38 replies to this topic

[5 BONDS]

Now that Never Say Never Again is now part of the MGM canon should this film not be given the same Ultimate dvd treatment. I am sure it will benefit as part of the collection and I'm sure there are a lot of interesting extras available gathering dust somewhere in archive.

You see it is still a Bond movie more so than the 1967 Casino Royale.

What does everyone else think?

Edited by 5 BONDS, 19 July 2006 - 11:01 PM.

[Speedy]

I liked the film, personally, but I'm not sure I like it so much that I would care to buy an UE of it.

It's just a rehash of TB and didn't have any kind of usual 'bond feeling' you associate with the others.

On the other hand I'm sure it would be interesting to see how Connery felt about the film.

[Mike00spy]

It needs to be an UE. Now that MGM owns the rights, they can get over themselves and do the DVD correctly. Also, they should just add a gunbarrel, a main title sequence, and let the original composer add a new music track using the Bond theme.
I know it'll prob never happen, but nay such effort on their part will be rewarded, for I am sure many bond fans will buy an UE dvd.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Now that Never Say Never Again is now part of the MGM canon should this film not be given the same Ultimate dvd treatment. I am sure it will benefit as part of the collection and I'm sure there are a lot of interesting extras available gathering dust somewhere in archive.

What does everyone else think?

It would be nice if they could gather up all the master prints and make a huge BONDfire.

[scottright]

I think of all the Bonds, "Never Say Never Again" NEEDS an "Ultimate Edition" . For one thing, it's got the kind of backstory that DVD documentaries were created to tell - beginning in 1976 with Connery and Len Deighton's script "James Bond of the Secret Service" to the legal battles, and the actual stormy making of the film. You'd never get Connery to participate, but I'm sure someone could dig up some footage of him hitting the talk show circuit. As for addtional extras, I'd include an Irvin Kershner commentary and the MANY deleted scenes.

What I wouldn't do is change the film - there is no need to "EONize" the movie. Let it stand just as it is (although an alternate soundtrack comprised of previously recorded Bond music ala the "special edition" would be fun. I always loved the rejected "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" theme song included under the opening credits in the "Thunderball" laser disc).

Bottom line: I'd love to see this given the proper DVD treatment as opposed to the barebones version we're stuck with.

[Loomis]

I think NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is an excellent film, and, yes, an excellent Bond film (not sure that there's been a better one since, actually), and I'd certainly welcome a "special edition" DVD.... but I don't think it belongs in the same collection as the Eon films, and I don't think it should be "retconned" into the same series, because it was never part of the same series and never intended by anyone to be part of it.

Curiously enough, though, a pic of Connery in NSNA can be seen on one of the new UE disc menus. Is this a sign that Eon is slowly rehabilitating the film?

[Nimsworth]

Curiously enough, though, a pic of Connery in NSNA can be seen on one of the new UE disc menus. Is this a sign that Eon is slowly rehabilitating the film?

Probably more a sign of laziness rather. But if any movie had a story behind it that could be put on a DVD doco its NSNA.

[K1Bond007]

Why not. Whatever. I mean I'd buy it. It's not my favorite Bond film, but I'd watch it and the better the quality the better, clearly.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Same here, K1.

It's a Bond movie and deserves the same DVD treatment as the other 20. How I would store it next to the others (which will be in that attache case) is something to ponder about.

[DamnCoffee]

I must say i would like to see NSNA on UE

[Gabriel]

I pretty much consider it to be a Bond movie - I mean it's got Connery as Bond in it - how much more do you need?!!! It could do with editing a bit more tightly (as do a lot of the EON films, if we're honest!) and certainly it would be nice if the gunbarrel and a Binder-esque title sequence could be dropped in, along with the Monty Norman theme in a couple of place.

And the history of the film is nothing if not fascinating, although probably a legal minefield!!!

So, yes, I would love to see a definitive Ultimate Edition!!

