Battle of the Bonds: A Comparative Analysis

    A lot can happen while watching James Bond movies. This weekend, as I was rewatching "The Man with the Golden Gun", a thought had occurred to me. Aside from the fact that that line was a favorite of that film, I also thought about how that film was alike with some elements present in "Dr. No", the series' first offering.

    Although Bond films would follow a formulaic template, there's still distinctive elements for each one. However, with the films in this list, some clear similarities are present.

    Due to their lengthy tenures as James Bond, Sir Sean Connery and Sir Roger Moore are both regarded as the best ones to play the role, the classic Bonds. Also due to that lengthy tenure, Bond actors who came before and after them are often lost in the mix (George Lazenby, and Timothy Dalton).

    Both Connery and Moore have seven Bond films and here are how each of their films seemed to fit one another.

1. You Only Live Twice (1967) and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

    Starting off with the most obvious ones, these films were both directed by Lewis Gilbert and both featured Bond in a naval uniform. And with what they say about the Bond films of Gilbert, YOLT and Spy shared a seemingly similar premise, to instigate a war on two different countries after sabotaging space and naval operations of each countries. Blofeld was the main villain on the former, while Stromberg was on the latter.

Sean Connery as James Bond in M's office in "You Only Live Twice" from bondsuits.com

Roger Moore as James Bond from a promotional photo of "The Spy Who Loved Me" from bamfstyle.com

    Both films featured Bond pairing up with a different secret service agency other than the MI-6. Additionally, these were two of the films that featured a "Team Good" versus "Team Evil" battle by the end of the film, complete with contrasting costumes.

2. From Russia With Love (1963) and For Your Eyes Only (1981)

    It is not often that Bond films would have a McGuffin like what Ethan Hunt films tent to do, but when Bond films do, it is done quite beautifully.

Bond with the Lektor decoder in the final confrontation scene of "From Russia With Love" from screenrant.com

    From Russia With Love's "lektor" gets an update with For Your Eyes Only's "ATAC". Both items have no severe impact onto any of each film's characters, aside from helping our heroes and villains from one place into another.

ATAC Device in For Your Eyes Only from universalexports.net

3. Goldfinger (1964) and A View to A Kill (1985)

    Sir Sean Connery's most iconic outing, Goldfinger, gets to be paired with Sir Roger Moore's swan song due to the fact that these film's villains share almost identical villain goals. 

    Auric Goldfinger wants to have the monopoly of the gold deposit after securing Fort Knox's gold supply, while Max Zorin plans to supply Silicon Valley with a man-made earthquake to monopolize the deposit of microchips. With these films, the saying that "the old Bond films were just as good as their villains," can be actually taken to be a fact. Most of the memorable scenes often feature Goldfinger and Zorin.

Goldfinger's exposition scene for the Operation: Goldfinger in the film from reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com

May Day and Zorin aboard the blimp in "A View to  a Kill" for Project: Mainstrike from bondsuits.com
"Does anybody else want to drop out?"

    Do yourself a favor and watch out for the interrogation/laser scene in Goldfinger and the city hall and the mining shoot out in A View To A Kill.

    Additionally, both these films have the creepiest henchman/woman in Odd Job and May Day.

4. Thunderball (1965) and Moonraker (1979)

    The next films on this list may be good ones for some Bond fans, and these are also the bigger Bond films, big in production, a spectacle in the visuals, and higher level of stunts were made for this film to be Bond-level. 

    However, I find these films to be unwatchable and a legit snooze fest. Perhaps I just don't like watching the same plot for a third time (Moonraker is just You Only Live Twice, and The Spy Who Loved Me in space).

    Thunderball had some good scenes though, especially the Spectre meeting, and they were great with Bond's one-liners and witty quips. 

    Another similarity that these films have? The local parade in the night where terror would commence. 

The Junkanoo parade in "Thunderball" from huntingbond.com

Bond at the Carnival in Rio (Moonraker) from pinterest.com

5. Dr. No (1962) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

    Dr. No, the villain, was great as the first one to match against 007. After his death, extreme and heavily obsessive and excessive villains would face Bond in the likes of Red Grant, Goldfinger Largo, Blofeld, and even Dr. Kananga. It was only by the time of "The Man with the Golden Gun" where Bond would face a villain that was almost his equal, Francisco Scaramanga.

