136 replies to this topic

[Pal]

I just wanted to know if any of the five bond actors still smoke or if they managed to quit? Thanks

[Loomis]

If we're talking cigarettes here....

I believe Brosnan smokes Marlboro Lights (I read an interview with him in a film magazine last year, in which the journalist wrote that Brosnan cadged cigarettes off him during the shooting of DIE ANOTHER DAY). Dalton was certainly a smoker when he was playing Bond (you can see him puffing away at a press conference in the making-of documentary on the LIVING DALIGHTS DVD), but he may (or may not) have given up. Don't know about the others.

[Pussfeller]

I know that Moore used to smoke tons of Montecristo cigars, which were provided by the producers as part of his Bond contract. The bill typically ran to thousands of dollars. I know that Rog also smoked cigarettes when he was younger, but I think he quit before starting Octopussy. He was sick with lung cancer a few years ago, so I think he's probably kicked the habit of smoking cigars as well.

Sean Connery certainly smoked as a young man, but I believe he quit sometime in the early seventies.

Dalton smoked like a chimney up through the eighties, but I think he quit around 1990.

Brosnan still smokes, but not heavily. I remember reading about him saying he was trying to quit.

Apparently, smoking is a prerequisite for all Bond actors. They have all been smokers during their tenure as Bond. Maybe the next guy will be tobacco-free.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I want Bond to smoke again!

[Xenobia]

Depending on the company....Brosnan still smokes, but I am not sure what are his brand. I know early on he smoked Camels. He also smokes cigars.

-- Xen

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Pussfeller

Brosnan still smokes, but not heavily. I remember reading about him saying he was trying to quit.  

Yeah, they all say that. (I should know - I said it myself for years until I finally bit the bullet and quit for good.)

Originally posted by Xenobia

Depending on the company....Brosnan still smokes

There's nothing worse than a so-called social smoker.

[Pussfeller]

I like to see Bond smoke, because it was such a major part of his character in the books. In LALD, he says that he smokes three packs a day (or something like that)! He has to have some vice other than just women, and smoking is a nice, bad-boy kind of habit. It gives him an edge.

I wish they'd stop trying to turn Bond into a role model.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Pussfeller

I like to see Bond smoke, because it was such a major part of his character in the books. In LALD, he says that he smokes three packs a day (or something like that)! He has to have some vice other than just women, and smoking is a nice, bad-boy kind of habit. It gives him an edge.  

I really don't know where I stand on the issue of Bond smoking in films. I certainly don't want a PC Bond (and Brosnan's Bond is already a little too PC for my taste), but if they made him the three-pack-a-day guy in the movies he'd have a cigarette on the go in virtually every frame!

I thought it looked strange when Dalton's Bond smoked, even though the actor was a smoker. In both THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL, he was only ever seen fleetingly with a cigarette, and never looked as though he was enjoying it. In other words, he didn't look like a proper smoker who needed 20 or so good, hard nicotine hits a day. Dalton's Bond looked as though he could take cigarettes or leave them, and what's the point of that? The filmmakers were obviously trying to make 007 look tough and mean with cigarettes, but at the same time they clearly didn't want him to be seen smoking too many, or to be accused to making smoking look cool to kids. So the (surely unintended?) result was a Bond who came across like a schoolboy manfully taking a few shallow puffs behind the bike shed in an attempt to look "hard".

[Triton]

I seem to remember from the director's commentary that Pierce Brosnan objected to smoking the cigar on screen in Die Another Day but Lee Tamahori thought it was appropriate because he was in Cuba after all.

Regarding Timothy Dalton's smoking in his films, they wanted to capture the Ian Fleming character but I think that they were also worried about the negative publicity they would receive if Timothy Dalton looked like he was enjoying it or just dying for a cigarette like the Fleming character. If I remember correctly, the end titles of Licence to Kill have a health warning about the danger of smoking cigarettes. I guess the lawyers made them tack it on.

[BONDFINESSE 007]

i myself dont want bond to smoke, and up untill we had dad brosnans bond did not, i was sorry to see him have that cigar

[Righty007]

James Bond needs to smoke more. We haven't seen him pull out his gunmetal cigarette case, Dunhill lighter, and smoke a few throughout the film for awhile. I don't care if they have to slap on a cigarette warning at the end of the film, but he needs to smoke atleast once in a film.

