First Post

Good evening and welcome to the first post on my James Bond blog. Given I have set up a blog on the subject, you can probably guess I am a huge James Bond fan. It is fair to say that Bond has been something of a lifelong passion. Some of my earliest memories involve watching Bond films with my dad (usually with an illicit coke and chocolate biscuit). Since then, I have always loved watching the films. In my mid-teens I developed a great affection for the original Ian Fleming books. One summer I read each of them cover to cover. Although completely different from the films in virtually everything apart from central character and titles, they are also incredibly enjoyable.

So why do I love the Bond franchise so much? One of the main reasons is the sheer escapist fantasy available. All the stories occur in a world recognisable as our own but in this world extraordinary things happen. Bond himself would be mundane if it wasn't for the things that kept happening to him; certainly no-one to be stuck next to at a dinner party. Yet because of his exploits, people flock to read and watch the latest updates to his life.

The glamour of the series is also hugely attractive. One theory as to why Bond took off in the first place was timing. It offered glamour and excitement during a time of post-war rationing and austerity. Today a news report barely passes without mention about the "financial crisis" and with talk of and age of austerity. In both cases Bond has offered a welcome escape into a world where these things don't exist; everybody wears well-cut suits, nice watches and drives rather spectacular cars. The films are a treat for the eyes, the descriptions in the books so vivid that they tantalise several senses. A character that so effortlessly fits into any situation is also terribly attractive. How many times have we been in a social or professional situation, felt totally out of our depth and generally made a prat of ourselves? I have, more times than I would care to count. Not only can Bond effortless traverse any interaction; he has been created in such a way that it's easy enough to imagine ones-self in his shoes.

These are two reasons I love Bond. There are many more. I will explore them in more detail over the course of the blog as well as unleash my general nerdiness.

For now I will sign off.

More posts to come soon.

BondBlogger