GUN BARREL ICON

Every film has it, the famous scene where Bond walks across the screen turns and shoots at the camera and segues into the pre-credit sequence.  With the exception of 2006's Casino Royale where the gun barrel is seen at the end of the pre-credit sequence.

The view down the gun barrel from ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE  (1969).

Before we see the title of the film, we are entertained by a mini-adventure.  This could be anything from a well choreographed fight scene, a sinister introduction to the villain's plot, or a brilliant chase or death-defying stunt.  The only film that does not have a pre-credit scene is the first 007 film, Dr. No.

Bond fights a North Korean soldier for control of a hydrofoil during the pre-credit scene of DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002).

A side note: During the Sean Connery films, Bond was either a phoney (FRWL), involved in a fight scene (GF,TB,DAF) or dead (YOLT).  George Lazenby continued the traditional fight scene (OHMSS) and Roger Moore was not seen in the first two Bond outings until after the opening credits.  However, since 1977's TSWLM, Bond has had pre-credit scenes that either involved ski chases, parachute jumps or aerial stunts, with the exception of CR, where Daniel Craig. in black and white photography, is seen eliminating two targets to earn his 'OO' status.

This part of the film is a visual feast. The main title and credits are keyed over images of nude female dancers and acrobatic models. All during a catchy theme song.  The credit sequence for CR does not have any nude women at all, only the image of Daniel Craig as he fights among playing card motifs.

Daniel Kleinman's GOLDENEYE credit sequence (1995).

Bond must meet with "M", the head of the British secret service, in order to receive his assignment.  This is usually done in M's office, but has been done at other locations, for example: inside a submarine (YOLT), at Bond's apartment (LALD), at Hemingway's House in Key Largo (LTK), in London's Underground Subway system (DAD), and in M's apartment (CR).

Bernard Lee as "M" in 1962's DR. NO.

Usually before and after Bond's meeting with M, OO7 will enjoy a little sexual office tease with M's private secretary, Miss Moneypenny.  Of all the women in Bond's universe, Moneypenny is the one woman Bond has never had an intimate relationship.  CR is the only Bond film where Moneypenny does not appear.

Bond and Moneypenny exchanging more than sexual desires in 1967's YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

This scene is one of the highlights in a Bond film.  It is where OO7 receives the gadgets that will ultimately save his life.  Q-Branch is managed by Major Boothroyd (also known as Q), an arms expert and technical genius.  Since Goldfinger, the character of Q has always been frustrated with Bond's wisecracks and the carelessness towards the equipment that Q invents.  He will sternly comment, "Grow up, OO7."

Major Boothroyd and OO7 getting a leg up on the latest gadgets in GOLDENEYE (1995).

NOTE: Q was never seen in the film Live and Let Die, Moneypenny supplied the necessary gadget.  Since the tragic death of Desmond Llewelyn in 1999, actor John Cleese served as quartermaster of spy gadgets in Die Another Day.  In CR, Q does not make an appearance since Bond is literally beginning his career as a Double 'O'

Bond must travel to other parts of the world in order to save it and to do that he must meet a contact.   In DN, FRWL, DAF, LALD, MR, LTK, GE, TND, and CR Bond meets up with characters at airports that offer information which eventually leads us to the . . .

Bond's and Jack Wades' first meeting is not too friendly in GOLDENEYE (1995).

Another highlight of a Bond film is the villain.  These are the masterminds whose warped dreams of world domination border on the plausible.  A Bond villain may have unusual physical defects about them.  Stromberg has webbed hands (TSWLM), Blofeld has a scarred face (YOLT), Scaramanga has three nipples (TMWTGG) Renard has a bullet enlarged in his head, making him impervious to pain (TWINE), North Korean Colonel Moon has had his DNA changed so he can resemble an aristocratic Anglo-Saxon (DAD).  Le Chiffre suffers from a bleeding tear duct (CR)

Ernst Stavro Blofeld is perhaps OO7's greatest nemesis in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967).

They are the henchmen and femme fatales who we love to hate.  Professor Dent (DN) drops off a deadly bedmate for Bond.  Oddjob tends to tip his hat to his victims in GF.  Metal dentures and 7'2" to match (Jaws in TSWLM & MR).  A beautiful bedmate who has a crush on you (Xenia Onetopp in GE).  A scarred diamond-crusted assassin (Zao in DAD).  Whatever the characteristics, you can bet they are not your normal run-of-the-mill minor villains.

Diamonds are forever encrusted in Zao's face in DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002).

Another characteristic of a minor villain is the ability to not say anything while carrying out the orders of their superiors.  Donovan "Red" Grant (FRWL) is the best example of this type.  For two-thirds of the film he remains in the shadows eliminating anyone who would interfere in SPECTRE's plans.  Oddjob (GF) is mute to begin with, but his silence only adds to his menece.  Vargas (TB) comes across reptilian-like in his silent nature.  Hans (YOLT) is Blofeld's bodyguard and provides a human wall for OO7 to penetrate.  Jaws created a frightening villain with metal teeth in TSWLM.  He would use them like Dracula would to his victims.  Unfortunately, he became silly in MR.  Chang (MR) is Drax's man-servant and part-time ninja.  Emile Leopold Locque (FYEO) stood out with his silver-framed octagonal glasses.  Gobinda (OP) was an Indian blend of Jaws and Oddjob.  May Day (AVTAK) strikes her victims with poison-tipped butterflies and strangles others from the backseat of automobiles.  Necros (TLD) is yet another villain who strangles his victims with his walkman tape player.  Valenka (CR) has a knack for mixed drinks.