    Additionally, by the film's end, at the Hotel Crab Key and Hotel Scaramanga, Bond girls Honey Ryder and Mary Goodnight would be taken by the villain, awaiting Bond's rescue.

Bond and Honey Ryder having their escape in the end of "Dr. No" from chrism227.wordpress.com

Bond and Goodnight having their escape in "The Man with the Golden Gun" from 007.com

    Maybe a time at the beach after some explosions? Only to be followed by more explosions off of course, of course. 

6. Diamonds are Forever (1971) and Octopussy (1983)

    In Diamonds are Forever, Bond would have to overcome various Blofeld clones in the process of saving the world, this time from the hands of Spectre, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, and Bambi and Thumper. 

    While in Octopussy, Bond would face Kamal Kahn and General Orlov in the middle of the Fabergé Egg as this film's McGuffin. 

    Aside from the use of a circus setting, both films also displayed Bond's ability to disguise himself as another man, or even another living thing like an animal, or a non-living thing such as a mummy as he did in Octopussy. 

Peter Franks (left) and Bond (right) in "Diamonds are Forever" from express.co.uk

Bond (left) and Col. Toro (right) in "Octopussy" from 007museum.com
"Toro? Sounds like a load of bull."

"Small world, you're a Toro, too."

    Bond disguised himself as Peter Franks in Diamonds are Forever, complete with Franks' fingerprints (through Q), while in Octopussy, Bond disguised himself as Col. Toro in the pre-title sequence, among many other disguises he had in that film (which in itself is a topic for a different blog). 

    Another side note, these films had some of the best one-liners from both Bond actors.

7. Never Say Never Again (1983) and Live and Let Die

    Sir Sean Connery's final Bond outing is paired with Sir Roger Moore's first one. Although these are both good ones, with great Bond films, Felix Leiter's and stunts/action, these were quite hard to watch. 

    There's a certain part of these films which seemed to make them a bit dated, even as if these were made before You Only Live Twice. 

    Additionally, both films had two memorable but very lengthy chase scenes. The boat chase in Live and Let Die and the motorcycle chase scene in Never Say Never Again which was also quite hard to watch due to the cheap way of disguising a stunt double for Sir Sean, put a helmet on. A full-faced one! 

Bond in the motorcycle chase scene in "Never Say Never Again" from bmt216a.dk

Bond in the boat chase scene in "Live and Let Die" from 007museum.com

#TheList ends here, and I'd love to know about your thoughts about these! 

Keep 'em comments coming! 

#JamesBond    #007    #NoTimeToDie #SeanConnery    #RogerMoore    #PierceBrosnan    #DanielCraig    #TimothyDalton    #GeorgeLazenby

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Worst Bond Car (Day 10)

Like the gadgets, the cars have also been a significant aspect of the James Bond series. In each film, Bond would drive a new magnificent piece of machinery and most of the time, these would be utilized in the big action scenes.

These cars would have its standard-issue modifications which would help Bond in whatever kind of mishap that would come his way. For example - in case of nagging or annoying partners, there's always the ejector seat!

However, some Bond cars did not live to their potential and were underused. Like the Bond car for the 1995 film "Goldeneye", the BMW Z3.

What made it the worst one for me was the fact that there was such a build up about ut during the Q scene with Desmond Llewellyn. Q spoke about the gadgets and the features it had, the Stinger missiles, a self-destruct system, and the always-handy ejector seat, among others.

The car was seen briefly during Bond and Natalya's drice in Cuba and was then dealt to CIA agent Jack Wade. It was not used in any action scene since the film already had the massive tank chase in Russia.

It had such a good build up, with one of the longest and funniest Q scenes, but had no pay-off. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Worst Gadget (Day 9)

With the emergence of Q as the one who would be responsible for the armory and items that Bond would use in the field, the gadgets filled with extreme subtlety in order to blend in everyday items also came into the surface of the James Bond movies. 

Q was first introduced in "Dr. No" wherein he supplied Bond the standard-issue Walther PPK. However, the character developed into a different designation, and actor starting with "From Russia With Love". From then on, it was established that Q would be supplying Bond different weaponry items that he would find conveniently useful for the film's plot. 

