66 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

I couldn't find this posted anywhere - in addition to the SKYFALL poster unveiling, five Bond movies are to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival this month to mark 50 years:

DR NO
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
CASINO ROYALE

http://www.guardian....mes-bond-cannes

[SecretAgentFan]

This is a very interesting selection.

Three Seans, no Roger, no Dalton, no Brosnan - but OHMSS!

Is EON trying to tell us something here?


The first (starting the tradition), the second (legendary serious spy-film) and Craig´s game-changer, of course. All rather obvious decisions.

Then we have OHMSS. A film that was re-discovered during the last decade and finally embraced by the critics after being called a box office failure again and again. And I always got the impression that EON themselves did not think very fondly of this one.

But the bigger surprise is DAF. A film that is widely considered as Bond´s campiest adventure, opening the doors for Roger Moore´s tenure (which is not at all represented here.)


But from me, no complaints. I love DAF. And while I would have welcomed at least one Sir Roger in that selection, it seems to be a fantastic mix that could represent the tone of SKYFALL...

[thecasinoroyale]

Hmm, not one Moore, Dalton or Brosnan? Big shame...at least cover a film from each, if anything?

Oh well, who are we to decide! I'm sure it will be an eventful Cannes, just keeping an eye out for that teaser poster now...! Exciting!

[S K Y F A L L]

Interesting, DN and CR both feature a mysterious organization while FRWL, OHMSS and DAF feature Blofeld. Really would have thought they would have gone with one of each actor, something like GF, OHMSS, TSWLM, TLD, TWINE.

[x007AceOfSpades]

Should have screened Dr. No, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence To Kill, GoldenEye, and Casino Royale. A Bond film for every actor to portray him.

I'm with TCR on the Skyfall poster.

[Leon]

Aside from the oddities of the selection already mentioned, personally I see four great Bond films and one.. especially odd selection in DAF. Even just in terms of the fact there are already two Connery films in the list - I feel the best two, Dr No and FRWL. Dr No is a given anyway for the 50th.

Should have screened Dr. No, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence To Kill, GoldenEye, and Casino Royale. A Bond film for every actor to portray him.

I'd have to agree there. Seems the logical selection for the celebration.

[thecasinoroyale]

It seems critics always shy away from Moore and Dalton, and to some extent, Brosnan films. I don't know why but they're not always included in a general summarisation of the James Bond series. I don't know if they feel the actors changed the way the movies were accepted and detracted from being a spy thriller and turned into action adventure?

No-one can deny that 6 actors make up 1 screen role, and to omit any needs a good reason why in my opinion.

[Leon]

Even if the list was chosen as the five best examples of film-making/storytelling in the Bond canon...Diamonds Are Forever...really?

[Simon]

One reason for the choice of selection is that the films most closely reflect the current trend.

There will come a time when the canon goes more outrageous in its outlook again. Therefore it could stand to reason that festival or celebratory films chosen then could be Moore's and Brosnan's films as the Connery and Lazenby output in that future era could be deemed too serious and dour.

[Single-O-Seven]

If they wanted a wild, fun Bond romp represented, I would have replaced DAF with TSWLM. At least you'd get a Rog flick in there - and a more entertaining film than DAF, or so I feel.

[Marketto007]

I remember that DAD was also promoted in Cannes back in 2002.



xxx

[The Shark]

Glad to see DAF in there. Ridiculously underrated Bond film, with one of the finest scripts and scores in the franchise.

[Dustin]

Glad? No. Surprised? Yes.

Finding DAF in a retrospective of fifty years of Bond does come somewhat unexpected, especially so as not a single Moore and Brosnan effort feature. But then again the current fad in Bond fanbase seems to favour this entry especially for the parts it once used to be criticised for. So it's perhaps not such a big surprise.

It could have been worse and DAF surely used to be underrated, albeit not to an outragously unfair extent in my view.

[SecretAgentFan]

Glad to see DAF in there. Ridiculously underrated Bond film, with one of the finest scripts and scores in the franchise.

Agreed!

[PPK_19]

Glad to see DAF in there. Ridiculously underrated Bond film, with one of the finest scripts and scores in the franchise.

Are you joking?

Having DAF in there is a travesty. It should definitely have been TSWLM. Its a damn good Bond film.

[SecretAgentFan]

I agree that TSWLM is a damn good Bond film. In fact, it is still my favorite Bond film (maybe because it is the first Bond film I ever saw).

But DAF is just pure fun. So...

No joking.

