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Book: A Close Look At 'A View To A Kill'
Hi, I have been meaning to introduce myself and the book I have written, “James Bond In Our Sights: A Close Look At A View To A Kill”. You may already be aware of it through other 007 forums, or through the “Customers who bought this, also bought…” function at amazon.com. The book was published mid-December 2011.
It analyses the four principal characters (not that I’m suggesting for a moment that ATVAK is a character study!) and then analyses the film scene-by-scene. The final chapter looks at how qualities in AVTAK have made their way into subsequent Bond films. The book also takes into account the critical reception that met AVTAK, and covers such issues as Moore’s ‘seasoned’ Bond, Walken’s uniqueness as a Bond villain, and the harder edge of the film’s violence.
While the book is a study of ATVAK, I didn’t want it to be too academic, but rather accessible for all. It is an 'unofficial' print-on-demand book (through Xlibris Corp.). I had considered taking the manuscript to 'regular' publishers, but felt that the book’s focus – concentrating on ONE Bond film (and not a ‘classic’ one) made 27 years ago – was a bit too specialist.
Anyway, if you’re interested, some excerpts can be read at the Facebook page –
Introduction
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.221457254604582.55621.200481546702153&type=1
From Chapter 5
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.292983404118633.70199.200481546702153&type=1
Cheers!
It analyses the four principal characters (not that I’m suggesting for a moment that ATVAK is a character study!) and then analyses the film scene-by-scene. The final chapter looks at how qualities in AVTAK have made their way into subsequent Bond films. The book also takes into account the critical reception that met AVTAK, and covers such issues as Moore’s ‘seasoned’ Bond, Walken’s uniqueness as a Bond villain, and the harder edge of the film’s violence.
While the book is a study of ATVAK, I didn’t want it to be too academic, but rather accessible for all. It is an 'unofficial' print-on-demand book (through Xlibris Corp.). I had considered taking the manuscript to 'regular' publishers, but felt that the book’s focus – concentrating on ONE Bond film (and not a ‘classic’ one) made 27 years ago – was a bit too specialist.
Anyway, if you’re interested, some excerpts can be read at the Facebook page –
Introduction
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.221457254604582.55621.200481546702153&type=1
From Chapter 5
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.292983404118633.70199.200481546702153&type=1
Cheers!
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Comments
I think it has a lot of interesting and effective qualities that have been unrecognised (or maybe under-recognised is the more appropriate term), thus the necessity to give the film some extra recognition through a book.
I’ll just attach something I wrote for commanderbond.net a while back that may be of interest…
***
In terms of examples of why AVTAK is worthy of analysis and appraisal, here are some below. (Of course in the book I can write in much greater depth as to why I think these qualities – that at face value may seem small – are as effective as they are.)
For example…
- the dynamic of older Bond/younger supervillain (a dynamic that is also seen in NSNA, but I think is more interestingly conveyed in AVTAK)
- Zorin is an atypical supervillain in many respects, and his brand of capitalism and sense of entitlement are more ‘recognisably real’ than usual
- AVTAK’s violence is a little harder to shrug off than the majority of Bond films (the book examines why)
- Bond is continually bested by May Day (this issue is explored)
- Bond’s paternalism (and gallantry) towards Stacey is an effective counterbalance to Zorin and May Day’s amorality.
- The film is not as dependent on action sequences to create its intrigue (a la, OHMSS, CR 2006)
- While the film has its humour there is a darker tone to proceedings than many a Bond film (the book looks into how this achieved)
Looking at these examples, the response might be ‘so what?’ but again the book goes into more detail as to why such qualities (often subtle) are effective. (Some of these qualities are of course seen in other Bond films, but I think they are often more clearly expressed in AVTAK.)
I feel your ignoring the unique dynamic to these films. That being Bond falling in love. I think the 'allure' of both of these films was not the action sequences, but also Bond in love. Especially OHMSS. CR was advertised for its action, but I think it also was attractive for its love story and the 'Bond's beginning's' dynamic.
IMO, Bond in love is far more intriguing than old Bond and his aching issues.
Too unsavory for the film character
That's not the topic. I was simply stating you can't say 'action' was the only notable Bond dynamic in CR and OHMSS.
AVTAK did have a few interesting things, but their not ones I'd like to see either. However, that's not the topic. I was simply pointing out what I see as a flaw in his example/comparison.
Like OHMSS and CR, AVTAK is not as dependent on action sequences to create its intrigue.
Ah, I understand now. Apologies. The way I read it made it seem you intended to mean CR and OHMSS were dependent on the action, but it's clear now.
Thank you.
Sounds like something I'd like to read. I'll be buying a copy tomorrow over amazon. ;)
No probs. I understand how the sentence can be read that way (and I think the revision is clearer!). Cheers!
And if there's anything you'd like to ask/comment upon about the book, feel free! (Well, as long as it's not too hard to answer!)
Skyfall joins "Evocations of a Kill"
http://jamesbondinoursights.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/skyfall-joins-evocations-of-kill_4992.html
Looking at the Sunset with Death on the Horizon
http://jamesbondinoursights.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/looking-at-sunset-with-death-on-horizon.html
Interesting articles as always, Andrew! Great book - just finished reading it last night!
Thank you Brian ... and I noticed your comment at the blog ... I completely agree that the frustration of not being able to find a source can feel like the onset of madness!
Yes, in my case it comes from having way too many books and articles on the literary and cinematic James Bond around about me! I can truly sympathise with you on that!
It is similar to the mass shooting by Onatopp in GE, which really could have gone wrong, anticipating the Dunblane shooting by just a couple of months, I think. Had it come out the same time, they would have been in deep doo-doo. Again, it is made clear that Onatopp really enjoys the deaths, and it seems like an even more sadistic version of Schindler's List, it really did not sit well with me.
Yes, and then there's Stamper gunning innocent sailors while it's being filmed in TND - both this and Xenia in GE seem to be legacies of Zorin in AVTAK - I'm planning an article on this that will appear on The Bondologist Blog in due course!
Yes, as does Silva of one of his own "policemen" in the Court of Inquiry scene in Skyfall - if my one viewing serves me correctly!
Gentlemen, in your fevered attempts to try and intellectualise the Bond world please don't cross the line into crassness with ill judged comments just tossed off with no thought.
Thank you. Yeah, Onatopp didn’t sit well with me, either. As much as I liked Famke Jannsen’s performance (a very brave soul), to me the idea of a psychopath who is sexually aroused by killing people was really a step too far for the Bond “sadism for the family” series. The massacre at Severnaya could have been disturbing if not for Onatopp’s teeth gritting and heavy breathing…but with those elements it feels like an excursion into Tarantino-esque cool. The look on Ouromov’s face however is priceless.