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Comments
I think the fact that TB was the basis of so many spoofs is testament to it's greatness. Only the best films get spoofs that work. Take Top Gun/Hot Shots.
I also disagree with Claudine's performance, which I think is perfect for the character she's playing. A kept woman, who's used to beeing (ab)used, taking a stand because of the loss of the only person she ever trusted.
Same goes for Adolfo. He may not have the imposing stature that Fleming gave the character, but his calm but vengeful demeanor is far more threatening than many other bad guys, especially compared to DAF's Blofeld.
COnnery is hardly phoning it in. He actually seems to be enjoying himself far more in this film (do you mind giving me something to put on?). At the same time, his reactions whilst clandestinely searching the villa are as serious as can be.
The effects even gave the film an oscar. So perhaps looking back they're not that much, but they were certainly state of the art.
I also disagree on the underwater scenes, something that was never done before. For the public in 1965, travel to the Bahamas in itself was an increadable adventure (the Boeing 747's maiden flight was three years later), let alone an underwater fight with huge groups of men! And all done for real! Does it last long? yes. And perhaps they could've shortened the recovery of the bomber, but it was so outlandish and spectacular, I can't blame the director for expanding on that. Are we less impressed nowedays? Hell, the average shot now lasts no longer than 2 seconds! Perhaps we should start appreciating the quality of these longer shots again.
Yeah I think he was at the top of his powers here; when he walks in the hotel lobby and everyone is looking at him -which is quite funny- I can also buy it.
Connery being Connery, the girls, the dialogue, the epic tone as if it were the greatest adventure ever told...
YOLT tried to match it but it couldn't. I think being a "faithful" adaptation of the book and not being a greatest hits helped a lot.
Agreed on all counts. And I'd add that the chemistry with pretty much all Bond girls, including the platonic ones, is perfect.
I think it's a greater testament to its 'spoofability'. The silliness has taken over. Also, not all spoofs work. See 'Spy Hard' or 'Austin Powers' for details.
It has its moments, sure, however the greatest compliment I'd bestow is it provokes the need of a OHMSS or FRWL, and provides those entries a welcome ring of permanence.
I think 'spoofabillity' is testament to the fact that sillyness hasn't taken over. simply because you can't make a spoof of a spoof.
Why does the Hot Shots film work? Because it makes fun of the coolness of Top Gun, which only works if people actually accept that premise. If you wouldn't think Top Gun was cool, Hot Shots wouldn't be fun at all.
Now the original film obviously doesn't guarantee the quality of the spoofs, and Austin Powers mostly spoofs Goldfinger and DAF. I don't think Thunderball is the basis of those films. But personally, I do love the Johnny English films.
But that's probably also a cultural difference. I find a lot of humour in QoS, but it's understated, and thus missed by (a lot of) Americans.
Well, Austin Powers parodied the Swinging London that OHMSS was part of.
OHMSS was very much a 1969 feature. Lazenby thought so, too, taking his agent's advice 007 was a sixties showpiece.
I must have been 4 or 5 years old when my family suggested I watch it. It is perhaps the first film I ever saw that wasn't made for children and it blew me away, the action, the cool, calm and very masculine Sean Connery and the gorgeous locations and women. A lot of people complain that the underwater scenes drag and I can tell you as a child that I remember… some of the water scenes going on a bit too much like the sinking of the Vulcan and moving around the bombs but the climactic fight between the goodies and baddies was super fun! As an adult it is almost the opposite!
Needless to say it still ranks very highly for me in the series. I first saw the film when it was about 30 years old - and now, this year, we celebrate its 60th anniversary. How time flies.
Perhaps my favourite scene in the movie is when James Bond goes to meet the villainous Largo at his 'Palmyra' villa in Nassau. This scene has many of the classic hallmarks of a Bond film. Witty dialogue, the perilous villain's lair with shark traps all set in the Caribbean sun. Everyone is impeccably dressed, from one of Domino's many knockout swimsuits and Largo's perfect example of sprezzatura, to my favourite of 007's casual outfits in the series.
Then one of the curiosities to me as a child is the drink that Bond and Largo are served.
How do you make that? What's that pinkish tinge in the drink? What fun stripey straws! Could Largo not have had that drink poisoned!
As an adult, I have been able to explore this drink a bit more and put my own little spin on it to celebrate 60 years of this iconic film. So I present to you:
007 Rum Collins
60ml Blackwell 007 Limited Edition Rum
30ml Fresh Lime Juice
1 tsp Powdered Sugar / 15ml Simple Syrup
Club Soda
Luxardo Maraschino Cherry and Lemon Wedge for garnish
* Add rum, lime juice, sugar/syrup and ice to the shaker
* Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds
* Strain into a tall Collins glass filled with ice
* Top with club soda
* Garnish with a lemon wedge and maraschino cherry
* Serve with a straw
This isn't exactly as it would have been served in the movie. A Tom Collins (and by extension the Rum Collins) is usually made with lemon juice but my preference is to mix lime with rum. It's not uncommon to see Rum Collins recipes presented this way.
Also instead of a Spanish style light rum I've decided on a Jamaican twist. The limited edition 007 bottle of Blackwell's Fine Jamaican rum seemed appropriate. Many of you will know already about Chris Blackwell who released this rum. Chris not only did some scouting work for the film-makers during Dr. No, but his mother was, shall we say, a close friend of Ian Fleming's. Chris also now owns the GoldenEye estate that once belonged to Fleming.
So next time the weather is hot and you want to feel like you're aboard the Disco Volante, join me with a refreshing 007 Rum Collins!
@Ludovico we both had a great introduction! Cute cat, do you stroke them while pondering world domination?
@Benny Rum is my spirit of choice and this is a rare representation in the series. I’m more into tiki drinks than martinis. The Rum Collins is perfect for Thunderball.
Unfortunately Odin (the cat on the picture) is long dead. But yes, he was an adorable cat.