Nothing like an Old Bond Film .. to cheer me up

[hmskl’dParticipant 6415]

I may not have any television hooked up to the outside world .. but I do collect groups of films
and viewing those early classic automobiles … in the first seven Bond films .. real therapy for me
…for many this is old stuff .. but, if you haven’t gone way back to the early days .. view these, sometime.

When things get a little rough around the edges in life and I have a day where I need to escape and recharge .. I often find myself going back to one of the first seven Bond Films for some mind medicine. I rarely watch any beyond the year 1971. It really adjusts my mood and works to take me back to earlier times. Despite their early effects in many areas .. these were really great films. I always end with the Lazenby film from 1969 .. as it just brings together all the rest and completes the group.

It’s not only the basic plot of the film, it’s the scenery, the music .. those first films really had good theme music .. and also the basic simplicity of the props and script. I like it simple, beautiful and dependable .. and these early movies do that.

I have also included, Never say Never, and view this extra earlier Bond Film for completeness .. as I really like the actors in the movie .. even though it really isn’t in the same grouping as first six and I only view this film occasionally.

Never Say Never 1983 (not produced by Broccoli and Saltzman’s Eon Productions)

Also included is film #7 .. it has to be included with the first six for no other reason than the Cast, but, despite the year .. as a finale* in the list .. one of the best casts of any bond film .. ever .. the unbelievable scenery and that early guitar intro theme that has become symbolic.

1. Dr. No 1962
2. From Russia With Love 1963
3. Goldfinger 1964
4. Thunderball 1965
5. You Only Live Twice 1967
6. Diamonds Are Forever 1971
7. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1969 *viewed as the grand finale

George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti as Marc-Ange Draco

[Ranger OneParticipant 16836]

Goldfinger is probably my favorite on that list.

All my life I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow. No hesitation, no doubts. The path is clear. And what are you? Alive. Everything else is negotiable. Women have rights; men have responsibilities; MGTOW have freedom. Marriage is for chumps. If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them and stab them in the heart-R'as al Ghul.

[Faust For ScienceParticipant 22576]

hmskl’d wrote:

7. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1969 *viewed as the grand finale

If the producers of that film had cut out the last three minutes of that film, that film would have been a grand finale for James Bond.

[hmskl’dParticipant 6415]

Faust For Science wrote:

If the producers of that film had cut out the last three minutes of that film

That is so very true .. I almost mentioned that in my list .. that final scene is something that has always bothered me and should definitely have been left on the cutting room floor .. the other sticking point for me is the performance of that 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 on those snow covered roads. When they successfully maneuver those curves and then top it off by driving through drifts into that snowbound shack .. I always ask myself, jokingly .. is that thing “all wheel drive”? There is no way a ’69 rear wheel drive vehicle could have driven in that snow to that successful outcome. I’ve seen cars from that era sit on level ground hopelessly spinning in the snow. Even with studded snow tires, and downhill .. no way, without lots of spinning tires .. definitely trick snow photography in and around that shed.
I give the earlier Bond films lots of leeway with some cheesy effects .. I enjoy them just as I enjoy the “local language accents” that many of the alien creatures use when speaking .. in many of the first Doctor Who episodes.
Overall, I still really enjoy on her Majesty’s Secret Service for the cast and locations.

In later Bond films such as “Man With the Golden Gun” .. every vehicle is AMC brand from the flying car to the Cop Cars in Thailand. All American Motors Corporation. I just can’t imagine seeing an AMC in Thailand .. in everyday use. If I were producer of that film the cops would have been giving chase and driving something interesting produced in Asia, Malaysia, Australia or even India. Not from AMC out of Kenosha, Wisconsin .. the choice of the Thai government fleet office? It doesn’t make sense to me no matter how I try and rationalize it.

In “Diamonds Are Forever” it was all Fords, everything from the step-van to the bad guys vehicle to the Cops in Las Vegas to that cool red Chitwood Mustang Mach-1 Fastback .. everything Ford Product.

I also enjoy the old extras .. like the Federal Visibar Warning Lights on the vehicles in Las Vegas scenes .. those old revolving lights actually had one motor under one of the set of lights .. and a chain drive to the other side. Connecting them that way .. with one drive .. was the only way they could keep the flashes synchronized and give that alternating Wig-Wag effect. Two motors wouldn’t have worked. Things sure have changed since those days .. and those sirens used in the film are also wrong. They use old motorized mechanical siren sound effects .. even though they have speakers on the cars. Where were the producers? .. or the effects managers?

