Code name: 007
The famous spy
“My name is Bond… James Bond…”
This famous line is the prerogative of the world’s most famous spy, also known as 007. A man of the shadows working for MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), the UK’s foreign intelligence service, James Bond has fascinated entire generations and continues to inspire us to this day, with a new film soon to be released.
Born in 1953 from the pen of Ian Flemming, who had himself worked for British Intelligence, James Bond first saw the light of day in the form of 12 novels and various short stories, some of which even appeared after the author’s death. The first of these was “Casino Royale”. After Flemming’s death, many authors wanted to continue his work by publishing James Bond books until 2018. A new book is even expected in 2022! Certain characters revolving around 007 have also had their own series, such as “The Moneypenny Diaries”, recounting the adventures of Miss Moneypenny, secretary to “M”, James Bond’s boss.
Even if a halo of mystery surrounds the spy, thanks to the novels, we learn a little more about his life, his childhood and his family. In “On ne vit que deux fois”, for example, we discover that his mother, Monique Delacroix, who disappeared in a climbing accident near Chamonix, was Swiss and even from the canton of Vaud!
But it’s mainly through the movies that the general public has come to love the famous spy. Her Gracious Majesty’s subject has 25 films to his credit, released between 1962 and 2021. The titles and plots of these films are taken from the previously published novels, but in no particular order. In 1962, for example, the first film to hit cinemas was “James Bond 007 versus Dr No”.
As a result, James Bond has become much more than a fictional character. He is now a veritable icon. It’s no longer just a character, but an entire universe that transports audiences time and again. Indeed, it’s no longer possible to dissociate the man from what makes him a spy or even a hero in the service of the English Crown. One example is 007’s unmistakable sense of luxury. It’s impossible to see the British man without a car, like the famous Aston Martin DB5, or a luxury watch. Trips to the four corners of the globe, including several to Switzerland, are also an integral part of the job. And of course, there are the many gadgets that would make a Swiss Army knife pale into insignificance. Indeed, Agent “Q” provides the spy with numerous tools, such as an electro-magnetic ring, an underwater car and a pistol concealed in ski poles. Finally, to make a good James Bond, you also need charismatic villains, not to mention the famous James Bond girls. This explosive cocktail delights viewers every time.
In 2021 James Bond will be back in a new film, “Dying Can Wait”, with a staggering budget of $250 million. Today, it’s the most expensive opus in the series. So, in anticipation of this new feature film (2h43 min), BCU (Riponne) offers you a selection of documents on the subject, so that you can learn all you need to know about the world of 007.
