Representation of women in James Bond films

[DB7]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang I think today's girls fall into neither category and consequently are completely unmemorable.

Xenia Onatopp was a true vixen, and if you must go, between a pair a powerful thighs is as good as any. But I do agree, on the whole the recent Bond girls have been instantly forgettable. (the wooden, and pregnant during filming, Teri Hatcher being amongst the worst)

[batman]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang I think 60s Bond embraced femininity rather than today's feminism and it makes them more memorable. Bond girls were either stuff of dreams or nightmares.

The more recent stuff of my dreams have been ...

Maryam D'Abo


and

Izabella Scorupco

[Timmers009]

thank you for all your comments so far, what is everyone's opinion on that they are called Bond Girls not Bond Women, plus the fact that they wear little clothes and the names of the characters, e.g. Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead, Honey Rider, even in the latter films the name Jynx suggests that it is unlucky to be with a women.

Many Thanks

Tim Bailey

P.S i am not meant to give opinion, this is the reason on having a forum so I can get a vast number of opinions. Then at the end of my debate I have to give my overall view which I have yet not concluded. Thank you.

[Stephen Griffiths]

You may find Maryam D'Abo and John Cork's book "Bond Girls Are Forever: The Women of James Bond" (Harry N. Abrams, 2003) useful to answer some of these questions. You may also find some of the Bond DVDs with their commentaries and extras useful. I would also suggest that your own primary research and analysis would be more beneficial for you to come to your own conclusions about the Bond girls. In a sense you need to provide the evidence for your own findings, rather than posing rather open-ended general questions on a forum.

[batman]

In the 'Bond Girls' documentary on the 'Casino Royale' dvd Maryam D'Abo asks that question to several of them and nearly all like to be known as 'Bond Girls' not 'Bond Women'. It's a good documentary and it's great to see Maryam wandering around chatting to Ursula Andress.

Bats.

[D Cairns]

It's funny how nudity and sexy girl art is now all over the media, and they've just eliminated it from the Bond credits.

[batman]

Originally Posted by D Cairns It's funny how nudity and sexy girl art is now all over the media, and they've just eliminated it from the Bond credits.

I thought the 2007 Casino Royale credits were the best in years, but this is still one of my favourite Bond posters (albeit 'unofficial') ....

[Timmers009]

I'd argue this forum's purpose is to contribute to and write to - NOT refuse to contribute or write.

Many Thanks
Tim

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Timmers009 Well im sorry if i upset Steve or Christine, Im not a bloody pro at forums, Im an A level student just wanting to get some opinions with vast knowledge of Bond Girls. Hope I can get some more opinions hopefully not from Steve or Christine Many Thanks Tim

I think we can read that as "I want someone to write my essay for me. Or at least give me all the information so that I don't have to do any research."
Sorry Tim, that doesn't work here.

But if you're prepared to discuss things, which means you initiating the discussion by offering a few ideas, then you'll probably find this to be a most helpful place. People here crtainly have the information you want. It's just that they expect you to make a bit of an effort, not to just have it spoon-fed to you

Steve

[Stephen Griffiths]

Hi,

I'm sorry that I don't buy the poor A-level student routine. As someone who works in education, you're only going to get the best marks if you demonstrate your own level of research and that doesn't mean relying on the contribution of forum postings.

Stephen

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

Originally Posted by Timmers009 Im not a bloody pro at forums, Im an A level student just wanting to get some opinions with vast knowledge of Bond Girls...

Calm down dear... its only a forum (Ref... Michael Winner).

I think your first post gave the impression that you were looking for a shortcut and wanting us to do the homework for you in effect.

However, your subsequent posts explain a little better.

Folk (including me) would get rather ratty if asked to do somebody's homework for them... I felt like suggesting you watch the movies... they're all on DVD and are rather entertaining... so not too difficult a task, though time consuming.

However, since you don't appear to be trying to take a short cut...

I would say that the treatment of women in Bond movies has NOT changed. There has always been a mix of Chauvenistically portrayed Bond girls and strong character Bond girls. Yes, I know each new strong character girl is introduced as though its a new revelation... but they span the series of movies. Pussy Galore was not a shrinking violet by any stretch of the imagination.

I think the reason why they are 'Bond Girls' rather than 'Bond Women' is down to the former tripping of the tongue rather easier than the latter... and the fact the girls tend to be on the young side. Yes, he has a female boss now... but I don't think Judi Dench can really be regarded as a Bond Girl. Louis Maxwell, in her later appearences is also debateable.

Regarding the 'Casino Royale' main title sequence... 'Doctor No' didn't have a girlie sequence either - it had dots and three blind men. Maurice Binder brought in the dancing girls in 'From Russia with Love' onwards.

In the end, I would say, how Bond Girls are viewed in the movies has not changed one iota.

Hope this is helpful

Oh, and Tim... Watch the blasted movies if you haven't done so already.

[Joenoir]

As far as I am aware, all the women who have appeared in the Bond films are still very much alive. Why not approach them, I know that Miss Blackman would tell you that she was not a "Bond girl".