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Fox-hunting/Human Hunting Scenes in Spy Novels/Films/TV?

DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
edited August 2016 in General Discussion Posts: 17,804
Hunting-Fox.jpg

Can any members here provide references to spy thrillers/spy films/spy TV shows that feature any of the following:

Fox hunting,

Pheasant or Grouse Shooting,

Human Hunting,

Underwater Hunting.

There are a few that come to mind for me:

The spy thriller novels of John Welcome (pseudonym of Michael Brennan)

Rogue Male (1939) by Geoffrey Household (hunting down a Hitler-like dictator)

'From A View to A Kill' (1960) by Ian Fleming - fox hunting theme - 'D'ye ken John Peel' lyrics (where the short story title is taken from),

Octopussy (1983) - Human hunting of Bond by Prince Kamal Khan and company on safari elephant-back.

I'm writing a little something on this topic regarding James Bond and I wanted to pick the brains of members here to see if they could come up with some more examples. I am especially interested in fox-hunting scenes in spy novels because of the link with Ian Fleming's 'From A View to A Kill' (1960).

Comments

  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited August 2016 Posts: 9,117
    The Most Dangerous Game - Man hunting

    MR - Pheasant shooting.

    Although for the record I have to say I think you have the 2016 prize for most preposterous thread sewn up Draggers.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    The Most Dangerous Game - Man hunting

    MR - Pheasant shooting.

    Although for the record I have to say I think you have the 2016 prize for most preposterous thread sewn up Draggers.

    Thanks for those, Wiz.

    Well, I couldn't think of anything else and the topic does fascinate me. It's all grist to the mill for me. I've had the idea for this article since 2010 but I've not gotten round to writing it in full until now.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Actually scratch The Most Dangerous Game - that has nothing to do with espionage.

    And in other bad news I'm afraid you won't be winning that prize after all as obviously @Iguanna has that one sewn up for his quality 'fiction'.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    I've added a little more detail to the OP to make it clear why I am asking you all about this rather specific topic.

    And in a spirit of compassion and general goodwill I'm happy for @IGUANNA to take my title for that award.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Actually scratch The Most Dangerous Game - that has nothing to do with espionage.

    The ending of John Gardner's No Deals, Mr Bond (1987) is said to be inspired by this short story and no doubt it inspired many of spy novels and films/TV in its time.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    TheWizardOfIce wrote: »
    Actually scratch The Most Dangerous Game - that has nothing to do with espionage.

    The ending of John Gardner's No Deals, Mr Bond (1987) is said to be inspired by this short story and no doubt it inspired many of spy novels and films/TV in its time.

    Very true.

    I would say the Bourne films consist almost entirely of the government hunting Bourne but I don't think that's quite the thing you're looking for.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    No, that's valid enough there, Wiz. I think that (esoteric though this topic is) I've managed to gather together enough new information to make a new blog article on the subtext of 'FAVTAK'. It's certainly not an overwritten area by any means so it's perfect for my blog. You never know, you might even enjoy it yourself, Wiz!
  • GerardGerard
    Posts: 5,808
    "The List of Adrian Messenger" might fit the bill, I think.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    Gerard wrote: »
    "The List of Adrian Messenger" might fit the bill, I think.

    That's a new one to me. Thank you @Gerard!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited August 2016 Posts: 17,804
    The Hammer horror film Plague of the Zombies had fox-hunting in it and a scene where a woman is hunted. I know it's not a spy film, but this is the sort of scene I am looking for in this thread.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Corinne having the dogs set on her in MR?
  • stagstag In the thick of it!
    edited August 2016 Posts: 1,053
    I've just heard that a film version of Rogue Male, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, will be out next year. The audiobook version read by Michael Jayston is great. This made for TV one starring Peter O'Tool was also a good watch. I remember seeing it when it was first aired.

  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited August 2016 Posts: 17,804
    Yes, I heard that Rogue Male news too. Looking forward to seeing that one. Michael Jayston also played James Bond in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Ian Fleming's YOLT in December 1990, which is very good too.
  • FLeiterFLeiter
    Posts: 315
    I'll recommend 'Man Hunt' by the great Fritz Lang from 1941 which I believe was based in part on 'Rogue Male'. The opening sequence is the ultimate 'sporting stalk' even though it's Hitler.

  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    Yes, the film makes clear that it was Hitler that was the target whereas the 1939 novel makes this more ambiguous I think. Thanks for that clip, @FLeiter. I've always meant to buy that film!
  • FLeiterFLeiter
    Posts: 315
    'Man Hunt' is a must for your collection. Another good one is 'The Naked Prey' with Cornel Wilde. It's pretty much human hunting throughout.

  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    That sounds just what the doctor ordered! Thanks again, @FLeiter. :)
  • RareJamesBondFanRareJamesBondFan Touch it. You can touch it if you want.
    Posts: 132
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    Thanks, that added so much to this thread, @RareJamesBondFan. :)
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    I've just played that song and my daughter knew all the words. Oh dear
    :D
  • JawsIsAliveJawsIsAlive
    Posts: 233
    Hard Target, a trashy but enjoyable Jean-Claude van Damme film, involves homeless men being hunted by paying customers.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited August 2016 Posts: 17,804
    JawsIsAlive wrote: »
    Hard Target, a trashy but enjoyable Jean-Claude van Damme film, involves homeless men being hunted by paying customers.

    Yes, I've seen that one on TV late at night a few times. Not a bad action film to be honest.
  • JawsIsAliveJawsIsAlive
    Posts: 233
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    JawsIsAlive wrote: »
    Hard Target, a trashy but enjoyable Jean-Claude van Damme film, involves homeless men being hunted by paying customers.

    Yes, I've seen that one on TV late at night a few times. Not a bad action film to be honest.

    The plot is remarkably similar to Skyfall during the final act.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    JawsIsAlive wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    JawsIsAlive wrote: »
    Hard Target, a trashy but enjoyable Jean-Claude van Damme film, involves homeless men being hunted by paying customers.

    Yes, I've seen that one on TV late at night a few times. Not a bad action film to be honest.

    The plot is remarkably similar to Skyfall during the final act.

    Yes, now you mention it I can see some similarities there.
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