James Bond With his dry wit and impeccable style, James Bond has been defying death and ruining the plans of evil madmen in service of Queen and country for more than 50 years. From his first appearance in a 1953 novel to his leading role in one of the most successful franchises in film history, Bond has traveled to more exotic locations, romanced more women, escaped from more harrowing death traps and saved the world more times than any other secret agent, real or fictional.
Much about the early life of James Bond remains unclear, befitting a secret agent. Even the date of his birth is in dispute-early accounts suggest various dates in the 1920s, implying that modern-day chronicles of his exploits recount the events of decades past. His Scottish father worked for a British arms manufacturer and was killed while mountain climbing along with Bonds Swiss mother when James was eleven. The orphan attended several prestigious schools before enlisting in the Royal Navy during World War II, where he rose to the rank of commander. Following the War, he entered the British Secret Intelligence Service , also known as MI6, short for 6th Branch of the Military Intelligence Directorate. His first two assignments were assassinations, which led to his permanent designation as a double-0 agent, one with a license to kill in the line of duty. As the seventh such agent, he was designated Agent 007.
Bond is no mere foot soldier. His undercover assignments have taken him to exotic locales that include volcanic islands , Las Vegas , Paris, India, Tokyo and even a space station. He usually operates under an alias , usually as a representative of Universal Exports. His charm and charisma are reinforced by his taste for fine suits, fast cars and his signature beverage: a dry martini, shaken, not stirred. Bonds missions bring him into contact with both sophisticated elites and shady underworld figures. In both situations, he has repeatedly demonstrated his one true weakness-he cant resist a beautiful woman.
Although Bond is a gifted athlete and well-trained in martial arts , he doesnt have to rely on his wits and physical prowess alone. The Q Branch of MI6 regularly outfits 007 with clever devices, usually in the form of a mundane object that hides an explosive, a gun or another key item. He also has access to heavily modified experimental vehicles, and often carries a hidden escape device or a means of communicating with his handlers in an emergency. When all else fails, he keeps a Walther PPK .32 caliber handgun tucked into a shoulder holster, though he also uses other weapons when needed.
Bonds missions have varied wildly, but one thing is always consistent: MI6 deploys him when nothing else matters more than getting the job done. Bond is considered a blunt instrument of the crown, a man who can accomplish difficult missions regardless of the political, financial or personal consequences.
The first screen appearance of James Bond was in a pilot for a CBS TV series. Based on the novel Casino Royale, the pilot flopped and the series was never made. Flemings novels would eventually be made into a successful series of films, starting with Dr. No in 1962. The 20 official Bond films released since then have made about $3.8 billion worldwide, and over $1.2 billion in the United States. Five different actors have played the role of James Bond in the official films. Daniel Craig is the sixth Bond, appearing in the 2006 reboot of the franchise.
Sean Connery was the first James Bond, playing the role in six movies from 1962 to 1971. Although Fleming reportedly disliked Connery at first, he was eventually won over, even working a Scottish father into the literary Bonds ancestry to reflect Connerys own background. Connerys Bond was closer to the version depicted in Flemings novels, though he did inject more humor into the character.
George Lazenby took over the role for one film, On Her Majestys Secret Service, in 1969. Having had no prior acting experience, Lazenbys performance is largely derided by most Bond fans. In fact, his acting career virtually ended after that film, and Connery took the role back for one more official Bond film in 1971.
From 1973 to 1985, Roger Moore left an indelible mark on the Bond character. Moores Bond is generally kinder and more genial than Connerys, and this era gave birth to some of the more outlandish exploits, involving space stations, super lasers and other science fiction elements.
Timothy Daltons two-film run in the late 1980s was seen by many as a return to the characters roots. The Dalton films are darker and more cynical. However, lawsuits tied up the Bond franchise for several years, and when they resumed in 1995, it was time for a new Bond.
Pierce Brosnan played Bond four times from 1995 to 2002. For younger fans of the series, he is the only Bond. His wry smile and dry wit are reminiscent of Roger Moores portrayal of Bond, but Brosnan also guided the character forward.
