James Bond: The Ultimate Collection (1962-2012) + Volume Collections

[Bobbyjoe766]

Not really a fan of Goldfinger, but it does have a nice little quip about Mr Solo’s ‘pressing engagement’.

From Russia With Love is still my favourite Bond film.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by chriszilla

I'm glad the scene works for you the way it's constructed. Since I never hear anyone else ever complain about it, presumably you're in good company.

Personally, this scene takes me out of the film with how ridiculous it looks.

I’ve already explained the logic behind it. Once you realize its deliberate it shouldn’t take you out of the movie any more than any of the other flights of fancy in the film.

[chriszilla]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I’ve already explained the logic behind it. Once you realize its deliberate it shouldn’t take you out of the movie any more than any of the other flights of fancy in the film.

Sorry, but it does.

I could debate your rationale for that scene quite easily, but as it's an exaggerated work of fiction, anyway, what's the point? I respect your opinion, and simply see it differently than you do.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I'm not saying anything other than exactly what I said. Velvet's post seems to imply that "it's blaxploitation" is somehow a valid counter to any claim of racism.

I didn't say what you're saying I said. What I said was I think people get thrown off by it being a blaxploitation movie but with Roger Moore as the good guy instead of Isaac Hayes or Richard Roundtree. That creates dynamics and visuals some people ascribe nefarious intentions to, when really it was just EON doing their usual "what's popular right now? Put Bond in that!"

[Stanis]

Like a lot of actual blaxsploitation there is a lot of racist undertones, but they were usually made for cheap by white directors/producers during the fad. Live n Let Die was a big budget international blockbuster, and the cringey things stand out even more in that context, and Bond always had a snarky attitude about the USA. However, the movie is no where as overtly racist as Fleming's books could be, the Afro-villians were a nice change from Blofeld and his cat. If the bad rubber man explosion didn't exist (and my feeling is that they wouldnt have let such a bad effect on screen if it had been Telly Savalas or Pleasance) I think my opinion of the movie would be more positive, I love Yaphet as a bad guy! It really sunk it for me, that one effect.

[Bobbyjoe766]

The Kananga balloon amuses me to no end.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Stanis

Like a lot of actual blaxsploitation there is a lot of racist undertones, but they were usually made for cheap by white directors/producers during the fad. Live n Let Die was a big budget international blockbuster, and the cringey things stand out even more in that context, and Bond always had a snarky attitude about the USA. However, the movie is no where as overtly racist as Fleming's books could be, the Afro-villians were a nice change from Blofeld and his cat. If the bad rubber man explosion didn't exist (and my feeling is that they wouldnt have let such a bad effect on screen if it had been Telly Savalas or Pleasance) I think my opinion of the movie would be more positive, I love Yaphet as a bad guy! It really sunk it for me, that one effect.

There's a couple iffy things in it sure. There's iffy things in all the pre-Brosnan movies honestly, compared to modern social attitudes. I especially dislike how Solitaire has to be a virgin so you know she never bonked a Black dude. However I'll also point out that the biggest idiot in the movie, the one the movie makes fun of the most, is the stupid White Sheriff.

I guess my main point is that people tend to ascribe ill intentions to that movie, but I think the iffy stuff in it is more just typical James Bond "of the era" stuff and side effects of using the blaxploitation formula but with White leads.

[Cherokee Jack]

Originally Posted by Stanis

Like a lot of actual blaxsploitation there is a lot of racist undertones, but they were usually made for cheap by white directors/producers during the fad. Live n Let Die was a big budget international blockbuster, and the cringey things stand out even more in that context, and Bond always had a snarky attitude about the USA. However, the movie is no where as overtly racist as Fleming's books could be, the Afro-villians were a nice change from Blofeld and his cat. If the bad rubber man explosion didn't exist (and my feeling is that they wouldnt have let such a bad effect on screen if it had been Telly Savalas or Pleasance) I think my opinion of the movie would be more positive, I love Yaphet as a bad guy! It really sunk it for me, that one effect.

Great actor and he really elevates the material more than it deserves. Definitely one of many reasons to enjoy Live and Let Die in spite of its missteps.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

You haven’t actually said anything though, other than it’s racist without citing any specific examples that you have issue with, that’s the problem.

