For the last three years I have watched the BBC adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Alec Guinness yearly, it's truly a masterclass of tb production and acting.

Peter Gullium played by Michael Jayston was apparently considered for Bond, and his performance in this shows why I think. He blows away Benedict Cumberhatch who played the same character in the film adaptation, how much of this is true I don't know, but got me thinking of other forgotten contenders.

The Bahamas was/is my adopted home and I guess the algorithm is doing its thing as this came across my Facebook feed from a local group with the following caption:

“Hi, this is my father, Murray Forde with Sean Connery. His band, The Nassauvians was hired to play at a wrap party after the filming of Thunderball was completed. Sir Sean wanted to join in so my dad sat him down at his drums." 1965.

Photo very kindly shared by Christine Forde Aylen”

She was born in October 18th, 1898. She died on November 27, 1981.

Infrequently, we see James encounter a scene that leaves him horrified.

I have listed a few of the ones I observed below:
- GF: When he is strapped to the table and the red laser approaches his body
- OHMSS: The killing of Tracy Bond in the last scene
- LD: Discovering that the assassination target assigned to him in Prague is a woman
- LTK: Discovering Felix’s mutilated body
- GoldenEye: The return of 006
- CR: Discovering Vesper’s betrayal in Venice
- Skyfall: M’s death in his manor in Scotland and Severine’s murder
- NTD : When he realizes he cannot return to Madeline

Are there others I may have missed?

Check this out!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18T1d47YAz/

Found in Rome, Georgia, USA

I don't think this hypothetical discussion has ever been discussed here yet, but I'll be the one to take a shot:

As we all know, OHMSS is the most faithful movie to book in the Bond series, even From Russia With Love have some differences in it: replacing SMERSH with SPECTRE and altering the whole third act, also adding more action, Casino Royale is also modernized (Poker instead of Baccarat, extended first act, addition of some characters (like Dimitrios and Solange), different locations, more action, and a different third act), Dr. No removed some parts from the book (there's no giant squid, Honey Ryder was an entirely different character from the book), and Goldfinger have a plot change from the book to movie.

Thunderball was originally made as a script (I guess we could skip this one, since it's originally a screenplay before been turned into a book, but again, there are also many differences: the adding of Fiona Volpe as a villainess, Domino's character, more action, Domino's brother being replaced by a clone).

Then the rest of the series have bore no resemblance to their respective books onwards: The entire Roger Moore Era.

The Living Daylights was a short story that was expanded for cinematic purposes.

So that left OHMSS, I liked that OHMSS stayed true to Fleming's book, but since You Only Live Twice also strayed far from the book, what if 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' followed the same path of not staying true to the source?

In what ways would you differ OHMSS movie from the book if you are given a creative license back in time? Or frankly, how would you stray OHMSS far from the book based on your own personal preferences?

(I'll share my idea in the comment section later)

Lately I’ve been digging through boxes and found this little beauty. My childhood Corgi 007 Aston Martin. I was born in ‘69, OHMSS year. With Craig’s movies I really came to prefer serious Bond. But it was all the cool gadgets and action in the Connery and Moore films that had me hooked as a kid. We can debate who played the best Bond or which is the best era or even movie. We can eagerly anticipate (or perhaps dread) a new 007. I’m just glad the franchise continues and we get such a great character, regardless of who plays him.

Bond whistles 'Rule Britannia' to defeat a bunch of Russians on a Soviet airbase in Afghanistan. Can you think of anything more patriotic?

Like the title says

Really nice interview I found on tiktok this morning. Pierce apparently mentions how he wanted to do a remake of OHMSS prior to this.

On a different note it really shows the conservativism in Ireland. Divorce was only legalised by referendum in 1995 and when the camera switches to the crowd theres quite a few not clapping after he says this.

Does anyone among you own it?

