31 replies to this topic

[Turn]

I bought a copy of the Maxim Fashion magazine that featured Pierce in it and was interested by a picture of him having a smoke. The picture looked very cool and it got me to thinking about the lack of smoking in recent pictures.

There was a big crackdown on smoking in movies and telelvision in recent years. If I'm not mistaken, I think somebody came down hard on LTK when it came out for its characters puffing habits. I think it was around TND when they announced Bond would no longer smoke.

Does this bother anybody or is it acceptable for the times? Fleming's Bond was a heavy smoker and drank, as did the early screen Bond. Connery started it, Lazenby continued it, Moore curtailed it to cigars, Dalton kept it going and I think Brosnan did in GoldenEye. Since Bond is a fantasy figure, should it matter?

[freemo]

First, I don't think Broz smoked in GoldenEye, could be wrong though.

Personally, I'd like it if he did, but I'm not really fussed if they don't have him smoking. Just doen't having him making antismoking statements like "fility habit" in TND, 1 - Let's not have the character contradict himself, and 2 - I don't go to Bond films to be preached to.

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

The picture looked very cool

Yes it did, cool and may I add damn sexy which is exactly why he's not going to be smoking cigarettes in Bond. They're far to imitative for the under-aged set, and the fact that they look cool when smoked by a cool character is why the anti-smoking groups were up in arms.

But Bond will be smoking a cigar in DAD, which I gather is less taboo b/c it's just not something kids smoke and it's just not as easily imitative. Cigars like martinis, guns and sex aren't as accessible for your average 12 year old, but cigarettes are. Since Bond films are actively targeted to that demographic I doubt we'll see Bond smoking cigarettes again unless the films go R rated.

Oh and Bond did not smoke in GE, he hasn't smoked since LTK. Then as you sat Moore never smoked a cigarette as Bond either and I don't even think Connery smoked in all his films. So while cigarette smoking may be intrinsic to the book Bond it just isn't to the cinematic Bond.

[Bryce (003)]

I've always believed Bond should smoke. I do (granted, I found this vice on my own and - although few believe me - my choice is not Bond related) but to me, it was something humanizing about Bond that he had an "everyman" vice.

I don't drive a DB5, but I can walk into any casino (usually in Vegas) light a cig from my case with my Dunhill lighter and introduce myself.

Also, Bond doesn't have to smoke in EVERY scene. Maybe two a film...fair enough.....and let the kids and audience decide for themselves.

*Flicka hands Bryce her Colibri case from which he extracts a Dunhill Mild which she lights for him*

[Turn]

Right, Freemo. That was kind of my point. If he does, fine, if not fine, just don't treat smoking like it's the ultimate sin. I'm personally against smoking, but I also don't go to movies to see real life. Would Bond really be influencing anybody to smoke anymore than getting them to think they can bunjee jump off a dam or ski off a cliff.

As far as the "Filthy habit" line, I like to think maybe he was just being ironic with that one. And maybe I was thinking he was smoking when he met Xenia in GoldenEye. But it was her I believe.

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

Turn, yeah, it's much easier to buy a pack of cigarettes (though now getting more and more expensive! $7 a pack in NYC!) than bungee jumping off a dam, hence easier to imitate. And "studies" have shown (don't you love that phrase? LOL) that yes many kids started smoking after first seeing it in a film or TV. It's why only "bad" people smoke in non R rated films, and many R rated films. It's why PB could puff like a chimney in The Fourth Protocol or Tailor Of Panama, but not as Thomas Crown or as Bond.

[Turn]

Isn't that weird how Connery was introduced in a haze of smoke lighting a cigarette in Dr. No and it was the coolest thing in the world and 40 years later we think the opposite thing?

Your're right about those studies MBE. Can't you hear the conversation on the playground. "James Bond smokes, man. If you don't smoke, you're a wimp." Or whatever they say these days.

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

Yes and their next sentence would be, "Let's go knock over a liquor store so we can afford to buy a pack."

[Double-0 Six]

Perhaps Bond is driven back to smoking by his experiences in Korea ... this could just be a one-off.

