37 replies to this topic

[AlphaSigOU]

Are you one of the many James Bond fans who secretly admit to liking the films starring the late James Coburn as ZOWIE agent Derek Flint? Sound off!

[B5Erik2]

I've got both Flint movies on DVD (the price was just too good to pass up!).

James Coburn was the perfect guy to play the "perfect" spy. I wish that the movies had been just a little less "spoofy," and a little more serious (closer to DAF, for example), but they are very entertaining nonetheless.

I'd love to do a modern version of Flint - play it a little straighter, but keep it fun (like a Roger Moore Bond movie). The big problem you'd have, though, would be in filling Coburn's shoes...

Z.O.W.I.E. indeed!

[Fawn]

I saw parts of OMF and all of ILF, they cracked me up. I loved Flint's boss and especially his dog. Flint himself was wonderfully perfect, and well, he's just extremely cool.

It wasn't nearly as spoofy as MR, though. IMHO.

[Von Hammerstein]

Of all the Bond spoofs from the sixties I liked James Coburn's Derek Flint the best. He was the quintessential gentle superspy. He had harem of gorgeous girls, fought
diabolical villians, he could converse with dolphins and had a cigar lighter that had 86 different function, ("Eighty-seven if you wish to light a cigar.) He was too cool. I've stated elsewhere that I think Ben Browder could pull off Flint if there was ever
a remake.

[Bryce (003)]

That's 82 different functions...but I'm splitting hairs.

Actually, I'm proud to say I've had both on Laser Disc (think really big DVD that you had to flip) for nearly 10 years.

The Flint charcter and films were great and had some fine moments, most of which were due directly to Coburn. Lee J. Cobb as his chief (Cramden) made the perfect foil for Flint's abilities.

A favorite exchange from OMF:

F: Breakfast sir?

C: I had lunch two hours ago.

F: (glances at watch) Oh yes. I must still be on Moscow time.

C: Moscow! uh..."business"?

F: No. Ballet.

C: You traveled all the way to Moscow to watch a ballet?

F: No. To teach.

Priceless and cool.

As much as I aspire to be Bond (or at least live the lifestyle), my life is somewhat more like Flint's.

- I'm readily approached by former employers who need the world (or their definition of it) saved.

- I have actually a number of ladies who I simply call my Muses, who treat my home like their own and take care of various chores for me - in return, I take care of them and occasionally indulge them in some luxury and travel. No hanky-panky here, just my girls looking out for me and me for them.

- I have a pretty groovy townhouse with city views. No sliding walls....yet.

- I travel and move in interesting circles.

No ability to communicate with dolphins but I do seem to be able to turn the most vicious of canines into a playful puppy. I wouldn't mind having my own jet though.

I'd love to see Flint make a comeback. No remakes, just new films. But, as someone said above, Coburn casts a long shadow. He actually studied Karate under Bruce Lee and although I've only heard talk on the subject, apparently Bruce dropped by the set of OMF to say "hi" and ended up choreographing several of the fights.

Dreamworks did just get the rights to do the Matt Helm movies. Why not Flint?

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Are you one of the many James Bond fans who secretly admit to liking the films starring the late James Coburn as ZOWIE agent Derek Flint? Sound off!

Yes. Flint rocked. I proudly purchased both films as soon as they were released on DVD. My only disappointment is that 20th Century Fox did not get James Coburn to do an audio commentary on them before he passed away. I know they were originally intended as Bond spoofs but in retrospect, one can argue they were the forerunner to the Roger Moore Bond Films of the 1970s. Derek Flint even headed into outer space 12 years prior to Bond doing so.

[Bon-san]

Love the Flint flicks. I can never eat boulliabase w/o thinking of Derek Flint.

[jwheels]

I've always wanted to see these movies, the sound like they are cool, unfortunetly none of the video stores where I live have them to rent.

[trs007]

Next to Bond, Flint is my favorite spy. Very cool, neat and able to handle every situation. He went "over the top" in a fun way. I, too, grabbed the DVDs immediately; although was dissappointed at the lack of extras. Not to mention, from the score perspective, Jerry Goldsmith gave us two really "groozy-cool" ones to enjoy.