[MattofSteel]

I like DAF, but if they'd have swapped it for Goldfinger, they'd have literally been screening (IMO) the 5 best Bond films of all time.

[PPK_19]

I agree that TSWLM is a damn good Bond film. In fact, it is still my favorite Bond film (maybe because it is the first Bond film I ever saw).

But DAF is just pure fun. So...

No joking.

I have to say that i haven't watched DAF in quite a few years- i was so revolted during my last viewing of it i recall.

But i'll stick it in tonight and give it another chance. It kept me amused ten years ago as a teenager, who knows, perhaps now it's aged well...

[Dustin]

While it's not all roses DAF does have its strong sides, namely the dialogue and one or two memorable ideas. I think here in particular of Bond in the smouldering coffin, a personal favourite of mine. Still - I cannot find it has a tight(er)/better script than other Bond films of that era. The plot is hardly without holes. Why for example was Blofeld closing down his own operation? Why did he keep Whyte alive? Why the move to the oil rig? DAF can be fun at times, but that holds true for any Bond film. The one thing that's really keeping this above YOLT is Connery's vastly superior performance here, and of course the splendid couple of henchmen and their efforts. They easily outdo their counterparts from the novel and are perhaps the one element that really justifies rewatching this film. But for a fifth entry in this retrospective I'd have chosen another.

[00Twelve]

I definitely love me some DAF. One tie-in with the rest of the films being screened is the fight sequence (hear me out...). While the rest of the film is glam and witticisms left and right, the elevator fight is one of the most finely choreographed fights in the franchise. Perhaps Connery's best brawl after FRWL, And I do mean "brawl." That's why I'm rationalizing that it fits in with the others more closely than GE. I do like GE better, and it featured easily the best fight sequence in years between Broz and Bean, but our new Bond is more of a dirty-fighting brawler a la Sean and Laz. Maybe it's just an indication of the balance of wit vs violence we're going to see. Maybe it's etc. etc. etc.

[Dustin]

Yes, undoubtedly the elevator fight is another gem in the course of this film. And you may be on to something re. DAF fitting better into the sequence than GE or TLD. It just seems a bit odd to leave out three of the Bonds there.

By the way, I was lead to understand this is entirely a Cannes thing. As far as I'm aware there is nothing 'official' about this event; it's simply a little Bond fun entirely without involvement - beyond the films themselves, obviously - of Eon. So there's no indication of this choice being significant for SKYFALL's tone in any way.

[Simon]

Well, it appears to be with Park Circus' involvement, and I daresay Eon were totally involved in the selection if it is part of Skyfall's promotion and the 50th celebration.

I cannot imagine Park Circus not involving Eon, or Eon not being involved in anything Park do. They are afterall, using their films and poster artworks.

[Matt_13]

I really hope Casino Royale gets a wide rerelease in IMAX.

[Lionheart]

I like DAF, but if they'd have swapped it for Goldfinger, they'd have literally been screening (IMO) the 5 best Bond films of all time.

Amen!

[SecretAgentFan]

I wonder whether the choice also has been due to the availability of pristine prints.

Then again - isn´t it all digital these days? And shouldn´t they have a wonderful print for all the blu rays?

[thecasinoroyale]

They should just plug in a Blu-Ray player, or DVD, and bung in some of the UE Editions, they can have any to watch then!

[Mr_Wint]

I am not surprised DAF is in there. Outside of Bond fandom it is a classic, mostly thanks to Connery, the cool title and Bassey's song. Looking back at the history, DAF has been a very popular film at public screenings.

The is how I would celebrate the 50th anniversary with five films:
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
THUNDERBALL
ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

[The Shark]

Are you joking?

Having DAF in there is a travesty.

A travesty? Get over yourself.

t should definitely have been TSWLM. Its a damn good Bond film.

TSWLM's a mess. Boring script, dreary washed-out cinematography, dated disco cheese score, Moore at his most smug and annoying, and easily the worst Bond girl. Tiny tits, a face like a Roswell alien, and the emotion of a teleprompter.

[Dustin]

Are you joking?

Having DAF in there is a travesty.

A travesty? Get over yourself.

Well, it does have Blofeld in a dress, so DAF is indeed a bit of a travesty...

[SecretAgentFan]

TSWLM's a mess. Boring script, dreary washed-out cinematography, dated disco cheese score, Moore at his most smug and annoying, and easily the worst Bond girl. Tiny tits, a face like a Roswell alien, and the emotion of a teleprompter.

But... but... but...

At least admit that Barbara Bach´s more endowed than... Maryam d´Abo.