[Loomis]

I don't want to bang the drum for political correctness here, but I'm glad the makers of the Bond films seem to have decided, post LICENCE TO KILL, that they don't want 007 to be seen puffing away. There's nothing remotely cool about nicotine addiction, after all.

[Mister Asterix]

Okay, I'll probalby contradict myself several times here. I don't smoke and don't think anyone should. But I think smoking can be cool. And more important than cool, smoking can by dramatic. A smoker can add a dynamic pause to a sentence by taking a deep drag or add emphasis to hand gestures by simply holding the cigarette between their fingers during the gesture. Even flicking the ashes into the ashtray can add movement and allow the smoker to control a conversation. When properly used a cigarette can add to the smoker's presence. Sit down and watch some older films or television shows sometime and watch how the actor will use the cigarette as an acting tool. It's quite effective.

In modern films, as an added dimension, when character smokes it tells you something about the characters attitude toward life. This is particularly appropriate for James Bond and his 'to hell with it' attitude. Why should this man worry about tobacco killing him in the future when he has villains lining up waiting for their shot at him right now.

As far as cigars go, I cringed every time Roger lit up a cigar--it's just not Bond--but I can see Bond smoking cigars in Cuba.

Okay kids, all that said, Don't Smoke.

[JimmyBond]

Ok, first off, I dont smoke, and I dont think kids should smoke either. With that said, I think anyone over the age of 18 (as I believe thats the law here in the States), if they want to smoke, knock yourselfs out. I'm against this whole thing of "Smoking's bad for you and you shouldnt do it" Let the person decide if he wants to smoke or not.

I'm also against people suing Tabacco companys because they got Cancer (morons).

[1q2w3e4r]

Yeah Im with you Jimmy. Especially now, we all know it kills us, take responsibillity for your actions.

That said, smoking can look very cool depending on the character. Think Pitt in "Fight Club" I think its an essential part of the character, Im not saying have Bond smoking 70 a film or anything, but one or two isn't going to be shock horror. Its not like he hasn't before. The kids today are doing a lot more than smoking cigarettes anyway.

If you take it up, its of your own free will. Same goes for giving it up.

I used to be a smoker, a plus pack a day sometimes 1 1/2, 2 the weekend, and I quit because it was affecting me playing sport. (I smoked for 5-6 years).

I also kinda cringed every time Roger lit up as Bond, it just never felt right to me. But being in Cuba and all, its only natural Bond would light up some of Havana's best.

[brendan007]

im not really fussed either way about bond smoking. in some ways its an important part of bonds character, but i havent missed in the last few films, and until reading this thread i hadnt ever realised he'd stopped smoking.
so if the scene can benefit from a smoke, then it should be there, otherwise i dont think it matters all that much

[Blofeld's Cat]

It's alright to kill people and create havoc and destruction everywhere, but he can't smoke because it's no good for you? Come on!

I don't smoke, never have, but if Bond is a smoker he should be allowed to smoke with inpunity.

On a similar topic, I have noticed that you never see anyone smoke on TV shows anymore due to some regulation, so how does 'the smoking man" in The X-Files get away with it? Is it a time slot thing?

If that's the case then, smoking is very bad for you, a huge and bad influence on children, but it's OK to light up after 9PM (or whatever time is deemed to start adult viewing on TV)?

Give me a break!

[rafterman]

I was just watching Friends and Chandler was smoking...course everyone has to say it's bad, which it is, but still I gotta agree with Mr. *, it can be cool...if it fits the scene, then Bond should smoke, but a cigar's a good start, I enjoy those on occasion myself and M smoked a pipe, now there's something fun to smoke... as for the filthy habit line, it's a joke! it's not really Bond's opinion on it, but his one liner after hitting the guy, don't take it too seriously....people should be free to smoke all they want, so long as they know what happens and it is probably the easiest vice for kids to imitate, so I bet Babs decided against it for Bond...

