...and ' James Bond' will Never Return
The writer created only one James Bond. May be, Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent codenamed - 007 was born 1930 much before the author penned his first book in 1952.
By MOHAN SAHAY
THE REAL BOND SEAN CONNERY
Film viewers world over owe thanks to Star Movies for screening all 2o James Bond films that enters into 44 years of existence since the first Bond film Dr No was released in 1962. It gave a glimpse of other leading actors who stepped into the shoes of Sean Connery as James Bond in the latter years after the real Bond bid adieu to the title in 1983 - Connery's last title as Bond in film Never Say Never Again.
The viewers caught the glimps of the latest avatar of Bond in Casino Royale released recently to watch Daniel Craig as James Bond.
It is a rare coincident that the fictional image of the character found a perfect match in Sean Connery who played the first Bond in Dr. No released in 1962. Since then the spy thriller has lived to see the day despite some film observers and critics saying that Bond has outlived his life. Not really.
Look at the bursting box office charts of the latest Bond film Casino Royale released in November 2006 which has proved to be one of the biggest grosser in recent times world over. The lead role played by Daniel Craig has been appreciated. But tell me one thing; those who have watched Sean Connery as James Bond, do you think that Daniel was able to erase the image of the real Bond from your mind – when I say real Bond I mean Sean Connery. Moreover, Craig looks more like a Russian agent than a Briton - resemblance is remarkable with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.
This is not to undermine the performance or look of Daniel but to live another life of Bond in its real image and form is a different matter. Here neither Daniel Craig nor his predecessors like Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Pierce Brosnan could fit in the reincarnation of James Bond.
I take you to a few expressions and performance of Sean Connery as Bond just to refresh your memories. First, Sean Connery’s gait. His smiles and his frowns or the tense moments when death stalked him when surrounded by deadly enemies ought to eliminate him - tense lines on forehead. None of other Bonds could bring facial expressions as demanded by the situation on the screen. The other Bonds looked rather reassured if not relaxed in situation when surrounded by enemies.
In Dr. No Bond slips into his bed when he suddenly notices something creeping up his body …… a black spider known for his deadly venom that can kill a man in matter of seconds popped out of the sheet and was crawling on his body… Sean Connery facial expression was true to the situation when someone sees death coming too soon… his face is stretched , eyes popped out and persipiring….. it ends with Bond killing the spider with slipper on the ground.
In all of his Bond films right from Dr. No to Never Say Never Again that was his last appearance as Bond, Sean Connery lived to the image of Bond. His style remained inimitable whether Bond was entering Casino, driving cars or having flings with charming girls – all looked real on screen. It is here that a film leaves lasing impression on mind. Not only Bond films. Any film that is directed and played well by the actors have a true to life image on the celluloid. Again it was for this reason that Sean Connery who played in many other films after saying good bye to James Bond could never excel his first role – that was Bond. Little wonder, at a London restaurant when Sean Connery entered, a young lad asked his father – Dad who comes there… the reply was ‘ He is the real Bond’. It was Roger Moore who had just stepped into the shoes of Bond after Sean Connery.
ends
posted by MOHAN SAHAY at 6:05 PM
2 Comments:
Very true indeed! The lasting impression that Sean Connery has left on us is really hard to delete!
Though I was not too impressed by the initial promos of 'Casino Royale', the media hype, or rather the overkill forced me to go & watch the movie on the very day of its release. And I must say, that I came back a tad disappointed. Though I am ready to give Daniel Craig the benefit of doubt, this being his first Bond film, I still think that he has a long way to go...for indeed he has very large shoes to fill, as did any of Connery's successors!!
To be fair, Casino Royale is a good enough movie, good enough to be a big hit, to be among the top grossers...but probably, not good enough for a Bond movie! If the makers of the Bond series are thinking that by shifting the image of Bond from being super suave to a humane face, they will be roping in more audience, then I think they are mistaken. For, it is the novelty of his stereotypes -- the gadgets, the girls, the suave, the cars, the shaken martini...et al...that his die-hard fans throng to see in the movie. If those very elements are removed, it will become like any run of the mill fare!
So, I hope, in future the Bond movie makers will keep this in mind! And no matter how much the young pretenders try, Sean Connery is just unsurpassable...someone like a Bradman of cricket or a Pele of football. And, I think most moviegoers of the Bond-lover kind, realise that!!
-Sid
Your words are quite encouraging. Thanks for your comment.
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