) Yes, In some of the films Felix Leiter seem to of been an after thought. Hence why in some films
he seems to stop being Bonds friend and turns into a middle aged police man, who I can't see Bond
wanting to hang around with.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
) Yes, In some of the films Felix Leiter seem to of been an after thought. Hence why in some films
he seems to stop being Bonds friend and turns into a middle aged police man, who I can't see Bond
wanting to hang around with.
The inconsistency in the way Felix has been portrayed has been a glaring weakness in the series. At least with Jeffrey Wright we got the same actor in the role in consecutive films, and a very good actor at that. Unfortunately Wright was never given enough to do, and he completely disappeared in SF. Pity.
Let's hope he'll be back. Felix has always been absent from a film (or book) or two before making a welcome return, and it'd be great to see Wright continue in the part.
Key for me is that Blofeld is menacing and physically a threat to Bond. Blofeld's most successful casting, IMO, was Telly Savalas, who seemed genuinely menacing. I had the feeling that Bond would have possibly met his match in a fight with OHMSS Blofeld.
There are few actors I can think of who generally fit this description but I'm gonna punt in Russell Crowe. Though not European, his performances usually convey a sense of menace that the role needs.
Key for me is that Blofeld is menacing and physically a threat to Bond. Blofeld's most successful casting, IMO, was Telly Savalas, who seemed genuinely menacing. I had the feeling that Bond would have possibly met his match in a fight with OHMSS Blofeld.
Agreed. Bond has to think out how he's going to physically deal with Blofeld in YOLT, the novel- the only thinking Connery would have to do to deal with Pleasence would be which finger to use to reduce him to cat food. Charles Gray wasn't very intimidating either. Savalas had the right air of strength and menace.
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,654MI6 Agent
In the same way the audience were thinking why is Dracula trying to kill Bond in TMWTGG.
Or when they wondered "Hey, what's Kojak doing holed up at the Piz Gloria!"
That's how it was for me too, having Kojak ingrained into my young mind way before I watched OHMSS, even though that came earlier. "Who loves you, baby?" )
Key for me is that Blofeld is menacing and physically a threat to Bond. Blofeld's most successful casting, IMO, was Telly Savalas, who seemed genuinely menacing. I had the feeling that Bond would have possibly met his match in a fight with OHMSS Blofeld.
There are few actors I can think of who generally fit this description but I'm gonna punt in Russell Crowe. Though not European, his performances usually convey a sense of menace that the role needs.
I suppose a Blofeld who needs to resort to administering personal, physical harm would be okay if it works in a scene like it did in the OHMSS bobsled chase; though I don't think it was right for him to have gotten involved in the ski chase. I don't think he needs to be imposing or else you might as well have someone like Stamper or Zao. CR provides a fine sampling of physical confrontations between Bond and villains, (1) his first "00" kill at the beginning, a thug; (2) the Bomb Maker, another thug; (3) Dimitrios, primarily an intellectual resource who was nearly a physical match for Bond, i.e., effective; (4) the 2nd Bomb Maker, another thug; (5) Obanno, a revolutionary who is essentially a thug, taking away from him any classy villain points; (6) then of course, Le Chiffre who has no physical struggle with Bond, but who inflicts very serious physical and mental damage on top of the complex plot that he was chiefly responsible for orchestrating. So, IMO, physicality for a Bond villain is not necessarily a key prerequisite for him/her (this "softer gender" bringing to mind Fiona Volpe and Elektra) to be effectively harmful.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Or when they wondered "Hey, what's Kojak doing holed up at the Piz Gloria!"
That's how it was for me too, having Kojak ingrained into my young mind way before I watched OHMSS, even though that came earlier. "Who loves you, baby?" )
I had the opposite- "Hey, what's Blofeld doing sucking a lollipop and arresting crooks?"
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,447Chief of Staff
Exactly! And he is one of the reasons I think OHMSS is such a top-notch Bond film. If only he could have gone up against Connery's Bond.