For 24 films, and one gadget per film at least, there ought to be the worst and the best ones. And depending on my preference, I'm going to choose my top pick for the Worst Bond Gadget. 

Although this was the main gadget for "Moonraker", I thought it was very risky to carry this around. Q gave Bond the "Wrist Dart Gun". It was very useful for Bond in the two out of three occasions that he fired it. One was when he was spinning endlessly in Drax's simulator and the other one was when he shot Drax into space, surrendering to the void. 

It would be very handy having this just having its downtime in your wrist. However, there would be the risk if firing it accidentally, or what is called unintentional discharge, since it would be fired through nerve impulses from the wrist muscles according to Q. 

That could be very dangerous having that concealed weapon in your wrist, ready-to-fire whenever your wrist muscles would feel the itch to do it, without even aiming at your target. 

I could be wrong about my perception of this. It was fun and very convenient for Bond but I thought it had its downsides. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Most Obnoxious Female Character (Day 8)

I understand where the negative reviews for Sir Roger Moore's final Bond outing, but despite those negative reviews,  I love watching "A View To A Kill".

Additionally, I've always believed that "A View To A Kill" was a good old-fashioned spy film that used none of the fancy gadgets similar to those from previous entries. Bond was using his own wits and physical strength to get from point A to point B. See the scene wherein Bond and Stacey escaped from a burning City Hall.

Still, there's this one flaw with the film and that's the character of Bond girl, Stacey Sutton. Aside from seeing Bond's macho side as he was going down the ladder while carrying Stacey, you would also see how helpless Stacey was. She would always be screaming "James!" in whatever critical situation she becomes linked to. 

Another instance of Stacey Sutton's obnoxious personality was when she was kidnapped by Max Zorin and his thugs through a giant blimp. The blimp was lurking behind her, quietly reaching down for her, and there she was grabbed and the annoying part here was that it was a giant vehicle going down to reach her. She must've been so stupid to not notice, or hear, something coming down near her.

During the final confrontation scene with Bond and Zorin, she was again a damsel in distress who was screaming out "James!"

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Most Obnoxious Male Character (Day 7)

For a movie series that is dominated by male characters, there will always be that one guy that annoys you the most. That guy can make you cringe more than any of Roger Moore's obvious stunt doubles can possibly do.

For this entry, I'm going to pick Truman-Lodge from my favorite Bond film, "Licence to Kill".

Truman-Lodge was Franz Sanchez's chief accountant. He was in-charge of Sanchez's finances which was a tall order considering that Sanchez is a drug kingpin a la Gustavo Fring of "Breaking Bad". However, this film was made in 1989 so the inspiration from Sanchez was most likely Pablo Escobar.

What made Truman-Lodge so obnoxious was the fact that there was no proper introduction for the character.  By the time Bond.went to the Casino, we started seeing Truman-Lodge talking about some business/financial matters with Sanchez in the office. No other new information about him was presented. It wasn't even revealed why a young accountant would be handling the finances of a drug kingpin (It was revealed actually but the scene was cut from the final output.)

Like Truman-Lodge, Heller who was Sanchez chief security was also introduced to us. However, unlike Truman-Lodge, Heller was given the spotlight for us to know the character.

By the film's end, Truman-Lodge was killed by Sanchez after giving off a sarcastic remark to the drug kingpin about the spoiled finances because of Bond's interference in the lab.

Much better handling of a character similar to Truman-Lodge would be seen in "Goldeneye" through Boris Grishenko. He had a proper introduction and we got to know his motives and intentions leading to his exit. 

However, it would not be the same case for a similar character (Gustav Graves' technical assistant?) in "Die Another Day". As of today, I still have no recalling of that character even though I have watched that film multiple times.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Daniel Craig Scene (Day 6)

"Spectre" was the first film I watched in the theater. Other Bond films were watched only on TV presentations or released copies. And how I loved watching "Spectre", especially when the white dots appeared for the gun barrel sequence, the first proper one for a Craig film!

However, my favorite Bond film wouldn't be from that scene. It would have to be from the scene that led to the events of that film, the very last scene of "Skyfall"!

