This evening on TV, France 2 is offering the 24th episode of the James Bond saga. Directed by Sam Mendes, 007 Spectre (Spectre2015) marked a turning point in the new approach to the character since Casino Royale (2006). 5 reasons from Bulles de Culture to watch this film on Sunday January 26.
Résumé :
An enigmatic message from the past leads James Bond (Daniel Craig) in a very personal mission in the footsteps of a formidable organization called SPECTRE. Meanwhile, in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new director of the Center for National Security, questions Bond's actions and the very existence of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes).
The SPECTER criminal organization which gives its name to this new episode of the saga, the new James Bond girls (Monica Belluci et Léa Seydoux), the staging of Sam Mendesthe vintage side of the film and the next one James Bondan overview of the hot news from the spy in Her Majesty's secret service.
1/ 007 Spectre : the return of an iconic villain from the James Bond franchise
Who is the SPECTER of the title? SPECTER (Service for Espionage, Counter-espionage, Terrorism, Retortion and Extortion) is an international criminal organization founded in Paris, boulevard Hausmann, by Ernst Stavro Blofeld. This organization is symbolized by the figure of the octopus which is also the motif of the credits of 007 Spectre whose song is Writing’s on the Wall by British pop singer Sam Smith.
Flashback: the SPECTER is mentioned from James Bond 007 vs. Dr. No (1962) but the character of Ernst Stavro Blofeld appears for the first time on screen in Operation Thunder (1965). And apart from Goldfinger in the film of the same name, most of James Bond's enemies were linked to this organization until Never ever again (1983).
Blofeld's final appearance is a figure seated in a wheelchair with a white angora cat on his lap. It takes place during the pre-credits of Just for your eyes (1981) where he dies after trying to kill the British spy. A little reminder of this scene in the video extract below.
But this death does not prevent Blofeld from reappearing later in the James Bond of the studios Warner Bros., Never ever again (1983), remake d’Operation Thunder.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld was thus interpreted by:
- Anthony Dawson In Good Kisses from Russia et Operation Thunder,
- Donald Pleasencethe bald and scarred number 1 of SPECTER in You only live twice (1967),
- Telly Savalas In On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969),
- Charles Gray In Diamonds are forever (1971),
- John Hollis In Just for your eyes,
- Max von Sydow In Never ever again.
And… by Christoph Waltz In 007 Spectre !
2/ See new James Bond girls made in France: Léa Seydoux and Monica Belluci
Since the appearance of the mermaid Ursula Andress In James Bond 007 vs. Dr. Nothe James Bond girls are an integral part of the series. They make up the women that 007 meets during his investigations. Spies or victims, they often create a romantic and/or sexual relationship between themselves and themselves.
In 007 Spectre, Léa Seydoux et Monica Belluci are the ninth and tenth French actresses to play one after Claudine Auger (Operation Thunder), Denise Perrier (Diamonds are forever), Carole Bouquet (Just for your eyes), Sophie Marceau (The world is not enough), Eva Green (Casino Royale), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace) et Bérénice Marlohe (Heavy rain).
In this film of Sam MendesMonica Belluci is a femme fatale but in an unusual way. Which gives a strange sensuality to the scene between Monica Belluci and Daniel Craig In 007 Spectre.
For her part, Léa Seydoux represents the damsel in distress. But there too, as for Monica Belluci, she is not only that because she will be back in Dying can wait de Cary Joji Fukunaga.
3/ A first time directing with Sam Mendes
and Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
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Sam Mendes is the first director to film two James Bond episodes in a row since John Glen. As in the previous Heavy rain (2012)the image of 007 Spectre is very beautiful and the action scenes (in car, train, plane or helicopter) are impressively mastered.
As proof, the opening shot, set on the Day of the Dead in Mexico, is an incredible sequence shot which, by placing us alongside 007, takes us through the crowd, into a hotel, out through the window of a room, walk on the roofs, put yourself in a sniper position, observe an enemy then eliminate him in a great hubbub of explosions.
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Likewise, in line with the previous film, the British director continues in 007 Spectre his introspection of the characters of the saga and this is a bit of the real surprise of the film. Indeed, no more clashes between undefined entities of Good versus Evil about which we know nothing. Here, both James Bond and his enemies have a past, an experience. We learn more about the childhood of some of them.
A humanization and deepening of the characters which even affects James Bond's colleagues, like Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw), much more involved in the story than before.
4/ The pleasure of vintage
007 Spectre is filled with references to elements of the saga. This desire to Sam Mendes to pay homage to its classics is found even in the tone and light of the scenes, the choice of settings (Mexico, Austria, Morocco and England) and even in the choice of filming.
Most of the stunts and explosions were performed live. The plane and the chalet were, for example, actually destroyed. On the accessories side, it's the return of the famous Aston Martin of James Bond and the agent's most famous gadget, the wristwatch.
Finally, one of the villains created for the film is clearly a nod to the memorable and indestructible steel-toothed villain, Shark (Richard Kiel), present in films with Roger Moore (The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker).
For fun, here are two train scene extracts:
- the first is with Requin in The Spy Who Loved Me,
- the second is with Mr. Hinx, played by the former wrestler Dave Bautista In 007 Spectre.
5/ Daniel Craig: the 6th James Bond to date
Daniel Craig is one of 6 actors to date who have played the British spy with Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby et Roger Moore.
In the service of his majesty since Casino Royale, Daniel Craig signed for 5 films. 007 Spectre is his 4th and Dying can wait concluded the fruitful collaboration between 007 and him. And 007 Spectre gave a new direction to the character's journey before the end of this cycle.
Filming secrets, anecdotes: did you know?
- The original music of 007 Spectre was composed by Thomas Newman.
Learn more:
- 007 Spectre is broadcast on France 2 and streaming on France.tv on Sunday January 26, 2025 at 9:10 p.m.
- Release date France: 10/11/2015
- Distribution France : Sony Pictures Releasing France
Top 3 Cinema: “Breathless” (1960), “Blade Runner” (1982), “Casablanca” (1942)
Top 3 TV : “Engrenages” (2005-…), “The Wire” (2002-2008), “Twin Peaks” (1990-1991)
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