[Roebuck]

Who could fail to love a spy who can control his own heart beat and has a piece of ultrasonic jewellery that can shatter armoured glass! Can't wait to see what further ''homage's to Derek Flint the team of Purvis & Wade come up with for Bond 21.

It would be great to see another Flint film, but the problem is always going to be casting. An actor playing 007 takes on an element of cool just by being chosen as Bond. For Derek Flint I think you'd have to find an actor (like Coburn) who was perceived as cool to begin with.

[DLibrasnow]

Of all the Bond spoofs from the sixties I liked James Coburn's Derek Flint the best.

I would have to go with "Fathom" starring Racquel Welch for that coveted title. Nothing like seeing her in that skintight skydiving jumpsuit....Meow!

[HAMMONDBEAT]

It seems to me that the plots were frivilous and under-developed on purpose, almost as if the detail was left out because for Flint that information is just extraneous background noise. As a master of so many diciplines, it would go without saying that running, martial arts, and rescuing the ladies is childs play and something he can do while simultaneously cooking a gourmet dinner...perfectly. In a way his character is so complex inside, it would be boring to explore any of it in great detail, and meaningless to give it more than the cursory references (who cares what all the functions of the lighter are, just that it does more than light a cigarette is impressive enough). I believe Flint is a product of his time, and there is little room keep up the charade as it was, and would be disrespectful to go the serious route. I'm all but burnt out by the toilet humour of Austin Powers, and dropping that nonsense would basically leave you the cheesey sets and dialogue, overt virility angle, and unessential plotline of Flint (though certainly not the appeal of the Flint character). And as others have suggested, Coburn is one of a kind. His shoes are unfillable...period.

Of course the debate that probably matters most is MGM trying vainly once again to re-cast Inspector Clouseau. Steve Martin? Give me a break, and give it up already!

[SteveE]

If you wanna talk casting, I can only think of one contemporary actor to play the role of Derek Flint - George Clooney. Suave, Handsome, Poised, Charming, able to deliver a punch or a punchline, able to make women swoon with a glance. I think that he would be an excellent choice for Flint.

[Dell Deaton]

If you wanna talk casting, I can only think of one contemporary actor to play the role of Derek Flint - George Clooney....

Welcome to CBn, SteveE!

Interesting first Post you've made here (to a Thread that has it's own odd history of activity). I can see Mr. Clooney as Derek Flink.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

If you wanna talk casting, I can only think of one contemporary actor to play the role of Derek Flint - George Clooney. Suave, Handsome, Poised, Charming, able to deliver a punch or a punchline, able to make women swoon with a glance. I think that he would be an excellent choice for Flint.

Welcome aboard SteveE.

I can see Clooney, I suppose. Granted, I can't think of any other actor who could pull off a remake if they were to do one. He was good in Leatherheads.

[Harry Fawkes]

I love the Flint movies. James Coburn was brilliant. I also love the music. When I heard Jerry Goldsmith's score for the first time I was literally blasted! The theme has turned out to be an enduring piece of 60s pop culture. Wild and raucous music.

George Clooney as Our Man Flint?

Sounds bloody cool

[Brian Flagg]

I always thought that Leonard Nimoy would have made a great Derek Flint had they made further Flint movies in the early 1970s. Get Simon Oakland as Kramden...Just an unfulfilled dream of mine...thought I'd share.

[Harry Fawkes]

[ACE]

I lurve the Flint movies.
I too would love to see a new series.
Something effortlessly chic and retro-cool.
Like Soderbergh's Ocean's series or Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair.
My picks for Derek Flint?