The scene was just perfectly built up. From the reveal of Eve as Moneypenny and Mallory as the new M to the reveal of Bond meeting M in his office. Although it was a kind of a fan service moment, it was subtle and very much not like the fan service moments sprayed all over "Die Another Day" and "Spectre" through the countless references to previous Bond films.

What made it so memorable was the fact that it was the first time we saw Bond and M talking in the traditional office since "The Living Daylights" in 1987.

In "License to Kill", only Moneypenny's office was shown, while in the Brosnan films and Craig's first two, M's office was always redecorated and changed into something new.

This scene helped build up the interaction between Bond and the new M for the coming films, what's left of Craig's contract, at least. They even have the naval painting in the wall above M to match the details making it easy to accept Mallory as the new M.

This scene was the best scene to close for a great Bond film, "Skyfall", while also transitioning it to the next entry in the series, "Spectre" which would have the established MI-6 regulars - Bill Tanner, Moneypenny, Q, and M.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Pierce Brosnan Scene (Day 5)

Excuse the delay, here's the entry for the fifth day!

I really find the Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan eras very much alike. For the films in these eras, you suspend your disbelief high enough so that there's won't be frequent eyebrow raises. 

There was Sir Roger's "Moonraker". while there was Pierce's "Die Another Day". In terms of the action, there were "Octopussy" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". In terms of villains who were equal to Bond, there was Francisco Scaramanga for Sir Roger while there was Alec Trevelyan for Pierce. 

With that, we should go to my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond moment and this would definitely be an action scene since the action, gunfights, brawls, and machine guns were commonly seen in this era of movies. 

My favorite would be Bond going up against Gustav Graves in a fencing match. This happened in the film "Die Another Day". Investigating what really happened in the mission in the pre-title sequence, Bond was led to Graves who was dealing counterfeited diamonds. 

Although this scene gave the Madonna cameo, I had to pick this one as my favorite since it was one of the most memorable and watchable moments of the film. "Die Another Day" was not a very good outing but it was very entertaining while having the potential of a good one. One of the reasons for the film having some rare praises would be due to this fight scene. 

Watching the fight, you would be reminded of Bond and Goldfinger's golf match and also the swordfight scene in Moonraker. Very fitting since it was a 40th-anniversary offering. 

The fight choreography was also done superbly. The actors were believable and not suspicious at all with all the stunts. It was really great to see Pierce Brosnan kicking the butt of a much younger villain who was very athletic and as tough as a Robocop. 

Gustav Graves was also good as a villain. Having a villain that could match up Bond physically every once in a while could be really great for the sake of the action scenes. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Timothy Dalton Scene (Day 4)

Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond actor. His two Bond films are easily in my Top 5. Needless to say, this pick is going to be an easy one. 

Of his two Bond outings, I liked License to Kill better. During its time, it was the one among the other previous Bonds. It was the first one not to have an Ian Fleming title. There were no megalomaniac villains, humorous reactions, and ultimately, there wasn't any mission at hand. 

"The Man with the Golden Gun" had the chance of having Bond go out on something that was not a mission. He was out to go after Scaramanga whom he thought was paid to kill him. However, there was also the conflict concerning the Solex Agitator and guess what, the man behind that conflict was also Scaramanga. 

As for "License to Kill", this film had no sub-plots. Bond was out to seek the killing of Felix Leiter's wife and Leiter's own casualty. Plain and simple. No missions, for now, M. Not until I avenge my best buddy, Felix Leiter. 

That made it stand out among the other entries. 

During the middle part of the film, Bond was in the fictional location, Isthmus City, in Franz Sanchez's casino. He posed as a very able player to catch Sanchez's attention and he was right. He was then about to meet Sanchez.

And this next scene would definitely be my favorite. Bond and Sanchez having a conversation. They even threw a very subtle "Bond. James Bond." introduction, although it was left unattended b Sanchez. 

Sanchez wanted to know what Bond does for a living, and asked if he was a "problem solver". Bond, gathering his wits, replied that he was a "problem eliminator". Timothy Dalton's delivery of that scene really caught my attention because it seemed that every aspect needed to make that scene perfectly aligned. The grit was present, the dedication to play the part too, but most of all, the hair was so overly done, it made the scene shine brightly. 

