58 replies to this topic

[plankattack]

Agreed with all that say the character has never been cast properly, though in the film-makers defense, Fleming didn't make it easy on them as I'm not entirely convinced he made up his mind!

 

Ranking the three portrayals, Savalas is my favourite, easily the most menacing of the three, most convincing as "bad guy." I know the "thug" comment is always thrown about, but as far as I'm concerned I find that less artistically offensive that Gray's Blofeld - he actually seems like a quite a pleasant chap - urbane, witty, you'd spend an afternoon drinking with him rather than worrying that he was up to something. Less threatening than Louis Jordan's Kamal Khan, someone else who looks like they could be quite entertaining to socialize with and Jerome Krabbe playing whats-his-name from TLD!

 

Pleasance's Blofeld is perhaps my least favourite of all the villains in the series. Maybe I can't separate the portrayal from the parody, but he comes across as neither physically threatening, or mentally a genius. Completely unconvinced that the criminal underworld would follow him, whereas Savalas is without doubt a leader. 

 

Pleasance as Blofeld as the President in Escape from New York (at least at the start) - I could buy that. But little bald guy with a cat and safari suit and stereotypically weaselly voice? Emilio Largo would have taken over years before that!

[Revelator]

I'd like to see Blofeld return in the Craig era. For me, he's the (so far) missing part of the re-invention of Bond since 2006. And there's no reason now why he couldn't return. And there are plenty of contemporary actors who could do the part justice.

 

Agreed entirely. Bond without Blofeld is like Sherlock Holmes without Moriarty. And Spectre is more relevant than it ever--the idea of a professional terrorist organization conducted like a Fortune 500 company combines the two biggest boogeymen of the 21st century: terrorism and multinational corporations.

[plankattack]

 

I'd like to see Blofeld return in the Craig era. For me, he's the (so far) missing part of the re-invention of Bond since 2006. And there's no reason now why he couldn't return. And there are plenty of contemporary actors who could do the part justice.

 

Agreed entirely. Bond without Blofeld is like Sherlock Holmes without Moriarty. And Spectre is more relevant than it ever--the idea of a professional terrorist organization conducted like a Fortune 500 company combines the two biggest boogeymen of the 21st century: terrorism and multinational corporations.

 

All, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - but hasn't the lack of Blofeld/Spectre etc all been the result of what seems like the interminable wrangling re: McClory, Thunderball, who owns what? I remember reading that Spectre had been the original adversaries for TSWLM but lawsuits were flying back then.

[Dustin]

I'm still not sure if Quantum wasn't meant as halfhearted attempt at SPECTRE and only ended up as Quantum to tap into the film's title. Blofeld's original outfits TARTAR and RAHIR used to be relatively discrete low key operations, and during WWII Blofeld only decided to support the allies once the ultimate defeat of the nazis became a certainty, earning him decorations from the Western allies. Later SPECTRE also used to work for all interested sides, including SIS and CIA. Having people everywhere and supporting the stronger side for ones own ends is a trait both Blofeld and Quantum's members seem to share. Perhaps we've already been closer to a return of Blofeld than it seems?

I absolutely agree that Bond now should meet with a modern interpretation of this man, I'm merely not sure if that should include another female with the impact of Tracy or if Blofeld should end up changing Bond's life in some other major way, a brainwash, a temporary blinding or injury. I can't imagine a straight remake of OHMSS, on the other hand Blofeld - Bond's Moriarty - needs his OHMSS victory and subsequent YOLT finish as Moriarty needs the Reichenbach Falls...

Edited by Dustin, 15 November 2013 - 07:00 PM.

[Revelator]

All, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - but hasn't the lack of Blofeld/Spectre etc all been the result of what seems like the interminable wrangling re: McClory, Thunderball, who owns what? I remember reading that Spectre had been the original adversaries for TSWLM but lawsuits were flying back then.

That's true--a potential Blofeld/Spectre comeback in TSWLM was scuppered by McClory. However, in recent years McClory's hold on those elements has disappeared, thanks to his court losses and death. Even Never Say Never Again is now property of EON. So there are no longer--as far as I know--any legal restrictions on using Blofeld and Spectre (which would have been far more impressive than Quantum--perhaps they can retcon Ellipsis and Quantum into Spectre cells).
 

[AMC Hornet]

I suspect Silva may have done some work for Quantum from time to time...

[Dustin]

Coincidentally just in from HMSS http://hmssweblog.wo...mcclory-estate/

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Danjaq LLC, the Broccoli family company that controls 007 copyrights ,said they've acquired all of the James Bond rights held by the Kevin McClory family and estate.

