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Christoph Waltz as Blofeld - Hit or miss?

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  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    BondJasonBond006 wrote: »
    I think there is one little detail that most miss.

    Christoph Waltz plays Franz Oberhauser, he is not the Blofeld we know from past Bond movies. He just happens to take his name. That's a huge difference.

    I think this was just one more homage to the Bond movies of the past.

    I actually saw him as being multiple past Blofelds. The Rome Blofeld is the faceless Pohlmann/Dawson version, the Morroco Blofeld is the slightly camp Gray version (although infinitely more sinister) and the London Blofeld is the Pleasance version, again, a much better incarnation. I thought that as an idea it was risky and clever, and it worked. On paper I'd have dismissed it, but I can't really fault the execution.
  • AntiLocqueBrakesAntiLocqueBrakes The edge
    Posts: 538
    Was anyone waiting for a bald head to result from the explosion?
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Was anyone waiting for a bald head to result from the explosion?

    I thought they'd avoid it, but then I thought they'd avoid the scar and go for a different facial disfigurement.
  • AntiLocqueBrakesAntiLocqueBrakes The edge
    edited November 2015 Posts: 538
    RC7 wrote: »
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Was anyone waiting for a bald head to result from the explosion?

    I thought they'd avoid it, but then I thought they'd avoid the scar and go for a different facial disfigurement.

    The scar threw me off for a second as well. Had to stretch to remember where it came from.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    BondJasonBond006 wrote: »
    I have no quarrels about Oberhauser being the childhood "half-brother" of Bond.
    In fact I liked that very much.

    Of course, him being Blofeld was unnecessary it would have worked without that minor detail in the movie as well.
    Minor because, except for Oberhauser telling Bond that he has now a new name, him being Blofeld is totally irrelevant for the movie or its plot.

    It's almost like someone of the script writers came up with that addition later on and build it in the dialogue.

    You could even say, Oberhauser being Blofeld is only an homage to the Connery movies.


    I'm pretty sure its the complete opposite. The villain being Blofeld, Spectre the organization, was the entire basis for this film. They wanted to bring Spectre back with a bang, give Casino/Quantum the proper villainous organization it deserved but which they lacked at the time.
  • MansfieldMansfield Where the hell have you been?
    Posts: 1,263
    I could have done without such an overt connection to Le Chiffre, Greene, and Silva. It would have been spectacular if it was only implied. And I think the pictures of their faces in the cells during the end chase was poor. Those are my only major criticisms in regard to the organization.
  • jobojobo
    edited November 2015 Posts: 7,507
    BondJasonBond006 wrote: »
    I think there is one little detail that most miss.

    Christoph Waltz plays Franz Oberhauser, he is not the Blofeld we know from past Bond movies. He just happens to take his name. That's a huge difference.

    I think this was just one more homage to the Bond movies of the past.


    Yet again I see it completely differently. Waltz, unlike all the others, played the real, proper Blofeld, the one Fleming envisioned. A mere "homage"? It was the idea the entire film was based on, and I f****** love it for that!
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,219
    @Mansfield, I agree that those pictures were heavy-handed as reminders of what had already been said. However, I think Blofeld put them there as part of the psychological warfare between him and Bond.
  • MansfieldMansfield Where the hell have you been?
    Posts: 1,263
    You are on spot there @DarthDimi. From a thematic perspective, they signified all of the people Bond had a hand in killing. By taking into account that Vesper gave up her life for Bond's freedom and he delivered M to Silva. It would be well served to place doubt in his mind for rescuing Madeline. Maybe they should have added her picture at the end of the corridor.

    Now that we discuss it, perhaps my significant problem with it is that they were previously shown to have a connection. Seems to be just a case of overcooking the link.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,161
    RC7 wrote: »
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Was anyone waiting for a bald head to result from the explosion?

    I thought they'd avoid it, but then I thought they'd avoid the scar and go for a different facial disfigurement.

    I was surprised how well the scar worked out. I was against any remote reference to Pleasence's Blofeld. But somehow the scar worked.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,356
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Ludovico wrote: »
    RC7 wrote: »
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Was anyone waiting for a bald head to result from the explosion?

    I thought they'd avoid it, but then I thought they'd avoid the scar and go for a different facial disfigurement.

    I was surprised how well the scar worked out. I was against any remote reference to Pleasence's Blofeld. But somehow the scar worked.

    Ditto. A lot worked in this film that I might've disliked on paper.
  • AntiLocqueBrakesAntiLocqueBrakes The edge
    Posts: 538
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.

    Agree. I find myself slowly adjusting to Blofeld not having to be bald. Reduces the "iconic" quality of Pleasance's character as well.

  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,161
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.

    They were modernizing his look for sure.
  • AntiLocqueBrakesAntiLocqueBrakes The edge
    Posts: 538
    Birdleson wrote: »
    He was never bald in the books, nor was he in FRWL, TB or DAF.