It was also during this meeting that Bond displayed some good spy stuff when he took a glimpse at Sanchez's window to gauge how much of a trouble it would be for him. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Roger Moore Moment (Day 3)

My favorite Roger Moore moment as 007 would have to be the final showdown with Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Although there were lots of massive Bond moments during the Roger Moore era, which gave seven films, this has to be the one for me. 

Options included the Crocodile Jump in "Live and Let Die", the meeting with Lazar in "Golden Gun", and the Union Jack moment in "The Spy Who Loved Me." Amazingly, those were just from Roger Moore's first  three Bond films. 

Ever since the Bond movies blew up big time during the Sean Connery era, fans had toyed with the idea 9f Bond being matched up with someone who could be his equal. After numerous extravagant villains from Dr. No to Blofeld, and Dr. Kana nga, it was time for Bond to face Scaramanga.

Scaramanga was Bond's equal in the sense that they were both the best in their field (an assassin versus a secret agent), their towering physique, and their ability to fight for what they'd think would be the best for them. 

Roger Moore inside Scaramanga's fun house in "The Man with the Golden Gun" from onenewspage.com

Scaramanga tried to trick Bond by giving him the advantage of having the Walther's six bullets against his Golden Gun's one. With the help of his fun house, Bond was down to his last possible shot. Thankfully, he thought of making the environment work to his advantage.

I won't spoil that for you anymore. You'd be doing yourself a favor watching that final battle between the two assassins. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite George Lazenby Moment (Day 2)

George Lazenby was Bond for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" after Sean Connery chose not to star as the secret agent.

My favorite moment on that film was when Bond called Draco, Tracy's father, after having some disagreements with M for the rescue of Tracy.

The conversation was set in Bond's office which was already shown earlier in the film when he has packed his spy stuff memento from previous missions. Once again, the setting was used as a place for Bond to cool down and clear his mind after a heated conversation with his boss.

George Lazenby as James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Bond dropped the line "Bond. James Bond." in this scene as he was talking to Draco. It was such a cool macho moment for Lazenby's Bond because, for the second time in the film, he has shown that he can go rogue and be against M's orders.

Not that going rogue is highly recommended for subordinates, however, this proves that having a license to kill is also having the license not to kill, as M would say In Spectre. With that, it sends the message that we can still stay true to our duties and responsibilities while being discerning of which things are of high importance.

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Sean Connery Bond Moment (Day 1)

While everybody is in quarantine and on lockdown, I thought of giving this challenge a go.

First up is Favorite Sean Connery Scene. With 7 films to choose from, there's definitely a lot to choose from.

Among all the explosive action scenes and pun-filled remarks, my favorite had to be the Moneypenny scene in From Russia With Love.

From Russia With Love started with the new threat from SPECTRE and the defector, Tatiana Romanova, that had been known to M. M.asked for 007's presence through Moneypenny.

Unaware of the tension due to the situation and of M's presence, Bond enters the room playfully.

Moneypenny (left), M (center), and Bond (right) in From Russia with Love from bamfstyle.com

"Now for my next miracle...".as he tossed his hat to the hat stand, completely shocked and quite embarassed seeing M witness his mischievous side.

The scene had nothing more than that fun entry of Bond into the mission. It showed the personality of Bond when he has not yet been handed his mission. I think I like that because it gave us a chance of humanizing Bond and not think of him as an emotionless blunt instrument for MI6.

Canceled Era

This year has not been going smoothly ever since it took off from where the previous year left.

There have been numerous calamities, whether caused by man or by multiple forces of nature. As of writing, a lot has changed with the way most inhabitants of this world live since I last posted here.

However, it was not until March when the larger portion of my country started taking things seriously. Among other dilemmas that this year has faced so far, it has been the Coronavirus pandemic that has impacted the countrywide enough that every single thing has been canceled or on lockdown. 

Events and gatherings that would require physical human contact had been canceled. No more concert tours from our favorite artists. No more movie screenings in theaters. Bond 25, No Time To Die, was postponed again at a later date (November 2020). The NBA season was canceled along with other sporting events scheduled in 2020. All forms of entertainment, recreation, and cultural activities were either canceled or postponed to a later date. Even schools and most works were also stopped due to the outbreak. 