Text of a statement:

Los Angeles, CA (November 15, 2013) – Danjaq, LLC, the producer of the James
Bond films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the longtime distributor of the Bond
films, along with the estate and family of the late Kevin McClory, announced
today that Danjaq and MGM have acquired all of the estate’s and family’s rights
and interests relating to James Bond, thus bringing to an amicable conclusion
the legal and business disputes that have arisen periodically for over 50
years.

That would seem to pave the way for the return of Ernst Stavro Blofeld to the Bond series if Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson want to pursue it. Blofeld was introduced in the Ian Fleming novel Thunderball, based on scripts commissioned by McClory during an ill-fated movie project in the 1950s.

Edited by Dustin, 15 November 2013 - 09:06 PM.

[Revelator]

Dustin, your timing is exquisite--thanks for bringing this to our attention.

If MGM and the Broccolis were the impetus for this deal, perhaps they too are seeking to bring back Blofeld and Spectre. In any case, this is fantastic news. At long last, McClory's claims on Bond have been relegated to the corner of oblivion where they have always belonged.

[Royal Dalton]

Most likely it was just to consolidate the rights.

[Dustin]

Dustin, your timing is exquisite--thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Thanks, but I have to forward the compliment to Her Majesty's Secret Servant, the guys just sent a mail with the good news. I wouldn't be able to bring this up if it wasn't for Siri, for right now I'm on a motorway at 130mph with several lunatics changing lanes when I'm only 2 kilometres behind them.

Dear kids, don't do this at home. Don't drink and drive and text, leave at least one to Siri...

Most likely it was just to consolidate the rights.

It always used to be a complicated situation right from the court's first ruling. But fact is whatever rights McClory's side had on Blofeld and SPECTRE - without Bond they are practically worthless. It's really the sensible thing to find an agreement that turns them over to the only party that can reasonably use them with any hope of making a profit, Eon.

[Royal Dalton]

I'd say it's more about controlling the film rights to Thunderball, than Blofeld and SPECTRE. Although, obviously, they can also use them again now, if they want to.

[Dustin]

The question would be whether the Blofeld/Spectre rights are any good without Bond. I can't imagine they would be, audiences want to see Bond, not his enemy. You could of course devise a story around Blofeld, it just would draw most of its appeal from the expectation to have Bond enter at some stage probably. Something Eon would never peacefully agree with. So whatever rights actually remained with McClory after all those battles, they were hardly worth a penny without Eon on board.

Quite thrilling is the conclusion from Eon's point-of-view. They had no real motive to buy them back, not for a dollar, not for a cent. That they did proves they want and probably will use Blofeld and SPECTRE. Otherwise they could have saved themselves the trouble.

[Guy Haines]

I'm sure I read an interview in one of the film magazines, around the time of Skyfall's release, in which Michael G. Wilson hinted that Blofeld and SPECTRE could return in a future Bond film. If I'm right, that would further confirm that the rights issue has been settled.

 

I'd also like to comment about AMC Hornet's view that Silva may have worked for Quantum in the past. That occurred to me as well. Which has got me to speculate. (Not always a good idea in my case!  ) Suppose some loose ends are tied up at the end of the Craig era. "Quantum" turns out to be SPECTRE, or more likely is replaced by it. The mysterious leader of Quantum, now heading a new syndicate named SPECTRE is, well, you can guess! Mr White was his chief of staff - and chief enforcer.

 

And Raoul Silva was aided in his deranged quest to kill M by this mysterious villain in the background - perhaps as revenge for the collapse of Quantum at the end of QoS - and in Daniel Craig's next film, or the one after that, we see Bond tackle a dangerous global threat, and confront "Bond's Moriarty", Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

 

(If in Craig's final film, there could even be another use of material from the novel You Only Live Twice - Blofeld's base could be an estate surrounded by poison plants - it could even be in Japan, because the dust has long settled since the film of YOLT and there's no reason why Bond couldn't go back there, perhaps with a rebooted Tiger Tanaka as ally. And we could have Blofeld's "mea culpa" speech - the one in the novel in which he attempted to explain the events he set in train in Thunderball and OHMSS, but changed to cover the events of the previous Craig Bond films - financing terrorism, controlling water supplies etc. And yes, Blofeld has assumed the name "Guntram Shatterhand". The final Craig Bond film could, in this scenario, be a version of at least part of the novel You Only Live Twice in all but name.)