[Jim]

Oh, let the man have a cigarette. Smoking kills, but so does going around shooting people (and are we arguing that schoolchildren cannot get hold of weapons?). Alcohol kills, as does kissing that Hatcher creature.

Oh, bland me up baby.

[Jim]

...and let's have that woman passing herself off as M (albeit that she's an unprofessional ignoramus) smoke a pipe. That'd be funny.

It'd also be a reference, reference fans.

[Simon]

Originally posted by brendan007

so if the scene can benefit from a smoke, then it should be there, otherwise i dont think it matters all that much

Such as the hotel room scene in TND, vodka and a smoke. Great, the fella deserved it after that particular scene.

Anyway, it all comes down to political correctness, politics, and namby pamby do-gooders that feel we shouldn't and can't have responsibility for our own actions.

There was a scene in the recent episode of West Wing (UK) when the president said he wasn't going to pass a law for seat belts. The belts are fitted in the cars - whether people use them or not is up to them.

Good call.

However, is there a seatbelt law in the US??

[Blofeld's Cat]

Originally posted by Simon


Such as the hotel room scene in TND, vodka and a smoke.  Great, the fella deserved it after that particular scene.

That scene absolutly screamed for some ciggy smoke to curl slowly up to the ceiling. :cool:

[Turn]

Originally posted by Simon
However, is there a seatbelt law in the US??

Yes, there is. If you get pulled over by the authorities and you are not wearing one you will get some kind of fine. You still don't see everyone wearing one, though. I do, mostly because I travel a long distance to work and have been hit before. Made me want to have a smoke afterward.

[Mister Asterix]

Originally posted by Blofeld's Cat (edited)
On a similar topic, I have noticed that you never see anyone smoke on TV shows anymore due to some regulation, so how does 'the smoking man" in The X-Files get away with it? Is it a time slot thing?

The funny thing about that is that the actor who portrayed Cigarette Smoking Man does not smoke. In fact, he travels the U.S. for an anti-smoking lobby. The cigarettes that William B. Davis smoked during filming were clove cigarettes.

[Simon]

Originally posted by Turn


Made me want to have a smoke afterward.

...and, presumably, a vodka.

[Evil Doctor Cheese]

Do you know what Simon you've made me think... stop Bond drinking! It encourages people to drink... esp vodka straight up... kids can get that as easily as cigs.

Dear me... Bond is cool, smoking is cool but it can KILL YOU. Kids know that. Yeah, it's addictive and you can't stop but you make your bed... Maybe let him smoke and have a thing at the end of the film like the have on tobacco advertising "Smoking can kill you".

But then, as BC said, you might as well stick a "guns can kill you" "alcohol can kill you" "battling meglomaniacs can kill you". The violence is a lot worse than the smoking. LET PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MINDS. I hate cencorship when it comes down to stuff like this. It's the character! Let him do it!

[Simon]

Government / Surgeons General Health Warning

Watching Bond films can seriously damage your health in all manner of ways.

To see the full list, please visit our website on;
www.you'renotoldenoughtolookafteryourselves.com

(The full list is longer than the credits on this film you have just watched)

You have been warned.

[WarBird]

Definetly, I think the way teenagers smoke now that they dont' need to see actors smoking on the big screen and trying to act like them.

[Loomis]

Well said WarBird.

[General Koskov]

If Bond influences kids to smoke cigars instead of cigarettes, the world will be a better-smelling place.


What I don't like (that is related to smoking) is the fact that tobacco companies are so damned evil! Why can't they be nice and just make tobacco products without harsh chemicals, and slave labour?

PS. See above paragraph for 'next Bond villan' idea.

[WhiteKnightBond]

As much as I see people smoke around my school (granted I'm in college so it probably is different than in high school), if Bond went back to puffing cigs it wouldn't make much difference. Besides, most people know that Bond is for entertainment. I say let the man do what he wants to do. If he wants to puff, go for it James, you only live once.

[rafterman]

they take smoking away from Bond so it doesn't get blamed for anything in our blame everything but ourselves society....truth is people are going to do whatever the hell they want, let Bond smoke......