[Tarl_Cabot]

yeah Righty!

[Tarl_Cabot]

He is a EUROPEAN, why subject Bond to this boring USA ultural standards?

[Loomis]

I wonder how many people pushing for a smoking Bond are themselves smokers. I have a little theory that the biggest advocates of a cigarette-hooked 007 are not and have never been smokers.

[Tarl_Cabot]

he friggin KILLS people!!!! But we want him to be a role model????

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot

But we want him to be a role model????  

No. I don't, anyway. But they can't have it both ways: they should either have Bond smoke and look as though he's a proper smoker who really needs and enjoys it (and risk the wrath of the PC brigade), or not have him smoke at all. With Dalton they went for the fence-sitting option, and it just looked.... well, a bit silly (there are plenty of situations in both TLD and LTK in which a confirmed chuffer like Bond was supposed to be would be greedily and happily puffing away, but 007 strangely passes up nearly all opportunities for a smoke - basically, Dalton's Bond is a very unconvincing smoker - get a clue, filmmakers: it's not a hobby, it's an addiction).

Methinks it would be the same if they made Brosnan's Bond a smoker. We'd see him with a cigarette between his lips for two or three seconds, not inhaling properly, never patting his pockets to make sure he had his lighter or shaking his cigarette packet to see if he had enough fags to last the next few hours....

BTW, wouldn't it be one of life's little ironies if Brosnan, the only Bond actor never to have smoked a cigarette in a Bond film, were the only one who smokes fags in real life (if Dalton has indeed kicked them)?

[doublenoughtspy]

Let's remember an important issue - Bond was introduced to the world lighting a cigarette in Dr No!

It is a very big part of the character.

I'm not sure I agree with all the Dalton dissing as far as smoking in his two films. It seemed natural to me and not forced.

I certainly would not want it more prevalent than in those two films - because you can argue that if it isn't shown much they are bending to PC pressure - but if you show it too much it will seem like a cigarette commercial - and the last thing the current films need is more product placement.

I have mixed feelings about the smoking issue - but its more for personal reasons - I lost my father to lung cancer.

But two of the coolest scenes in the Bond films - his introduction and his lighting the cigarette to illuminate the dial of his Rolex in Goldfinger - are iconic and powerful - and I'd certainly like to see more like them in the current films.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by doublenoughtspy

I have mixed feelings about the smoking issue - but its more for personal reasons - I lost my father to lung cancer.

I lost mine to lung cancer, too. In addition, I smoked heavily for many years and had a heck of a battle stopping (which I finally managed to do, after countless failed attempts using all manner of methods). If nicotine isn't the most addictive drug out there, I'd like to know what is - and being hooked on it really isn't fun.

But, hey, Bond films are supposed to be fun, so enough holier-than-thou rabbiting from me. Let 007 fornicate, murder, smoke and drink. After all, it's only a movie!

[Turn]

I did a thread about this a while back. I guess I'm kind of on the fence about it. Bond is Bond. Like others said, he does a lot of things that people aren't meant to repeat.

The problem is in the US there is this big push again to punish filmmakers whose characters smoke. Cameron Diaz had a cigarette in the Charlie's Angels sequel and a bunch of people were up in arms about it. It's this whole big thing to "protect" the kids. I doubt that many kids take up smoking to be like their idols. Wanting to smoke comes more from peer pressure.

I don't smoke, I can't stand the smell of it and don't advocate it. I've been a Bond fan for 36 years and have picked up some habits from watching him. Smoking hasn't been one of them. But movies aren't real life and I don't care if a character does if it fits the mode of the film.

[Pussfeller]

The unfortunate fact of the matter is that the Bond we see in the Eon films is no longer the Bond of Fleming's books. He is very different, and he has clearly evolved to follow the change in public opinion. I doubt that we will ever see Bond smoking again in any Eon-made Bond film, or in any mainstream release. BTW, even if Europeans are not totally against smoking, Americans on the whole are, and they provide quite a sizable chunk of the profits.

Our only hope is that a more Fleming-style Bond is made for the screen, for a smaller and more literary demographic. Then we'll get to see the mean, gritty Bond who drinks to forget his problems, treats women in a less-than-gentlemanly fashion, and smokes like a chimney.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Pussfeller

Our only hope is that a more Fleming-style Bond is made for the screen, for a smaller and more literary demographic.  