[Leo R.]

Ben Kingsley as Blofeld!

 

[Dustin]

I'm sure I read an interview in one of the film magazines, around the time of Skyfall's release, in which Michael G. Wilson hinted that Blofeld and SPECTRE could return in a future Bond film. If I'm right, that would further confirm that the rights issue has been settled.

I think there was an interview with either Barbara Broccoli or her and her brother where the question of Blofeld came up and their (her?) answer was something alonge the lines of 'we'd love to bring him back, it was just not yet the right time to do it'.

If I remember this right it could have meant the asking price had been too high until now. I'm fairly sure when considering the whole reboot affair prior to CR there must have popped up Blofeld's name too at some stage. CR would have been too early - and unnecessary overkill - but QOS reeks strongly of a just-add-water SPECTRE [was that a pun???]. If that whole production had just had more time and the MGM zombie less appetite for cash there might have been room for a very different QOS. It's possible Eon tested the waters for acquiring the missing rights right after CR turned out to be a hit, only with hardly any time to catch their breath they wouldn't have had a decent position to negotiate from.

[dtuba]

Favorite Blofeld  - Eric Pohlman/Anthony Dawson in TB. Scared me as a little kid, and still chilling.

 

Favorite on-screen Blofeld? Telly I suppose, but put me in the camp that all 3 were lacking a certain something.

 

Favorite Blofeld yet unfilmed? Forrest Whitaker. Although Sir Ben Kingley is an inspired choice, and a chance to redeem himself form the ridiculousness of Iron Man 3 (yes, I know it wasn't his fault).

[sharpshooter]

 

All, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - but hasn't the lack of Blofeld/Spectre etc all been the result of what seems like the interminable wrangling re: McClory, Thunderball, who owns what? I remember reading that Spectre had been the original adversaries for TSWLM but lawsuits were flying back then.

That's true--a potential Blofeld/Spectre comeback in TSWLM was scuppered by McClory. 

Blofeld could have been great for TSWLM based on The Liparus alone - ala swallowing vehicles up in space during YOLT.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

 

 And Spectre is more relevant than it ever--the idea of a professional terrorist organization conducted like a Fortune 500 company combines the two biggest boogeymen of the 21st century: terrorism and multinational corporations.

 

Absolutely.

I am all for Blofelds return, if done right (like Fleming wrote brought up to date)  but I don't want EON to remake the OHMSS storyline.

[Guy Haines]

 

 

 And Spectre is more relevant than it ever--the idea of a professional terrorist organization conducted like a Fortune 500 company combines the two biggest boogeymen of the 21st century: terrorism and multinational corporations.

 

Absolutely.

I am all for Blofelds return, if done right (like Fleming wrote brought up to date)  but I don't want EON to remake the OHMSS storyline.

 

.They don't need to remake OHMSS. If Blofeld is brought back in the next Bond film, or the one after that, as the force behind Quantum/SPECTRE, then he'll face a Bond who has already lost the woman he loved because of the unbearable pressure brought to bear on her by that organisation.

 

That said, QoS was about Bond seeking "closure", which we assume he had gained having confronted Yusef Kabira at the end of that film. I wonder if a future Bond film featuring Blofeld will involve reopening this old wound? I've posted already that a future Bond/Blofeld confrontation could have the latter justifying his crimes, as per the novel You Only Live Twice. Suppose Blofeld was to taunt Bond - as Mr White did in QoS - about Vesper Lynd? Or, suppose Bond hadn't really gained closure, but wanted to take down the number one man whose underling put Vesper in an impossible position? The end of the novel Casino Royale has Bond pretty much declaring war on SMERSH. Bond discovering who was behind the events in CR & QoS could mean a resumption of hostilities.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

Craig-Bond certainly still has major scores to settle with Quantum, but in my opinion Vesper's death never carried as much weight as Tracys death in the Fleming canon - she isn't even mentioned in Live And Let Die when Bond avenging Tracy becomes Bonds "life mission" in You Only Live Twice when he discovers Blofelds whereabouts. Because of that difference straight adaptation of YOLT would not work dramatically without remaking OHMSS, Certainly YOLT has plenty of material to adapt, but not Bonds primary motivation. 

[FlemingBond]

Favorite on screen Blofeld? Telly Savalas easily.

[MooseWithFleas]

Savalas by a wide margin in my eyes. Pleasance is solid and his reveal is a classic moment. Charles Gray I enjoyed in YOLT, but as Blofeld, he ruined any anger towards the character caused by OHMSS. He was put in a tough situation as the film was done in an extremely campy tone, so it's not like he had a choice in how to portray Blofeld, but man was that a let down after OHMSS.

