34 replies to this topic

[Double-Oh Agent]

Some people like to think that the lines about Bond being on 'holiday' - and the fact that DAF opens in Japan - indicates that Bond has been hunting for Blofeld since 1967.

 

 

I've always looked at it, in the case of the former, as a series in-joke to Sean Connery skipping a film; and in the case of the latter, that James Bond is just backtracking on his hunt for Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Blofeld disappeared from Switzerland/Portugal so Bond goes back to his enemy's old haunts in the Far East (Japan) looking up any known SPECTRE members in that area until he comes across some/one who might put him back on the trail of Blofeld.

[hilly]

I know some people find the lack of a link to OHMSS frustrating, but I actually quite like the fact that there is no explanation whatsoever. Rather like the inclusion of Judi Dench in Casino Royale, it makes no narrative sense whatsoever (Blofeld not recognising Bond in OHMSS is another example), but the Bond films have always done things slightly differently.
Back in 1971, Bond was still one of the biggest film series in the world and all power to Broccoli and Saltzman for making no apologies whatsoever and almost saying "This is the way it is. Deal with it".

[AMC Hornet]

I saw DAF first, and wondered why 007 had such a jones to kill this Blofeld dude.

 

After I saw OHMSS I got it, and never felt cheated out of a gritty, angst-ridden revenge tale (that would not have made a fan of me).

 

Bond gets to kill Blofeld three times in DAF, which seems like adequate revenge (although there could have been a second of eye contact during one of the bathosub's swings past the crane cab).

 

Did anyone out there see QoS as their first 007 film, then CR subsequently? I'd be interested in hearing how this influenced your opinion of the story arc.

[AMC Hornet]

And another thing:

 

Although I've seen DAF literally dozens of times, and although we've lovingly dissected so many inconsistencies and continuity lapses over the years (the Mustang changing angles in the alley, how did Bond find Tiffany's house, why did Tiffany follow Ernst Stavro Dragqueen out of the casino, etc), another thought occurred to me only today:

 

Dr. Tynan routinely delivered his stolen diamonds to a helicopter pilot in the middle of the desert. One day, strangers Wint & Kidd show up and kill him and the pilot. They then take the diamonds to Mrs. Whistler, who is delighted to see them again. This means that Wint & Kidd were already part of the pipeline, at the same time as the chopper pilot.

 

I remember that in of the book, Serrafimo Spang (AKA Rufus B. Saye, AKA 'ABC') closed down the pipeline himself. In the film we can suppose that after assuming control of WW Techtronics, Blofeld also seconded the spangled mob, possibly in order to take advantage of their diamond smuggling operation.

 

I could believe that Wint &  Kidd were only there to shut down the pipeline, if it weren't for their pre-existing acquaintance with Mrs. Whistler. So, where did the chopper pilot take the stones previously, if not to Mrs. Whistler?

 

Just another of those "it'll go by so quickly no one will notice" moments, I suppose - moments thwarted by the advent of home video and freeze-pause.

[Guy Haines]

Yes, there does seem to be a certain lack of logic there, which hadn't occurred to me until AMC Hornet pointed it out. It could work if the dentist passed the diamonds on to the helicopter pilots, who then took them on to an unseen third party, who then passed them on to W & K, who then passed them on to Mrs. Whistler. The head of the diamond company mentions to M and Bond "several recent murders" in South Africa, which could include ones we don't see - but then later in the film when Bond is questioning Tiffany Case he only mentions on of them.

Still, I suppose it is indeed one of those "don't bother yourself about it" plot inconsistencies that the Bonds, and many other films, have from time to time.

Incidentally, DAF may not have that much in common with the novel of the same name beyond diamonds, Africa, Tiffany, Peter Franks and Las Vegas but another link has sprung to mind - Tiffany, and others, all get their orders from the boss by telephone, just the same as in the book - save that for Rufus B. Saye, read Willard Whyte, who of course in reality truns out to be a villain well known of this parish!