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Skyfall, past Bond references???

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  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,138
    Please use the edit function @Pizzaman, rather than posting three seperate comments.
    Thanks, and welcome to the forum.
  • SlyFox007SlyFox007
    Posts: 414
    Just finished seeing it the second time and trying to remember all the things I thought might be nods to previous films . . .

    The opening shot of Bond in shadow reminded me of the image of Bond's silhouette at the end of the Main Title sequence in Casino Royale.

    PTS.png

    Eve pulls up and yells at Bond to "Get in!" the same way Camille does twice in Quantum of Solace. The chase on bikes across rooftops also reminded me of the chase on foot across rooftops in QoS.

    M's ceramic bulldog reminded me of 006's line in GoldenEye, calling Bond "Her Majesty's loyal terrier."

    M types an obituary for Bond. Elliot Carver did the same thing in Tomorrow Never Dies.

    Silva's icon of a skull resembled Baron Samedi in Live and Let Die.

    Bond breaks into M's house, like in Casino Royale.

    Tanner drives Bond through a narrow tunnel to the "new digs" like Bond drives White through in QoS. The subterranean HQ also resembles the subterranean tunnels in Sienna in QoS.

    Bond tells Tanner his evidence for M is "for her eyes only." He also responds to the one of Tanner's statments with "That's putting it mildly", the way Q responds to Bond in For Your Eyes Only.

    When Bond meets Q, he says "You must be joking", as 007 said to Q in Goldfinger and Die Another Day. Q mentions exploding pens, a gadget in GoldenEye. He then asks Bond to bring all the equipment back in one piece, a classic Q catchphrase.

    Eve and Kincade both make references to "the old ways." Elektra King mentions "the old ways" in The World is Not Enough.

    Bond finds himself in a casino in Macau, as he also does in The Man with the Golden Gun.

    Q presents him with a Walther PPK, as he does in Dr. No. It's a gun that reads Bond's palm print so only he can fire it, like the sniper rifle in License to Kill.

    Bond tells Moneypenny to stop touching her ear, like he tells Carter in Casino Royale.

    Maybe it's not intentional, but a patron at the casino resemble Jaws, the henchman Bond fights in the pit resemble Oddjob, and Severine wears a unique necklace, like Vesper and Camille have in the previous two movies.

    Silva ties Bond to a chair and studies his body, like LeChiffre did in Casino Royale.

    Silva mentions working for MI6 between 1986 and 1997, a period which includes the gap between License to Kill and GoldenEye. His backstory involves the transfer of Hong Kong to the Chinese, a historical event that was rejected at the last minute as a backdrop for Tomorrow Never Dies.

    The tricked out Aston Martin DB5 is straight from Goldfinger, gadgets and all.

    The struggle between Bond and one of Silva's henchman below the thin ice closely resembles the underwater struggle between Bond and Kananga in Live and Let Die.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Some of these so called references are not even meant to be winks. There are only so many ways to tell someone to get in a vehicle, and just because some Bond girl has a necklace on doesn't mean EON are winking to past films.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    I think people are looking into SF way too much. I agree: there are only so many ways a scene can play it.

    Also, the gap between LTK and GE was 1989 to 1995. People are looking too deep into this and finding things that aren't even there.
  • SlyFox007SlyFox007
    Posts: 414
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Some of these so called references are not even meant to be winks. There are only so many ways to tell someone to get in a vehicle, and just because some Bond girl has a necklace on doesn't mean EON are winking to past films.
    Creasy47 wrote:
    I think people are looking into SF way too much. I agree: there are only so many ways a scene can play it.

    Also, the gap between LTK and GE was 1989 to 1995. People are looking too deep into this and finding things that aren't even there.

    Considering On Her Majesty's Secret Service had Bond looking at props from his previous movies and a Goldfinger-whistling janitor, Die Another Day had blatant references to every movie prior to it, and Quantum of Solace had an unmistakable "golden girl" reference, it's hard to believe the producers, writers, director wouldn't cram in as many references as they can get away with on their Golden Anniversary.