I haven't said anything is racist, I literally asked a question.

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

That creates dynamics and visuals some people ascribe nefarious intentions to, when really it was just EON doing their usual "what's popular right now? Put Bond in that!"

It can be racist without racism being a goal, though.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I haven't said anything is racist, I literally asked a question.

From an earlier post of yours:

Originally Posted by koberulz

Live and Let Die has that awful voodoo-is-real bullshit, and sets up all the white people on one side and all the black people on the other side, along with a whole lot of other more minor casual racism. Golden Gun is just atrocious, most notably that damn slide whistle ruining what would otherwise have been its one redeeming moment.

I was asking what it was that you deemed to be racist as you indicate here.

[GenPion]

Does the UV code in the latest set redeem in iTunes? If it does that would include the 4K versions. Curious as all of the films are in 4K on iTunes and could be seen on Apple TV 4K then.

[Bobbyjoe766]

I remember reading a post once, on another film site, and hearing that a lot of Bond material had been junked from the film vaults. Is this true and which films were affected most?

[RevengeOfToonces]

Sean Connery interview with Barbara Walters (FULL) - YouTube

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

I remember reading a post once, on another film site, and hearing that a lot of Bond material had been junked from the film vaults. Is this true and which films were affected most?

Do you mean in terms of film elements or things such as deleted scenes? I know that during "The Man With the Golden Gun" bonus feature of "Girls Fighting" it was stated most of unused footage for the film was trashed. I would figure that most of the films would still have plenty of pre-print material such as OCNs.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Do you mean in terms of film elements or things such as deleted scenes? I know that during "The Man With the Golden Gun" bonus feature of "Girls Fighting" it was stated most of unused footage for the film was trashed. I would figure that most of the films would still have plenty of pre-print material such as OCNs.

The unused footage. I don’t remember seeing any outtakes (not counting trailers which may contain unused footage) from the earlier Connery films.

The earliest Bond film I remember seeing outtakes from is Diamonds are Forever.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

The unused footage. I don’t remember seeing any outtakes (not counting trailers which may contain unused footage) from the earlier Connery films.

The earliest Bond film I remember seeing outtakes from is Diamonds are Forever.

I can't imagine any of BBFC cuts for the first three Connery films surviving. Probably the only thing that still exists (While technically not a "deleted scene") is the original "0:03" countdown for "Goldfinger" (I believe people reported that it was restored when it was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival a few years ago). The only pre-Bronson films to have deleted scenes surviving, at least to my knowledge, are Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With the Golden Gun, For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, and License to Kill.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by koberulz

It can be racist without racism being a goal, though.

I don't think there's anything clearly racist in Live and Let Die. There are... uncomfortable moments, let's say, that I think were both products of their time and accidental because of the setup. To be racist requires seeing the other race as lesser or inferior though, and I don't think there's anything clearly like that in the movie.

There is TONS of stuff about finding women to be lesser in the early movies though, and we still enjoy those. To a large extent you just hand-wave it as a product of its time, like the "slackjaw f****ts" line in Predator. It is what it is.

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

He wasn't wrong, though...

Have you heard the original UK albums in mono?

The fetch my shoes line flew past me for decades until I read it mentioned somewhere. now it does make me cringe, but it was totally unintentional. Bond sees Quarrel as an ally and equal just as in Fleming. What was racist was the southern US ad posters found in the posters of 007 book.

Originally Posted by RCRochester

What do you think about the music? I love it myself. Very funky and it fits well with the film. I’m not much of a vinyl guy but about 15-20 years ago I was at a flea market with some friends and found a pristine LP of the soundtrack. The cover with that original poster art looks so damn cool.

George Martin made the best non-Barry score in the series and one of the all time great film scores. It's a shame he didn't go into scores full time. LALD is an amazing dramatic and groove fueled score that is an absolute powerhouse. The LP has an extremely funky mix that is incredible with tons of grooving bass. But the 2003 expanded release is also essential for presenting much of the unreleased score.

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

I still have no goddamn idea what that line is supposed to mean.