Largo's evil henchman Vargas prepares to silent OO7 once and for all in THUNDERBALL (1965). 

Bond girls can either be dependable or expandable, but they are always sexy. They can have average names such as: Stacy Sutton (AVTAK) or Melina Havelock (FYEO). Or they can have outrageous names such as: Pussy Galore (GF), Holly Goodhead (MR), Mary Goodnight (TMWTGG), Solitaire (LALD), Molly Warmflash (TWINE), Jinx Johnson (DAD), or Vesper Lynd (CR). The main Bond girls are the fortunate ones to survive the villain's plot and end up in Bond's arms before the end credits (with the exception of Tracy in OHMSS and Vesper in CR). The minor Bond girls such as: Plenty O' Toole (DAF), Jill Masterson (GF) or Paris Carver (TND) usually end up dead. However, some minor Bond girls such as Ruby (OHMSS)and Magda (OP) survive to the end.

Vesper and Bond have an intimate moment in CASINO ROYALE (2006).

Bond's main best friend and drinking buddy is Felix Leiter (DN, GF, TB, DAF, LALD, TLD, LTK, CR).  He is a CIA agent throughout the entire series except in LTK where he is now an agent for the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).  Bond has had many friends such as Quarrel (DN) Tiger Tanaka (YOLT) Quarrel Jr. (LALD), Lt. Hip (TMWTGG), Commander Carter (TSWLM), Vijay (OP), Sir Godfrey Tibbett (AVTAK), Sharkey (LTK), Jack Wade (GE & TND), and Raoul (DAD).

Bond and Felix Leiter meet in CASINO ROYALE (2006).

Bond has had father figures in his career as well.  "M" is the ultimate father figure (until recently "M" has been played by a woman).  The conversations between OO7 and M usually are of a disciplinary style.  Kerim Bey (FRWL) was perhaps Bond's greatest father figure.  He would treat him like a son by teaching him about the culture and history of Istanbul.  Tiger Tanaka (YOLT) is more a friend than a father figure but he would at times warn OO7 about girls and also teach him about Japanese culture.  Marc Ange Draco (OHMSS) would eventually become OO7's father-in-law but that would be short lived.  He mainly provided the protection most fathers would offer to his son and daughter.  Columbo (FYEO), is similar to Kerim Bey, a father figure who stopped Bond from getting himself killed in Kristato's warehouse.  He also was a provider of cultural and historical information.  Rene Mathis assists Bond during CR, he is also a hopeless romantic who wants to see Bond and Vesper end up together.

Rene Mathis and Bond converse on the hotel balcony in CASINO ROYALE (2006)

SACRIFICIAL LAMB

These are the characters who will assist OO7 and die by the hand of the villain or a minor villain: Quarrel (DN), Kerim Bey (FRWL), Jill and Tilly Masterson (GF), Paula (TB), Aki (YOLT), Campbell (OHMSS), Plenty O'Toole (DAF), Strother (LALD) Andrea Anders (TMWTGG), Corinne Dufour (MR), Luigi & Countess Lisl (FYEO), Vijay (OP), Sir Godfrey Tibbett & Chuck Lee (AVTAK), Saunders (TLD), Della Leiter & Sharkey (LTK), Paris Carver (TND), Valentin Zukovsky (TWINE), and Solange (CR).

The most famous death scene in a Bond film.  Skin suffocation by gold paint in GOLDFINGER (1964).

Bond has a habit of jumping into bed with just about any woman, including those who would want him killed.  Miss Taro (DN) tried to set up OO7 for an assassination - she went to jail instead.  Tatiana Romanova (FRWL) thought she was setting up OO7 for Mother Russia.  Pussy Galore (GF) could care less if Bond dies - at least not until he gets her in the hay.  Fiona Volpe (TB) is the first black widow in the Bond series.  She enjoys making love and killing her mate.  Helga Brandt (YOLT) is similar to Fiona, but her demise is at the hands of Blofeld.  Tiffany Case (DAF) is similar to Pussy Galore, she changes sides after OO7 changes her bedside manner.  Rosie Carver (LALD) is similar to Miss Taro, she tries to set Bond up but ends up in her own trap.  Andrea Anders (TMWTGG) is not an evil girl but one who is trapped in Scaramanga's world.  She pays for her liaison with her life.  Bond's mountain top fling with a cabin girl (TSWLM) is interupted by a message from "M" - good thing too, she's a KGB agent sent to set Bond up for a snow job.  The flight attendent in MR is similar to the cabin girl.  She allows Bond to kiss her only to have him set up for a fall.  Magda (OP) is Kamal Khan's woman and beds OO7 to steal back the Faberge egg.  She changes sides when Khan leaves her, and others, to a nuclear death.  May Day is Max Zorin's woman and tops Bond even in bed.  Lupe Lamore is Sanchez's woman and, like Andrea Anders, tries to escape with the help of Bond.  Xenia Onatopp is the one bad girl that Bond did not jump into bed with.  Good thing too, since she kills her victims by squeezing her legs around them at the climax of their sexual encounter.  Elektra King (TWINE)is Renard's main squeeze, but even she admits that Bond is head and shoulders above him in bed.  Miranda Frost crosses swords with Bond in DAD.  Vesper Lynd keeps a dark secret close to her chest in CR.

Miranda Frost shows Bond that she is not as frigid of a British agent in DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002).