Wouldn't that kill the series at the box office, though?

Originally posted by Pussfeller

Then we'll get to see the mean, gritty Bond who drinks to forget his problems, treats women in a less-than-gentlemanly fashion, and smokes like a chimney.  

Fleming's Bond and the cinematic Bond parted company decades ago (personally, I'd trace the separation back to YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE), and not when it was decided that Brosnan's Bond shouldn't smoke cigarettes. Besides, do we really want Fleming's undiluted Bond onscreen?

[Pussfeller]

I don't know about you, but I'd love to see an adaptation of the literary Bond. If not in a film, then on TV.

Allow me to clarify. The main Eon series would continue, releasing the usual mega-big budget films for big audiences. A smaller series would be created using more direct, literary adaptations of the original Fleming works. It would probably come in the form of a TV mini-series.

We're not talking big-budget here. And I doubt that a small mini-series with Fleming's Bond would do much harm to the mainline series. They're totally different, as you know. Provided that there isn't confusion between the two. That's the only major problem I can imagine.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Pussfeller

I don't know about you, but I'd love to see an adaptation of the literary Bond. If not in a film, then on TV.  

Allow me to clarify. The main Eon series would continue, releasing the usual mega-big budget films for big audiences. A smaller series would be created using more direct, literary adaptations of the original Fleming works. It would probably come in the form of a TV mini-series.

Great minds think alike, Pussfeller. On another thread (http://forums.comman...=&postid=146746) I wrote:

"I don't see a period Bond flick happening until long after the current series ends. And, obviously, there are no signs of the current series ending any time soon. The cinematic Bond has always been able to move with the times and thrive, so why go period until audiences stop going to see Bond movies set in today's world? If it ain't broken, etc.

However, perhaps period Bond could be done for the small screen at the same time as work continued on the contemporary film series. Maybe the BBC could do a series of faithful Fleming adaptations. No point in doing new TV movies of "Goldfinger" or "Thunderball", but wouldn't it be great to have adaptations of the likes of "Moonraker", "The Spy Who Loved Me", "You Only Live Twice" and "The Man With the Golden Gun" in 2008, Fleming's centenary year? Hey, maybe "Colonel Sun" could be done by the Beeb, too."

[Pussfeller]

That's exactly what I mean, Loomis.

I'm not holding my breath, but I would be genuinely surprised if somebody doesn't eventually wrangle the film/TV rights to the Fleming books and make them into some sort of series or "movie of the week." I imagine that it would happen on BBC, if it happens at all.

Of course, we're assuming that the good people at Eon will be reasonable about the matter. It's equally likely that they will be anxious about letting "another Bond series" get started, and their first instinct will probably be to shoot it down.

Then again, they must realize that they will never remake any of their old films, and with Bond movies getting further and further from the original mood of the Fleming novels, it's conveivable that Eon could be coaxed into signing over the rights, perhaps with some minor royalties.

[Xenobia]

One part of me says that we can't keep hiding behind the idea that if kids something done on TV, then they will want to do it too. I mean, COME ON! A kid is not going to smoke or drink because someone on TV makes it look cool. They will smoke or drink because someone close to them (family or friend) smokes and or drinks and makes it look cool.

That being said, when I had my first Vodka Martini, I drank it the wrong way (that is I gulped down 3/4 of the glass) because that's the way I saw Pierce drink it in TWINE.

I am surprised to hear Pierce object to the cigar sequence, but maybe he did because he knew what nonsense he would hear from the Anti-smoking people.

As for Eon's take...I can't see them doing anything intentionally that might provoke a huge protest. My guess is, you won't see Bond chain smoke like did in the Fleming novels unless that particular scene is released in a country where smoking is OK.

-- Xenobia

[BONDFINESSE 007]

Originally posted by Xenobia
One part of me says that we can't keep hiding behind the idea that if kids something done on TV, then they will want to do it too.  I mean, COME ON!  A kid is not going to smoke or drink because someone on TV makes it look cool.  They will smoke or drink because someone close to them (family or friend) smokes and or drinks and makes it look cool.

That being said, when I had my first Vodka Martini, I drank it the wrong way (that is I gulped down 3/4 of the glass) because that's the way I saw Pierce drink it in TWINE.