Daniel Craig is the sixth actor to play Bond and is also the only blond to take the role. Including 2006s Casino Royale, he is signed to a three-film contract. Like all other new Bonds before him, Craigs selection caused some controversy and angered some fans of the series.
The Cold War and anti-Nazi plots of the 60s and 70s were outdated by the time the franchise(特权, 公民权)started up again in the mid-1990s, so the modern Bond became tied up in media wars, terrorist plots and high-technology threats. Although each film is unique, they tend to contain certain elements.
Fast-paced Action. The core of any Bond film is the fast-paced action. Car chases, daring leaps from buildings or mountains, hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, narrow escapes from death traps, even boat and airplane chases are all vital to the success of a Bond film. Bond always pulls off these sometimes preposterous sequences with panache and style.
Humor. A Bond film is not a gritty exploration of the espionage(间谍, 侦探)underworld or a high-minded glimpse into global politics. Even at the most tense moments, Bond finds time for a one-liner, dryly delivered with a half-smile.
Visual Beauty. James Bond doesnt get into a car chase while driving a Pinto through Detroit. He drives a Lotus Esprit along a winding mountain road that overlooks a stunning rainforest. His cases take him to golden beaches, vibrant jungles, even crystal ice palaces. A mission might require him to attend a high-cost charity auction held in the penthouse of an expensive hotel.
Bond Girls. The selection of each Bond Girl is almost as anticipated as the casting of a new James Bond. A Bond Girl is not just beautiful-she is also a femme fatale, a woman that will cause Bond great trouble when he inevitably finds himself attracted to her. Some of them are outright villains, while others have their own tragic stories and vulnerabilities that make Bond feel protective. Bond usually wins the girl, but sometimes she betrays him and sometimes she dies in his arms.
James Bond has found success outside of films and novels. A radio adaptation, a series of newspaper comic strips and numerous graphic novels have all featured Bond, either in original stories or versions of the films or novels. However, the most successful non-film medium for Bond has been video games. 1997s Golden eye 007 for the Nintendo 64 was a smash hit-many people continue to play it, although the system itself is outdated.
Bonds popularity has inevitably led to imitation and parody(滑稽的模仿). Comedy series like the cartoon Inspector Gadget took elements of James Bond and mined them for material. Perhaps the most well-known Bond parody is Mike MyersAustin Powers series. In these films, the secret agent is thawed out after several decades of being frozen , which explains why he retains his swinging 60s attitude and fashion sense.
James Bond is more than just a fictional character: The franchise has defined the espionage thriller and will surely influence this genre for decades to come.
1. Why is James Bond called Agent 007?
A) Because he was the seventh child in his family.
B) Because he was the seventh agent with a license to kill.
C) Because his father was killed when he was seven.
D) Because he was born on the seventh date.
2. What does James Bond often disguise himself as when performing a mission?
A) A businessman.
B) A soldier.
C) A beautiful woman.
D) An elite.
3. Bond is not only physically superior, but also .
A) is good at making weapons
B) is good at training athletes
C) has many kinds of works of art
D) has many kinds of advanced weapons at command
4. What is said about James Bonds first appearance on screen?
A) It was a success.
B) It was a failure.
C) It was a sensation.
D) It was a disgrace.
5. The first actor of Bond Sean Connery presented the hero closely following the description of .
A) Fleming himself.
B) Flemings English father
C) Flemings novels.
D) Flemings Scottish father
6. Roger Moores version of James Bond was a success and those movies were characterized by .
A) romantic elements
B) science fiction elements
C) detective story elements
D) adventure story elements
7. Like all other new Bonds before him, Craigs selection caused .
A) excitement among fans
B) popularity among fans
C) indifference among fans
D) some controversy and ager among fans
8. Whether it is about cold war, media war or terrorist threat, high-tech threat, the most important element of Bond film is _______________.
9. As for 007s experiences with Bold Girls, there are the elements of attraction, conquest, ____________________.
10. Some series imitated or took 007 elements for material, which ca be seen as the inevitalble result of __________________.
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