How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
#1
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How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Over forty years and over twenty movies featuring the same character the James Bond movies are still around. And whats more they never seem to fall out of favor with the public. Even when the lead actor changed, people still lined up to watch them.
What has made these movies work so well and in this day and age of everything having to be a trilogy, could any movie franchise ever be able to pull this off again?
What has made these movies work so well and in this day and age of everything having to be a trilogy, could any movie franchise ever be able to pull this off again?
#2
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Watch the documentary Everything or Nothing. They explain it pretty well how it's survived as long as it has. The doc is on Netflix and Amazon Prime. I really wish the doc was on the Bond 50 set, but I think they came out around the same time.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
#4
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Over forty years and over twenty movies featuring the same character the James Bond movies are still around. And whats more they never seem to fall out of favor with the public. Even when the lead actor changed, people still lined up to watch them.
What has made these movies work so well and in this day and age of everything having to be a trilogy, could any movie franchise ever be able to pull this off again?
What has made these movies work so well and in this day and age of everything having to be a trilogy, could any movie franchise ever be able to pull this off again?
It's hard to see it ever disappearing from popular culture unless the producers really screw up a bunch of movies in a row.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Can you even imagine how many movies would be in the MCU if it did last 40 years? At two per year, it would be about 80 movies more or less. That would be one heck of a marathon watch.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
It's a series that allows the whole family to enjoy Pussy Galore and Plenty O'Toole. What more could anyone want?
(Also, Dr. No came out in 1962 and the pilot for Star Trek was filmed in '64, so both series are 50 years old now, not 40.)
(Also, Dr. No came out in 1962 and the pilot for Star Trek was filmed in '64, so both series are 50 years old now, not 40.)
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
This is the movie forum so I was talking specifically about the first Trek movie which was 1979, not the 1960s TV series.
#11
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
It also helps that they've had several actors to play the role of Bond. I don't think people would have bought a super-spy getting around with a walker and driving a Reliant K.
#12
Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Stopped watching them after Roger Moore left and even then it felt like the same story over and over again.
Bond's life is in danger I wonder if he will live to thwart the latest bad guys evil plan?
Bond's life is in danger I wonder if he will live to thwart the latest bad guys evil plan?
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Bond films are like comfort food. I never go into one expecting to have my life changed and if one really sucks hard it's no biggie because another one will be along before too long.
Plus they are all pretty good for casual repeat viewing. The kind of movies that when shown on TV you stop to watch for a few minutes because there a neat bit coming up you want to see. Then you move on to something more interesting.
Plus they are all pretty good for casual repeat viewing. The kind of movies that when shown on TV you stop to watch for a few minutes because there a neat bit coming up you want to see. Then you move on to something more interesting.
#15
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Bond films are like comfort food. I never go into one expecting to have my life changed and if one really sucks hard it's no biggie because another one will be along before too long. Plus they are all pretty good for casual repeat viewing. The kind of movies that when shown on TV you stop to watch for a few minutes because there a neat bit coming up you want to see. Then you move on to something more interesting.
#16
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
A middle aged secret agent who gets to have sex with women, sometimes half his age, drink, kill and travel the world. That's timeless storytelling right there. That's why the series has lasted so long.
#17
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Before the Craig movies, Bond films tended to be self contained for the most part. So you could easily watch the latest one without having seen previous ones. Even Skyfall was self contained enough. People probably also looked forward to the newest gadgets, action scenes, Bond girls, over the top villains & scenic places he'd go.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
I think there are a number of good points in this thread, but this is one I keep coming back to. Having the courage as a studio to make this first leap allowed Bond to become a truly timeless character. We, the movie-going public, have come to not only accept this, but to expect it. It is part of the thrill of the character - as one Bond reaches the end of his time, who will be the next?
It also helps that there has never been a definitive Bond - when asked, every generation will give you a different answer as to who is "the" James Bond.
#19
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Others have already pointed out similar reasons why the franchise has held up, but I think that it helps that the films are all basically self contained stories so you can watch whichever one in whatever order you choose and still enjoy yourself. That and the films just have appeal that spans generations. Action, sexy women, cool cars/gadgets, a variety of settings, and etc.
I think each generation has "their" Bond but I think most identify Bond as Connery.
I think each generation has "their" Bond but I think most identify Bond as Connery.
Last edited by Mike86; 12-14-14 at 04:29 PM.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
I think you're right. My preference is Craig Bond, which to a degree is him but also where they took him. But Connery is the one that pop culture will always generally throw at you as Bond. Though I guess my generation Bond is more Brosnan cuz I was like 10 when Goldeneye came out, that thing hasn't aged well. Still a good flick but...man. lol.
#21
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Bond is a character which can be adapted to changing times, but has a strong core idea. Bond (along with many imitation secret agent characters) was immensely popular in the 1960s and that fixed the core idea in people's minds everywhere. People living in Mongolia know who James Bond is.
He's like Sherlock Holmes and Superman that way. So long as his core idea isn't damaged by some stupid executive, and the character continues to adapt, Bond should be around for a long time to come.
He's like Sherlock Holmes and Superman that way. So long as his core idea isn't damaged by some stupid executive, and the character continues to adapt, Bond should be around for a long time to come.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
What do you mean no shelf life? They are some of the most popular and best selling catalogue titles, and there are tons of related merchandise like books, soundtracks, and toys.
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
this franchise is everything you love about the movies. hell, my grandpa loved them and he got me into them so maybe i am a little emotionally attached, but like Djariya said it is timeless and every man's fantasies on the screen!
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Re: How have the Bond movies lasted so long?
Also several people have said "the studio this and the studio that." But I would attribute the longevity of the series to the lack of studio involvement. The tight fisted and controlling producers (Broccoli and Saltzman) maintaining total control is what made it last.