Bondcast

It's a pen, but it's also a grenade. It's a watch, but it has a laser. James Bond's always seems to have just the right gadget for the job. In this episode, Zach and James discuss the role gadgets play in actual spycraft, the weird and wonderful inventions of Q branch, and the opportunities these gadgets provide, both in terms of product placements, and creating thrilling in-the-know moments for t...

The 007 films contain no fewer than 60 car chases. In this episode, Zach and James look at the cars that star throughout the franchise, many of which have become stars in their own right. The Bond universe's obsession with cars stems from Ian Fleming's own fixation with four wheels. We also explore the relationship between auto companies and EON productions, as well as what cars and driving mean f...

Behind every great villain, there's a great henchperson. You need a good one if you're going to hatch an world-threatening evil plan. Make sure they're a kinda bizarre, unwaveringly loyal, and willing to take a little abuse. Hopefully they can take out that pesky 007, or at least have a really cool death scene trying. Plus, Bondcast presents the inaugural HENCHIES awards, the only awar...

"The distance between insanity and genius is measured by success" - Elliot Carver, Tomorrow Never Dies. What would 007 be without a deliciously evil arch-villain with a world-threatening plot in need of foiling? Bond villains tend to be ugly inside and out, cruel, power hungry megalomaniacs that take the form of whatever the times deem most unworthy. In this episode we look at what ident...

The Bond girl is iconic. The women who cross paths with 007 are always beautiful, periodically horribly named, and frequently doomed. The trope is a sexist one, and has faced scrutiny as society has modernized. We discuss the genesis of the Bond Girl, the role she plays in the books and films, and the fate of the actresses that take up the role. Do the recent films' treatment of a tougher more...

Who IS James Bond? We needed a second episode to fully answer this one. This time we're looking at what 007 is supposed to be like, both in terms of his physical description, and his character traits, and how that's informed his various castings on screen. Finally, we'll look at what qualifies someone to play James Bond — as the world changes, does Bond stay the same? Could 007 ever be...

Welcome to Bondcast! In our very first episode we discuss a formative question: Who is James Bond? 007 is the literary creation of Sir Ian Fleming, who took inspiration from his own life, literature, and real-life spies. From there, we'll meet a cast of other contributors who made the character into the dinner jacket-wearing, martini-drinking, womanizing, world-saving super spy we know today....