40 replies to this topic

[nickjb007]

Well with the release/discovery of The Making of The Living Daylights, which Bond film would you like to see having an in-depth making of book? I would have three I would be really interested in and they are not films that I think are the strongest in the series but having interesting periods for the series that i would like to know about.
DAF- just to get more information on the period after OHMSS and more details on getting Connery back and then losing him again.
TSWLM- info about the production delays
FYEO- the series shifted from MR to FYEO and glen takes over and will be the director for the next 4 films.

[Dustin]

TSWLM would be particularly interesting for various aspects. The novel was one of Fleming's experiments, sadly not a successful one. The reactions were so harsh Fleming decided to not put it up for an adaptation of any kind. Eon later reasoned they were not interested in the plot anyway and just wanted to use the title - an offer Fleming's heirs agreed with. Which in turn lead to the first film in the series having no definite launching pad in Fleming's oeuvre. Earlier efforts such as YOLT or TMWTGG at least used a vague framework from the books. Now everything was open for free improvisation and the various different scripts and treatments handed in - amongst them efforts by Anthony Burgess, John Landis and Gerry Anderson - still make fans wonder what could have been. 

[doublenoughtspy]

I think every Bond film is worthy of an in-depth book.

 

I started in the same position as you – wishing there was an in-depth book about a Bond film I loved and was curious about.

 

I've done the two I am most passionate about. 

 

My biggest wish is that others who are passionate about their favorite films pick up the torch.

[coco1997]

I'd like to see one for OCTOPUSSY. I'm particularly intrigued by the early drafts of the film which dealt with the resurgence of SPECTRE.

[seawolfnyy]

That would be interesting also since that was the year of NSNA and an in-depth look at the turmoil it caused it would be fascinating.

[doublenoughtspy]

And also the year that Lazenby played "JB", complete with rocket firing Aston Martin DB5, in Return of the Man from UNCLE.

[iexpectu2die]

Casino Royale

[Dustin]

There certainly is - at least - one book behind every single entry in the series (and sometimes it's more like a dissertation cum multivolume encyclopaedia). But if I have to settle for less than a complete range of in-depth works I'd vote for the ones where - as far as we know yet - the fate of the series was at a crossroads: TSWLM, TLD (now a dream come true thanks to Charles Helfenstein), GE and a volume covering all celluloid adaptations of CASINO ROYALE complimenting one about SKYFALL. That would be Christmas time (once more...)!

[thecasinoroyale]

I firstly would like to be a suck-up, openly and unashamed, and say to you doublenoughtspy, Mr Helfenstein, that it's a pleasure to actually have you on the boards, I had no idea you were a fellow CBNer, and that your two books look outstanding - eminating a real passion and interest for film making and James Bond.

 

I am ordering your 'The Living Daylights' one, as Timothy Dalton is my favourite James Bond, and I hope to secure the 'OHMSS' one, even though George Lazenby is my least favourite! Many congratulations to you sir, and I...nay, we... hope to see more of these books in the future!

 

Guilty as charged, but I'd love an 'A View To A Kill' book, or the original 'Dr.No'.

[glidrose]

Casino Royale '54.

 

Seriously though TSWLM is an intriguing one. All those discarded scripts.

 

...or how about the unmaking of Bond 17 (1991)?

[nicage]

I'm just wondering - when you write a book like this - do you send a copy to Timothy Dalton and John Glen?

Btw, my choice would be Licence to Kill with added coverage of the twilight years between LTK and GE.

[SecretAgentFan]

TSWLM would be particularly interesting for various aspects. The novel was one of Fleming's experiments, sadly not a successful one. The reactions were so harsh Fleming decided to not put it up for an adaptation of any kind. Eon later reasoned they were not interested in the plot anyway and just wanted to use the title - an offer Fleming's heirs agreed with. Which in turn lead to the first film in the series having no definite launching pad in Fleming's oeuvre. Earlier efforts such as YOLT or TMWTGG at least used a vague framework from the books. Now everything was open for free improvisation and the various different scripts and treatments handed in - amongst them efforts by Anthony Burgess, John Landis and Gerry Anderson - still make fans wonder what could have been. 

 

Yes, TSWLM, definitely.

 

Also: CASINO ROYALE (Craig) and DIE ANOTHER DAY.

[Simon]

But if I have to settle for less than a complete range of in-depth works I'd vote for the ones where - as far as we know yet - the fate of the series was at a crossroads: TSWLM, TLD (now a dream come true thanks to Charles Helfenstein), GE and a volume covering all celluloid adaptations of CASINO ROYALE complimenting one about SKYFALL. That would be Christmas time (once more...)!

 

Yup - that was going to be my take on it as well; the film following the crossroads.

