh, wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Daniel's tall enough I suppose.
I will try to inject some common sense into this thread,and without going into too much detail I can speak with some authority on this subject.The DC James Bond is the most authentic James Bond there has been, you would not be able to see anything out of the ordinary about Mi6 agents they blend in with the background hence the silly shirt at the begining of CR,(the one some of you have ordered) they are not 6 2".The average height of most SAS & SBS is 5 8" any taller than that, their bodies would not be able to function and perform on missions such as the Iranian Embassy seige. If you want Bond to be more authentic stop moaning about his height please.
I think it's misleading to confuse this with the actual characteristics of a real agent, and that to do so misses the point. James Bond does not blend easily into any crowd, although a real agent should be able to. It is central to his character that he is the classic existential 'outsider' Bond is a fish out of water when not on assignment, and indeed when in the UK he always feels slightly alien (there is a lot of evidence for this particularly in the novels) Bond is not an everyman, and his distinctive appearence means that he would be wholly unsuited to MI6. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but he's not real. That however should not detract from a realistic portrayal, which for the record I think Daniel did very well. I guess we will just have to agree to diagree on this.
[quote=zaphodI really do get a sense that any doubts about Daniel seem to be regarded as a form of disloyalty, and a good deal of defensiveness about this particular issue. Bringning up another actors unsuitability does not really engage with the question
I don't regard questioning D.C. as a form of dis-loyality, and don't feel too defensive about it either. It's really all in fun so what the heck...
I think Ladd and Bogart are fine examples of height challenged actors having that "disadvantage" removed by apple crates or other boxes, and some skillful camera angles.
If the same tricks are used by Craig, it's interesting but hardly as big a factor to me as something really significant like a "dead skunk" sitting on top of his head throughout the film.
As many times as I have seen CR'06 DC's height was never an issue. I think rather than being something to defend, I think it's something that the anti-Craigs are happy to obsess over, in the same manner I do regards "Big Tam"s" toupee.[/quote]
I think being regarded as an 'anti craig' merely for expressing any kind of concern re Daniel kind of proves my point. I don't think it's as crude as having to be either 'pro' or anti' anything. For the record if forced to identify with one or the other camp I would call myself 'pro- Craig' Without wishing to set off a whole other debacle with the possible exception of Dalton I think there have been things about all the actors who have played Bond so far that have jarred for me. That does not stop me enjoying their performences and tenure, or enjoying debating their relative strenghts and weaknesses. That's what makes it interesting, and keeps us eager to see how the next film/the next actor turns out.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
(...and Daniel is 5'11....don't deny him that last inch, it can make all the difference )
Goodness gracious )
I'd admit that Craig's height was an issue for me early on---mostly when he was just one of the potentials, before he was officially announced---but when I saw the film, it quickly became a non-issue. His brand of idealized, 'alpha male' toughness seems to compensate more than adequately for most of the audience.
Last Thanksgiving, I showed CR to some of my wife's family. The movie was well-received, but one of my wife's elderly uncles---about a half hour into the movie---said: "He's kinda short, isn't he?"
There you go. I don't notice it, but he did. Still and all, clearly it had no impact on the film's success.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
...can I ask then, as a 6'1 female, what the hell does it matter if he is shorter?
Never mind him. I'm 6'4"...let's dance
I thought you'd never ask!
...I suppose if Craig pulls off QoS (like I think he will) it will be all down to his acting, prescence and ability to inject something not seen before. He goes against all the physical characteristics..yet hopefully will prove to be one of the Best Bonds. That, in itself is truely remarkable and should keep the "too short" crowd quiet.
(...but alas, I dont' think it will )
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
On this thread we have people that want a authentic James Bond where what you see is plausable and those that prefer the male models with their gadgets underwater cars,etc.I cannot watch those OLD films they are more comedy than thriller and have had their day.I would not be writing this now if the producers had continued with the male models, and the likes of BOURNE would have slaughtered Bond films at the box office to such an extent that they would have to stop making them.If you really find DC,s height a problem you will just have to watch the old films on dvds. I have one James Bond dvd you do not have to be a genius to guess which one
...can I ask then, as a 6'1 female, what the hell does it matter if he is shorter?
