Bond, James Bond.

Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale was written to make men in the United Kingdom feel better with themselves about the decline of their country’s power across the globe. The sun never sets on the British Empire. That is a phrase which was coined from their rule over the globe for centuries. And yet that ended with the end of World War two. Ian Flemying wrote this novel during the infancy of the Cold War where there was tension between the Soviet Union and The United States and yet there was a great deal of distrust and even dislike between the United States and Great Britain. 

"the central paradox of the classic Bond stories is that, although superficially devoted to the Anglo-American war against communism, they are full of contempt and resentment for America and Americans" - Christopher Hitchens

Why would Hitchens think this? Is it about the emergence of the United States as a world power - a power which Great Britain once held? There is some truth to this. Who really like to give up power? I have yet to meet a human being who has done so willingly. Look at our political system for an example. This leads to British Orientalism. A term which means Great Britian’s dominion over the Orient. Could Casino Royale have been a means to inspire British men to regain their mojo so to speak? I wonder. 

On a different topic. I think it is important to discuss the evolution of James Bond. It has been on my mind and I am wondering how my group which is presenting on Casino Royale will be able to do so. I would love to show his evolution from Sean COnnery to George Lazenby to Roger Moore to Timothy Dalton to Pierce Brosnan to the current James Bond - Daniel Craig. It is an interesting evolution. Each in his own way has mirrored society and met the needs of a particular society whether it be the United States or Great Britain.  

Sean Connery truly encapsulated the image of the British man on a conquest. It is said that he was called a panther when he entered the casting room. He killed without remorse as Bond and tossed women around as though they were accessories.

George Lazenby was around too short a time to judge as a Bond save for one thing. He had to live up to Connery’s image which was hard if not impossible to do. 

Roger Moore took the reigns and added a degree of farcical nature to the franchise. From his car chases which mirrored Smokey and the bandit’s to Moonraker which mirrored Star Wars. Moore brought a tongue and cheek appeal to the beloved character.

Timothy Dalton brought a degree of humanity to the franchise. Around the same time - Lethal Weapon was released which denotes that male characters can cry and have feelings of pain and loss which were typically reserved for female character in traditional circles.

Pierce Brosnan brought the faux sincerity that the nineteen nineties are known for. Fast cars, loose women, false sentiments and MTV to go around. On the exterior, he brought charm, class and sophistication. He was the best idea of Bond for the time. 

Daniel Craig is the current incarnation of Bond and is a man displaced from his time. He represents the Orientalism of the old guard yet lives in a world where Bond is a dinosaur - nearly extinct. This is why he works. If the British Empire were at the height of its power then there would be no need for him. He is the character which young British men aspire to. To make the Crown a world power again if you will. I don’t see that in their future but I am short sighted.