9 replies to this topic

[quantumofsolace]

http://www.telegraph...by-censors.html

[thecasinoroyale]

That's brilliant - all those years ago and pure Bond "sex and sadism" worried the censors! Funny how times change and attitudes are more forgiving to certain scenes and innuendo.

 

I think 'Thunderball' is deffo the most "racy" of the Connery films though, really upping the sexism style after the success of the formula in 'Goldfinger'.

[Iceskater101]

I don't really remember this film that much, why was it so racy?

[Professor Pi]

It's not really by today's standards.   Can you imagine their reaction to the later movies?  Agent XXX alone would get an x rating.  Most of the quips in Moonraker, Chew Me, the violence in LTK and QoS, and both the sex and violence in TND would blow their minds.

 

"What sharp little eyes you've got." -- Domino

"Wait til you get to my teeth." -- Bond

[Dustin]

We have to consider back in the day the series hadn't yet found its place as family entertainment, emphasis on family. The films - while of course a topic with kids, just think of the DB5 - were considered for a more mature/adult audience. The only guns kids were playing with in the 60s were toy guns, violence shown on TV and at cinemas used to be restrained and 'clean' even when intended for grown-up viewers. And most certainly nobody considered 'shoot-em-up' games could make such splendid pastime for youths and earn loads of cash. Violence-wise those times can't be compared to today's standards.

Ironically a scene where Bond kisses the hand of a female can still - almost fifty years later - unsettle and infuriate the more prudish and bigoted amongst us. Whereas Bond suckling a female foot apparently didn't cause a fraction of the same reaction in TB. And obviously nobody's overly concerned with graphic violence any more, something that caused serious alarm with censors (and often critics) when Bond started out to conquer the big screen.

[thecasinoroyale]

I think by "racy" I meant it's the Connery film with most female flesh on show, lots of bikinis and swim suits, but also the seductive Fiona Volpe in the bath, and the bed, and moments Bond interacts with Pam (certainly in the shower) and around the spa.

 

As you say, nothing we've not seen before and very mild in terms of other suggestive material out there, but back in 1965 I reckon this was the most provocative Bond film and one that probably kicked off a lot of debate about sexism and Bond's lust for women.

[Dustin]

I think by "racy" I meant it's the Connery film with most female flesh on show, lots of bikinis and swim suits, but also the seductive Fiona Volpe in the bath, and the bed, and moments Bond interacts with Pam (certainly in the shower) and around the spa.

As you say, nothing we've not seen before and very mild in terms of other suggestive material out there, but back in 1965 I reckon this was the most provocative Bond film and one that probably kicked off a lot of debate about sexism and Bond's lust for women.

Also not to underestimate: Bond's success. Something everybody talked about and wanted to watch - at least since GOLDFINGER's success - automatically made censors give it a long hard look. Had Bond not become a phenomenon by then their attention might not have been raised.

[thecasinoroyale]

Very true - something so big attracts so many eyes and views and opinions to make it uber-family friendly and safe. Good point.

[Iceskater101]

Ah gotcha, I was like I didn't feel like this film was this racy... but yeah compared to today's standards this movie is PG.

[thecasinoroyale]

Haha, oh dear no - compared to moder cinema this is a walk in the park!