The delicatessen line was Cubby's idea and it is an obscure reference back to gangsters of the 20's I think perhaps form Chicago. Essentially the victim would give anything to the killer even a delicatessen made out of stainless steel. Think of someone offering up some grand object made of gold etc.

Originally Posted by CV19

Yes, these moments didn't do anything to help the film.
Regarding the "sit" joke, for any US members here who are perhaps wondering what that was about, basically it's a parody on Barbara Woodhouse who had a show on UK television around the late 70's/early 80's called 'Training Dogs The Woodhouse Way', and she used to teach dog owners how to get their dogs to sit on command (amongst other things). However, it is totally out of place in a Bond movie.

I read about that as a child and ironically it is the one silly bit of the chase I actually like. Sure it should have never been there but I still quote that bit in my daily life.

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

There's a couple iffy things in it sure. There's iffy things in all the pre-Brosnan movies honestly, compared to modern social attitudes. I especially dislike how Solitaire has to be a virgin so you know she never bonked a Black dude. However I'll also point out that the biggest idiot in the movie, the one the movie makes fun of the most, is the stupid White Sheriff.

I guess my main point is that people tend to ascribe ill intentions to that movie, but I think the iffy stuff in it is more just typical James Bond "of the era" stuff and side effects of using the blaxploitation formula but with White leads.

Here's the thing, anyone who has seen blaxploitation films knows how some would be exploitative and could descend into racist tendencies, and then others tried to legitimately make films that featured black actors in a majority of prominent roles. I think the entire team on LALD was very knowledgeable about the waters needing to be treaded carefully and the issues with bringing Fleming's 1954 novel to the screen in 1973. The only character onscreen to be laughed at and viewed as a buffoon is JW whereas all of the villains are self sufficient, successful, intelligent characters. Kananga is a great villain and Kotto is incredible.

LALD is my favorite film and I can debate it forever.

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

I remember reading a post once, on another film site, and hearing that a lot of Bond material had been junked from the film vaults. Is this true and which films were affected most?

FRWL and Thunderball. The rough version of TB was four hours and Peter Hunt had to work like mad to meet the rushed Xmas release schedule. Many scenes were lost such as the tour of the Disco Volante and then there are all the different lines and audio tweaks in the now two audio mixes that exist.
Most of the other films only had minor scenes dropped here and there and thankfully some were released like DAF, TLD etc. Most stuff is unseen and sadly very much likely lost like the Thunderball material. Unfortunately the worst is still the broken end credits on FRWL and TB which are still abbreviated. FRWL had the bit in the train car confrontation where Grant holds up the film reel and says : "what a performance!" This was cut by censors and in the gondola at the end Bond held up the reel to say : "He was right you know-what a performance!" This was hacked out resulting in the jump edit and the damaged film right after it.
Thunderball originally credited OHMSS as the next film but this was shelved and Peter Hunt made a big wipe that jumped the credits which then do not play out to the end on any release.

[RCRochester]

Funny, I always thought Bond said “Where’s my shoes?” to Quarrel.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

FRWL and Thunderball. The rough version of TB was four hours and Peter Hunt had to work like mad to meet the rushed Xmas release schedule. Many scenes were lost such as the tour of the Disco Volante and then there are all the different lines and audio tweaks in the now two audio mixes that exist.
Most of the other films only had minor scenes dropped here and there and thankfully some were released like DAF, TLD etc. Most stuff is unseen and sadly very much likely lost like the Thunderball material. Unfortunately the worst is still the broken end credits on FRWL and TB which are still abbreviated. FRWL had the bit in the train car confrontation where Grant holds up the film reel and says : "what a performance!" This was cut by censors and in the gondola at the end Bond held up the reel to say : "He was right you know-what a performance!" This was hacked out resulting in the jump edit and the damaged film right after it.
Thunderball originally credited OHMSS as the next film but this was shelved and Peter Hunt made a big wipe that jumped the credits which then do not play out to the end on any release.

Very interesting. The Robert Shaw edit sounds great! A favourite actor of mine, seeing more of his unused work (JAWS, The Deep, etc) is always a treat.

I also heard the famous fight scene between Bond and Grant was longer and more brutal.

I didn’t know Thunderball had so much material cut from it.