50 Facts About James Bond

The Origins of James Bond

James Bond, the suave British spy, has captivated audiences for decades. Let's dive into the origins and inspirations behind this iconic character.

1. James Bond was first introduced to readers in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel Casino Royale. The character was inspired by Fleming's experiences in Naval Intelligence during World War II and his encounters with various spies, including the 16th-century polymath John Dee, who signed his letters to Queen Elizabeth I with a ‘007’ glyph.

2. Ian Fleming wrote 14 novels featuring James Bond, including Live and Let Die, Moonraker, and Goldfinger. He also penned several short-story collections, such as For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy and The Living Daylights.

3. The name 'James Bond' was inspired by a birdwatching book Ian Fleming had handy when searching for a name that was "as mundane as possible." The character's name is derived from ornithologist Dr. James Bond.

4. Bond's code number, 007, was assigned by Fleming in reference to one of British naval intelligence’s key achievements of the First World War: the breaking of the German diplomatic code.

5. Ian Fleming based Bond's ancestry on Sean Connery, who is Scottish. This Scottish heritage is reflected in the character's background, particularly in You Only Live Twice, where Bond visits his old home in Scotland.

The Cinematic Journey

James Bond's transition from page to screen has been nothing short of legendary. Here are some key facts about the film adaptations and the actors who brought Bond to life.

6. The first James Bond film, Dr. No, was released in 1962 and produced by Eon Productions, a partnership between Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman. This film marked the beginning of one of the most successful movie franchises in history.

7. Over the years, six actors have portrayed James Bond on the big screen: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Each actor brought a unique interpretation to the role, reflecting the changing times and social attitudes.

8. Sean Connery, the first actor to play Bond, was chosen by Ian Fleming himself. Connery's rugged and charismatic portrayal set the tone for the character, and he went on to star in seven Bond films, including Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger.

9. Roger Moore, who played Bond from 1973 to 1985, is known for his light-hearted and humorous approach to the role. Despite his real-life fear of firearms (hoplophobia), Moore handled numerous gun-toting sequences with ease, starring in seven Bond films, including The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy.

10. Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond from 1995 to 2002, is considered the deadliest Bond. In GoldenEye, he killed 47 people, a record that stands to this day. Brosnan's tenure included films like Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day.

11. Daniel Craig, who played Bond from 2006 to 2021, brought a more gritty and realistic approach to the character. He starred in four Bond films, including Casino Royale, Skyfall, and No Time to Die. Craig's portrayal marked a significant departure from previous Bonds, emphasizing the character's vulnerability and emotional depth.

Bond's Iconic Elements

From his favorite drink to his high-tech gadgets, certain elements have become synonymous with James Bond.

12. Bond has a well-known disdain for tea, preferring his vodka martini (shaken, not stirred). This quirk has become an iconic part of his character.

13. James Bond's favorite card game is Baccarat. He is reportedly brilliant at snap, another card game, showcasing his strategic thinking and quick reflexes.

14. Bond is known for his use of advanced gadgets, often provided by Q Branch. These gadgets range from exploding pens to wrist-mounted lasers, showcasing the latest technological advancements in each film.

15. Bond's cars are often as iconic as the character himself. The Aston Martin DB5, featured in Goldfinger, is one of the most recognizable vehicles in film history. Other notable cars include the Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me and the BMW Z3 in GoldenEye.

16. Daniel Craig has a deal with Aston Martin allowing him to have any of its cars he wants straight from the factory for the rest of his life. This deal reflects the long-standing partnership between Bond and the luxury car brand.

Memorable Moments and Records

James Bond films are known for their memorable moments, stunts, and records. Here are some highlights.

17. The corkscrew car jump in The Man with the Golden Gun was performed in just one take and was the first stunt ever calculated by computer modeling.

18. In Casino Royale, the seven full barrel-rolls completed by the Aston Martin DBS set a new world record for the most barrel rolls assisted by a canon.

19. During the filming of Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), more than 15 BMW 750s were destroyed. This extensive destruction added to the film's action-packed sequences and high-octane stunts.

20. For the opening scene of Skyfall, Daniel Craig was given 85 identical versions of Bond’s Tom Ford suit. The cast went through 200,000 rounds of ammunition during weapons training, showcasing the meticulous preparation that goes into each Bond film.

Bond's Cultural Impact

James Bond has left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing everything from fashion to technology.

21. President John F. Kennedy was a huge fan of the Bond franchise. He even held an early screening party of From Russia with Love at the White House, which significantly boosted the series' popularity.

22. Five Bond films have won Oscars: Goldfinger (Best Sound Effects), Thunderball (Best Visual Effects), Skyfall (Best Original Song and Best Sound Editing), Spectre (Best Original Song), and No Time to Die (Best Original Song).

23. Adjusting for inflation, the Bond film series has earned over $19.2 billion from box-office receipts alone, making it one of the highest-grossing film franchises in history.

24. The Bond films are the longest-produced franchise, with the first film, Dr. No, being released in 1962. This longevity is a testament to the enduring appeal of the character and the franchise.

25. Despite his many trysts and adventures, James Bond is intensely solitary and virtually friendless. This characteristic adds depth to his character, making him both a loner and a hero who operates outside the boundaries of conventional relationships.

26. Bond is nearly as loyal to his signature vodka martini as he is to the British crown and his Scottish roots. This loyalty reflects his commitment to tradition and his adherence to certain values that define him as a character.

27. James Bond became 007 at age 38, the same age Daniel Craig was when he landed the role for Casino Royale in 2006. This coincidence highlights the continuity between the literary and cinematic portrayals of Bond.

