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IMDbPro

James Bond: The First 21 Years

  • TV Movie
  • 1983
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
76
YOUR RATING
James Bond: The First 21 Years (1983)
Documentary

Documentary which takes a light-hearted look at the screen history of agent 007, James Bond.Documentary which takes a light-hearted look at the screen history of agent 007, James Bond.Documentary which takes a light-hearted look at the screen history of agent 007, James Bond.

  • Director
    • John Longley
  • Writer
    • Colin Bostock-Smith
  • Stars
    • Roger Moore
    • Muhammad Ali
    • Ursula Andress
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    76
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Longley
    • Writer
      • Colin Bostock-Smith
    • Stars
      • Roger Moore
      • Muhammad Ali
      • Ursula Andress
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast83

    Edit
    Roger Moore
    Roger Moore
    • Self…
    Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali
    • Self
    Ursula Andress
    Ursula Andress
    • Self
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • Self
    The Beatles
    The Beatles
    • Themselves
    • (archive footage)
    Kabir Bedi
    Kabir Bedi
    • Gobinda
    • (archive footage)
    Björn Borg
    Björn Borg
    • Self
    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Self
    Glen Campbell
    Glen Campbell
    • Self
    Fidel Castro
    Fidel Castro
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Bobby Charlton
    Bobby Charlton
    • Self
    Tsai Chin
    Tsai Chin
    • Ling
    • (archive footage)
    William Colby
    William Colby
    • Self - Director of the CIA 1973-1976
    Joan Collins
    Joan Collins
    • Self
    Alistair Cooke
    Alistair Cooke
    • Self
    Henry Cooper
    Henry Cooper
    • Self
    James Cossins
    James Cossins
    • Colthorpe
    • (archive footage)
    Anthony Dawson
    Anthony Dawson
    • Prof. R. J. Dent
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • John Longley
    • Writer
      • Colin Bostock-Smith
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    7.176
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    Featured reviews

    9pinkgoat1234

    Mysteriously, two versions exist of James Bond : The First 21 Years

    Rather confusingly there seems to have been two versions made of this program. This version, which I believe was only shown in the United Kingdom and an alternative version which was shown in the United States and the rest of the world.

    The alternate version is the one that turns up now and again on You Tube and features contributions from in order of appearance:- Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan, James Garner, Jill St. John, Bob Hope, Telly Savalas, Gen. Alexander Haig, Liberace, Capt. R. N. Husk, Burt Reynolds, C.I.A. director William Colby, Capt Mickey Munn of the Red Devils, Ernest Borgnine, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Alastair Cooke, James Stewart, Jackie Stewart, Henry Ford II, Stirling Moss, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali, Howard Keel, Fred Truman, Bjorn Borg, Bobby Charlton, Arnold Palmer, Tony Jacklin, Capt. Mark Phillips, Barry Sheene, Jimmy Tarbuck, Joan Collins, Paul McCartney, Lord Lichfield, Denis Nordern. David Frost, John Hodge, Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, Hal Linden, Barbara Woodhouse, Christopher Reeve, Peter Marsh.

    The alternate version differs from the version shown in the U.K. in that it is a) more "jokey" in nature and b) contains an opening introduction appearance by Roger Moore.

    Having seen both versions the alternate version for some reason does not seem to have as high production values as the version which was shown in the UK, the U.K. version looks a bit glossier and seems to have had more money spent on it.

    To add to the confusion both versions contain contributions from some of the same people, for example, Frank Sinatra. In the U.K. version Sinatra is filmed in his Palm Springs home stroking a black cat and says mysteriously "James I never forgot the way you had me in tears". In the alternative version he has been filmed at a different location and talks about having had a "dream in which he was James Bond". Some of the celebrities appearing in the U.K. version, but not the alternate version, are Ryan O'Neal, Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and astrologist Linda Goodman.

    As one of the other IMDb user reviewers states the U.K. version hasn't been broadcast since 1983 and is probably gathering dust in an archive somewhere.
    10susansweb

    Very clever Bond clip show

    Presented to help promote "Octopussy", this show was different in that instead of just showing clips from previous Bond movies demonstrating Bond's skills, this special has experts in different fields acting like Bond is a real person. For example, Jackie Stewart comments on Bond's driving ability and a clip from "Diamonds are Forever" plays, Arnold Palmer talks about his golfing prowess and we see Bond playing golf in "Goldfinger". Even then-president Ronald Reagan talks about Bond in terms of his intelligence service. One of the more humorous ones was a wildlife expert using the crocodile sequence in "Live and Let Die" to demonstrate Bond's knowledge of animals. A very enjoyable special.
    10mark.gould1

    Rarely seen big budget tribute show

    What a rarity! This 60 minute programme broadcast on England's ITV channel (Thames Television) on 13th June 1983 achieved one of the biggest audiences of the year but, strangely, has never been screened since; nor has it turned up as a supplementary/special feature on any of the Bond film DVD/video releases. Billed as Hollywood's tribute to Britain's most successful film series, it's certainly the most star-studded of the various James Bond TV tribute shows. It featured filmed contributions from, among others:- Burt Reynolds, John Travolta, Al Pacino, Dean Martin, Ryan O'Neal, Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Burt Lancaster, Tom Selleck, Ernest Borgnine, Ursula Andress, Britt Ekland and even.....Frank Sinatra and President Reagan! Possibly not screened since its original airing for legal reasons. I would guess it's residing in the archives of London Weekend Television or Thames Television. Definitely worth watching if it ever surfaces again!

    James Bond: The First 21 Years Production Company: London Weekend Television Executive Producer: Richard Drewett Producer: Charles Brand

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The postscript title card reads: "L.W.T. wishes to thank everyone who has made this programme possible and in particular Albert R. Broccoli and all at EON Films for their co-operation."
    • Quotes

      Ronald Reagan: I've been asked to state my feelings about a fellow named Bond - James Bond. Well, as I see it, 007 is really a 10... our modern-day version of the great heroes who appeared from time to time throughout history and who put their lives on the line for the cause of good.

    • Connections
      Features James Bond 007 contre Dr. No (1962)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 27, 1983 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • James Bond: The First Twenty One Years
    • Production companies
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
      • London Weekend Television Productions Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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