32 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

[Napoleon Solo]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable but current gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

*If* Steven Soderbergh makes a Man from UNCLE movie set in the 1960's and IF it's successful and *after* Craig has left, maybe Eon would think about it. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

[jaguar007]

In the cinema, Bond has evolved (for better or for worse) along with the times for nearly 50 years and that is how the public at large views 007. I don't think a period piece Bond films was have the mass appeal that a modern one would. I doubt the producers or the studio would go for it. Besides, if they made a Bond film set in the 50s or 60s, there is too much product placement money they would have to leave at the door

[DamnCoffee]

Hmm. I can see what you mean about product placement. The thing is though, I'm sure they can use things that have been around for at least 50 years, and are still used today. Aston Martin, Coca Cola, etc...

Even if we only see the DB5, then it will be still selling the brand.

[Chief of SIS]

Oh man. There's an interesting idea. One I really have never considered. While I agree that the 60's were Bond's high-life, I know many on this board would consider Moore's era the greatest of all Bond periods. For me, I grew up with Brosnan and the all the bells and whistles that came with him. Then, I fell in love with Casino Royale. After all that, I then fell in love with Connery and the 60's. I would love to see an era piece done with today's more modern film techniques however. That could be really cool. Is it necessary? No. Cool? Yes.

[DR76]

If the Bond franchise was really at its high point during the 1960s, I certainly do not see how it could have survived another 40 years. The setting for the Bond novels evolved with time. So did the movies. Trying to recapture the so-called "glory days" by making Bond a period piece strikes me as ludicrous.

[Guy Haines]

It would be an interesting idea. Like many on this site - showing my age, I suppose - I enjoyed the 1960s era most of all. Sean Connery, the best books filmed, the style, and John Barry at his best. It would be a bit of a stretch for younger fans though to see their hero suddenly transported back to the era when it all started, cinematically. Younger fans, for better or worse, are used to the Bond of the 2000s (even if we 60s fans can see similarities with the one from that era.), and the computer game Bond. And as a post above has pointed out, the product placement which, regrettably, the films seem to rely upon a lot would be out of the window. There wouldn't be much (air?) milage to be had with Bond shown flying in to his latest assignment courtesy of BOAC or PanAm, would there?

Failing this, what I would love to see, in the build up to 9th November 2012, is the cinema re-release, on a regular basis, in multiplexes and smaller cinemas, of the re-mastered Bond movies from 1 to 22. Few younger people have had the pleasure of seeing the 1960s and 1970s Bonds in the cinema, and some movies (YOLT, TSWLM for example) were made to be seen on the big screen.

Anyway, that's enough ramblings from a grumpy old man fast approaching his 49th!

[SecretAgentFan]

An intriguing idea, especially now that the MAD MEN-inspired period drama-trend has taken hold.

On the other hand, it would be an extremely risky move because it would openly state: Bond is dated and can only go back to that era.

Personally, I do not agree either that Bond´s best times were the 60´s. Sure, everything about it was still fresh back then. But for me every decade had great Bond films. A Bond film is always a time capsule, incorporating the zeitgeist perfectly. And I would probably like Bond to stay that way instead of going back to the 60´s. He´s done that already wonderfully.

[Brian Flagg]

Casino Royale was already a period piece, what with the egregious placement for Sony Ericsson™ products. It's dated the film more than anything that might've done the same for Connery's 007 films.

Okay, kidding (sort of).

As much as I love the nostalgia of the 1960s and '70s, any movie that attempts to replicate another era only succeeds in emphasizing the time period in which the film was made. So no, let's please keep Bond in the present.

[Vauxhall]

It's an interesting idea but it's probably not good business sense for the studio as it would arguably turn off a pretty large portion of the casual cinema-going public. Such a protest would probably work better in parallel to the modern franchise rather than in place of it.

[RufusCobb]

Failing this, what I would love to see, in the build up to 9th November 2012, is the cinema re-release, on a regular basis, in multiplexes and smaller cinemas, of the re-mastered Bond movies from 1 to 22. Few younger people have had the pleasure of seeing the 1960s and 1970s Bonds in the cinema, and some movies (YOLT, TSWLM for example) were made to be seen on the big screen.

