"BOND. JAMES BOND."

Over forty years after making his big screen debut on movie
screens, Ian Fleming’s James Bond became an iconic
character who epitomized style, class and toughness.
Along with these traits he was issued a license to kill from
her Majesty's secret service.

Since Dr. No in 1962 the film series has become one of the
most popular and successful in film history. With its unique
blend of violence, sex, action and witty humor, each Bond
film would become a worldwide event upon its release.
Agent 007 would face off against sinister villain’s, bed
beautiful women travel to the most exotic locations and
have the coolest toys and shiniest cars at his fingertips,
all the while never getting a wrinkle in his elegant suit.

After getting a gritty and more realistic start in his films with Dr. No and From Russia With Love, 1964’s Goldfinger would be the
turning point in the series and establish James Bond’s world as one that was truly larger than life. Budgets went up, even more movie
tickets were sold (along with profits in cross merchandising) and audiences would anxiously await for the next Bond film. In the
meantime, little boys and men would sneak to the mirror and say those immortal words: “Bond….James Bond”.

By the time 1967’s You Only Live Twice wrapped, Sean Connery stepped down from his role as Bond. This would be the start of an
ever lengthening chain of actors who would step into the role. Each actor would leave their own unique mark on their portrayal of the
character. With differing balances of humor, seriousness, sophistication and lethalness it would open the never-ending debate as to who
was the best Bond.

In 1969, former Austrailian model with little acting experience was cast as 007 in On Her Majesty’s
Secret Service. The massive scope of the film included all the Bond earmarks (but no earlobes)
that fans had come to expect – a powerful villain, extravagant locations, huge set pieces, beautiful
women and plenty of action. The film would also present Bond’s most personal journey as he falls
in love and gets married.

Despite being one of the highest grossing films that year, Majesty’s has mainly become a trivia
question to general movie audiences as Lazenby’s one-shot at portraying 007 before Connery
was coerced into returning for one more film - Diamonds Are Forever.

With Connery out for good producers cast Roger Moore, an already established star, as Bond in1973’s Live and Let Die. This time
out filmmakers tried to distance Moore’s Bond from Connery’s (whereas Lazenby had broken the fourth wall in the opening minutes
of the film to acknowledge he was the new guy). The film departs from the standard opening of Bond arriving at M’s office for his
assignment. This time M knock’son Bond’s door.

With The Spy Who Loved Me Broccoli (who now was sole producer) gave Moore a
huge canvas to play his Bond on. No longer feeling hindered by Connery’s peformance,
Moore’s portrayal became more light hearted and humorous. Situations were more
fantastical, villians more cartoonish and Moore was surrounded by outrageous villians,
fighting cartoonish henchmen and showcasing even more over the top gadgets.

And audiences loved it.

By the time Moonraker premiered in 1979 (the notorious ‘James Bond in Space film)
Moore had endeared himself to audiences and would play 007 for a total for seven
films. 1983 Would see the release of a competing Bond film that heralded the return of
Sean Connery. Despite a twelve-year hiatus from the role, Moore’s film ‘Octopussy’
would come out on top.

By 1985 Moore had had enough. He announced his retirement from the role at age 58, the oldest actor to have portrayed Bond.
Filmmakers would select a new Bond and try to take the series back to its roots. An attempt would be made to get the character
back to the tough spy Ian Fleming had created. Losing the jokes and the absurd nature of Moore’s films, Timothy Dalton would
take the character back to basicsin stories with more intrigue and drama than the whimsy the series had shown in the past twelve
years.

Dalton was true to his word. The Living Daylights would be an interpretation of the
character true to Fleming’s original character. Changes were made within the format of
the film however. With the increasing attitude of casual sex being irresponsible, Bond
was given one leading lady to make time with. A disclaimer of the dangers of cigarette
smoking was added to the credits. The film would be a critical success and gross more
than Moore’s last two Bond outings.

However, after the disappoinment of 1989’s License to Kill and a six year gap between
films, Dalton would not return.

In 1995 Goldeneye would mark the debut of Pierce Brosnan in the role. After having made a successin television with a Bond-
type of character, he seemed destined to play the part and was awaited to takeup the mantle by fans.

Rubbing off the grim aura Dalton had given the character, Brosnan went back to the
template of suave, dangerous with dashes of humor. With concerns over whether the
character was still relevant in a post Cold War era, after the film outgrossed Dalton's
previous films and was a clear success, it seemed Bond was still as in demand as ever
by audiences.

His modernized Bond would be the first interpretation of the character that many
younger-goers would see on the big screen and Brosnan would guide the character
through the 90’s and into the 21st century with three more films.

In 2004 the torch would be passed again, this time to actor Daniel Craig. Concerns over his casting immediately made headlines.
Fans questioned whether the selection of him was theright one. He didn’t seem like the Bond-type. Plus, he was blonde!

All the skepticism was put to rest when Casino Royale premiered. After having been filmed
as an all-star parody in 1967, the Bond filmmakers finally got the rights to it and to tell the
story of Bond’s first double-O adventure. Craig would give an extremely physical and
ruthless performance and the film would receive raves from critics and audiences.

Quantum of Solace would follow. For the first time a Bond film would be an actual sequel
to the previous film and not simply as a stand-alone story.

Bond has seen adventures all over the world and there are no signs of him slowing up.
Audiences are still lining up to see his films and each subsequent release of the latest
one is met with worldwide coverage and anticipation. He has become one of most
iconic heroesin film and literature. He has been passed down from one generation to
the next, with each one thrilling at their James Bond on the screen.