The Incredible World of James Bond

Just watched this Thunderball promotional special on the "Special Features" disc of that particular James Bond movie. Scenes are shown of the first three JB flicks before then showing many clips of Thunderball which had yet to be released when this was originally shown. Also shown are some behind-the-scenes shots including the commands of director Terence Young as he puts Sean Connery through his paces in the fight scene. And, of course, some shots of the Bond Girls on the beach in their swimsuits! The narrator also mentions the background of the fictional James Bond according to some passages in creator Ian Fleming novels. Fleming had passed away by this point as acknowledged by that narrator. His home, called GoldenEye, is also shown and a vintage interview with him is also displayed though the print I watched didn't seem clear concerning his voice. While the narrator mentions many of the Bond Villains by their full name, when clips are shown of Pussy Galore, he only refers to her as "Miss Galore" though there's also a clip from Goldfinger when Bond calls her "Pussy". There's also a scene of the many JB merchandise of the time like a jigsaw puzzle or a toy car racetrack. This was an interesting time capsule of an informercial (though that term wasn't common then) that showcased the latest Bond film before its release. So that's a recommendation of The Incredible World of James Bond.

I have wonderful memories associated with this show. My best friend and I(both 11 years old at the time) watched it at his parents' house on their color TV. I think it was shown on NBC and it was probably a Friday night.

I'm not sure if we'd ever heard of James Bond, but after watching, we became instant fans. Our parents bought us many James Bond toys; road race set, board games, figurines, attaché cases, etc. My friend even got all the Ian Fleming novels in hardback. When his mother was out of the house, we'd look at them and get excited over the racy parts.

We never got to see a Bond film back then. We lived in a small town with only one theater and if a Bond film ever played there, we didn't get to see it.

The first Bond film I ever saw was "Goldfinger." I seem to remember it was in '72 or '73 and it was on ABC Sunday Night at The Movies."

A recap from the three previous 007's movies, Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger and the thorough making of Thunderball before the movie to be released, first on the regulars stars, Mrs. Moneypenny hopeful to date with Bond, his straight and cold Boss "M" and the savvy "Q" with those thousand gadgets, then several gorgeous and famous Bond girls, the main Villains, including key scenes from previous ones and of course the creator Ian Fleming at his house on Jamaica, also a short archive footage of an interview with Fleming describing how was developed the character and others hidden facts, over Thunderball has so many shots behind the scenes all along, the director, producers and of course Sean Connery, the best James Bond of all!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD/ Rating: 7.25

If you want to know about James Bond this is the show to watch. Shown on American TV November 1965 to promote "Thunderball" and to explain the world wide"James Bond Phenomenon" that was happening at the time. The first three movies were re-released and playing while "Thunderball" was on the cover of every major magazine. The show has rare footage of Ian Fleming at his home "Goldeneye" in Jamaica where the novels were written. It also has clips from the first three movies and behind the scene coverage of the making of "Thunderball". For younger people who grew up with the newer movies this will give you a different perspective and perhaps a better understanding of Bond.