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Have the films since MR suffered from Ken Adam's absence?

GetafixGetafix
edited February 2012 in Bond Movies Posts: 11,425
The early films often had a powerful visual look partly thanks to Ken Adam's amazing production designs. Since MR the 'look' of the films has been increasingly similar to other action/adventure movies, making Bond less distinctive.
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  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited February 2012 Posts: 13,355
    I like a lot of the look, as in sets, Gassner gave Quantum Of Solace. With his return for Skyfall he may be the best chance of getting back to the Ken Adam vibe of long ago.

    I agree though, Lamont's sets never looked as lived in to me and the series' look has suffered since Adam left, on the whole.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    I thought QoS looked good, but it still didn't have anything that really marked it out from any other good looking movie. Adam's sets defined a whole concept of ultra modern cool design that made Bond feel other worldly.
  • ZekidkZekidk
    edited February 2012 Posts: 3,276
    @Getafix

    I think you are forgetting MR which had amazing Ken Adam sets!
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    You're right. I forgot about Moonraker. I like Drax's base more than the space station itself.
  • KennonKennon
    Posts: 297
    EVERY film suffers from Ken Adam's absence.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Amazing guy Ken Adam. The only German-born fighter pilot in the RAF during WW2. Think he was a bit of an ace as well. Legend.
  • OHMSS69OHMSS69
    Posts: 2,341
    Adam is to be complimented for his creative and ingenius sets for YOLT, GF, TSWLM and so on. EON would turn to Peter Lamont when they wanted to tone things down. Lamont handled the toned down films just fine but for the extravagant sets then bring on Ken Adam... HE THE MAN.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    But who can thye turn to now for the big stuff? DUD looked pretty weak to me - bad pastiche of Ken Adam production design.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    edited February 2012 Posts: 4,399
    the films post Moonraker had the double dose of Peter Lamont's production design and John Glen's directing... dull and duller...

    but in Lamont's defense, he occasionally pulled something interesting out of nowhere.. but it was nowhere close to the work of Ken Adam... the closest we've seen to that is actually in QOS with Gassner's production design - i'm glad he was brought back for SF, as hopefully we see more of the "post modern take on modernism" lol.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Gassner is definitely better than Lamont, but he doesn't bring that recognisable signature 'look' that makes the Adam films so fantastic.
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    Considering I know quite a few people who don't even know who Ken Adam is, yet still love the Bond set pieces, I doubt it.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Agent007391 wrote:
    Considering I know quite a few people who don't even know who Ken Adam is, yet still love the Bond set pieces, I doubt it.

    Not sure this makes sense. You can like something without knowing who was responsible but that doesn't mean it's irrelevant. Most regular movie-going types probably don't know who directed the films, let alone who worked on production design. That doesn't mean these roles aren't incredibly important.

    You make it sound like it doesn't really matter who does what on a movie. To flipantly disregard Adam's contribution is a touch disrespectful to the guy who basically created the Bond look.
  • VirageVirage
    Posts: 1,856
    Well no film really since MR has had the luxury off being able to use the HUGE sets, I mean FYO-LTK it was a "realistic bond", GE was the only missed opportunity, we got a hint of Adam in TND in Carvers Asian office and the boat. The opportunity didn't present it's self for TWINE and Lamont proved his worth on DAD. Then CR-QOS where back to realistic!
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    ON THIS DAY IN BOND HISTORY: 1921 Ken Adam, the visual genius responsible for designing so many #007 sets, was born in Berlin.
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    Getafix wrote:
    Agent007391 wrote:
    Considering I know quite a few people who don't even know who Ken Adam is, yet still love the Bond set pieces, I doubt it.

    Not sure this makes sense. You can like something without knowing who was responsible but that doesn't mean it's irrelevant. Most regular movie-going types probably don't know who directed the films, let alone who worked on production design. That doesn't mean these roles aren't incredibly important.

