80 replies to this topic

[Dustin]

I've just opened my Amazon parcel - wait, that was with my first cup of coffee, why is it dark again out there now? Most curious...

Edited by Dustin, 10 January 2013 - 05:20 PM.

[SecretAgentFan]

Charles Helfenstein´s "The Making of THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS" is another must have-book for anyone interested in James Bond or behind-the-scenes-books that are really detailed accounts of every aspect that goes into the production of a major film. The wealth of information and rare photos is astonishing and mind-blowing. Like Helfenstein´s "The Making of ON HER MAJESTY´S SECRET SERVICE" this new book about Timothy Dalton´s first outing as James Bond is a dream come true. From the earliest story development to the casting sessions (telling us why media darlings of that time like Lewis Collins were not chosen), from the actual shooting to the post-production and reception of this very special and important Bond film, the book gives so much insight that you never got from any book on Bond before. You can´t stop turning the page, being rewarded by a writer who really dug in deep, unstoppable in his research.

 

There is no substitute - this is the book you just have to get. Soon. Right now. And if you don´t own the "OHMSS"-book yet, go for both. You need them. 

Edited by SecretAgentFan, 15 January 2013 - 06:00 AM.

[SecretAgentFan]

Since Mr. Helfenstein has chosen two Bond films which feature new beginnings for his books I hope that the next four will be on DR.NO, LIVE AND LET DIE, GOLDENEYE and CASINO ROYALE... 

[trevanian]

 (telling us why media darlings of that time like Lewis Collins were not chosen), 

 

I'm still of the opinion that Collins was the anonymous contestant mentioned in JG's book, the one who was asking for mafia stories and such from Broc. 

 

Not to cast aspersions on the book, which is meticulously researched, but I was actually surprised that there wasn't more new info.

 

All the stuff about the Bond reboot was new to me (and boy am I glad they didn't  go there), but I would have liked to have seen more about the Dalton Glen relationship, and about Glen maybe being way too hands-off about stuff he should have been riding hard on (that's more applicable on LTK than TLD, but since LTK does get some love here, it merits inclusion as well), and should address the row or rows between director and star why the hell Glen let Dalton's hair go to hell for half the movie, and if Dalton's exceptional performance might have even been better if Glen had been a bit more consistent in his choosing of takes (Dalton entering the bookstore place across the street from the opera is practically ham city, and if Glen didn't want to say anything then maybe he should have moved the camera further back -- like maybe Cleveland -- so it didn't register so extreme.)

 

I rank TLD and LTK well under FRWL at the top of my list, but they're still 2 & 3 overall for me, so these criticisms are more out of love than anger. For anger, I'd direct you to CR & SF (and MR and VIEW and TND  & DAD ... ) 

[SecretAgentFan]

Seems like you were looking for information to strengthen your suspicions and reservations.

 

Turns out there is no basis for that. So it´s not the book´s fault at all - because that kind of intel just is not there.

 

Glen "being way too hands-off"? Glen shout have been "a bit more consistent in his choosing of takes"? Man, that´s your opinion - and that is, of course, okay. But to criticize the book for not finding evidence for your opinion is unjust.

 

The book is absolutely stunning. There is nothing that could have been researched more throroughly.

[dutch_pepper]

Got my copy yesterday. It's absolutely breathtaking: well worth the investment!

[trevanian]

Seems like you were looking for information to strengthen your suspicions and reservations.

 

Turns out there is no basis for that. So it´s not the book´s fault at all - because that kind of intel just is not there.

 

Glen "being way too hands-off"? Glen shout have been "a bit more consistent in his choosing of takes"? Man, that´s your opinion - and that is, of course, okay. But to criticize the book for not finding evidence for your opinion is unjust.

 

The book is absolutely stunning. There is nothing that could have been researched more throroughly.

For once I'm really not looking to provoke an argument. With that in mind ... everybody sees how ridiculous the hair is in LTK. Letting that go uncorrected is akin to having the guy leave his fly open for the whole movie, only more evident since we're usually on his face. 

 

I'm comparing the info here with the stuff in the JG book, and while I'm glad this guy is a real journalist and not a cutNpaster (something I dearly appreciate, having seen more than bits&pieces of my own articles turn up in other people's books w/o acknowledgement), that book does indicate there are more stories that could have been explored, such as the crewmember critiquing Dalton's kissing style in TLD, or maybe why Glen didn't want Dalton putting his hands in his pockets because Bond is a military man and wouldn't do that (!!!???) These are aspects that may have shed light on my assertions that you quoted .. or they may not have. 

 

So there are plenty of things that COULD have been researched ... whether anything new would have turned up or not, that's wide open, could be the stuff I address would all have been dead ends. 

