Battle of the Directors
zebond
DolletPosts: 103MI6 Agent
Time to choose your side!
A close examination of the series directors really tells the whole story, I think that's a gimme. There seems to be a great deal more of continuity (in both style and content) in the series when there was a consistent director (like that style or dislike it.)
Granted this is not a standard, the same man who gave us much of the tongue in cheek humor in Moore's later years turned around and gave us the darker edge in the Dalton films. When the series was down and out they went to Campbell . . . twice. Mr. Hamilton introduced the series to superstardom. Lewis Gilbert took us to Japan, saved us after the Saltzman/Cubby breakup and went on to take Bond into outer space. And Peter Hunt has gone down as perhaps the leader of the cult Bond film, loved or hated.
So it's time to join your team, whose side are you on? In case you're in need of a refresher, the runners are:
Terence Young: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball
Guy Hamilton: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, The Man With the Golden Gun
Peter Hunt: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Lewis Gilbert: You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker
John Glen: For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill
Martin Campbell: Goldeneye, Casino Royale
Roger Spottiswoode: Tomorrow Never Dies
Michael Apted: The World Is Not Enough
Lee Tamahori: Die Another Day
Marc Forster: Quantum of Solace
A close examination of the series directors really tells the whole story, I think that's a gimme. There seems to be a great deal more of continuity (in both style and content) in the series when there was a consistent director (like that style or dislike it.)
Granted this is not a standard, the same man who gave us much of the tongue in cheek humor in Moore's later years turned around and gave us the darker edge in the Dalton films. When the series was down and out they went to Campbell . . . twice. Mr. Hamilton introduced the series to superstardom. Lewis Gilbert took us to Japan, saved us after the Saltzman/Cubby breakup and went on to take Bond into outer space. And Peter Hunt has gone down as perhaps the leader of the cult Bond film, loved or hated.
So it's time to join your team, whose side are you on? In case you're in need of a refresher, the runners are:
Terence Young: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball
Guy Hamilton: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, The Man With the Golden Gun
Peter Hunt: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Lewis Gilbert: You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker
John Glen: For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill
Martin Campbell: Goldeneye, Casino Royale
Roger Spottiswoode: Tomorrow Never Dies
Michael Apted: The World Is Not Enough
Lee Tamahori: Die Another Day
Marc Forster: Quantum of Solace
"Guns make me nervous!"
Comments
Terrance Young pretty much invented the atmosphere of James Bond for film. Hell, he invented the on screen Bond. People who worked on Dr.No joked that Connery was doing a "Terrace Young impression".
Lewis Gilbert was the first to put a bit of visual spark into the Bond franchise, especially in You Only Live Twice. Coupled with Freddie Young's cinematography and Ken Adam's set deceration, Yoy Only Live Twice is the most visually stunning Bond film ever made.
Martin Campbell did a fair job in Goldeneye, John Glen with a better sense of direction. However in Casino Royale, he was tops with direction and visuals. The cinematography, the choice to make the PTS in black and white, and the heart pounding posioning scene, just terrific.
So, I am going to give this to Marty. He struck the balance correctly.
James Bond- Licence To Kill