[Simon]

Certainly it requires this treatment. As above the backstory alone offers enough reason but it would need to be done properly with a John Cork type production.

As for commentaries, I'm not sure who would step up to perform. Too many of the cast and crew have tough memories of this production.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Now that Never Say Never Again is now part of the MGM canon should this film not be given the same Ultimate dvd treatment. I am sure it will benefit as part of the collection and I'm sure there are a lot of interesting extras available gathering dust somewhere in archive.

You see it is still a Bond movie more so than the 1967 Casino Royale.

What does everyone else think?

If ever a film needed the expanded treatment, then it would be CASINO 67 over NEVER. From Fleming writing the book, to the jouney to the screen, it would make a great disc.

Just the story of CASINO 67 could make for a book in itself. While it all was a mess, it was a huge project that controlled the industry at the time and would up killing it's prodecer. Even visually, it has a particular look compared to the flatness of NEVER.

Pity many of the major participants are no longer around.

[DLibrasnow]

I think NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is an excellent film, and, yes, an excellent Bond film (not sure that there's been a better one since, actually), and I'd certainly welcome a "special edition" DVD.... but I don't think it belongs in the same collection as the Eon films, and I don't think it should be "retconned" into the same series, because it was never part of the same series and never intended by anyone to be part of it.

My sentiments exactly.

[stamper]

If MWTGG or Moonraker are good enough to be incorporated in the Bond cannon and not having their negatives burned, I don't see why NSNA should not be part of it also, opening gunbarrel or not, and JB theme or not !

[tdalton]

I wouldn't mind them giving NSNA an updated DVD release with some new bonus features and whatnot, but I'm not too keen on the idea of them trying to shoehorn the film into the franchise when, as others have already said, it was never intended to be a part of the "official" franchise. But, I'm all in favor of a re-release on DVD.

[I Like Sharks]

I seem to be in the minority here but I don't see whats so 'Ultimate' about NSNA.
It's an imitaton that just happens to have the same lead character as the genuine article. Look beyond the fact that it's got Sean Connery as Bond and it's not a Bond film, it just wants to be one.

If NSNA does get a 2 disc release it'll just stink up the

[Mike00spy]

"Look beyond the fact that it's got Sean Connery as Bond and it's not a Bond film, it just wants to be one"

Under what basis do you say that? Just because of the fact that it is not made by certain people?

The main character is called James Bond, and one of the writers of the story is Ian Fleming.

That alone makes it a Bond movie. In fact, a point could be made that it is more of a Bond movie than any of the recent films, which do not use any element from Ian Fleming.

[DLibrasnow]

That alone makes it a Bond movie. In fact, a point could be made that it is more of a Bond movie than any of the recent films

Quite true....I don't consider The World is not Enough to be a Bond movie.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I'd like to see an ultimate edition version of Never Say Never Again, particularly since we only have a bare bones DVD now. Personally, I consider it to be a legitimate James Bond film even if it is not part of the series. After all, it stars Sean Connery, is based on an Ian Fleming novel, and it is a serious film. I do not, however, want to see it EON-ized. The story behind NSNA and the task of getting it to theaters deserves to be told (on DVD) and would certainly be a Bond fan's delight.

What are you waiting for EON?

[Simon]

I finally picked up the Thunderball issue of 007 magazine. This whole story should be fleshed out, in both the forthcoming book and on a NSNA re-released DVD.

All thoroughly interesting.

And even though there is discussion over whether NSNA should be considered this, that, and the other official entry into the canon, it is still a film about Bond, owned by the incumbants and is deserving of a DVD revisit

[simon_hrdng]

I would love to see this and the Casino Royale spoof released as Ultimate Editions. They are still Bond films and should still have it.

[Johnboy007]

It's Bond and it's Connery. That alone warrants the UE release.

[DLibrasnow]

It's Bond and it's Connery. That alone warrants the UE release.

Yes, and given that Irvin Kershner provided IMO the best of the STAR WARS commentaries they should try and get the commentary done as soon as possinle.

