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I also consider myself to be a real, diehard Bond fan. I've grown up with it, I've been a big fan for nearly fifteen years, I own all of the films - I've seen them all at least ten to twenty times or more - I've played almost all of the games, my room is littered with Bond posters, pictures, and memorabilia, and I've read almost all of the novels, though ashamed to admit I haven't read one in quite some time, so my memory is incredibly fuzzy on the material. I hope to get back to them very soon.
So yes, a real fan? Since the novels seem to be a touchy subject on here, alongside the fact that some people just aren't fans of reading, thus making it hard to enjoy the novels, I would say to be a real Bond fan, you should have at least seen all of the films, because nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material.
You just described me right there..hahaha.. I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to Bond on films. But ask me anything about the stuff that goes on in the Bond novels and I'd be lost..haha..
Some friends that know me as a Bond fan do come up to me and ask me about stuff from the Bond films of the past and I give them a straight answer.. Supposed thats something..
She asked me the other day who I thought the sexiest Bond girl was, and I immediately felt like I was cornered into a trap.
"Uhh, none of them, all I need is, uhh, you, darling...?"
:))
Your own words show up the inconsistency in your argument.
You claim that to be a 'real' fan you need to see all the films as 'nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material'. This implies that this is some sort of feat of endurance confirming your dedication to the cause and bestowing the title of 'real' fan upon you.
But in your previous sentence you claim that reading the novels is hard due to the fact that (and I'm inferring from your comments here so please feel free to correct me) reading isnt as 'fun' as watching a film - I dont know how else to interpret the comment 'some people just arent fans of reading'. Or are you saying that because 'some people just arent fans of reading' thoes who are can be disregarded and the films should be held as the gold standard by which everything is measured and the books are just an optional extra?
I would say someone who has watched all the films ad infinitum can quote them, knows every scene etc etc can be called a real fan.
But someone who has done the same and also has the same breadth of knowledge about the books has added an extra layer to their fandom and so is surely an even 'realer' fan (if thats a word - which it isnt)?
I guess I contradicted myself the moment I tried to describe the difference between a fan and a real fan, as I initially stated that a fan is a fan, and we can't be the ones to decide who is who. Yes, if I knew the books cover to cover and could quote thousands of lines from all of the films, it's heavily apparent I'm a big James Bond fan. I just don't know where to draw that line without sounding redundant or contradictive.
Because the older you get the more you realise rampant commercialism bleeds the quality out of everything. When you're lucky enough to discover something of true value, a Fleming novel, you give it the respect it deserves. Everything is so disposable now, even the games (of which I've played all and own most) exist purely to satisfy commercial needs. There is zero ingenuity or authorship or originality that comes through. None of the flair of a good Fleming passage or the depth and richness of the content.
My Bond Fan Story;
I had a massive argument with a woman in a bar one night abroad when, discovering I was a bond nut, she told me that I proabably didnt know that 'Tomorrow Never Dies' was James Bonds family motto...she picked the wrong guy to misquote to...grrrr!
(whaaaaaaaaat?...the blood boiled and my correction head reared its..head)...you could not hold me down.
The funny thing was, she was a lot smaller than me and I just turned to her and said
"I've never killed a midget before" LOL :-)
I'm in the same boat as you here. I've seen the films and played 2 of the video games but I've never read a Batman comic in my life.
Being a Bond fan only requires that you think the world of James Bond is cool and you are enthusiastic to know more.
For instance, I'm a fan of Lost. I like the show, but I haven't seen all the episodes. But I will eventually. Do I know every little thing about all the characters and what all the weird stuff means? No, I don't. But I'm sure I'll form an opinion.
However, I'd say I'm a Bond fan and more besides. The more besides could be politely termed as an "expert" or "aficionado", or more impolitely termed as a "nerd" or a "geek". I often describe myself as a "Bond nerd" because I think the level of knowledge that we generally possess on this site is above simply fandom. It's our go to subject, our Mastermind specialist subject and the point of boredom for many a dinner guest.
No, you don't need to own all the books and films etc etc to be a fan. But to come on here and talk Bond all day you probably have to be a bit of a nerd.
Thanks, I'll take a look at that. I heard Lost is pretty rubbish towards the end, or that the resolution just doesn't ring true, but so far I'm liking it.
As for Bond fandom, I think it's pretty easy to sit in judgement on other people's level of fandom, but we should all just be happy for any Bond fans at any level. It's our continued fandom and interest that puts bums on seats and ultimately keeps the franchise going.
I have only read one James Bond book and I wish I hadn't, because it ruined the movie for me, I remember reading "The World is not Enough" while listening to the soundtrack and was super excited to see the film. Then once the film started, I already knew everything, no more excitement, in fact the book had more details which only made me upset to not see in the film. So I understand to read the original Bond film books, which I'll do someday, but I'm not a big fan of reading novels.
I do own almost every book and several editions and variations or artwork, and several comics and magazines as well. I enjoy the idea of collecting them, not having to consume my life with it all the time or read up abut every little detail. I don't knock the idea of that, it's just not for me, and I consider myself a die hard Bond Fan. I've been called a Bond nerd for years and years.
I also have almost every video game from any Bond film for every video game system, but that doesn't mean I have to play them or even like the game either.
So as far as requirements to be a Bond fan, I say you must have struggled to be at the theater for the first night at the movies once, you also need to buy lots of bond movies and watch them at least once (no books required) and you must own some other type of 007 collectables and lastly, you must be interested in the next Bond film and know who the current Bond is.
I know so many people who say they are Bond fans who think Brosnan still is Bond.
Even the other day at the beginning of the Olympics, my friend said; "How come they didn't get Pierce Brosnan to do it?" and.... well you see what I mean.
I've read 4 Bond books now. CR, MR, GF and TB. OHMSS is in my amazon basket so hopefully I'll read that soon.
But really I consider the films more important than the books.
From what I've read though, the release of a Fleming Bond novel was quite a big event back in the day. Is there anyone who was around at that time that can confirm that?
Anyway, as long as the newer generations acknowledge the importance of the books to the character of James Bond, then there's no problem with preferring the (maybe) easier fix of entertainment the films provide. Especially considering that the Bond of the films is not like his literary counterpart in most cases, it's just a sign of the changing times. Moonraker is my favourite Fleming novel, but the film is my least favourite Bond film.
I'm probably coming across as a little incoherent, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that people like @00Beast are just different fans to those who prefer the books. There shouldn't be an "us and them" attitude towards it. Everyone's different.
but for good measure, and to show your credentials, list Bond actors for each release, theme artists, name of lead adversary i.e Hugo Drax, Aris Kristatos etc, name of lead Bond girl even. Most of us are able of course, but that seems a true, or fair, test of Bond worthiness
I've looked for someone attacking me in the reflection of someone else's girlfriend's eyes. ;)
And lastly when you organise a lads night out to the cinema on day of release where you all dress up in a tux !
Now that's cool, that last one! Wish I had the chance to do something like that. Seems like a riot of fun!
A real Bond fan would have blagged his way into a press screening well before opening night.