10 replies to this topic

[M_Balje]

Wednesday 19 dec,it's it two years ago that Desmond Llewelyn die.
The world is not enough is the last bond movie yo see him playing Q.

John Cleese playing R or Q in Bond 20,go he play he Better dan Desmond ?

[Evil Doctor Cheese]

He'll be sorely missed by everyone. It's going to be odd without Desmond in Bond 20 and I deary hope that we can expect a dedication to him at the end of the film. To have his life taken from him in a car crash when he had so many films left in him is such a shame. At this time of year my thoughts always go out to his family.

As a secondary thought I really do think it was an insult that his funeral was attended by Roger Moore out of all the Bonds. I would've expected Brosnan atleast to attend.

[scaramanga]

Rest in peace, Desmond. We miss you.

[DJ]

I would just like to remind everyone that today is the actual anniversary of Sir Desmond Llewelyn's death, and I thought I would post just to remind everyone, and to pay my respects to the man who made Q what he is today, a great character who will be sorely missed by all, I'm sure.

[Blue Eyes]

It seems sad to think it's been two years. I sincerely hope that Bond 20 is dedicated to him.

[Dmitri Mishkin]

mccartney007 (17 Dec, 2001)
Dalton, Connery, and Brosnan are all working actors. They were all working on films or other projects at the time and they can't just throw the film's schedule out just because of a funeral. They sent their regards to the family and that's all that really matters.

That's a good point, mccartney. Not all actors can take time off their work. They are everyday people with careers of their own, as well as major contracts with specific deadlines to fulfill. I'm quite certain that each actor would have the dignity and class to send his condolences to the family.

And if I'm not mistaken, Roger Moore is retired, isn't it? Is he not working for a charity foundation, or an organization supporting the nourishment of children in Africa? (Unicef, perhaps). Someone might correct me here.

(Actually, btw, you misquoted. The original statement about Llewelyn's funeral was by Evil Doctor Cheese, not me.)

[Dmitri Mishkin]

M_Balje (16 Dec, 2001 10:48 p.m.):

John Cleese playing R or Q in Bond 20,go he play he Better dan Desmond ?

Just to answer the original question by M_Balje, which appears to be asking whether Cleese would be able to play "Q" better than Desmond, from what I can tell so far, I'm happy with Cleese as the replacement. So far he has managed to capture, in my eyes, the same sense of glowing "disdain" towards 007 that has made the banter between Q and Bond so likeable over the years. The "Q" Scene has always, for me, been a welcome and helpful injection of humour and playfulness into each movie.

As a side note, however, I did not like Purvis and Wade's writing of "R". Most of the jokes intended to make the audience laugh (Cleese's coat stuck in the car door and over-explaining a very simple task of putting on a jacket) didn't work for me. There was nothing really original or humorous in both cases, imo. But that doesn't discount Cleese as a capable replacement. I think he's going to do a fine job, with the right lines and the right situation.

My only hope is that we don't get Cleese simply doing a rehash of all of Desmond's most revered lines of "This i'm particularly proud of..." and "please do try to bring it back in pristine order", because a little bit of distinction between the "old" Q and the "new" would be nice. Inevitably, one would think, that would happen with a new actor (like Judi Dench's version of M when she took over).

[mccartney007]

Dmitri_Mishkin (17 Dec, 2001 03:02 a.m.):
As a secondary thought I really do think it was an insult that his funeral was attended by Roger Moore out of all the Bonds. I would've expected Brosnan atleast to attend.

Dalton, Connery, and Brosnan are all working actors. They were all working on films or other projects at the time and they can't just throw the film's schedule out just because of a funeral. They sent their regards to the family and that's all that really matters.

[mkkbb]

[quote]As a side note, however, I did not like Purvis and Wade's writing of "R". Most of the jokes intended to make the audience laugh (Cleese's coat stuck in the car door and over-explaining a very simple task of putting on a jacket) didn't work for me.[quote]

I somewhat agree. I thought it was quite a funny scene, but the final scene with the MI6 crew looking at the laptop spying on Bond was very good and Cleese had great timing which reminded me so much of Desmond Llewelyn. I think if he ha his scenes written like that one we'll be in for a treat!

[Dmitri Mishkin]

Evil Doctor Cheese (16 Dec, 2001 10:53 p.m.):
He'll be sorely missed by everyone...To have his life taken from him in a car crash when he had so many films left in him is such a shame.

I agree. The event which caused Desmond to pass is unfortunate, and he will be remembered for the wonderful presence of humour he has brought to the series, most definitely.

As a secondary thought I really do think it was an insult that his funeral was attended by Roger Moore out of all the Bonds. I would've expected Brosnan atleast to attend.

Is that right? I can't believe it. My mind is attempting to devise an explanation as to *why* the other major Bond actors would not attend. Where was Sean? Dalton? And Brosnan? Perhaps the funeral of Llewellyn was a private affair and the others felt they would be "intruding" if they were to be present?

[Tedley King]

Desmond Llewlyn, although now deceased, knew it was time to leave. By Licence To Kill he asked for a replacement, by The World Is Not Enough his got his way. He only missed 2 out of all the 19 Bond films, Doctor No (1962) and Live And Let Die (1973). Major Boothroyd was a respected character, although it seemed Bond had little respect for him and Q-Branch, failing to bring back the gadgets in "pristine order!", but Bond was sad to see him leave and be left with only 'R', 'Q's replacement.