Never mind him. I'm 6'4"...let's dance
I thought you'd never ask!
...I suppose if Craig pulls off QoS (like I think he will) it will be all down to his acting, prescence and ability to inject something not seen before. He goes against all the physical characteristics..yet hopefully will prove to be one of the Best Bonds. That, in itself is truely remarkable and should keep the "too short" crowd quiet.
(...but alas, I dont' think it will )
I think that we have finally reached the endgame here and are 'violently agreeing' I agree with you Lexi re what Daniel brings to Bond, for me his height just stops him from being perfect thats all, and when I notice it it jarrs. I see it as a limitation for him as Bond (not for all mankind, or for Daniel as a Man) and one that he has largely overcome.
I would like a little more charm though, and hope to see that in QOS (as I've said before, if I want to see someone have a terrible time and a miserable life for two hours I'll go and see a Jason Bourne film)
BTW if you feel like putting your dancing shoes on I'm 6ft4 and a half.
On this thread we have people that want a authentic James Bond where what you see is plausable and those that prefer the male models with their gadgets underwater cars,etc.I cannot watch those OLD films they are more comedy than thriller and have had their day.I would not be writing this now if the producers had continued with the male models, and the likes of BOURNE would have slaughtered Bond films at the box office to such an extent that they would have to stop making them.If you really find DC,s height a problem you will just have to watch the old films on dvds. I have one James Bond dvd you do not have to be a genius to guess which one
I don't think it's like that at all, and to position it this way is a characature. I for one find no inconsistencey at all with welcoming the tougher less pretty boy approach and hoping that it continues, whilst at the same time having a slight issue with 'the height thing'
I would also like to see a bit more light & shade & glamour than we got in CR, but that does not mean that I want a return to Moonraker. It is the contrasts are what make a truly great Bond film unmmisable and different from other action movies ( Wilson has been surprisingly eloguent re the differences between Bond films which he characterises as 'Action-Adventure & Action per se as in the Die Hard Films). Bond is different to Bourne, just as tough, just as resourceful, but with a sense of stlye andelements of the good life. As I've said before nobody would want to be Jason Bourne, or live his miserable hunted life. however there should be an aspirational aspect in our attitude to James Bond. It's much more complex than OLD Tall Bond = bad and new shorter Bond = good as these qualities are not mutually exclsuive and can coexist.
I think that we have finally reached the endgame here and are 'violently agreeing' I agree with you Lexi re what Daniel brings to Bond, for me his height just stops him from being perfect thats all, and when I notice it it jarrs. I see it as a limitation for him as Bond (not for all mankind, or for Daniel as a Man) and one that he has largely overcome.
phew, I'm gald that we have reached an impasse.
..and please do not think that I am not aware that Fleming's bond was tall and dark, and Craig is the exact opposite (and to a 6'4+ man, I could understand it being 'grating') but it's just slightly annoying that these types of reports, (the stacked heels) keep reminding us of Craig's, IMO, only limitation. He can't do anything about it, so why not just let it be, and have the girl stand taller. I guess that was my issue.
Comments
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Take your point about the GF book, though not sure the other players in the CR film needed lavish vehicles. True, it wasn't out of place however.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I think it's misleading to confuse this with the actual characteristics of a real agent, and that to do so misses the point. James Bond does not blend easily into any crowd, although a real agent should be able to. It is central to his character that he is the classic existential 'outsider' Bond is a fish out of water when not on assignment, and indeed when in the UK he always feels slightly alien (there is a lot of evidence for this particularly in the novels) Bond is not an everyman, and his distinctive appearence means that he would be wholly unsuited to MI6. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but he's not real. That however should not detract from a realistic portrayal, which for the record I think Daniel did very well. I guess we will just have to agree to diagree on this.
I don't regard questioning D.C. as a form of dis-loyality, and don't feel too defensive about it either. It's really all in fun so what the heck...