[I Like Sharks]

It's Bond and it's Connery. That alone warrants the UE release.

Yes, and given that Irvin Kershner provided IMO the best of the STAR WARS commentaries they should try and get the commentary done as soon as possinle.

And if there's any justice he'll apologise for making this piece of e

[Turn]

As nice as it would be to have a great documentary on NSNA's long journey from the first Fleming collaboration with McClory and Jack Whittingham to the film's premiere in October 1983, it just isn't going to happen. NSNA is the redheaded stepchild and in turn will get the lowest possible priority probably for eternity. Although MGM or Sony holds the DVD rights, EON is no doubt pulling strings to keep it low profile.

Giving NSNA anything more than a barebones release would take attention away from EON and bring McClory attention. And I'm sure they are probably still annoyed that Connery would make a renegade Bond picture and don't want it to take attention away from the pictures they did with him.

Maybe, just maybe someday we'll get that long rumored book about the whole Thunderball/NSNA thing. It's a fascinating story and deserves to be told.

[DLibrasnow]

And if there's any justice he'll apologise for making this piece of e

It's far better than anything EON have ever produced.

You want to talk about e? Let's talk about the abomination that is The World is not Enough.

[Righty007]

And if there's any justice he'll apologise for making this piece of e

It's far better than anything EON have ever produced.

You want to talk about e? Let's talk about the abomination that is The World is not Enough.

I disagree. The World is not Enough is one of the best James Bond films ever made and Never Say Never Again is hot garbage. James Bond playing video games? Yeah right...

[freemo]

It's far better than anything EON have ever produced.

You want to talk about e? Let's talk about the abomination that is The World is not Enough.

I disagree. The World is not Enough is one of the best James Bond films ever made and Never Say Never Again is hot garbage. James Bond playing video games? Yeah right...

Well, I thought the video game sequence in NSNA was the best part of the film. It's classic Bond: Bond beating the villain at his own game. I rate that scene as miles better, and more Bondian, than anything in TWINE.

As for the question, should NSNA get the UE DVD treatment, sure, why not? They'd sell enough of them to justify making it, so in that regard they should. There are fans to seem to want it, so why not? I can't say I'd picket or it, or sign a petition for it, or go to any length at all to try and it made, but if it were made, and the extra features got good reviews, yeah, I'd pick one up.

Thing is though, if the other "making of" documentaries are anything to go by, the NSNA doco would no doubt be pretty EON-biased. Hell, they still perpetuate the myth that OHMSS took years to make it's money back. Can you really imagine anything-EON sanctioned giving a true, impartial account of the history of Never Say Never Again?

[I Like Sharks]

It's far better than anything EON have ever produced.

You want to talk about e? Let's talk about the abomination that is The World is not Enough.

I disagree. The World is not Enough is one of the best James Bond films ever made and Never Say Never Again is hot garbage. James Bond playing video games? Yeah right...

Well, I thought the video game sequence in NSNA was the best part of the film. It's classic Bond: Bond beating the villain at his own game. I rate that scene as miles better, and more Bondian, than anything in TWINE.

As for the question, should NSNA get the UE DVD treatment, sure, why not? They'd sell enough of them to justify making it, so in that regard they should. There are fans to seem to want it, so why not? I can't say I'd picket or it, or sign a petition for it, or go to any length at all to try and it made, but if it were made, and the extra features got good reviews, yeah, I'd pick one up.

Thing is though, if the other "making of" documentaries are anything to go by, the NSNA doco would no doubt be pretty EON-biased. Hell, they still perpetuate the myth that OHMSS took years to make it's money back. Can you really imagine anything-EON sanctioned giving a true, impartial account of the history of Never Say Never Again?

That is one of the better moments in the film because its handled in such a Bondian fashion. And the actor who plays Largo (can't remember his name) is a good villain, shame he's wasted in such a crummy film.

Oh and flawed as it is, I'd rather watch TWINE over NSNA any day