I'm actually glad that Connery didn't get this one...he'd obviously had enough by then and it shows in his performances....OHMSS is the best in the series and, imo, Lazenby does a superb job (with great help from Hunt, Rigg and the supporting cast) - possibly controversial, but I think this film is better because Connery isn't in it.
I'm actually glad that Connery didn't get this one...he'd obviously had enough by then and it shows in his performances....OHMSS is the best in the series and, imo, Lazenby does a superb job (with great help from Hunt, Rigg and the supporting cast) - possibly controversial, but I think this film is better because Connery isn't in it.
Bravo, Sir Miles!
I could not agree more -{
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Exactly! And he is one of the reasons I think OHMSS is such a top-notch Bond film. If only he could have gone up against Connery's Bond.
I'm actually glad that Connery didn't get this one...he'd obviously had enough by then and it shows in his performances....OHMSS is the best in the series and, imo, Lazenby does a superb job (with great help from Hunt, Rigg and the supporting cast) - possibly controversial, but I think this film is better because Connery isn't in it.
100% agreed. The only Person who I think would disagree with this Statement would be our Blog Advertising Friend *Cough silhouetteman Cough*
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
Good heavens this must be the first time ever that I wholeheartedly agree with Sir Miles.
On the subject in hand though I do think maybe Blofeld could be left alone untill maybe the next actor to play Bond comes along and perhaps return to the more traditional cinematic Bond formula.
Exactly! And he is one of the reasons I think OHMSS is such a top-notch Bond film. If only he could have gone up against Connery's Bond.
I'm actually glad that Connery didn't get this one...he'd obviously had enough by then and it shows in his performances....OHMSS is the best in the series and, imo, Lazenby does a superb job (with great help from Hunt, Rigg and the supporting cast) - possibly controversial, but I think this film is better because Connery isn't in it.
100% agreed. The only Person who I think would disagree with this Statement would be our Blog Advertising Friend *Cough silhouetteman Cough*
Ummm.......I disagree. I wholeheartedly believe that Connery could have been fantastic in OHMSS, although his presence would most certainly have given the film a different tone. And yes, it's actually me, not an example of identity theft perpetrated by our "Blog Advertising Friend"! )
+1 Blackleiter. I can get used to Lazenby and yeah, Connery might have been bad... But a lot of the dialogue seems to be written for him. Connery's Bond never got near snow...
Anyway, we can't have aged actors like Hopkins play Blofeld. What we need is a versatile actor who is little known, who can do the chameleon stuff. He needn't be old for gravitas; Wiseman was in his late 30s when he played Dr No!
One of the well documented themes of the Fleming novels is that the villains were frequently presented as Father figures, chastening an errant son (Bond).
Casino Royale has the line:
"My dear boy," Le Chiffre spoke like a father, "the game of Red Indians is quite, quite over".
So it would be perfectly acceptable for an older actor to play Blofeld, or any Bond villain - as long as they have that air of strength and menace ala Savalas.
The weakest villains in the series, IMO, are the ones who don't present any physical or emotional threat to Bond - like Dominic Greene or Elliott Carver.
I don't think an older villan is a problem if he has physicaly threathening henchmen. that was part of the problem with QoS. Neither Mr. Green nor Elvis looked like they could even defend themselves in a one-on-one fight with Bond. Frank Langella, who is 75) has a presens that would make a wonderful Blofeld. Stellan Skarsgård is 62 and can play a more physical Blofeld. He is fit and 6'3'' tall. But screen presens, acting and good writing is the key.
I think we should disregard baldnes as a qualification. The baldnes was perhaps more menacing back when combovers, hats and wigs were more common. Today it's easier to think of Dr. Evil when we see a bald villan in a Bond movie. I think the dark, commanding voice and a tall and heavy body is more important characteristics for Blofeld. Patrick Steward is just 5'8'' and a fairly light frame.
