Introducing people to Bond

hthomas · March 2014

I am going to have the chance to introduce Bond to a small group of people. How would you guys go about it? I was thinking of starting with CR and then showing them an older film.

Thanks

Peppermill · March 2014

I'd start with TSWLM if you think they can handle an older film. (To me) it has everything that makes a Bond film a Bond film.

Thunderpussy · March 2014

Nice idea hthomas, If it was me I show the three D Craig films in order. I used to hate
QOS, but after a long time I did what many had told me to do. Watch it straight after CR
and it does make a great nights viewing. After the Craig movies I'd pick a few of your own
favourites, for me that would be OHMSS and LTK.

AlphaOmegaSin · March 2014

Show them one of Craigs, then show them a Connery. So on and so forth.

Number24 · March 2014

I think it depends on the group. What age are they and what kind of movies do they like? Generally I think CR is a good place to start. But if they are children TSWLM is good. If they are older and like the classics like Hitchcock FRWL would work.

Charmed & Dangerous · March 2014

I'd start with Goldfinger. It's such a riot from beginning to end and never fails to raise a smile, particularly the brilliant PTS, and shows Connery at his most urbane.

Thunderpussy · March 2014

Strap them down with matchsticks to keep their eyes open, then show them every
Bond ever made.

)

ZorinIndustries · March 2014

I'd start with FRWL to be honest. It's one of the classics. Not the greatest, but it sure is up there. FRWL has all the elements of a Bond film, and it's always nice to start off with Sean Connery. Let us know what you choose! -{

Firemass · March 2014

Thunderpussy wrote:

After the Craig movies I'd pick a few of your own
favourites, for me that would be OHMSS and LTK.

I think the idea is not to scare them off completely.

Firemass · March 2014

Peppermill wrote:

I'd start with TSWLM if you think they can handle an older film. (To me) it has everything that makes a Bond film a Bond film.

Same here.

If I could only pick one it would definitely be TSWLM. If I had a few nights I would go with the "Big Three" of Goldfinger, TSWLM, and Goldeneye.

Chances are that most people have already seen Skyfall, so I would definitely want to enlighten them with a classic.

Firemass · March 2014

ZorinIndustries wrote:

I'd start with FRWL to be honest. It's one of the classics. Not the greatest, but it sure is up there. FRWL has all the elements of a Bond film, and it's always nice to start off with Sean Connery. Let us know what you choose! -{

In my experience FRLM is too slow and not enough action to please an average non-Bond fan. I had one person get up and leave before the fight on the train.

Firemass · March 2014

Thunderpussy wrote:

After the Craig movies I'd pick a few of your own
favourites, for me that would be OHMSS and LTK.

Wouldn't you naturally be a little more "protective" of your favorites and instead show the newbie a more mainstream one like Goldfinger?

Thunderpussy · March 2014

That's not the way I roll baby !

) show them the film ( giving your views and opinions all through it )
After have a long Q&A, using charts and interactive puppetry to get across all the subtle points they
might have missed.. Then through modern dance and mime techniques explain how the films impacted
on the world stage in their time of history. Lastly I would hold them looking deeply into their eyes, now
do they truly understand Bond, if not go through it all again but this time do it over a weekend in a basement
or house in the woods. Ending with a quiz and the words. " Would you like to play a Game !"

Golrush007 · March 2014

With certain people, I would try FRWL because many people have a perception of Bond being overly silly and lacking in plotting and character and therefore not worth bothering to watch. If it is someone like that who appreciates a more serious thriller with memorable characters and a good plot but isn't too bothered about massive action set-pieces, then FRWL is a great choice because it stands up well as a film in its own right.

Number24 · March 2014

Like I said in my post; it depends on the group. FRWL will probably not go down well with a young crowd used to Harry Potter and Transformers, but fans of Hitchcock will love it!

AlphaOmegaSin · March 2014

I agree, some People might be bored with FRWL. Start them off with Goldfinger, or Thunderball.

Golrush007 · March 2014

It's basically a case of 'horses for courses'. Think carefully about who you are trying to introduce to Bond, and which film would best suit their tastes. For some people, Die Another Day might be the best choice!

Heck, I got started on Moonraker, and I was instantly hooked!

Mr Mallory · March 2014

QOS -{ unless they are really, really old.

Number24 · March 2014

Who are your friends, Hthomas? We can't give sound advice without knowing the age group and their favourite type of film.

Muston · March 2014

I'd start right at the beginning with Dr.No, I watched it this morning and it as fantastic as I remember.

Kabraxal · March 2014

Hard to say... I think Connery bonds might not be best simply because some might think they are too slow. Personally, Thunderball would be a good choice, but it admittedly isn't a Bourne type action flick.

Moore isn't a bad choice... you have TMwtGG, TSWLM, and FYEO which are all really good films. Also, The Living Daylights is quintessential Bond hitting all the high points with good gadgets, good quips, the best bond performance in any Bond film in my eyes, and just a really fun story with the best final climactic fight scene in film quite possibly. And Goldeney is also another easy choice as a first.

I wouldn't say CR simply because you should plan it as a double feature... it and QoS. I think many people have warmed up to QoS when watching it back to back. So if you can do both, then definitely use it to introduce them.

Blackleiter · March 2014

What's wrong with you people? Goldfinger of course!

Kabraxal · March 2014

Blackleiter wrote:

What's wrong with you people? Goldfinger of course!

Not a bad choice... though I personally think it drops off in the last half a little and that could turn off some people.

DEFIANT 74205 · March 2014

I agree with most here - it depends on the person to whom you are trying to introduce Bond.

I think Goldfinger is the archetypal Bond film that has a wide appeal. So that'll be my "go-to" Bond film for introducing any non-Bond fans to the series. Dr No is another that I would choose for that purpose, despite the lack of gadgets.

I also agree with the view that From Russia With Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service are acquired, rather than universal tastes, but if the person to whom I'm showing a Bond film is a fan of the more refined classic films, then I'd definitely show them what I consider to be the two best Bond films ever made, without equal.

Thunderpussy · March 2014

I notice, despite their success and huge Profits, Apart from Myself. NO one is promoting the Craig Films?

)

AlphaOmegaSin · March 2014

DanialCraigisnotBond.com is promoting him. But not in the way that the rest of us sane Bond Fans do.

minigeff · March 2014

Gotta be TB ain't it?

Jarvio · March 2014

Show them 1 film for each actor, in order.
So for example, DN, OHMSS, LALD, LTK, GE, SF.

Well maybe skip Lazenby

)

lilusako · March 2014

I second what everyone on here is saying about the 'type' of people you're showing it too. I could imagine showing the older Bond movies might be too slow moving for most young viewers with short attention spans. I like Jarvio's idea of showing 1 film from each actor in order. Goldfinger is quite a memorable movie... maybe you should show them your favorite movie?

Introducing people to Bond

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