    Think I've seen this mentioned a Blofeld-specific thread. I'll admit to being a victim of the Austin Powers franchise.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,161
    Birdleson wrote: »
    He was never bald in the books, nor was he in FRWL, TB or DAF.

    The furthest he went was a crew cut in TB. In OHMSS he even has a foppish haircut! Far more Waltz looking than Savallas.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2015 Posts: 23,883
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.

    Agree. I find myself slowly adjusting to Blofeld not having to be bald. Reduces the "iconic" quality of Pleasance's character as well.

    Post-Austin P, the bald thing can't really be done and be taken seriously imho. The Nehru jacket can work but bald and Nehru together probably would bring back too much memories of 'Evil'.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,356
    In my eyes, Waltz was a perfect blend of OHMSS novel Blofeld and Classic Cinematic Blofeld.rYRqtZSm.jpg?1
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,161
    bondjames wrote: »
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.

    Agree. I find myself slowly adjusting to Blofeld not having to be bald. Reduces the "iconic" quality of Pleasance's character as well.

    Post-Austin P, the bald thing can't really be done and be taken seriously imho. The Nehru jacket can work but bald and Nehru together probably would bring back too much memories of 'Evil'.

    They also managed to twist every element they kept so it would not fall into self parody: the suit is dark, the scar is far nastier, the cat is there, but downplayed... and yet he's there and Blofeld shows genuine affection for him, instead of just stroking him.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    Birdleson wrote: »
    He was never bald in the books, nor was he in FRWL, TB or DAF.

    Neither was he in NSNA (which I consider a Bond movie).
  • imranbecksimranbecks Singapore
    Posts: 984
    Waltz was made for that role of Blofeld. Imagine him going all bald when he returns in the next one maybe..haha..

    I can imagine him as Blofeld having a cameo in future movies or just have a big return and torment Bond yet again..
  • youonlylivethriceyouonlylivethrice
    Posts: 117
    Both. I mean, he was amazing because he was played by Christoph Waltz. They could do a lot more with the characterization though. Maybe they will someday, but I still liked it enough for a reintroduction.
  • dire399dire399
    Posts: 61
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think by not making him Bald and discoloring his eye, made it much more original.

    The eye..... looks like cataract.

    And truly, he's recovering quick in less than 24 hours.
  • dire399dire399
    Posts: 61
    royale65 wrote: »
    I saw "homages" to Dr No, FRWL, Spy, Majesty's and TLD, but never GE to be honest.

    The descent/ascent of chopper is the homage to GE PTS.
  • TopGearJB007TopGearJB007
    Posts: 624
    Am I the only one who caught the little nod to Inglourious Basterds? Blofeld said to Swann something to the effect of I visited you and your father a while back. :)) Seydoux and Waltz shared a scene in Inglourious Basterds where Landa visited Seydoux's character's house and spoke to her father.
  • dire399dire399
    Posts: 61
    TopGearJB007 wrote: »
    Am I the only one who caught the little nod to Inglourious Basterds? Blofeld said to Swann something to the effect of I visited you and your father a while back. :)) Seydoux and Waltz shared a scene in Inglourious Basterds where Landa visited Seydoux's character's house and spoke to her father.

    I have another thought.

    Swann mentioned she hated guns because she used one to someone who visited her father. I wonder if they were the same occasion, though she didn't say whether she shot the visitor to death.
  • timmertimmer
    edited November 2015 Posts: 4,622
    Hit! Great take on Ernst!
    Get him some socks though.
    dire399 wrote: »
    TopGearJB007 wrote: »
    Am I the only one who caught the little nod to Inglourious Basterds? Blofeld said to Swann something to the effect of I visited you and your father a while back. :)) Seydoux and Waltz shared a scene in Inglourious Basterds where Landa visited Seydoux's character's house and spoke to her father.

    I have another thought.

    Swann mentioned she hated guns because she used one to someone who visited her father. I wonder if they were the same occasion, though she didn't say whether she shot the visitor to death.
    Great catch re Basterds. Clever writing.
  • andmcitandmcit
    Posts: 1,068
    You don't need socks where it's damned hot as long as you're not walking on baking sand. Anyway, he was in his conservatory playing around with his new project not going to the local shops for groceries. I'll need to check his footwear in London next time I watch it (asap again! :D )
  • CrabKeyCrabKey
    Posts: 2,008
    Charm with an underpinning of menace is hard to pull off. He didn't pull it off.
  • dire399dire399
    Posts: 61
    andmcit wrote: »
    You don't need socks where it's damned hot as long as you're not walking on baking sand. Anyway, he was in his conservatory playing around with his new project not going to the local shops for groceries. I'll need to check his footwear in London next time I watch it (asap again! :D )

    Not in the right footwear so he tripped and crippled in the end. *lol*

    The meteor scene.... if I saw this after coming out of washroom, I'll definitely found myself going to the wrong theatre - to the science museum next door!
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