We really are now in the "Canceled Era". This is a term that has been surfacing social networking sites referring to people who are being judged and canceled by other people due to their actions, beliefs, culture, among other criteria that social media jurors are looking at. However, the big change here is that in this "Cancelled Era", the one being canceled is the life we used to live. Basically, everything that you had planned to do in 2020 when you were having New Year wishes back in 2019 would have to be postponed to 2021, or by the end of the year if we'd be all lucky and blessed. 

It's said that every single day, at least 17 million people celebrate his or her birthday.  With over a hundred days done for this year, that would have to be a lot of celebrants who had wished for this thing to be stopped and be controlled finally.

If I could, and if it does matter, I would give 10 of my future birthday wishes just to give this Coronavirus a blasting send-off, one that would make it rethink about ever coming back in the next century.

But in reality, well-wishers don't really do much aside from boosting the morale of those who actually do the significant things. These are the frontliners who risk their lives trying to save and help save everyone in whatever way they are willing to do. If not for them, we'd all be just added figures to this virus' death toll. THANK YOU!

In line with that, well-wishers (that's us who are not actually doing frontliner duties) could still helpand actually contribute to the send off the frontliners have been setting up for this virus. 

How?

A famous line I've heard for a number of times goes like this, "If you cannot find a solution, make yourself the solution." But I want to change it up a bit to this: If you cannot be a part of the solution, do not be a part of the problem.

We should try our very best to be not part of the problem that the frontliners have already been facing. The problem has been overwhelming for them to handle and it would not help them one bit if we would still be loitering around, or not doing the safety precautions that trusted health experts have laid out to the general public.

It would be best to stay informed regarding the developments made in the battle against the virus because the battle would never go according to plan if there would be misinformation present.

Stay updated. 
Stay at home. 
Stay healthy and safe! 

Spectre and its References to Past Bond Movies

“Skyfall” may have been the 50^th anniversary Bond offering, however, “Spectre” seemed like a better fit for that title due to the numerous references that it made to previous Bond movies.

This list is going to try to name all the references made to all 23 previous EON-produced Bond movies.

1. Dr. No

In “Dr. No”, James Bond and Honey Ryder were captured by Dr. No’s thugs and were taken to his hidden villain lair. It was odd though that the thugs working for Dr. No were so warm and hospitable to Bond and his companion as if they were invited guests of Hotel Crab Key and not captured enemies of SPECTRE agent Dr. No. They were taken to their room with sets of new clothes for them to wear on their dinner with Dr. No.

Bond and Honey Ryder from Dr. No

In “Spectre”, James Bond and Dr. Madeleine Swan found the location of SPECTRE’s hidden lair but were left without a clue on how to get there. Fortunately, a Rolls-Royce was sent by Blofeld to pick them up. Much like in the aforementioned film, they were both led to their separate rooms with a set of new clothes for them to wear for their meeting with Blofeld.

Bond in his room from Spectre

2. From Russia With Love

The most obvious reference that “Spectre” made to the second Bond film would be the train fight scene between Bond and Mr. Hinx. It has become a tradition that whenever James Bond is situated on a moving train, a massive fight scene with the film’s henchman would be present. This was started by the classic train fight scene between Bond and Red Grant.

Bond fighting Red Grant from From Russia with Love

Bond fighting Mr. Hinx from Spectre

Also notable would be the inclusion of a chess match that Mr. White plays alone while Bond was interrogating him for leads. This scene would be reminiscent of the chess match that Kronsteen was known for in “From Russia With Love”.

Kronsteen's chess scene from From Russia with Love

Mr. White's chess scene from Spectre

3. Goldfinger

Bond sees an attacker from the reflection seen in the eye of a girl Bond was talking to in the pre-title sequence for “Goldfinger”. Similarly, Bond sees Mr. Hinx from the reflection in a bottle container during his dinner with Swan in “Spectre”.

Attacker from reflection from Goldfinger

Attacker from reflection from Spectre

Additionally, Bond wore the same white suit with red carnation in the train scene of “Spectre”, similar to the one worn in the pre-title sequence of “Goldfinger”.