I am surprised to hear Pierce object to the cigar sequence, but maybe he did because he knew what nonsense he would hear from the Anti-smoking people.

As for Eon's take...I can't see them doing anything intentionally that might provoke a huge protest.  My guess is, you won't see Bond chain smoke like did in the Fleming novels unless that particular scene is released in a country where smoking is OK.

-- Xenobia

xen i did the same thing after seeing pierce gulp it down, but i must tell you i liked it better that way

[Tarl_Cabot]

I wonder how many people pushing for a smoking Bond are themselves smokers. I have a little theory that the biggest advocates of a cigarette-hooked 007 are not and have never been smokers."-Loomis

I am not a smoker nor was I ever, true.I still think Bond is a smoker as many European people are and therefore he should not pander to modern American values. Seeing Brosnan's Bond sell out to Political correctness and call smoking "a filthy habit" is a travesty. Political correctness(I don't consider Dalton's lack of rampant bed hopping a result of PC but more in context with the script of TLD) has infected every aspect of daily life and now it's wrecking my favorite series.We have female 'equals' in every film now effectively making Bond seem less special...even borderline nuetering him!

Bond smokes, drinks, has casual sex and KILLS people;He is not a ROLE MODEL!!!! Get over it or get a new film hero to support!

[Xenobia]

BF: You may have liked it better that way...but let me tell you...my stomach wasn't quite ready for that.

-- Xen

[Jaelle]

Interesting thread, folks.

First off, I disagree with Loomis that Dalton's Bond smoking was unconvincing. I think he looked perfectly natural smoking. Maybe it's because I've seen too many scenes of him smoking on various sets and also saw him smoking in person at the stage door talking to fans several times back in the 80s. His manner looked just like he did in TLD. In the early 90s when he was seriously trying to quit, sometimes in his interviews, you'd see his hand absently go up to his mouth occasionally because he was so used to having it up there with his cigarette. It looked a little strange. Then there's that famous scene of him walking amid a crowd of people on the TLD set waiting for Princess Diana and Prince Charles to arrive, looking nervous and smoking. He looks really tense.

He was a freaking chain smoker for so many years, up to 3 packs a day. Yes, he's quit, thank god. I have several friends and family members who've smoked and I'm always worrying about lung cancer. My mom smoked for years until just a few years ago.

I agree about that classic, brilliant introductory scene in DN with the lighter. But only Sean made smoking look *really* classy in the Bond films, I think.

I wouldn't mind seeing Pierce take up a cigarette occasionally. I too don't care for the uproar every time now about smoking in films and TV. True, I've never smoked. But I also think it just looks ridiculous to present a world on screen where absolutely no one smokes. It's a tough subject, and "mixed feelings" is probably the best way to describe how we all feel about it.

And I love the idea of a Bond TV series!

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot

I still think Bond is a smoker as many European people are and therefore he should not pander to modern American values. Seeing Brosnan's Bond sell out to Political correctness and call smoking "a filthy habit" is a travesty.

To be fair to the Brosnan era, Moore didn't smoke fags either. It is true that he puffed on cigars from time to time (although to me that doesn't imply addiction the way cigarette smoking does - I may be wrong, though), but weren't there Moore films in which he didn't smoke anything at all?

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot

Political correctness(I don't consider Dalton's lack of rampant bed hopping a result of PC but more in context with the script of TLD) has infected every aspect of daily life ... We have female 'equals' in every film now effectively making Bond seem less special...even borderline nuetering him! ... He is not a ROLE MODEL!!!!

Agreed.

Originally posted by Jaelle

I wouldn't mind seeing Pierce take up a cigarette occasionally.

This is my point: what's the point in having a Bond who occasionally smokes? If he only does it once in a blue moon (or in a couple of frames per picture), what are we supposed to think he's getting out of it? This is where I'm coming from when I say that Dalton's smoking was unconvincing - or perhaps a more accurate statement would be that the infrequency with which we saw him do it was unconvincing. Either someone is a smoker or they're not.

Originally posted by Jaelle

But I also think it just looks ridiculous to present a world on screen where absolutely no one smokes.

Agreed. Although both Vlad and Falco (unsympathetic characters, surprise surprise) smoke in DIE ANOTHER DAY. As does the babe on the bed in the South African thug's room in Cuba, come to that.