50 Years of Bond. James Bond.

After a four year hiatus as 007, Daniel Craig reprises James Bond for the 3rd time in the 23rd James Bond film directed by Sam Mendes. In Bond’s latest spy adventure, 007 is facing off with his deadliest villain yet- Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem)- an old operative of M’s (Judi Dench). As M16 headquarters are attacked and agents’ identities are made apparent who else to save the day and the world but James Bond? Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe play beautiful Bond girls Eve Moneypenny and Severine respectively. Ben Whishaw is Q and Ralph Fiennes is Gareth Mallory.

Last month on October 5th, marked the 50^th anniversary of the widely popular Agent 007 spy movie franchise. The date was named “Global James Bond Day”. In the U.S., events for Bond’s semi-centennial included a film retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and a “Music of Bond Night” hosted by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles. In Bond’s hometown of London, special events were held such as an auction of James Bond memorabilia at Christie’s Auction House with all proceeds having gone to charitable causes.

007 Creator Ian Fleming channels his iconic character

Created from Ian Fleming’s 1953 book character in Casino Royale, James Bond is the handsome, sophisticated, cool gadget carrying, gun-toting, exotic world traveler, Aston Martin driving, shaken martini drinking, womanizing, epitome of masculinity, British killing machine. James Bond entered the movie world on October 5^th 1962 in Dr. No. The first 007 movie was directed by Terence Young and starred Sean Connery as the first actor don the tux.

Both Young and Connery set the standard for the action-filled 007 films bringing to life the pleasurable yet dangerous world James Bond lives in. Monty Norman, the composer for Dr. No, also made his mark in Bond history by composing the iconic “The James Bond Theme Song” which has been used in the Bond films ever since.

James Bond is a timeless cinema character and his legacy- the man admired by men and desired by women- will likely live on the silver screen forever. Six actors have played Bond in the span of a half-century. All of them very different, extremely talented, and born to play the super-spy. DZI: The Voice recalls the highlights of 007 from the legendary Connery to the present blonde Bond- Daniel Craig:

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Sean Connery

Films:

Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Never Say Never Again [Unofficial Bond film and remake of ’65’s Thunderball] (1983)

Best Villains:

Dr. No, Rosa Klebb, Auric Goldfinger, Emilio Largo

Best Bond Girls:

Honey Ryder, Jill Masterson, Pussy Galore

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George Lazenby

Film:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Best Villain:

Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Best Bond Girl:

Tracy di Vincenzo Bond

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