On a recent rewatch, I was thinking how silly it was that Zorin was actually using the microchip device to inject drugs into his horse during this race, when their entire goal was pretty much just to get rid of Bond anyways. Going with Bond movie logic it's not really that extreme, Drax did much crazier things, but still, I started thinking where did this trope originate and I think it was from Goldfinger when Oddjob dropped that extra golf ball from his pocket to allow Goldfinger to cheat in the golf match with Bond. I just think it's funny how far they have gone to recreate this scene where Bond is in competition with the main villain and the main villain cheats, doing expensive surgery on a horse just for this occasion.

Last time, I did the first 5 Connerys. This time we cover Lazenby, Connery’s last, and the first three Moores. Please don’t kill me for my OHMSS opinions!

I also added two new categories - soundtrack and locations - these are done out of 5.

On her Majesty’s Secret Service:

Other than Tracy, I can’t think of basically any redeeming features of this film in my eyes. Lazenby is not a good Bond - there’s no Q - Blofeld, again, is not portrayed well, the action I think is generally poor. Tracy is an excellent Bond girl, and the end scene where she dies is excellent, but other than fleeting moments this was just a bit of a slog.

Story: 4/10
Action : 4/10
Characters: 4/10
Soundtrack: 4/5
Locations: 3/5
Overall: 19/40

Diamonds are Forever:

A disappointing end to Connery’s time as Bond, but certainly not as bad as OHMSS. I thought Blofeld was played well this time, he seemed more cunning, and I liked Mr Wint and Mr Kidd a lot, but Tiffany is dull and Connery’s heart is obviously not in the character any more. Plainly average is the best way I could describe this film - there are a couple of over the top moments, but nothing too outrageous.

Story: 5/10
Action: 4/10
Characters: 6/10
Soundtrack: 3/5
Locations: 3/5
Overall: 21/40

Live and Let Die:

I really like this. Maybe it’s my own bias for Moore creeping through, but this is certainly the first film since Thunderball that I’ve felt is really a quality entertainment experience. I like Baron Samedi, Tee Hee and Kananga a lot as villains (and frankly Solitaire is possibly the most attractive Bond girl ever). I do feel the ending could have been a bit better (the final confrontation is very short) and I do also think there are some slightly outrageous ideas (how does Kananga keep a whole funeral on standby just in case he has to murder someone outside the Fillet of Soul?) but it’s a lot of fun and well worth a watch. Also the quote “sheer magnetism darling” deserves a special mention for possibly the best Bond quip to a Bond girl ever.

Story: 7/10
Action: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Soundtrack: 4/5
Location: 5/5
Overall: 31/40

The Man with the Golden Gun:

The Solex doesn’t make for a compelling story, but this film is frankly saved by Christopher Lee as Scaramanga who is frankly excellent. Some great action scenes and chases, but I felt Hai Fat was a bit of a boring character, Goodnight is possibly the ditziest Bond Girl ever, and Nick-Nack could be just a smidge irritating. Overall though, as generally fits Moore’s Bonds, they’re entertainment before they’re high quality films.

Story: 5/10
Action: 7/10
Characters: 6/10
Soundtrack: 3/5
Location: 4/5
Overall: 25/40

The Spy Who Loved Me:

It probably doesn’t get any better than this. If I was going to introduce Bond as a franchise to someone, this is where I’d start it - it’s just too good! Amazing story, with great gadgets and phenomenal characters. Barbara Bach portrays a great Bond girl, there’s a lot of globe trotting, Jaws is probably the most iconic henchman of the series, and the final fight is just excellent. The only complaint I could come up with for this film is Stromberg - I think he’s great, but his motivation does feel a little thin at times and that’s what prevents this film from getting 40/40. Absolutely excellent otherwise!

Story: 10/10
Action: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Soundtrack: 5/5
Locations: 5/5
Overall: 39/40

With so many games in the series and being a huge fan of the later titles i decided to compile a video of every bond game. Some titles in here i had no idea existed.