28. Bond often finds himself in exotic locations around the world. From the beaches of Jamaica to the mountains of Switzerland, these locations add to the allure and adventure of his missions.

29. Bond has faced numerous enemies over the years, from the villainous Blofeld to the cunning Auric Goldfinger. Each enemy presents a unique challenge for Bond, testing his skills and ingenuity.

30. James Bond has left an indelible mark on popular culture. His influence extends beyond the films to fashion, technology, and even lifestyle. He remains an icon of sophistication and style, inspiring generations of fans worldwide.

Behind the Scenes

Some interesting behind-the-scenes facts add another layer to the Bond legacy.

31. Krystyna Skarbek (aka Christine Granville), the British-Polish WW2 agent who met with Ian Fleming, was the inspiration for some of Bond's adventures and character traits.

32. Thunderball was almost the first James Bond movie. Ian Fleming set out to make a Bond film in the late 1950s with the help of producer Kevin McClory and writer Jack Whittingham. When the film project fell through, Fleming went back home to Jamaica and decided the idea would do just fine as the plot for the next Bond novel.

33. James Bond owes his famous gun to a firearms expert. In Fleming's early novels, Bond carried a 0.25 caliber Beretta pistol, which was dismissed by firearms expert Geoffrey Boothroyd as "a lady's gun." Fleming took Boothroyd's suggestion and gave Bond a Walther PPK, now the character's signature gun.

34. Roger Moore was considered for the role of James Bond much earlier but was unavailable due to his commitments on TV series like The Alaskans and Maverick. By 1962, the year Dr. No was released, Moore would have a spy franchise of his own thanks to his role as Simon Templar in the TV adaptation of The Saint.

35. The Aston Martin in Quantum of Solace took a dip in the Italian Lago di Garda after a stuntman lost control. This incident highlights the high-risk nature of Bond stunts and the extensive planning required to execute them safely.

36. Despite starring in seven Bond films, Roger Moore actually suffers from hoplophobia—fear of firearms. This fear is reflected in his character's reluctance to use violence whenever possible.

37. Pierce Brosnan is considered the deadliest Bond. In GoldenEye alone, he ended 47 lives. In contrast, Roger Moore only took one life in The Man with the Golden Gun, the film with the lowest Bond kill-count.

38. Daniel Craig was the first Bond younger than the series itself. He took on the role at 38, the same age James Bond became 007 in the book.

39. From Russia with Love was the last movie that President JFK ever saw. He was arguably responsible for Bond’s success across the pond. After naming From Russia with Love as his favorite novel in an interview in 1961, sales rocketed, and it was the next Bond film to be made.

40. The name of the 17th Bond film, GoldenEye, came from the Jamaican estate where Ian Fleming wrote 14 of his novels. This estate, which Fleming called Goldeneye, served as a source of inspiration for many of his stories.

41. The spy also had a son, James Suzuki, with Kissy Suzuki in You Only Live Twice. The missing 00s—002, 003, 004, and 009—have all been killed in different movies. The supposedly dead 006 returns as the villain in GoldenEye before being disposed of.

42. James Bond is a jack-of-all-trades, proficient in various skills such as hand-to-hand combat, marksmanship, and languages. However, he is not the best at any one skill, as noted by British novelist and critic Sir Kingsley Amis in The James Bond Dossier.

43. Bond’s loyalty to his signature vodka martini is nearly as strong as his loyalty to the British crown and his Scottish roots. This loyalty reflects his commitment to tradition and his adherence to certain values that define him as a character.

44. Bond’s ancestry is further explored in Skyfall, where Bond visits his old home in Scotland. This connection to his roots adds depth to his character and provides a glimpse into his past.

45. James Bond was inspired by Dominican playboy, diplomat, soldier, and race car driver, Porfirio Rubirosa, who was known for his suave personality and jetsetting lifestyle. This inspiration is detailed in The Real James Bond…Was Dominican, a production running at the Emerson Paramount Center Robert J. Orchard Stage from November 8-12, 2023.

46. Bond’s favorite drink, the shaken-not-stirred martini, has become an iconic part of his character, symbolizing his sophistication and elegance.

47. Bond’s favorite card game is Baccarat. He is reportedly brilliant at snap, another card game, showcasing his strategic thinking and quick reflexes.

48. Bond’s cars are often as iconic as the character himself. The Aston Martin DB5, featured in Goldfinger, is one of the most recognizable vehicles in film history. Other notable cars include the Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me and the BMW Z3 in GoldenEye.

49. Bond is known for his use of advanced gadgets, often provided by Q Branch. These gadgets range from exploding pens to wrist-mounted lasers, showcasing the latest technological advancements in each film.

50. The Bond films are renowned for their elaborate stunts and special effects. The corkscrew car jump in The Man with the Golden Gun was performed in just one take and was the first stunt ever calculated by computer modeling.

Bond's Enduring Legacy

James Bond isn't just a character; he's a cultural icon. From Ian Fleming's novels to the blockbuster films, Bond has captivated audiences for over seven decades. Each actor, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, brought unique flair to the role, reflecting the changing times. Bond's gadgets, cars, and signature vodka martini have become legendary. His adventures, filled with high-stakes action and exotic locales, continue to thrill fans worldwide. The franchise's longevity, with over $19.2 billion in box-office receipts, speaks volumes about its impact. Bond's influence extends beyond films, shaping fashion, technology, and lifestyle. As new adaptations emerge, Bond's legacy remains strong, ensuring he'll continue to entertain and inspire future generations. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, Bond's world offers endless excitement and intrigue. Here's to many more years of 007's adventures!