Bond 10 & 18

Has anybody ever realized that TND is like a souped up, grittier version of The Spy Who Loved Me?
Movie: From Russia With Love | Novel: On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Actor: Sean Connery | Girl: Melina Havelock | Car: Aston Martin V8

Comments

  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Yes, and likewise TSWLM is very similar to YOLT.

    All three (+ to an extent MR, which uses a variation) use what I call Standard Bond Plot #2. The villain is trying to cause two world powers to wage war against each other, 007 teams up with a (beautiful, naturally) female agent from another country to prevent this happening. They bicker at first but end up together.

    (Standard Bond Plot #1: 007 is sent to investigate the smuggling of something non-threatening in itself but precious (gold, diamonds, Fabergé eggs, microchips...) and finds that while the villain is doing this, there's a more sinister scheme afoot. He's aided by a (beautiful, naturally) female associate of the villain who switches sides, convinced by Bond's incomparable charm.)

    This earlier thread may be of interest: https://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/17739/tswlmtnd-connection/
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Bond Plot #1 and #2.

    I like how you are thinking, Barbel.

    Do you have #3 and #4 as well?

    Any other categories that you've worked out over the years (just keep you talking :D ).
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    :)) Rather than me rambling on, why don't you have a bash?
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Dalton has not been mentioned so far, or Asp9mm :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    ...that would be because whoever's playing Bond isn't relevant, and Asp9mm hasn't decided to chip in. Go on, what would be your thoughts on Standard Bond Plot #3?
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    I haven't thought it as deeply as you, that's why I have been asking.

    Imo, world domination would be one repetitive story, using other countries to blame (preferrably Russia and China) for the villain's plot would be another one.

    Monopolising on natural resources (Sun (TMWTGG) and water(QoS), gold (GF)) would be another reoccuring pattern.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Off the top of my head, then:

    Standard Bond Plot #3. Something or someone has gone missing (the Secret Service's agents in Jamaica, two atomic bombs, an ATAC, a Tiger helicopter....), 007 is sent to investigate and teams up with a (beautiful, naturally) female against the villain who has killed her father (Honey thinks so, anyway), parents (Melina is pretty sure), brother (Domino), best bud (Natalya)....

    These are generalisations and not absolutes, of course. For example AVTAK uses Plot#2, but Stacey is motivated by revenge and isn't in Zorin's control (though MayDay is, and she's the one who changes sides).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I think there's an old expression scriptwriters
    Use. In that there are only seven stories, everything
    Else is either a variation or combination of these
    Classic story ideas.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,644MI6 Agent
    I think there's an old expression scriptwriters
    Use. In that there are only seven stories, everything
    Else is either a variation or combination of these
    Classic story ideas.

    Yes, I've heard that myself, TP, and it's no doubt true. There's nothing new under the sun, as they say.
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • Dirty PunkerDirty Punker ...Your Eyes Only, darling."Posts: 2,587MI6 Agent
    A running gag in the Brosnan films is the use of satellites, I don't know if that's ever been noted before.
    a reasonable rate of return
  • RemingtonRemington CAPosts: 239MI6 Agent
    They're both similar. And I love them both for that reason.
    -{
    1. Connery 2. Moore 3. Dalton 4. Brosnan 5. Craig 6. Lazenby
  • Agent KinoAgent Kino New YorkPosts: 202MI6 Agent
    Love Bond plot 1 and 2. Just my type of movies. :)
    1. Goldfinger 2. Skyfall 3. Goldeneye 4. The Spy Who Loved Me 5. OHMSS
    Check out my Instagram: @livingthebondlife
    "I never joke about my work, 007."
  • Jimmy BondJimmy Bond Posts: 324MI6 Agent
    More interesting is how they're both made without the influence/guiding force/partnership of a previous producer, in specific Saltzman and Broccoli, respectively. Certainly an interesting coincidence.
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    I guess that's because using a previously successful formula means the film will be on fairly safe ground. YOLT, the origin as it were for this standard plot, had two producers and was one of the most successful in the franchise.

    I guess another standard plot variation would be the villain plotting something for his own ends - increasing the price of his own gold, establishing a title and amnesty for past crimes, breaking into the Bank of England and transferring cash etc - which has a diabolical impact on the West, but which falls short of setting two super-powers against each other.
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,907MI6 Agent
    and You Only Live Twice was the first made without the influence/guiding force/partnership of Fleming!
    he'd had some involvement with the first three films, at least visiting the sets and commenting on the filmmakers' choices. and had been involved in the production of Thunderball since before there was an EON series.
    Then once he's gone they throw out his texts and build the volcano HQ instead.
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