Now THAT'S a good idea! In fact why not go further and put them on general release? Having seen all the Bond movies in the cinema, I feel sorry for the members of this forum who bemoan the fact that they have not been able to watch the movies from before their (movie-going) era, in the way they were originally intended.

[s.a.s. Malko]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

I think they missed the opportunity with the reboot of CR and the new actor. Because it is the first book and the beginning of Bond´s career they could have made a three film period piece to stand before Dr. No. I don´t think they should have, but it would have been the only time it would have made sense. Now without CR I think it´s better (2 minutes in the future) like always.

[Matt_13]

A 1950's period piece would be fine with me, but nothing more. They should never create something that clashes with the 1960's. It's far too important to the Bond canon to gloss over for modern moviegoers.

[Guy Haines]

Failing this, what I would love to see, in the build up to 9th November 2012, is the cinema re-release, on a regular basis, in multiplexes and smaller cinemas, of the re-mastered Bond movies from 1 to 22. Few younger people have had the pleasure of seeing the 1960s and 1970s Bonds in the cinema, and some movies (YOLT, TSWLM for example) were made to be seen on the big screen.

Now THAT'S a good idea! In fact why not go further and put them on general release? Having seen all the Bond movies in the cinema, I feel sorry for the members of this forum who bemoan the fact that they have not been able to watch the movies from before their (movie-going) era, in the way they were originally intended.

General release is what I was getting at when I said the films should be shown on a regular basis in multiplexes and smaller cinemas. Show the classics in as many venues as possible, I say! Or even the double features they used to do when I was a kid.

[Kilroy6644]

Such a protest would probably work better in parallel to the modern franchise rather than in place of it.

I was thinking the same thing. I love the movies, and the idea of "modern Bond," but I would also love to see Bond in the world he came from. I've always thought it would be a good idea for some other production company to get limited rights to Fleming's books, and make faithful period pieces from them. Discard all of the movie trappings we've come to know and love, and start from scratch. That would be a nice little treat for us Fleming purists, while at the same time leaving the main series going for everybody else (and us Fleming purists too).

[marktmurphy]

Such a protest would probably work better in parallel to the modern franchise rather than in place of it.

I was thinking the same thing. I love the movies, and the idea of "modern Bond," but I would also love to see Bond in the world he came from. I've always thought it would be a good idea for some other production company to get limited rights to Fleming's books, and make faithful period pieces from them. Discard all of the movie trappings we've come to know and love, and start from scratch. That would be a nice little treat for us Fleming purists, while at the same time leaving the main series going for everybody else (and us Fleming purists too).

Well, that's the BBC radio adaptations basically, isn't it?

[Kilroy6644]

Well, that's the BBC radio adaptations basically, isn't it?

I don't know. I haven't heard them.

[Doctor Whom]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

Personally, I like the idea, but I'm not sure of its viability. For one thing, I'm not sure audiences would accept it. Plus, setting a Bond film in, say, 1965, would be enormously expensive, and Bond films cost enough as it is.

[Zorin Industries]

No. I can see the thinking, but no.

The Bond films of the 1960's were not period pieces. They were contemporary thrillers with a modern pulse all of their own.

Also, what would be the point of making a period Bond film? Any "period" film - be it THE KING'S SPEECH or a period Bond film - are more about the time they emerge in as films rather than the time they depict. BONNIE AND CLYDE is not strictly or solely about the 1930's. It is about the mid sixties and a movement of cinema looking to other eras (the 1920's was a big cinematic draw in the 1960's/1970's). So a Bond set in 1965 is not necessary. The stories chime to a contemporary beat. Always have done. And going down the nostalgia route would be a gimmick that is potentially irreversible.

[Quantumofsolace007]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

I think they missed the opportunity with the reboot of CR and the new actor. Because it is the first book and the beginning of Bond´s career they could have made a three film period piece to stand before Dr. No. I don´t think they should have, but it would have been the only time it would have made sense. Now without CR I think it´s better (2 minutes in the future) like always.

I agree i fail to see post Casino Royale a period peice working. Honestly though I dislike the idea and feel bond works best as a current figure.