    Some of the "references" I thought I caught were a stretch. I'm not denying that. But you can't blame people for looking at winks and nudges when the makers of the Bond movies definitely make a habit of making them.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    There were winks, but very few. EON learned their lesson on doing too much referencing in DAD. The winks in Skyfall were not too much, but just right and some were actually crucial to the story, like the DB5 scene, which is one of the best moments in the film.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    The scene where Bond speeds off with M in the back seat, the music playing is almost identical to the music being played when the spider crawls up Bond's arm/shoulder in Dr.No
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    One interesting recurrent element (I'm not calling it reference) is when Bond figures out the cracking code (Granborough Road) for Silva's computer. It reminded me of TSWLM and MR when Bond exceeds Q's intuition and discovers Stromberg's stamp and the molecular structure of the orchid (or something like that).
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    doubleoego wrote:
    The scene where Bond speeds off with M in the back seat, the music playing is almost identical to the music being played when the spider crawls up Bond's arm/shoulder in Dr.No

    And it still works, fifty years on. I caught that on my viewing as well.
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    Intentional or not,

    In Skyfall Q says 'Put your back into it' when Craig is trying to escape the subway tunnel.

    In Die Another Day, when Frost pulls Brosnan and starts kissing him to convince the guards to leave, Bond tells her to 'put your back into it.'
  • peiwhatyoucanpeiwhatyoucan
    Posts: 1
    A couple more that haven't appeared on this thread:

    - Skyfall: Bond shoots a circular hole in the ice
    - Living Daylights: cuts a circular hole in the ice with car rim

    - The underground tunnel scenes (with explosion) in Skyfall, reminded me of the mine explosion in AVTAK.

    Also, it strikes me that the chord progression in the title songs from all the Craig films are the same.

    But as many people have already said, most of these things are probably coincidences and stereotypes of the genre rather than purposeful nods. Still fun to look for them though.
  • Pierce2DanielPierce2Daniel
    Posts: 4,409
    I think in reference to the dialogue overlapping in the films; a lot of this probably has to do with the fact that the same writers have worked on the movies since TWINE.
    For instance in TWINE, Elektra says something like "I think we neglect the old ways to our peril" and in SF there is a lot of talk of the "old ways". Also the "With pleasure" line is uttered by Bond in DAD and also said in SF to both the old and new M (When Judi tells him to execute Patrice for Ronson, and at the end of the movie, respectively).

    However, at the end of QOS when Bond asks M is she has any regrets she says "of course not, that would be unprofessional". In SF, M says to Silva that "regret is unprofrossional" before he sneers at her. I think this is a clear and rather neat reference to QOS and in particular the character of M. Great line, it kinda brings the character of M full-circle.
  • CIACIA
    Posts: 120
    Skyfall is a brilliant movie with lots of hidden references: "It's a fine line. If the breadcrumb's too small, then he might miss it."

    I immediately knew something was up with the choice of paintings in the movie. The analysis someone posted on the symbolism of the paintings is truly fascinating and is something that could be easily missed. I wonder what other small gems waiting to be revealed.

    I spotted one just now that has not been mentioned yet. The deer statue, on top of the pedestal in front of the Skyfall mansion. Where have you seen that before? ;)
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    I don't claim it as a reference, but in SF when Bond is about to shave his beard and Eve knocks the door, he walks to the door with a towel. That reminded me of FRWL when Tatiana arrives to his hotel.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    0013 wrote:
    I don't claim it as a reference, but in SF when Bond is about to shave his beard and Eve knocks the door, he walks to the door with a towel. That reminded me of FRWL when Tatiana arrives to his hotel.

    Haha, I can see that.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    the only ones i noticed.. whether direct, or indirect..

    - Bond shot, believed to be dead - like YOLT (although it was a different setup in that film)

    - Attack on MI6 - explosion and all - like TWINE

    - the villain is from M's past - like TWINE

    - palm reader on gun - like LTK

    - "please return the equipment in one piece.." - not a direct reference to any film, but it's a nice nod to the old Q would would constantly bug 007 about bringing equipment back intact.

    - "stop touching your ear." - a direct callback to CR

    - "i know when a woman is afraid and pretending not to be." - a subtle callback to Vesper in CR

    - the villain is a former agent - like GE

    overall, i felt this film lent more to TWINE than any other film... it's like they took TWINE, stripped away all the crap that didn't work, retooled it, and made it better..
  • Pierce2DanielPierce2Daniel
    Posts: 4,409
    HASEROT wrote:
    overall, i felt this film lent more to TWINE than any other film... it's like they took TWINE, stripped away all the crap that didn't work, retooled it, and made it better..

    It feels like a healthy combination of TWINE, GE and GF.

    TWINE: The attack on mi6, M's significance, locations, Bond's physical prowess coming under question.
    GE: Silva is rather similar to Trevelyan. The 'mirror image' of Bond argument applies strongly with both. Both have grudges towards mi6 and plan to use modern technology to their own means.
    GF: a reversion to the classic Bond films is clear in Sf, especially to GF. Whether it be direct nods like the DB5 but also the general tone of the film is very similar to SF. Bond with a capital 'B' if you will.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    There are only so many ways to tell someone to get in a vehicle

    Although 6 times in one movie is a little excessive...