.. just think how much classier the films would have been if they’d invested in just a few mix and match vehicles instead of running an ad for one manufacturer per movie. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone in production didn’t have a fit over this use of the same style of vehicle throughout the entire film. I just can’t comprehend the .. “who allowed this to happen?”
With “Live and Let Die” … we see almost every vehicle used in the filming as a Chevrolet Caprice – Impala .. or a Cadillac Eldorado .. so the cheesy effects continued for years beyond. I’d expect more from the films than to use vehicles from the lowest bidder. The police car in this film looks like something, a Chevy, some little old lady would drive to church on Sunday .. all covered with stickers and those whitewall tires that look to be speed rated for in town use only. What were the producers thinking?

Everything from the villain’s cars, to the Taxis .. to the chase vehicles in Louisiana and on the Caribbean Island .. all Chevrolet, all Caprice or Eldorado .. with the exception of a couple of Novas .. I do believe they actually had more breadth of vehicles in the earlier films such as Dr. No. Stranger, more exotic cars .. and other crazy conveyances. Added spice to the films from the 1960’s that was lost going into the 70’s.
I suppose it’s theoretically possible that the San Monique fleet service would use all Chevy Nova’s with whitewalls and full size hubcaps .. possible, but unlikely except in this film.

Cheese, or not .. I still like these old movies, very much .. and the first six-seven titles are really classics. The farther back one goes .. the greater the variety of vehicles .. and locations .. and .. those first six movies defined the Bond experience, for me basic as they were in special effects.

I just watch the first six titles .. and top it of with the seventh .. yes .. trying to forget that one final scene of the final film .. of the set of seven.

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

All excellent viewing options.

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[Secret Agent MGTOWParticipant 22558]

hmskl’d wrote:

I may not have any television hooked up to the outside world .. but I do collect groups of filmsand viewing those early classic automobiles … in the first seven Bond films .. real therapy for me…for many this is old stuff .. but, if you haven’t gone way back to the early days .. view these, sometime.
When things get a little rough around the edges in life and I have a day where I need to escape and recharge .. I often find myself going back to one of the first seven Bond Films for some mind medicine. I rarely watch any beyond the year 1971. It really adjusts my mood and works to take me back to earlier times. Despite their early effects in many areas .. these were really great films. I always end with the Lazenby film from 1969 .. as it just brings together all the rest and completes the group.
It’s not only the basic plot of the film, it’s the scenery, the music .. those first films really had good theme music .. and also the basic simplicity of the props and script. I like it simple, beautiful and dependable .. and these early movies do that.
I have also included, Never say Never, and view this extra earlier Bond Film for completeness .. as I really like the actors in the movie .. even though it really isn’t in the same grouping as first six and I only view this film occasionally.
Never Say Never 1983 (not produced by Broccoli and Saltzman’s Eon Productions)
Also included is film #7 .. it has to be included with the first six for no other reason than the Cast, but, despite the year .. as a finale* in the list .. one of the best casts of any bond film .. ever .. the unbelievable scenery and that early guitar intro theme that has become symbolic.
1. Dr. No 19622. From Russia With Love 19633. Goldfinger 19644. Thunderball 19655. You Only Live Twice 19676. Diamonds Are Forever 19717. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1969 *viewed as the grand finale<iframe width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/qwQqEuqvCig?start=84&feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe><iframe width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/LfjL9uX2leg?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe>
George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti as Marc-Ange Draco

Now my favorite Bond film is the one where his wife dies. Talk about not knowing how goddam lucky you are.

Women want everything, but want responsibility and accountability for nothing.

[hmskl’dParticipant 6415]

Secret Agent MGTOW wrote:

the one where his wife dies

Yes, I never even like the fact that he put himself though that wedding fiasco .. I like the rest of the film enough to still call it amongst favorites .. but, wife Tracy had to go!
There should never have been a wife. Bond’s car covered with flowers .. reminds me of something in a high school homecoming parade. Should never have even been written into a Bond film.

The only redeeming thing in those final few scenes from wedding on to the end .. that old black Mercedes .. that solidly built neutral colored vehicle really fit the movie, the location, the villains .. hanging out the window of that car as it cut through the snow, earlier .. sideways .. can you imagine how good that film “could have been “if we had more of that, more Italian or German or even a French vehicles .. that fit the location .. and less Mercury Cougars, and less wife .. not in Swiss Alps.

[Anonymous 1]

Great selection. Definitely my favorite Bond movies.

There is something about it that really cheers me up too.

I just watched the George Lazenby film for the first time last year. Its surprisingly good despite a few ridiculous scenes. Definitely completes the originals as a Grand Finale for the character.

[SpiderHerderParticipant 3795]

I like the part where he’s riding around on an olive drab three-wheeler. Hilarious.

The old Bond movies were definitely better than the new ones. Good choices, man.

