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BRITISHNESS in the Bond Films? What are the best 'British 'moments...?

AGBondAGBond
edited November 2013 in General Discussion Posts: 16
Bond & being British is an area that I am addressing in my undergrad. dissertation on Bond.

There are lots of scenic London shots in Skyfall and memorable Scottish scenery. Is this because being British and all that Britain stands for lies at heart of Bond--or do these shots (cynically) add to the viewing figures for Bond as an export?

Some academics have called M-the 'Mother country'--standing for all things British -do you agree?
Is Q is the eccentric side of the British?

What are the unforgettable British moments(Moore's union jack parachute springs to mind -or the Aston Martin.)

Would be really interested in your views...AG

Comments

  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited November 2013 Posts: 12,480
    Okay, @AGBond ...
    Britishness, eh? And here I am a lifelong Bond fan and an American woman, giving my opinion. Britishness undoubtedly means many different things to people everywhere, including in Britain. But here I go:

    The gorgeous shots in Skyfall of England and Scotland led an authenticity to Bond's roots, his patriotism, and his loyalty. I love the cinematography in Skyfall - they fit this particular story but also bring depth and layers and clarity to Bond's whole character. It is the real deal for him; no cynicism here at all. One of the final shots, of Bond on the rooftop overlooking the city with the Union Jack fluttering in the breeze, is a truly iconic and moving piece for me; as well as the splendid scene in the courtroom (cabinet room?), with M quoting Tennyson as Bond races to save her. Skyfall is British to its core - it is the good, loyal, brave, and worthy heart of Britain that is beating in it.

    I have never heard M being called the "mother country" so that is new for me; and I do not agree. Just agency shorthand for her name.

    Q - brilliant, perhaps a tad eccentric (but to my mind not a lot!), British in his fussiness and fastidiousness, his personal brilliance in his work, and his focus on his own little world ("bring it back in pristine condition", etc.).

    Some unforgettable British moments for me over the years (folks here on MI6 can add plenty to this list):

    Yes, the Union Jack parachute jump in TSWLM; I adore that whole sequence including Bond's response (to "James! I need you ..." ) "So does England."

    Dalton's Bond, after purposefully missing the female sniper and dealing with its aftermath (disobeying orders): "Stuff my orders!" For me, a character of the British people is its fierce independent spirit, willing to risk in order to do what is right.

    Brosnan's Bond as he finishes off his former friend and colleague turned traitor, Trevelyan, in Goldeneye: Alec: "For England, James?" sarcastic, bitter, and trying to stick it to Bond even at the end: and Bond's reply: "No... for me." He wasn't denying England its due; he was saying after everything that had been done, this was also personal.

    M's retort in the PTS of Tomorrow Never Dies, to the stuffy admiral (or whatever his title was). The man huffs, "What's he doing?!" as Bond fights off the Russian army and races to save the day, getting the incoming bombs away from missiles kept at that site;
    M says succinctly, "His job." That doing whatever it takes, never mind the personal risk or low chance of success, never mind being told to call off the mission, going that extra incredible effort is Bond, and also reflects in my mind the British strong will and, to use another word that fits, stubbornness.

    "Keeping the British end up ...") well, yes indeed, at the very end of TSWLM. :)

    Connery's fight with Red Grant in FRWL on the train; not only a great fight, but shows a bit of Britishness indeed. Bond says something about what tipped him off (that Grant was lying about who he was), not tying a Windsor knot correctly (or wearing one inappropriately, I forget exactly...) and one too many "old man's" the British expression Grant overused.

    Craig's first kill in the PTS of Casino Royale - his coolness (which can also be seen as a British trait, in my opinion) ... "I know where you keep your gun." and a moment later, as he kills the traitor, interrupting his talk: "Yes, considerably."

    Ok, that is enough to get started. Come on folks: where is the Britishness you see in Bond films? There is plenty more for Connery, Craig, Moore, Brosnan, Dalton, and even Lazenby probably. Please name some more scenes; I have to get ready to leave for work soon.



  • timmertimmer
    edited November 2013 Posts: 4,622
    re Windsor knot. I think the problem was that Grant wore one at all. Fleming hated the knot. He considered it far too showy. Naturally I agree. I won't use it, not even the half-windsor. Although its not the worst thing if its not too big. But the big fat Windsors are hideous looking. Like this one.

    special02.jpg?w=655
    Whenever Sean Rog or Laz met with M in his old office. That struck me as very British, especially M's old seadog decor.
    Rog's accent was so very English as well.


  • SoundofthesinnersSoundofthesinners
    Posts: 3,236
    From one non-Brit to another, I'd say you pretty much nailed it, @4EverBonded. I think the Tennyson run scene in Skyfall is pretty much as British as the Bond series gets.
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    Posts: 7,314
    When I think of old school Brits reminiscent of Fleming's era I always picture Smithers from GF, Sir Donald from DAF and Jim Fanning from OP.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Sirs Godfrey Tibbett and Hillary Bray are deucedly British.

    In CR:

    Villiers--Sorry. Can I put you on hold?

    Bond--I thought you might.

    For some reason Bond's response there always struck me as quintessentially British.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,117
    In TB when Bond says to Fiona Volpe: what I did I did for King and Country.
  • SoundofthesinnersSoundofthesinners
    Posts: 3,236
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    In CR:

    Villiers--Sorry. Can I put you on hold?

    Bond--I thought you might.

    For some reason Bond's response there always struck me as quintessentially British.

    Same thing with his recurring "Of course he is". Something about the droll fatalism of it.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,572
    Don't forget the bulldog draped in the Union Jack, as seen in M's office. The bulldog represents the UK because of its determination. The very reason it survives the MI6 blast!
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    It's a little thing but Q in the early films feels like the definition of upper class toff.

    "Now if you take the top orff...you'll find a little red button"
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    The union jack 'chute would have to be included (TSWLM), and didn't they feature one in Die Another Day when Graves drops in over Buckingham Palace ? The Bulldog toy as mentioned in the office, the Scotland landscape as we approach Skyfall, Blaydon safe house in Daylights, Roger Moore 'keeping the end up' with Anya Amasova, Bond and Jack Wade in Saint Petersburg (GE), 'In London, April's a spring month' and 'for crying out loud, another stiff ass Brit, with your secret codes and your passwords'

    Dalton's Bond talking to Koskov on the cargo plane to Afghanistan, 'We (the British) have an old saying too - and you're full of it'. And also the Octopussy tirade at Bond about him 'naturally doing things for Queen and Country'. Scaramanga also mentioned something similar at the dinner scene with Goodnight. 'You work for peanuts. A hearty well done from her Majesty the Queen and a pittance of a pension, apart from that we are the same'

    I thought also a mention when Lazenby enjoyed a quick drink in his office in front of a picture of the Queen in OHMSS. 'Sorry ma'am'
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