 

I really am honestly puzzled at why they just didn't turn out 3/4 of the fill light on LTK, or at least double up on the key, so there wouldn't be such a stagebound look to the proceedings. TLD has a few overlit scenes, but LTK is very distracting that way ... why take the darkest story and tell it with what amounts to being near-sitcom lighting when compared with nearly all other non-Hume Bond DPs?

 

It is great that he finds so many participants for the books, my hat is off to him there. There are movies like the first TREK movie where 30+ years later, you're still getting a zillion different accounts of what happened, and Paramount is still censoring hell out of attempts to document the thing (when the DVD came out, they delayed it months by forcing the re-editing of the documentary stuff to keep them from appearing in a bad light.) I've talked to probably 30 people who worked on that over the years (the movie is a beautiful train wreck / ultimate missed opportunity, and therefore fascinates me endlessly) but unfortunately that collection of info is mostly just as a hobby, not a book.  

[Grard Bond]

I recieved it last week and it is a great book indeed!

Full of interesting photographs and articles, a lot I've never seen before.

I've to confess that I liked the OHMSS book better, but that's because I like that movie also much, much more and somehow I thought that book was a little better researched.

It all looks a little simpler, I don't know exactly why.

[SecretAgentFan]

 

Seems like you were looking for information to strengthen your suspicions and reservations.

 

Turns out there is no basis for that. So it´s not the book´s fault at all - because that kind of intel just is not there.

 

Glen "being way too hands-off"? Glen shout have been "a bit more consistent in his choosing of takes"? Man, that´s your opinion - and that is, of course, okay. But to criticize the book for not finding evidence for your opinion is unjust.

 

The book is absolutely stunning. There is nothing that could have been researched more throroughly.

For once I'm really not looking to provoke an argument. With that in mind ... everybody sees how ridiculous the hair is in LTK. Letting that go uncorrected is akin to having the guy leave his fly open for the whole movie, only more evident since we're usually on his face. 

 

What do you mean - ridiculous hair? That is my exact hairstyle. And I have never heard ANY complaints about it.

 

Sure, people could write books about how my mother never thought it was right. And, actually, my sister has blogged about it many times. And my girlfriend always complains how much fill-light is in our bedroom - but hey, I like i like that.

Edited by SecretAgentFan, 21 January 2013 - 04:07 PM.

[Gobi-1]

Read the entire book today. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for you next one. Here's hoping it's GoldenEye or Live and Let Die.

[Dustin]

And it's back on Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co...59369513&sr=8-1

 

As well as Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.co...iving daylights

[SecretAgentFan]

Thankfully and rightfully so.

 

I really wonder why Amazon allows just one idiot with silly claims to stop selling something.

[Dustin]

I don't know the background, it could also just have been a glitch. Still, most annoying.

[doublenoughtspy]

The Book Depository is giving a nice discount on the book - 5% or 16% off depending...

 

http://www.bookdepos...ectCurrency=GBP

 

£33 in the UK,

 

http://www.bookdepos...ectCurrency=USD

 

$41 in the US

[SecretAgentFan]

I can only absolutely recommend this book. In a perfect world this would be at the top of the bestseller lists.

Edited by SecretAgentFan, 17 February 2013 - 04:02 PM.

[scaramunga]

Charles - Wonderful book. I have enjoyed this one just as much as the OHMSS one.

 

Here's hoping a Roger Moore or Connery Bond film book is on it's way next?

 

My vote would be Diamonds Are Forever or Live and Let Die.

[marktmurphy]

A cracking read - really up to snuff.  Full of detail, superb images.  An utterly enormous body of work. 

 

Well done sir.

 

A couple of very minor errors that I noted.

 

The US did not produce any lobby cards.  Both the 11x14s and 16x20s were UK produced.

 

Also, the Aston Martin grill used for the start of filming advert was in fact a DB3, not a DB5.

 

 

Ahem; DB4

 

Well I finally convinced myself to buy it; it's in the post now.

[Gobi-1]

Any word on another book?

[Simon]

 

A cracking read - really up to snuff.  Full of detail, superb images.  An utterly enormous body of work. 

 

Well done sir.

 

A couple of very minor errors that I noted.

 

The US did not produce any lobby cards.  Both the 11x14s and 16x20s were UK produced.

 

Also, the Aston Martin grill used for the start of filming advert was in fact a DB3, not a DB5.

 

 

Ahem; DB4

 

 

Oh nuts!  Was it?

[stromberg]

Any word on another book?

Unfortunately, the man himself has been absent from this place for quite a while.

I know about vague (very vague) ideas for future projects which may or may not see the light of day once the first two books have earned their production costs.

[Krilencu]

Hope Charles writes another one. Would gladly support him on Kickstarter, for that matter. 

 

[Dreaming mode on]

 

Perhaps a Roger Moore film this time

 

[Dreaming mode off]

Edited by Krilencu, 10 October 2015 - 02:04 PM.