Sean Connery in Goldfinger

Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux in Spectre

4. Thunderball

The epic SPECTRE meeting that was seen in “Thunderball” was replicated magnificently in “Spectre”. Also present were the numerous SPECTRE agents, the discussion of future plans and schemes, and of course, the execution of agents who were not fit for the organization.

SPECTRE meeting with Blofeld from Thunderball

SPECTRE meeting with Blofeld from Spectre

5. You Only Live Twice

In “You Only Live Twice”, Bond drops onto a secret passage to Tiger Tanaka’s base leading him to a conveniently placed couch to catch him. This kind of scene is also repeated in “Diamonds are Forever” wherein Bond conveniently lands onto a couch.

Bond dropping onto a couch in You Only Live Twice

In “Spectre”, Bond drops from a crashing building onto a couch, as a result of the explosion from Sciarra’s bomb intended for an arena.

Bond dropping onto a couch in Spectre

Additionally, Blofeld had his trademark eye scar in “You Only Live Twice”. In “Spectre”, the eye scar was shown as a result of the explosion caused by Bond using his exploding watch.

Bond, Blofeld, and his cat in You Only Live Twice

Christoph Waltz as Blofeld in Spectre

6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Both films featured a medical clinic on top of a snowy mountain. For George Lazenby’s only Bond movie, it was the Piz Gloria; while for Daniel Craig’s fourth Bond movie, it was the Hoffler Klinik.

The Piz Gloria from On Her Majesty's Secret Service

The Hoffler Klinik from Spectre

Additionally, both films had Bond talk to the father (both were head of criminal organizations) of the Bond girl while pursuing Blofeld. Bond also drove off with both films’ Bond girls in the final scenes, except that Swan was not shot at the end of “Spectre”.

Draco and Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Bond and Mr. White in Spectre

7. Diamonds are Forever

Aside from the couch drop, another call back to “Diamonds are Forever” was the scene wherein Bond talked to a rodent. While being stuck in the pipeline after being knocked out by Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, Bond met a rodent that led him to the exit and eventually escaped his death.

The rodent from Diamonds are Forever

In “Spectre”, it was a rodent that helped Bond finally see the secret room hidden in Mr. White’s old hotel room. “Who sent you?”

Bond and the rodent from Spectre

8. Live and Let Die

The obvious link to this film would be the pre-title sequence of “Spectre” that featured the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City and James Bond wearing a costume close to the looks of Baron Samedi from “Live and Let Die”.

Baron Samedi in Live and Let Die

Estrella and Bond in Spectre

9. The Man with the Golden Gun

The final battle between Bond and Blofeld in the old MI-6 building wherein Blofeld put up photographs of deceased figures from Bond’s past in “Spectre” resembled the fun house that Francisco Scaramanga had in “The Man with the Golden Gun”. Similarly, Bond used up a significant amount of his bullets due to mistakenly thinking that he was shooting at his villains.

Bond in Scaramanga's fun house in The Man with the Golden Gun

Bond in the old MI-6 building in Spectre

The signature stunt made in the car chase scene of “The Man with the Golden Gun” was also replicated in “Spectre, only  this time it was made be a helicopter.

The car stunt from The Man with the Golden Gun

The helicopter stunt from Spectre

10. The Spy Who Loved Me

“The Spy who Loved Me” was one of the films that featured a train fight scene between Bond and an overpowering henchman that would be followed by love scene from Bond and the Bond girl.

Bond and Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me

Bond and Swan in Spectre

 11. Moonraker

Since Jaws returned from the previous Bond film, both “Moonraker” and “Spectre” featured henchmen with body parts improved/equipped with metal – metal teeth for Jaws, metal fingernails for Mr. Hinx.

Jaws in Moonraker

Mr. Hinx in Spectre

12. For Your Eyes Only

Both films featured James Bond fighting with a villain and hanging on the side of a helicopter in the films’ pre-title sequences. Also, both Bond girls had her parents killed off in the film.

Bond hanging on the side of a helicopter in For Your Eyes Only

Sciarra and Bond in Spectre

Additionally, the scene where Bond tried to elude his captors during the ski chase scene is similar to the scene wherein Q tried to avoid villains by staying inside a full-packed cable car.