Comments
he seems to stop being Bonds friend and turns into a middle aged police man, who I can't see Bond
wanting to hang around with.
The inconsistency in the way Felix has been portrayed has been a glaring weakness in the series. At least with Jeffrey Wright we got the same actor in the role in consecutive films, and a very good actor at that. Unfortunately Wright was never given enough to do, and he completely disappeared in SF. Pity.
( but better than NSNA
The BBC have caught up with the story.
He is a fantastic actor and would make a brilliant Blofeld. -{
Or when they wondered "Hey, what's Kojak doing holed up at the Piz Gloria!"
There are few actors I can think of who generally fit this description but I'm gonna punt in Russell Crowe. Though not European, his performances usually convey a sense of menace that the role needs.
Agreed. Bond has to think out how he's going to physically deal with Blofeld in YOLT, the novel- the only thinking Connery would have to do to deal with Pleasence would be which finger to use to reduce him to cat food. Charles Gray wasn't very intimidating either. Savalas had the right air of strength and menace.
That's how it was for me too, having Kojak ingrained into my young mind way before I watched OHMSS, even though that came earlier. "Who loves you, baby?"
I suppose a Blofeld who needs to resort to administering personal, physical harm would be okay if it works in a scene like it did in the OHMSS bobsled chase; though I don't think it was right for him to have gotten involved in the ski chase. I don't think he needs to be imposing or else you might as well have someone like Stamper or Zao. CR provides a fine sampling of physical confrontations between Bond and villains, (1) his first "00" kill at the beginning, a thug; (2) the Bomb Maker, another thug; (3) Dimitrios, primarily an intellectual resource who was nearly a physical match for Bond, i.e., effective; (4) the 2nd Bomb Maker, another thug; (5) Obanno, a revolutionary who is essentially a thug, taking away from him any classy villain points; (6) then of course, Le Chiffre who has no physical struggle with Bond, but who inflicts very serious physical and mental damage on top of the complex plot that he was chiefly responsible for orchestrating. So, IMO, physicality for a Bond villain is not necessarily a key prerequisite for him/her (this "softer gender" bringing to mind Fiona Volpe and Elektra) to be effectively harmful.
Exactly! And he is one of the reasons I think OHMSS is such a top-notch Bond film. If only he could have gone up against Connery's Bond.
I had the opposite- "Hey, what's Blofeld doing sucking a lollipop and arresting crooks?"
I'm actually glad that Connery didn't get this one...he'd obviously had enough by then and it shows in his performances....OHMSS is the best in the series and, imo, Lazenby does a superb job (with great help from Hunt, Rigg and the supporting cast) - possibly controversial, but I think this film is better because Connery isn't in it.
Bravo, Sir Miles!
I could not agree more -{
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
100% agreed. The only Person who I think would disagree with this Statement would be our Blog Advertising Friend *Cough silhouetteman Cough*
On the subject in hand though I do think maybe Blofeld could be left alone untill maybe the next actor to play Bond comes along and perhaps return to the more traditional cinematic Bond formula.
Ummm.......I disagree. I wholeheartedly believe that Connery could have been fantastic in OHMSS, although his presence would most certainly have given the film a different tone. And yes, it's actually me, not an example of identity theft perpetrated by our "Blog Advertising Friend"!
Anyway, we can't have aged actors like Hopkins play Blofeld. What we need is a versatile actor who is little known, who can do the chameleon stuff. He needn't be old for gravitas; Wiseman was in his late 30s when he played Dr No!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
Casino Royale has the line:
"My dear boy," Le Chiffre spoke like a father, "the game of Red Indians is quite, quite over".
So it would be perfectly acceptable for an older actor to play Blofeld, or any Bond villain - as long as they have that air of strength and menace a la Savalas.
The weakest villains in the series, IMO, are the ones who don't present any physical or emotional threat to Bond - like Dominic Greene or Elliott Carver.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"