R.I.P. James Bond...

[LowRyter]

Someone on a thread somewhere mentioned "The Spy Who Loved Me".  I wonder how many have read that story?

do tell

[Swedemoto]

Just assume it is BASED ON the book, INSPIRED by the book, just as most historical films are based on actual events.

Many of the Bond movies plots have little to do with the books. Growing up, we had a complete set of Bond paperbacks from the Sixties. Most were interesting, from memory, but not always gripping. I loved the early Connery films because they were largely believable and weren't filled with over the top gun play and explosions. "From Russia with Love" is one of the best. A really good spy thriller.
Let's not forget that Bond was an extension of Ian Fleming and his experiences while serving in the Naval Intelligence Division during the war. That always intrigued me. Wiki "Casino Royale" and read up on that as it would probably be the most true tale of all of them.
I grew up just minutes south of Lake George and Lake Luzerne in NY. Did you know that "The Spy Who Loved me" took place while Bond was vacationing in Lake George and is the only Bond book written from the female perspective? Pretty boring book, but cool nonetheless. I will say that the movie had nothing to do with book storyline, but damn, it had Barbara Bach!

[twowheeladdict]

What are they?
My only xmas tradition, watch Bad Santa.
I will watch The Big Lebowski every few years, and North by Northwest and Apocalypse Now and a few others.

We all have our own personal tastes and thoughts and reasons to watch a movie based on our own personal histories, etc.  I gravitate towards geeky, nerdy, awkward guy gets the girl in the end movies.  Mmm. 

One of the movies I really enjoy is "Man's Favorite Sport"

Cary Grant is definitely one of my favorite Actors so whenever one of his movies comes across my "free YouTube" recommends, I have to watch it. 

I raised two boys and the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie contained so many great elements that when played on a quality surround sound system was quite entertaining.  I haven't watched it in years, but watched it a lot with by boys. 

[Aaron D.]

Many of the Bond movies plots have little to do with the books. Growing up, we had a complete set of Bond paperbacks from the Sixties. Most were interesting, from memory, but not always gripping. I loved the early Connery films because they were largely believable and weren't filled with over the top gun play and explosions. "From Russia with Love" is one of the best. A really good spy thriller.
Let's not forget that Bond was an extension of Ian Fleming and his experiences while serving in the Naval Intelligence Division during the war. That always intrigued me. Wiki "Casino Royale" and read up on that as it would probably be the most true tale of all of them.
I grew up just minutes south of Lake George and Lake Luzerne in NY. Did you know that "The Spy Who Loved me" took place while Bond was vacationing in Lake George and is the only Bond book written from the female perspective? Pretty boring book, but cool nonetheless. I will say that the movie had nothing to do with book storyline, but damn, it had Barbara Bach!

Yes, I do and that's why I mentioned it. Te only thing the film has in common with the book is the title.

[fotoguzzi]

"The Big Lebowski"?   Dude.

Dr Strangelove
“Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines.”

[PJPR01]

Someone on a thread somewhere mentioned "The Spy Who Loved Me".  I wonder how many have read that story?

I enjoyed reading Ian Fleming's books as well growing up, and Another favorite of that era was Alistair Maclean.

Several of his books were adapted to movie, reasonably well - Ice Station Zebra, Guns of Navarone, Force 10 from Navarone...also with the wonderfully spectacular Barbara Bach as well and Richard Kiel (Jaws).

The Lotus that was used in The Spy Who Loved Me was on display in Palo Alto at Jim Loose's dealer on El Camino...we saw it on the way to high school and got a peak inside...always wanted that car!

[LowRyter]

Dr Strangelove
“Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines.”

we have a winner, my all time favorite movie

"You'll have to answer to the Coca Cola Company."

[Guzzistajohn]

Hard to believe someone would make movies so far fetched and unrealistic. Movies about mundane normal life would be much more entertaining, take The Wizard of Oz or Star Wars for example 

[oldbike54]

 Anyone here a fan of Robert Ludlum ?

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

Anyone here a fan of Robert Ludlum ?

 Dusty

  Oh most definitely...and Clive Cussler too! 

[LowRyter]

Really good spy film was "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".   It was also a really good nostalgia movie and Smiley (Gary Oldham) was the center figure being framed.    Smiley (Rupert Davies) wasn't really a very good guy in Richard Burton's, "The Spy that Came in from the Cold".  Given the prolog, it's interesting that Smiley had enough staff loyalty in the later movie to succeed.

Another interesting film was the "Quiet American" with Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser.  This was set in French Indochina in the '50s.  I would suggest that it's too controversial for many here and might be avoided.  This is a hint to the actions and fate of the title character. 

All of these are interesting, thought provoking and realistic.

[PJPR01]

Really good spy film was "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".   It was also a really good nostalgia movie and Smiley (Gary Oldham) was the center figure being framed.    Smiley (Rupert Davies) wasn't really a very good guy in Richard Burton's, "The Spy that Came in from the Cold".  Given the prolog, it's interesting that Smiley had enough staff loyalty in the later movie to succeed.

Another interesting film was the "Quiet American" with Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser.  This was set in French Indochina in the '50s.  I would suggest that it's too controversial for many here and might be avoided.  This is a hint to the actions and fate of the title character. 

All of these are interesting, thought provoking and realistic.

+10 on LeCarre...excellent books.  Most of the movies were pretty well done, with the glaring exception of the Tailor of Panama...but the others were excellent.

[bacongrease]

 Bond should have nailed Ms Moneypenny.
       She would have been the best ride of all those Bond girls..

[Lannis]

Bond should have nailed Ms Moneypenny.
       She would have been the best ride of all those Bond girls..

Well, then, you need to watch "Skyfall" and your dreams will be fulfilled ....

[Aaron D.]

Really good spy film was "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".   It was also a really good nostalgia movie and Smiley (Gary Oldham) was the center figure being framed.    Smiley (Rupert Davies) wasn't really a very good guy in Richard Burton's, "The Spy that Came in from the Cold".  Given the prolog, it's interesting that Smiley had enough staff loyalty in the later movie to succeed.

Another interesting film was the "Quiet American" with Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser.  This was set in French Indochina in the '50s.  I would suggest that it's too controversial for many here and might be avoided.  This is a hint to the actions and fate of the title character. 

All of these are interesting, thought provoking and realistic.

As usual the book is better. There was an earlier movie version starring Audie Murphy so if one is a spy movie/book fan I suggest both.
But my favorite spy novelist is Charles McCarry.

[Swedemoto]

  Oh most definitely...and Clive Cussler too!

Dirk Pitt fan here!! I haven't read them in a while but was it "Cyclops" maybe, surfing in to shore and catching a runaway dirigible by hand? Oof! What a hero!
Trevanian fans anyone? The Eiger Sanction was an excellent book and a great Clint movie as well!

[LowRyter]

As usual the book is better. There was an earlier movie version starring Audie Murphy so if one is a spy movie/book fan I suggest both.
But my favorite spy novelist is Charles McCarry.

Greene publicly denounced Murphy's movie.  The one I mentioned was truer to the author's.  In retrospect, that later movie seems to ring true.

[fotoguzzi]

we have a winner, my all time favorite movie

"You'll have to answer to the Coca Cola Company."

“What, you don't think I'd go into combat with loose change in my pocket, do you?”

[Aaron D.]

Greene publicly denounced Murphy's movie.  The one I mentioned was truer to the author's.  In retrospect, that later movie seems to ring true.

Yes, the Murphy movie was not the story Greene wrote. That's what I find interesting.
Murphy said he wouldn't have done it as written.