Bond inside a full-packed elevator from For Your Eyes Only 

Q inisde a full-packed cable car from Spectre

13. Octopussy

Both films mentioned MI-6 Agent 009. In “Octopussy”, 009 was the agent initially assigned in the case of Kamal Khan but was killed off by the twin assassin.

009 in Octopussy

In “Spectre”, the Aston Martin car that Bond stole was intended to be assigned to 009. A music playlist was even created for 009.

Additionally, both films featured Bond wearing white suits, but minus the red carnation in “Octopussy”.

Music preferences of 009 as shown in Spectre

14. A View to A Kill

Both films featured Bond and a helicopter in the films’ pre-title sequences. Additionally, both films had Bond, the Bond girl, and Q at the films’ final scene.  

Bond and Stacey as shown from Q's gadget from A View to a Kill

Q and Bond in Spectre

15. The Living Daylights

In “The Living Daylights”, the Aston Martin V* that Bond was driving crashed through a cabin; in “Spectre”, it was the plane that Bond was piloting that crashed through a cabin.

Bond and Kara inside the Aston Martin V8 Volante crashing onto the cabin from the Living Daylights

Bond crashing his plane onto the cabin from Spectre

Both films also featured similar locations like Tangier, Morocco, and Austria.

16. License to Kill

Both films had Q go into the field to aid Bond and Bond is seen aiming a rifle at a villain from a distance.

Bond aiming at Sanchez in License to Kill

Bond aiming at Sciarra in Spectre

17. Goldeneye

Both films had villains who had disfigured facial features due to explosions initiated by Bond. For Alec Trevelyan, it was the 3-minute time bomb in Goldeneye’s pre-title sequence. For Blofeld, it was the exploding watch that Bond had Swan threw onto Blofeld.

Alec Trevelyan in Goldeneye

Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Spectre

Additionally, the title of the theme song of “Spectre” was mentioned in the Q scene of “Goldeneye” – “the writings on the wall”.

18. Tomorrow Never Dies

In both films, Bond had encounters with the wife of a villain. There was Paris Carver, wife of Elliot Carver, in “Tomorrow Never Dies”; while there was Lucia Sciarra, wife of Marco Sciarra, in “Spectre”.

There were also, similar scenes in both films – the scene wherein Bond was waiting in his hotel room in “Tomorrow Never Dies” and the scene in Bond’s apartment in “Spectre”.

Bond and Paris Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies

Lucia and Bond in Spectre

19. The World is Not Enough

In both films, Bond shot down a helicopter using his service firearm. Also, there were boat chase scenes in the River Thames with Bond having his boat launched from the MI-6 building.

Bond in The World is Not Enough

Bond and Swan in Spectre

20. Die Another Day

Both films had Q’s lab/shop underground. Also, there were car chase scenes between an Aston Martin and a Jaguar. In “Die Another Day”, Bond drove the Aston Martin while Zao drove the Jaguar. In “Spectre”, Bond drove the Aston Martin while Mr. Hinx drove the jaguar. The ejector seat in Bond’s car was also incorporated in the chase scenes in both films.

The car chase scene from Die Another Day

The car chase scene from Spectre

21. Casino Royale

The confrontation scene between M and C in “Spectre” had a similar scene directly copied from the pre-title sequence of “Casino Royale” wherein Bond had taken the bullets of the pistol of a double agent without his knowledge, making him fire an empty pistol.

Bond and Dryden in Casino Royale

C in Spectre

In both films, tracking devices were injected onto Bond.

22. Quantum of Solace

Mr. White had one of his best scenes in the franchise in this film. The interrogation scene between him, Bond, and M at the start of the film had him say the line “We have people everywhere.” referring to the shadowy organization Quantum.

Mr. White's interrogation from Quantum of Solace

In “Spectre”, Mr. White uttered the same words although to a lone interrogator, James Bond, as he was referring to the reach of SPECTRE.

Mr. White's interrogation from Spectre

23. Skyfall

Both films had similar side plotlines that involved the questioning of the relevance of the double-0 program in this day and age of modern technology.

Additionally, both films had Bond evaluated by a doctor. In “Skyfall”, it was the official doctor from MI-6 that evaluated Bond; while in “Spectre”, it was Dr. Madeleine Swan.

Bond's evaluation from Skyfall

Bond's evaluation from Spectre