[marktmurphy]

Well, that's the BBC radio adaptations basically, isn't it?

I don't know. I haven't heard them.

Probably worth a try then. Toby Stephens plays Bond; you might like 'em.

[Kilroy6644]

Well, that's the BBC radio adaptations basically, isn't it?

I don't know. I haven't heard them.

Probably worth a try then. Toby Stephens plays Bond; you might like 'em.

Are they available on CD?

[Frankie]

I think we can all agree here that the 60's era was definitely Bonds finest hour. I really do feel that when Craig departs, the producers should strongly consider making Bond a period piece. Maybe set in the 50's or 60's. Bring back the DB5, with believable gadgets. It shouldn't necessarily be serious, down to earth and gritty. I'd fine with it being a fun romp. Now, I know the producers probably won't be able to capture the atmosphere created in the Connery era, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would be brilliant if they could try.

I've had this idea in my head for years. Thanks for bringing it out. I would personally enjoy more NOIRish 007 living in the 60s and fighting against SMERSH and other cold war foes. I have always enjoyed Bond more when the enemies were political rather than some mega-smuggler crime boss or something.

I wouldn't mind Bond in the 50s either. Just fresh out of WWII and fighting the enemies I mentioned.

As for if it would make it, I have my high doubts as the younger generations of Bond fans are used to over the top, unrealistic action scenes and stunts. It's too bad that money and ticket sales rule that much.

[Kreivi von Glödä]

I think some day we'll see a pararrel franchise of Bond television movies, straight adaptations of Fleming novels set in 1950's and 60's, made in similar vein as BBC's adaptations of Henning Mankells Wallander novels for instance. Of course Bond novels are of bigger scope than Wallanders, but I'm sure it would work.
As for cinematic period piece, I doubt it.

Edited by Kreivi von Glödä, 07 February 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[marktmurphy]

I can't imagine where the money would come from to do TV period versions. Even something as simple as crashing a 1930's Bentley would cost the Earth.

[Kreivi von Glödä]

Such things could be achieved with authentic looking replicas. Drax's Moonraker silo, etc. could be done with CGI aided model work. The style I'm thinking is more like Jeremy Bretts Sherlock Holmes series than modern american action shows like 24. There's no reason to trying to outdo the cinematic Bonds larger that life action scenes but instead focus on plot and characters.

Edited by Kreivi von Glödä, 07 February 2011 - 11:49 PM.

[Frankie]

I can't imagine where the money would come from to do TV period versions. Even something as simple as crashing a 1930's Bentley would cost the Earth.

Meh,..... CGI.

[Kreivi von Glödä]

I think that crashing an authentic looking replica of 1930's Bentley costs much less than crashing a brand new Aston Martin!

[dogmanstar]

As much as I love Fleming's books, I really think a period adaption would be a bad idea for a couple of reasons. First off, I think the appeal would be rather tiny--the world is not made up of Bond purists. A faithful period adaption of MR or CR or LALD would look extremely odd to most of the folks who have been introduced to Bond through film. The second worry for me would be about getting blood from a stone: for better or worse, EON has mined many of the ideas from Fleming. Maybe not in the way we would have liked but they've done a significant amount of the Fleming material. I would hate to see Bond get over-exposed like Star Trek was a few years back with Voyager, The Next Generation movies, Deep Space Nine and so on all running at the same time. I'd be much happier with the cinematic, modern Bond every couple of years and the books to tide me over in between.

[marktmurphy]

Such things could be achieved with authentic looking replicas. Drax's Moonraker silo, etc. could be done with CGI aided model work. The style I'm thinking is more like Jeremy Bretts Sherlock Holmes series than modern american action shows like 24. There's no reason to trying to outdo the cinematic Bonds larger that life action scenes but instead focus on plot and characters.

Building cars: of course- because they're cheap to make...? How exactly would you make a replica of a 30's Bentley, out of interest? What car would you base it on? Where would you get the bodywork?

Fleming did write rather big quite often; they'd be prohibitively expensive to adapt, plus Bond is a brand name now: people expect certain things of 'James Bond' including spectacle.