The politics of James Bond : from Fleming's novels to the big screen / Jeremy Black.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Black, Jeremy, 1955-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fleming, Ian, 1908-1964--Characters--James Bond.

Fleming, Ian.

Fleming, Ian, 1908-1964.

Politics and literature--Great Britain--History--20th century.

Politics and literature.

Spy films.

Spy stories, English.

Political and social views.

Great Britain.

History.

Fleming, Ian, 1908-1964--Film adaptations.

Fleming, Ian, 1908-1964--Political and social views.

Spy stories, English--Film adaptations.

Spy stories, English--History and criticism.

James Bond films--History and criticism.

James Bond films.

Spy films--History and criticism.

Bond, James (Fictitious character).

Bond, James.

Politics in motion pictures.

Genre:

Film adaptations.

Physical Description:

xiv, 227 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2001.

Summary:

The adventures and antics of James Bond have provided the world with many of the most gripping story lines of the last half-century. Fleming's novels were best-sellers in their day, and the Bond films have been even more popular, becoming the most enduring and successful film franchise in history. By some estimates, half of the world's population-billions of people-have seen a James Bond movie, thus viewing an image of global struggle through Western eyes and obtaining a particular perception of Britain and the world. This fascinating and accessible account of the global phenomenon uses the plots and characterizations in the novels and the blockbuster films to place Bond in a historical, cultural, and political context.

Black charts and explores how the settings and the dynamics of the Bond adventures have changed over time in response to shifts in the real-world environment in which the fictional Bond operates. Sex, race, class, and violence are each important factors as 007 evolves from Cold Warrior to foe of SPECTRE and eventually to world defender pitted against megalomaniacal foes. The development of Bond, his leading ladies, and the major plots all shed light on world political attitudes and reflect elements of the real espionage history of the period. This look at Bond's world and his lasting legacy offers an intriguing glimpse into both cultural history and popular entertainment.

Contents:

Part I. Fleming's Bond: The Secret Agent in the Novels

1. Cold War Stories 3

2. At War with SPECTRE 49

3. The Later Fleming Stories 71

4. Pressing the Boundaries 81

Part II. To the Big Screen

5. The Transition to Film 91

6. Sexual Politics in the Movies: Heterosexuality and Bond 105

7. The Connery Years 113

8. Over to Moore 133

9. The Dalton Interlude 149

10. The Brosnan Films 159

11. The Films Reviewed: Villains and Plots 169

Part III. The Bond Legacy

12. The Later Bond Books 181

13. The World of Bond 201.

Notes:

"The novels and films": pages [215]-217.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [219]-220) and index.

ISBN:

0275968596

OCLC:

43562060