    You make it sound like it doesn't really matter who does what on a movie. To flipantly disregard Adam's contribution is a touch disrespectful to the guy who basically created the Bond look.

    I probably should have added that they like the Post-Spy set pieces the best (I don't know why that slipped my mind).
  • Dr_MetzDr_Metz
    Posts: 401
    Yes, in a way. I can't really call any of the sets post-Moonraker memorable.
  • 007manny007manny
    Posts: 100
    some of the movies he was a big part in for bond are some of my fave movies so id have to say hes a big part of the reason why
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    QoS looked better than any film since TSWLM, but there was no classic, memorable set.
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    Getafix wrote:
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.

    Octopussy's boudoir? With the big octopus bed?

  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.

    Octopussy's boudoir? With the big octopus bed?

    Nah
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    Getafix wrote:
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.

    Octopussy's boudoir? With the big octopus bed?

    Nah

    Well, I remembered it after thirty years. Also the actual raised table area in Casino Royale where the game is watched by an audience.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    You can't really tell how the films would be today with Ken, but it would be nice to see what sets he'd have thought up for the films post MR.
  • timmertimmer
    Posts: 4,622
    Getafix wrote:
    The early films often had a powerful visual look partly thanks to Ken Adam's amazing production designs. Since MR the 'look' of the films has been increasingly similar to other action/adventure movies, making Bond less distinctive.
    Yes the films have suffered, although not in a horrific way. Adam's unique, spacious, high-ceiling designs were a huge part of the Bond look. Lamont and others since, rather than imitate, applied their own touch. Maybe somewhere along the line though, someone might just pay homage and imitate.

  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.

    Octopussy's boudoir? With the big octopus bed?

    Nah

    Well, I remembered it after thirty years. Also the actual raised table area in Casino Royale where the game is watched by an audience.

    Sure it wasn't Maud that made the lasting impression...? ;)
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    Getafix wrote:
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    actonsteve wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    Post MR there is not a single memorable set apart from (I hate to admit) the ice hotel in DUD.

    Octopussy's boudoir? With the big octopus bed?

    Nah

    Well, I remembered it after thirty years. Also the actual raised table area in Casino Royale where the game is watched by an audience.

    Sure it wasn't Maud that made the lasting impression...? ;)

    Actually, you are right. One of the most stunning Bond girls and just right for the part.

  • GetafixGetafix
    edited April 2012 Posts: 11,425
    I'm not a particular fan, but I agree that she was good in the part. She has presence, unlike all too many Bond 'girls'.
  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    Well, a little bit, but I enjoy some of the other set-work done in the movies beyond Moonraker. Some examples are Kamal Khan's Monsoon Palace, Max Zorin's chateau, Zorin's mine, Sanchez's cocaine factory, Alec Trevelyan's Cuban base, Elliot Carver's Stealth Boat, Gustav Graves' ice palace, and the Perla de las Dunas hotel in Quantum of Solace.
  • Jones_The_BondJones_The_Bond
    Posts: 344
    Life on a Bond set must be poorer without Sir Ken too, but time moves on, and even the greatest must retire.

    What a contribution he made to the series, though! A true giant. Roger Moore loved to wind him up (quelle surprise!) and happily introduced Berlin-born Ken to a number of German WWII veterans, without telling them which side he was on during the conflict.....

    Sir Ken Adam is the one Bond figure that I hold in something resembling awe. Bloody hell, what a life this genius has led.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Jones_The_Bond wrote:
    Life on a Bond set must be poorer without Sir Ken too, but time moves on, and even the greatest must retire.

    What a contribution he made to the series, though! A true giant. Roger Moore loved to wind him up (quelle surprise!) and happily introduced Berlin-born Ken to a number of German WWII veterans, without telling them which side he was on during the conflict.....

    Sir Ken Adam is the one Bond figure that I hold in something resembling awe. Bloody hell, what a life this genius has led.

    I know. Unbelievable! A true legend. German Jewish emigre to ace RAF pilot, to academy award winning production designer. Astonishing.
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