Features

Although Italy hardly appeared in the books at all, James Bond has visited the country a number of times in the films, most recently with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. In the short story Risicco, James Bond visits first Rome and then Venice while trying to break up a heroin smuggling operation, meeting Kristatos […]

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, on April 13th 1953. Ian Fleming had written the book in 1952 while spending the winter at Goldeneye, his home in Jamaica, and just 4,728 copies were printed. The initial printing quickly sold out and today copies complete with original […]

Last week I saw that James Bond Memes blogger, Edward Biddulph, was selling his first edition of Casino Royale, which he announced on Twitter. I’ve been in contact with Edward soon after buying his book, Licence To Cook, after which he contributed a number of articles to this website and I later met him in London […]

One element strongly associated with 007 is his drinking, with “shaken, not stirred” almost guaranteed to recall the world’s most famous secret agent in the mind of anyone  in the English speaking world. While his vodka martinis have become something of a cliché, at least Daniel Craig got to drink something else in Casino Royale, with […]

There is a scene in the book Casino Royale when Bond is about to place a bet that has the potential, if luck favours him, to wipe out Le Chiffre at baccarat, the reason he’s been sent by M to Royale-les-Eaux. Changes are always made when bringing a book to the big screen, and Casino Royale was no […]

One of the issues I have with the more recent James bond films, say since Goldeneye onwards, is now rather than 007 operating as a lone agent out on his mission – just like in the books – he instead has come to rely upon his boss, M, much too often.

A week or so ago I was thinking about which James Bond pre-titles would make it onto my list and decided to ask what other people thought using social media channels. The idea wasn’t to poll followers for a definitive list of their favourite PTS, rather to remind me of any that I might overlook otherwise.

Dame Judi Dench has appeared in every Bond movie since Goldeneye including the successful reboot with Casino Royale, making her the longest-running current cast member of the franchise.  Following the resumption of work on Skyfall (the 23rd official Bond movie), it was announced that she would once again reprise her role as ‘M’. Judith Olivia […]

The James Bond franchise has seen regular changes in actors, style and direction over the years.  And, after Pierce Brosnan’s final appearance as 007 in Die Another Day, the series underwent arguably its greatest reinvention to date. Whilst being the 21st film in the series, Casino Royale took James Bond back to his roots, as […]

Before the Vesper, there was the Americano; this is the first cocktail that James Bond ever orders. He does this at the bar of the Hermitage Hotel whilst he waits for Mathis and Vesper Lynd. When they arrive, Bond orders Mathis a Fine à l’eau and a Bacardi for Vesper.