[Guy Haines]

Craig-Bond certainly still has major scores to settle with Quantum, but in my opinion Vesper's death never carried as much weight as Tracys death in the Fleming canon - she isn't even mentioned in Live And Let Die when Bond avenging Tracy becomes Bonds "life mission" in You Only Live Twice when he discovers Blofelds whereabouts. Because of that difference straight adaptation of YOLT would not work dramatically without remaking OHMSS, Certainly YOLT has plenty of material to adapt, but not Bonds primary motivation. 

I think it could still work. It's true that Vesper isn't mentioned in Live And Let Die - isn't mentioned again, I think, until the novel OHMSS when Bond is back at Royale Les Euax. But that isn't how the Craig films have played out. We had a whole sequel based on Bond wanting to track down the man who caused Vesper's betrayal and suicide - even if it went all over the place to get there.  By contrast the reason for Vesper's betrayal in the novel is in her suicide note, and was never the basis for a sequel - just a declaration of war on SMERSH.

 

Reboots, amongst other things, re-invent characters we already know. A new James Bond - and a new Felix Leiter - in 2006, and in 2012 we had a new Q, and, at the very end of Skyfall, what some suspected all along - Eve revealed to be Miss Moneypenny and Gareth Mallory as M. I've always thought the Craig series has been about re-inventing not just Bond but those around him and maybe in the next two films, those opposed to him. That's why I wouldn't be at all surprised if Blofeld reappears as the man behind Quantum/SPECTRE  and that, for Bond, destroying him is both personal and operational.

[tdalton]

As far as on-screen Blofeld, there's only one choice that I can take at all seriously, and that's Savalas.  The other on-screen interpretations are just terrible.

[Revelator]

I think it could still work. It's true that Vesper isn't mentioned in Live And Let Die - isn't mentioned again, I think, until the novel OHMSS when Bond is back at Royale Les Euax. [...]

 I've always thought the Craig series has been about re-inventing not just Bond but those around him and maybe in the next two films, those opposed to him. That's why I wouldn't be at all surprised if Blofeld reappears as the man behind Quantum/SPECTRE  and that, for Bond, destroying him is both personal and operational.

 

Yes, reinventing recurring villains is part of the ethos of the reboot, and Blofeld can partake just as equally of reinvention as Moneypenny or Q. The only limit is the screenwriters' ingenuity. Revenge is getting to be a somewhat overused trope in action movies, so the Bond/Blofeld struggle doesn't necessarily have to have anything more personal to it than wounded pride from both parties. On the other hand, the screenwriters wouldn't have to work too hard to make Blofeld the man behind Ellipsis and Quantum (they could even reveal that he bankrolled Silva's operations and gave him key info on British intelligence). It's worth noting that Ben Hecht's 1964 film script for Casino Royale (the never-made serious version) has Spectre as the organization behind Le Chiffre (though Blofeld himself doesn't appear in the film). 

 

Incidentally, Vesper is mentioned in the books just once before OHMSS--in Ch. 16 of Goldfinger Bond is drugged and thinks he's dead and going to heaven:

 

There must be a whole lot of them, going up together. Would Tilly be on the same trip? Bond squirmed with embarrassment. How would he introduce her to the others, to Vesper for instance? And when it came to the point, which would he like the best? But perhaps it would be a big place with countries and towns. There was probably no more reason why he should run into one of his former girl friends here than there had been on earth. But still there were a lot of people he'd better avoid until he got settled in and found out the form. Perhaps, with so much love about, these things wouldn't matter. Perhaps one just loved all the girls one met. Hm. Tricky business! 

 

Nevertheless, this exception still proves the rule indicates that Vesper's memory was not frequently evoked in the books. GF itself reads like a self-parody or self-homage that was written after Fleming had looked back on his previous novels, and given the book's air of self-reference, a mention of Vesper is less surprising than it might have been. 

[Grard Bond]

I immediately think of Donald Pleasence if I'm thinking of Blofeld. Savales will always be Kojak for me and the others just didn't make that much an impression to me.

[elizabeth]

I think it's Pleasance.  He has that sinister villain voice.

[JamesBondRadio.com]

It's gotta be Donald, every time for me. Truly iconic. It's a shame Dr. Evil has kinda diluted him, these days .

[MicroGlobeOne]

Donald Pleasence.