Brad Pitt
Leonardo DiCaprio
Will Smith
Hugh Jackman
Matthew McConaughey

[Von Hammerstein]

Flint is one of those characters that is an indelible part of my youth, when I fantasize about winning the 500 million dollar lottery remaking Our Man Flint is one of the first things I'd like to spend the money on.
But who to play Flint? Who could possibly do it? I know they said the same thing about Connery and Bond and we're on our 6th 007 now and Bond films are better than ever.
I mentioned Ben Browder in a previous post and I think Bruce Campbell could have pulled it off in his younger days.
But now, you need someone smooth and unflappable with a groovy vibe. Clooney, sorry never had it and is too old now. Sure women swooned for Clooney but men certainly didn't want to be him and that's prerequisite for Flint. Antonio Banderas might have done it, but he's getting up in years too.
Maybe Jeffrey Donovan from Burn Notice? I'm grasping here.
Maybe there's wisdom in going with an unknown?

[spynovelfan]

Surely Owen Wilson?

[dee-bee-five]

I, too, love the first Flint movie; it's terrific. Alas, I thought In Like Flint was bloody awful!

Edited by dee-bee-five, 03 July 2008 - 02:01 PM.

[marktmurphy]

Surely Owen Wilson?

I can see that working- that sort of swagger he had in Zoolander would work.

I enjoy using the Presidential phone ring from the Flint movies as my ringtone

[bill007]

I have the entire cat-walk fight scene as my ring tone for texts coming in.

I know that the 'toung-in-cheek' has been done ala Myers, and American spies are all the fancy of (JB-2) Jason Bourne, and (JB-3) Jack Bauer.

But, I'd give anything to see a big screen re-make of Derek Flint, and to hear that soundtrack once again.

Darn, for me, it was a question at that time...Bond or Flint. At 10 years old, I liked Flint, but BOND continued.

[Brian Flagg]

But, I'd give anything to see a big screen re-make of Derek Flint, and to hear that soundtrack once again.

Darn, for me, it was a question at that time...Bond or Flint. At 10 years old, I liked Flint, but BOND continued.

This is not directed at you bill007, but do allow me to vent

Give anything for a remake? Haven't they ruined enough classic TV shows, formerly-great franchises and characters already? Besides that, there isn't anyone remotely charsimatic or man enough to even play Flint these days ("Vin Diesel IS Flint!"). No thanks, these kids and their remakes have cast a pall on many a fondly-remembered movie, and they've already taken a steaming dump on The Saint, The Avengers, and Mission: Impossible, so I hope they leave Flint alone.

Oh, and Bond continued alright, to descend into the parody that Flint so brilliantly anticipated.

Once again, this isn't an attack on anyone here, but I do get sensitive about remakes of cherished movies and shows...

Edited by Brian Flagg, 19 April 2009 - 11:06 AM.

[dodge]

It's heartening to see here that the fire is still burning for James Coburn's Flint. I agree that the second film was a disappointment--more interested in topicality (Women's Lib) than in entertainment. That said, we still have the very large shadow he cast. Imo, he bailed out too soon and should have done a third, if the studios were willing. This would have established him more firmly in the public's mind. But he had a lively and a restless intellect, eager to move on. And, for my money, most of his best work was done around that time: THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST, WATERHOLE NUMBER 3, DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND. Coburn continued to explore the theme of the American Rogue: cool, witty, dauntingly articulate, tough, charming--in a way that none of his contemporaries could touch. Some were as tough, some were as charming, but none of them could offer the complete package that Coburn did.

I wonder how much damage was done to his career by the dreadful LAST OF THE MOBILE HOTSHOTS, based on a play by Tennessee Williams. JC played a consumptive, alcoholic racist--and I'm pretty sure that none of the six people who saw the film ever forgave him for it.

[007luvchild2]

Like them better than Casino Royale (1967) though I might be of the minority here.

[Matt_13]

Entertaining movies, I'm a fan.

[Brian Flagg]

The Ultimate Flint DVDs go for $14.99 on Amazon. A nice three-disc set with fun bonus features. The commentaries on both films cover not only Flint, but Bond and the whole 1960s spy craze, as well. There's even a five-minute featurette on composer Jerry Goldsmith, for which I'm grateful. I do wish there had been more on James Coburn, though.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Yep, I bought this set when it first came out. Great set.

I notice that Amazon are currently grouping this with the "Matt Helm Lounge" boxset and "The President's Analyst", which I bought separately at a higher cost. A nice discount now if one is interested in getting the lot at once.