 

So yes, Spy and GE.  I think it is safe to say Th has been covered with the 'Battle for...' book.  And the volume covering the CR road to victory would be very interesting.

[ggl]

Nobody is saying FRWL?? It´s one of my favourites...

 

BTW, doublenoughtspy, congrats for your work! and, funny thing, I also started wishing there was an in-depth book about a Bond film I loved and send my text to an editor... Here´s the result:

 

www.naullibres.com/libro/guia-para-ver-y-analizar-james-bond-contra-goldfinger-guy-hamilton-1964

 

(It´s in Spanish, but full of photos )

[ggl]

Sorry for the previous link. If it doesn´t work, just put it on google...

 

http://www.naullibre...y-hamilton-1964

[Grard Bond]

It had to be a Bond movie were not already a book from exist.

LtK to SK have all "making of" books, Moonraker and Eyes only have books (some sort of childeren books, but ok)

You got "The battel of Bond" about Thunderball and Never say never again.

There's book about Goldfinger released somewhere at the end of the last millenium.

 

So I believe the most interesting Bondmovies where you could make a making of book from are From Russia with love and The spy who loved me. And the last one would have ofcourse the most beautifull photo's: Egypt, the Lotus, Bach, Munro etc...

[thecasinoroyale]

'Licence To Kill' would be amazing - the darkest of the series and the bravest, filled with great locations, characters and action sequences to battle the looming 1990s era, so the BTS of this would be great to see.

[sharpshooter]

I'd like to see an in depth Making of Moonraker book. I like both OHMSS and TLD a lot but I'm aware they're not the most loved, along with Lazenby and Dalton being perceived as outsiders. There will always be a certain stigma attached, though the perception is well and truly changing in the fan base. Similar thing with Moonraker, I think. The Making of OHMSS and TLD books made be appreciate them even more, and that's a big positive. I like that these lesser spoken about topics were given a voice, put front and centre. Entirely devoted - not just a page with a few pictures ala all the other compilation books. 

[Grard Bond]

'Licence To Kill' would be amazing - the darkest of the series and the bravest, filled with great locations, characters and action sequences to battle the looming 1990s era, so the BTS of this would be great to see.

Such a book already exist, it was released in 1989 by Hamlyn, when the movie was released.

Beatiful paperback full of pictures of the movie, interviews etc.

[thecasinoroyale]

I did not know that! If you know where it can be purchased or obtained, I'd love to have a look for my favourite Bond film!

 

 

EDIT: Is it this one below?

 

http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0600563529

[Grard Bond]

Yes, that's the one. It's realy an exellent book, it's an official one licenced by Eon, so maybe not completely objective, but a great one to have nevertheless.

[thecasinoroyale]

Ahh, thanks Grard - I'll look into getting that for sure in the next few days, for my Dalton fix and "Best Bond film" companian.

 

Appreciate the heads up.

[Satorious]

For Your Eyes Only would be my personal pick (if only to discuss the change of guard and tone from Moonraker + more details on who they were originally considering to replace Roger Moore).

 

Despite the fact these aren't my favourites, I bet these might be interesting also:

 

Diamonds Are Forever (with the change of tone, the considered re-casting+luring back of Sean Connery and the original Goldfinger's evil twin script)

The Spy Who Loved Me (with the whole Saltzman/Broccoli split, myriad of script-writers/storylines + 007 Stage studio building etc).

[Iceskater101]

The Spy Who Loved Me for sure. It is my favorite Roger Moore film.

[tdalton]

Ahh, thanks Grard - I'll look into getting that for sure in the next few days, for my Dalton fix and "Best Bond film" companian.

 

Appreciate the heads up.

 

I also appreciate the heads up.  Will definitely have to look into this one. 

[Shaun Forever]

Never Say Never Again, obviously not the best film, but the history surrounding it is very interesting.

 

 

doublenoughtspy, I'm not sure if you saw it, buy I posted an apology in the the 'Bond scripts thread'. 

 

 

Really hope we can move on and be friends, because I was totally out of order, and quite out of character for me.

 

 

All the best.

[sharpshooter]

Yes, that's the one. It's realy an exellent book, it's an official one licenced by Eon, so maybe not completely objective, but a great one to have nevertheless.

I agree about it being excellent - good pictures and details. It's nice having two Dalton books sitting beside each other,

[Dan Gale]

Let's not forget there is already one book that covers the making of both Thunderball AND Never Say Never Again...

Robert Sellers' The Battle for Bond
http://www.amazon.co...aw/d/0955767008

[Major Tallon]

The current edition of Cinema Retro does a nice job of covering the making of "Dr. No."

[S K Y F A L L]

One vote for Goldeneye.