20 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

(I've put this in General Discussion, since I'm hoping to start a discussion involving both the literary Bond(s) and the cinematic Bond(s).)

Anyway, is James Bond a sadist?

Well?

[CommanderBond]

sorry to ask but whats a sadist??

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by CommanderBond
sorry to ask but whats a sadist??

A sadist takes pleasure from inflicting physical/psychological pain and humiliation on others -- especially if they can't fight back. The word is derived from the infamous French Marquis de Sade who lived in the 18th century and espoused radical views about sex, love and the infliction of physical pain.

At the moment, I have no coherent answer to Loomis' question, except to say my initial thoughts lead me to say "no," he's not a sadist --- *most* of the time, that is.

[Dunph]

A sadist, CommanderBond is a person that enjoys inflicting pain upon people. Alternately a masochist is someone who likes the infliction of pain upon themselves.

Bond does have a sadistic streak, but I think I'm right in saying it's something that only shows while he's getting his come-uppance on some fella that's done the same unto him. I wouldn't label the cinematic Bond a sadist, though he has a streak. Fleming's Bond is for sure. In fact I believe he even labels him so.

[CommanderBond]

thanks for the info and for the question no i dont think hes a sadist at all.but the only time his is sadistic is when he wants information for his job.

[Dunph]

Well, a more comprehensive explanation of sadism than me Jaelle. Looks like you beat me to it!

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by Dunphboy007
Well, a more comprehensive explanation of sadism than me Jaelle. Looks like you beat me to it!

Hey you didn't do badly either, ya know.

From what I've read of the novels, I have to say that, yes, he does have a sadistic streak.

As for the cinematic Bond, Connery occasionally showed a little sadism, such as the pre-credit scene in DAF when he assaults the girl in the pool and takes off her bikini top, strangling her with it. I also think Moore in TMWTGG showed a little sadism when he pointed that gun at the guy's groin.

[ray t]

the marquis de sade...in the classic sense...was a sexual sadist. james bond is not...even the likes of fiona volpe, rosie carver, andrea anders, paolo ivanova, and may day (girls whom he knows are on the other side), he treats 'correctly' in bed

as for the male villians...he doesnt like killing (pushkin) but if he has to, he will. although he does tell scaramanga and renard in so many words that he would enjoy killing them.

i think there is only one instance in which you can see a psycho-sexual sadistic streak in the cinematic bond:

marie in DAF pretitles, where conneryBond chokes her with her own bikini top in search of an answer to blofeld's where-abouts

[Mister Asterix]

Well, there was the ear biting incident. And definitely a bit of spanking.

[Loomis]

I think the most sadistic moment I've ever seen in a Bond film occurs, funnily enough, in a Brosnan outing.

It's the bit in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH when 007 uses the head of some young henchman whom he rendered unconscious on the sub to knock on a door. Bond grins like a Cheshire cat and quips to Christmas: "Thought I'd forgotten about you, eh?" For me, it's even nastier than the strangling scene during the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER pre-credits sequence. It's just gratuitous unpleasantness, demonstrating absolutely zero respect for human life.

The way the cinematic Bond reduces every kill to a punchline for a cruel joke tells me that, yes, the guy is indeed an out-and-out sadist.

[DLibrasnow]

I think Bond was more of a sadist in the Fleming books than he was in the movies.

[007luvchild2]

Originally posted by Loomis
I think the most sadistic moment I've ever seen in a Bond film occurs, funnily enough, in a Brosnan outing.

It's the bit in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH when 007 uses the head of some young henchman whom he rendered unconscious on the sub to knock on a door. Bond grins like a Cheshire cat and quips to Christmas: "Thought I'd forgotten about you, eh?" For me, it's even nastier than the strangling scene during the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER pre-credits sequence. It's just gratuitous unpleasantness, demonstrating absolutely zero respect for human life.

The way the cinematic Bond reduces every kill to a punchline for a cruel joke tells me that, yes, the guy is indeed an out-and-out sadist.

You know I really didn't get that, to me it was just him reading Jones mind of "what took him so long?" But it depends on personal interpretation. To me, I think a scene where Bond shows a sadistic streak in the Brosnan era was that scene in The World Is Not Enough, where Bond suspects Elektra's betrayal and circles around her as he nonchalantly talks about the possibility of Stockholm syndrome, and his last words to Renard "she's waiting for you" , the expression on his face was a sense of satisfaction, however that was more vindication than sadism I think. As in some of the books, he is a biter during love making if I'm not mistaken.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Roger always made a joke after he'd kill someone, as if it was fun. Yes, I think that qualifies. Bond is a sadist. :cool:

Jaelle, where have YOU been? you were missed.

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot
Jaelle, where have YOU been? you were missed.

You mean after posting those two HUMONGOUS posts last Friday on the violence thread, I STILL haven't worn out my welcome??? :eek:

I've been out of town for days on assignments. I'll be cutting down my time on the Bond forums from now on, unfortunately. Work is catching up with me and I've got some travel plans to work on. This time of year is always so CRAZY!!

I missed you guys at CBn too!

[Tarl_Cabot]

You mean after posting those two HUMONGOUS posts last Friday on the violence thread, I STILL haven't worn out my welcome???"

Never. You are Professor Jaellle around here.

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot
Never. You are Professor Jaellle around here.

You need to be cloned, Tarl. I'm sending you a big cyberhug!

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled program... Is Bond a sadist???

Of course he is!! Loomis is right, as usual (almost).

[Tarl_Cabot]

You need to be cloned, Tarl."-Jaelle

No more 'Attack of the Clones' please! The first one was bad enough! :mad:

Bond enjoys "eliminating problems". Yes he is a sadist. That's why when Dalton says "If he fires me I'll thank him for it" he is refering to his own personal demons-guilt of killing regularly and liking it.

[Genrewriter]

Jaelle, I don't you could wear out your welcome here if you tried.

I agree that Bond is a sadist, but a thoughtful one, if the scene in TLD is any indication. Who's to say he hasn't had similar feelings before?

[Jaelle]

Originally posted by Genrewriter
Jaelle, I don't you could wear out your welcome here if you tried.

I'm feeling all....fuhklempt...! *sniff*

[Tarl_Cabot]

don't scale back on us Jaelle! :mad: We need the world's leading authority on Dalton, Bond and other pop cultural expertise you bring to the forums.

[Johnboy007]

haha, anyway, Bond is not a sadist, i do not remember which novel stated this but Bond doesn't enjoy killing, but he takes pride in doing it well.