[Gravel PitParticipant]

I watched Goldfinger in your honor Homeschooled. Thanks for the suggestion! Sometimes I just listen to the commentary audio track, listen to old farts talk about how they pulled off a stunt or how much of a pain in the ass a shoot was…

[Buller100Participant 2189]

hmskl’d wrote:

Faust For Science wrote:

If the producers of that film had cut out the last three minutes of that film

That is so very true .. I almost mentioned that in my list .. that final scene is something that has always bothered me and should definitely have been left on the cutting room floor .. the other sticking point for me is the performance of that 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 on those snow covered roads. When they successfully maneuver those curves and then top it off by driving through drifts into that snowbound shack .. I always ask myself, jokingly .. is that thing “all wheel drive”? There is no way a ’69 rear wheel drive vehicle could have driven in that snow to that successful outcome. I’ve seen cars from that era sit on level ground hopelessly spinning in the snow. Even with studded snow tires, and downhill .. no way, without lots of spinning tires .. definitely trick snow photography in and around that shed.I give the earlier Bond films lots of leeway with some cheesy effects .. I enjoy them just as I enjoy the “local language accents” that many of the alien creatures use when speaking .. in many of the first Doctor Who episodes.Overall, I still really enjoy on her Majesty’s Secret Service for the cast and locations.
In later Bond films such as “Man With the Golden Gun” .. every vehicle is AMC brand from the flying car to the Cop Cars in Thailand. All American Motors Corporation. I just can’t imagine seeing an AMC in Thailand .. in everyday use. If I were producer of that film the cops would have been giving chase and driving something interesting produced in Asia, Malaysia, Australia or even India. Not from AMC out of Kenosha, Wisconsin .. the choice of the Thai government fleet office? It doesn’t make sense to me no matter how I try and rationalize it.
<iframe width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/eD_5Gg-i3BM?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe>
In “Diamonds Are Forever” it was all Fords, everything from the step-van to the bad guys vehicle to the Cops in Las Vegas to that cool red Chitwood Mustang Mach-1 Fastback .. everything Ford Product.
I also enjoy the old extras .. like the Federal Visibar Warning Lights on the vehicles in Las Vegas scenes .. those old revolving lights actually had one motor under one of the set of lights .. and a chain drive to the other side. Connecting them that way .. with one drive .. was the only way they could keep the flashes synchronized and give that alternating Wig-Wag effect. Two motors wouldn’t have worked. Things sure have changed since those days .. and those sirens used in the film are also wrong. They use old motorized mechanical siren sound effects .. even though they have speakers on the cars. Where were the producers? .. or the effects managers?
<iframe width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/7vI85g6KLoQ?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe>
.. just think how much classier the films would have been if they’d invested in just a few mix and match vehicles instead of running an ad for one manufacturer per movie. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone in production didn’t have a fit over this use of the same style of vehicle throughout the entire film. I just can’t comprehend the .. “who allowed this to happen?”With “Live and Let Die” … we see almost every vehicle used in the filming as a Chevrolet Caprice – Impala .. or a Cadillac Eldorado .. so the cheesy effects continued for years beyond. I’d expect more from the films than to use vehicles from the lowest bidder. The police car in this film looks like something, a Chevy, some little old lady would drive to church on Sunday .. all covered with stickers and those whitewall tires that look to be speed rated for in town use only. What were the producers thinking?
<iframe width=”500″ height=”375″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/JmawMNkD-ZI?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe>
Everything from the villain’s cars, to the Taxis .. to the chase vehicles in Louisiana and on the Caribbean Island .. all Chevrolet, all Caprice or Eldorado .. with the exception of a couple of Novas .. I do believe they actually had more breadth of vehicles in the earlier films such as Dr. No. Stranger, more exotic cars .. and other crazy conveyances. Added spice to the films from the 1960’s that was lost going into the 70’s.I suppose it’s theoretically possible that the San Monique fleet service would use all Chevy Nova’s with whitewalls and full size hubcaps .. possible, but unlikely except in this film.
<iframe width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/IuDAx4Yndv0?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen=””></iframe>
Cheese, or not .. I still like these old movies, very much .. and the first six-seven titles are really classics. The farther back one goes .. the greater the variety of vehicles .. and locations .. and .. those first six movies defined the Bond experience, for me basic as they were in special effects.
I just watch the first six titles .. and top it of with the seventh .. yes .. trying to forget that one final scene of the final film .. of the set of seven.

So many great lines in live and let die.. names is for tombstones baby …. for 10 bucks I’ll take you to a ku klux clan cook house… No th aks I had a nasty turn in a booth once… get that chicken coop off the road.. many many more…

[Author]

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