I think Ladd and Bogart are fine examples of height challenged actors having that "disadvantage" removed by apple crates or other boxes, and some skillful camera angles.
If the same tricks are used by Craig, it's interesting but hardly as big a factor to me as something really significant like a "dead skunk" sitting on top of his head throughout the film.
As many times as I have seen CR'06 DC's height was never an issue. I think rather than being something to defend, I think it's something that the anti-Craigs are happy to obsess over, in the same manner I do regards "Big Tam"s" toupee.[/quote]
I think being regarded as an 'anti craig' merely for expressing any kind of concern re Daniel kind of proves my point. I don't think it's as crude as having to be either 'pro' or anti' anything. For the record if forced to identify with one or the other camp I would call myself 'pro- Craig' Without wishing to set off a whole other debacle with the possible exception of Dalton I think there have been things about all the actors who have played Bond so far that have jarred for me. That does not stop me enjoying their performences and tenure, or enjoying debating their relative strenghts and weaknesses. That's what makes it interesting, and keeps us eager to see how the next film/the next actor turns out.
Never mind him. I'm 6'4"...let's dance
Goodness gracious
I'd admit that Craig's height was an issue for me early on---mostly when he was just one of the potentials, before he was officially announced---but when I saw the film, it quickly became a non-issue. His brand of idealized, 'alpha male' toughness seems to compensate more than adequately for most of the audience.
Last Thanksgiving, I showed CR to some of my wife's family. The movie was well-received, but one of my wife's elderly uncles---about a half hour into the movie---said: "He's kinda short, isn't he?"
There you go. I don't notice it, but he did. Still and all, clearly it had no impact on the film's success.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I thought you'd never ask!
...I suppose if Craig pulls off QoS (like I think he will) it will be all down to his acting, prescence and ability to inject something not seen before. He goes against all the physical characteristics..yet hopefully will prove to be one of the Best Bonds. That, in itself is truely remarkable and should keep the "too short" crowd quiet.
(...but alas, I dont' think it will
I think that we have finally reached the endgame here and are 'violently agreeing' I agree with you Lexi re what Daniel brings to Bond, for me his height just stops him from being perfect thats all, and when I notice it it jarrs. I see it as a limitation for him as Bond (not for all mankind, or for Daniel as a Man) and one that he has largely overcome.
I would like a little more charm though, and hope to see that in QOS (as I've said before, if I want to see someone have a terrible time and a miserable life for two hours I'll go and see a Jason Bourne film)
BTW if you feel like putting your dancing shoes on I'm 6ft4 and a half.
I don't think it's like that at all, and to position it this way is a characature. I for one find no inconsistencey at all with welcoming the tougher less pretty boy approach and hoping that it continues, whilst at the same time having a slight issue with 'the height thing'
I would also like to see a bit more light & shade & glamour than we got in CR, but that does not mean that I want a return to Moonraker. It is the contrasts are what make a truly great Bond film unmmisable and different from other action movies ( Wilson has been surprisingly eloguent re the differences between Bond films which he characterises as 'Action-Adventure & Action per se as in the Die Hard Films). Bond is different to Bourne, just as tough, just as resourceful, but with a sense of stlye andelements of the good life. As I've said before nobody would want to be Jason Bourne, or live his miserable hunted life. however there should be an aspirational aspect in our attitude to James Bond. It's much more complex than OLD Tall Bond = bad and new shorter Bond = good as these qualities are not mutually exclsuive and can coexist.
phew, I'm gald that we have reached an impasse.
..and please do not think that I am not aware that Fleming's bond was tall and dark, and Craig is the exact opposite (and to a 6'4+ man, I could understand it being 'grating') but it's just slightly annoying that these types of reports, (the stacked heels) keep reminding us of Craig's, IMO, only limitation. He can't do anything about it, so why not just let it be, and have the girl stand taller. I guess that was my issue.
anyway....
I would be delighted!
but married
and my wife may read this... :v
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!