James Bond is the archetypal Cellulloid Spook. The first movie spy, whose impact on the movie going public was such that he practically created a new genre in films single handedly.
This article is a review of Aran Dharmeratnam’s own article titled The Hollywood Spooks which is published in the March issue of Eye Spy magazine, a magazine that follows events in the intelligence community.
Aran states about 007 that,
“In the early Bond films, there were fewer explosions and more innuendoes. Connery’s Bond was robust yet subtle. He was someone with a sharp mind and physical prowess – humanised only by his enjoyment of worldy distractions.”
Without doubt a perception which many of us will agree with.
Aran goes on to mention how the popularity of Bond spawned tv shows such as Mission Impossible and Man from UNCLE , and how there were always new outrageus gadgets included. The article sadly skimms through the 60s and 70s to the 80s rather too quickly for my liking, but then highlights a period in Hollywood that many of us all know. The time he calls the time of the “muscle and gun” movies. The most famous stars of which were Stallone and Schwarzenegger.
Quite rightly Aran highlights the change in the genre, as more action and explosions became required, but he does highlight one new departure from this new turn of events, a film that has been one of my all time favourites. That of the film of the same title based on Frederick Forsythe’s novel,The Day of The Jackal
The Day Of The Jackal – starring Edward Fox © unknown
which was poorly remade a few years ago, starring Bruce Willis.
After some lets say curious praise for the films starring Steven Seagal, Aran moves onto those spy thrillers which have a more realistic edge to them, Films such as
Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford © Paramount Pictures
Patriot Games based on Tom Clancy’s novel, a film which “focuses on CIA analyst JacK Ryan.” he says of Ryan’s character that:
“The Ryan character is a big step away from Bond. In Patriot Games , Ryan is a family man; less afraid to express emotion and posessing a more natural respect for danger. While the film is still well within the fictional realm, Patriot Games reminded audiences that the intelligence officer is not a super soldier. Ryan appears to rely on intellect and analytical skills as opposed to an uzi.”
Aran, goes on to mention how the serious business of spy movies has spawned another genre of spy comedies and spoofs, and you only have to see Austin Powers to see where he is coming from.
Recently there seems to be a resurgence in spy thrillers, with hits such as Bourne Identity doing well, and the imminent release of The Recruit in which Hollywood heavy Al Pacino plays a CIA recruitment officer. Not forgetting of course James Bond’s recent blockbuster Die Another Day which no doubt all of you who are reading this will have seen more than once.
Aran’s article seems to miss out some crucial spy flicks, especially those of the Harry Palmer series starring Michael Caine, which could be an oversight of his, but he does indeed highlight the success of espionage thrillers on the big screen, and without doubt the pleasure we have received from Bond is much more than just the twenty films we have watched but all those countless other films we have enjoyed that are a part of the genre that Bond films created.
Here is a list of films that Eye Spy Magazine recommends.
The Day of The Jackal : Based on Frederick Forsythe’s novel. A tense thriller filled with intrigue, a dangerous assasin and compelling plot.
Patriot Games : Yet another novel conversion. This one sees Harrison Ford playing Jack Ryan as he faces a revenge seeking terrorist. Well made and fast paced.
Spy Game :
Spy Game starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt © Universal Pictures
Robert Redford and Brad Pitt portray astute operatives working within a cat and mouse theatre of espionage. The interaction between these two actors as mentor and student works well. Some may find the plot erratic but certainly an original approach.
Bourne Identity : This falls very much into the action spy category. Matt Damon, who is arguably one of the best actors of his generation, plays the part of a highly trained man with no name, no memory and no fancy car. He conveys a sharp mind and an energetic persona in this ballistic film.
Behind Enemy Lines : Owen Wilson is the downed pilot doing his best to avoid hostile military factions within arduous Eastern European terrain. This is a tense chase film with more of a military flavour. Wilson handles the role in a way that helps the audience empathise with his high adrenaline objective: survival against extreme odds. High calibre actor Gene Hackman adds a further sense of drama as the father like officer rooting for one of his boys.
The Sum of All Fears: Another explosive outing for Jack Ryan, this time played by Ben Affleck. Political intrigue and an intelligent plot makes this a good all round thriller.
Live and Let Die: Here Bond, as played by Roger Moore, hyas to deal with crocodiles, drug barons and a series of intimmidating villains. The exotic setting is much closer to what Ian Fleming conveyed in his books. Colourful adventure film starring Britain’s most famous fictional spy.
Goldfinger Sean Connery is perhaps the most popular Bond and in this outing the secret agent faces the usual everyday super villain out to cause global chaos. Bond almost gets to experience a sinnister form of laser treatment.
The Killing Fields : Not so much an intelligence fil but it does focus on a major event in South East Asian history, through very human eyes. Powerful and compelling drama depicting the bitter truth of conflict.
Enigma: Kate Winslet stars in this subtle thriller set in 1940s England involving code breakers, British intelligence agents and the famed Bletchley Park.