  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,124
    Pierce2Daniel wrote:
    HASEROT wrote:
    overall, i felt this film lent more to TWINE than any other film... it's like they took TWINE, stripped away all the crap that didn't work, retooled it, and made it better..

    It feels like a healthy combination of TWINE, GE and GF.

    TWINE: The attack on mi6, M's significance, locations, Bond's physical prowess coming under question.
    GE: Silva is rather similar to Trevelyan. The 'mirror image' of Bond argument applies strongly with both. Both have grudges towards mi6 and plan to use modern technology to their own means.
    GF: a reversion to the classic Bond films is clear in Sf, especially to GF. Whether it be direct nods like the DB5 but also the general tone of the film is very similar to SF. Bond with a capital 'B' if you will.

    The similarities between GE and SF have more to do with being inspired from the same source novel, I think (MR). Silva's anger is directed as M personally, while in GE Trevelyan loathed England and had a grip against Bond. And Silva's goal, like the one of Hugo Drax, is also more nihilistic.
  • SlayerDarthSlayerDarth
    edited June 2013 Posts: 26
    I have a few suggestions.

    Could the Trojan virus on Silva's laptop be a possible reference to the FRWL novel? I ask this, simply because SMERSH had rigged the Lektor to explode as soon as the crypt-analysts tried to access the device. Similarly, Silva had rigged his laptop to hack MI6 servers, so that he could escape.

    Also, even though it isn't a reference to the films, could Bond's Aston being in storage be a reference to Bond's Bentley being in storage during the War?

    I also think that Bond's return to MI6 and the tests that he is subjected to is a reference to Bond's return to MI6 in the novel version of TMWTGG and the various tests.

    In terms of references to the films, there are quite a few nods to TWINE, as other members have pointed out.

    Could the pocket radio transmitter be a reference to the homing devices in GF?

    Idk. I just want to hope that ANY of these are right :P

  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    edited November 2013 Posts: 14,584
    In Skyfall, Q may mention the exploding pen, but here's another similar nod to GE: M has Parker pens on her new desk and at the enquiry.

    http://screenmusings.org/Skyfall/images/skyfall-0317.jpg
    http://screenmusings.org/Skyfall/images/skyfall-1125.jpg

    ac039-parker-pens-in-skyfall-m-large_0.jpg?itok=qhlooczC
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,124
    SlayerDarth wrote:
    I have a few suggestions.

    Could the Trojan virus on Silva's laptop be a possible reference to the FRWL novel? I ask this, simply because SMERSH had rigged the Lektor to explode as soon as the crypt-analysts tried to access the device. Similarly, Silva had rigged his laptop to hack MI6 servers, so that he could escape.

    Also, even though it isn't a reference to the films, could Bond's Aston being in storage be a reference to Bond's Bentley being in storage during the War?

    I also think that Bond's return to MI6 and the tests that he is subjected to is a reference to Bond's return to MI6 in the novel version of TMWTGG and the various tests.

    In terms of references to the films, there are quite a few nods to TWINE, as other members have pointed out.

    Could the pocket radio transmitter be a reference to the homing devices in GF?

    Idk. I just want to hope that ANY of these are right :P

    I always thought the MacGuffen of SF was very much alike the one of FRWL.
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    edited April 2014 Posts: 4,520
    Skyfall Maintitle http://screenmusings.org/Skyfall/pages/skyfall-0154.htm
    Lyric of You Know My Name/Maintitle CR: The coldest blood runs through my veins

    2nbyfci.jpg
    This weak there be Quize quistion about stolen paintings and there showing a picture from a painting (From Modigliani). Severine paining in Skyfall. http://screenmusings.org/Skyfall/pages/skyfall-0442.htm The reference be is that Dr No has a painting who whas stolen in real too. http://jimcofer.com/personal/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DN_505.jpg

    Funny fact be is that i own the movie Modigliani with Andy García based on aspect of Amedeo Modigliani his life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amedeo_Modigliani http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amedeo_Modigliani
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I see a lot of people complaing about the VW beetle product placement, but could this not be a reference to the "listening to Beatles without earmuffs" remark from GF?
    "What is that noise?"
    "Beetles"
    See what I mean? The first thing I thought of when seeing this scene in the cinema.
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