BERNARD LEE:
Beginning with Dr. No in 1962 until Moonraker in 1979, actor Bernard Lee plays Sir Miles Messervy, code name M of MI6. Quick witted, intelligent and quite by the book, M has a zero tolerance level for Bond's shenanigans and consistently puts the mission at hand before all else, but does so in a calm manor. When 007 wants revenge on Goldfinger, he reminds that "it's an assignment like any other. And if you can't treat it as such, then 008 can replace you." With a pipe in one hand and writing a dossier in the other, he is often distracted by his work and doesn't always knowledge 007 when entering a room. Later on, he grows admiration for Bond and trusts his instincts. "If 007 says he saw Devour and he's dead, then that's enough for me to start inquiries." Sadly, Bernard Lee passed away in 1981 before he could begin filming For Your Eyes Only and the role of M was vacant in honor of his memory.Appearances:
JOHN HUSTON:
For the 1967 spoof, Casino Royale, director John Huston briefly played the role of M. Acting as a top-notch British elitist; a Winston Churchill-type if you will. His M dies in a fire thus causing Sir James Bond (David Niven) to instruct the missions for a time.
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ROBERT BROWN:
In 1983, Robert Brown takes over the role for the next four films and brings a much more interpersonal version to the role. Now, it is speculated that this M is Admiral Hargreaves in The Spy Who Loved Me, but that has not been confirmed so it is up to the viewer to decide. Impatient, and even more by the book than Bernard Lee's performance, there is no sense of chemistry with the Bond's that he instructs. A mission is given, and he simply hands it out. When 007 goes rouge, he does however stop his men from shooting at him and wishes him well as he escapes, but this is more out of surprise and disappointment than out of admiration or feelings. "God help you, Commander", he says as Bond runs away.
With only four appearances, Brown makes the character his own and doesn't attempt to copy nor follow the footsteps of Bernard Lee. Always in a rush, and always quite to get 007 out the door, this M has less time for the pleasantries and more time for his personal situations.
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EDWARD FOX:
Also in 1983, Edward Fox took up the mantle as M for the film Never Say Never Again. Although this isn't part of the main series, I do consider it a Bond film thus why I will include this. A bit more like John Huston's performance in the part years ago, Edward follows up the whole Winston Churchill persona and doesn't give a crap about the 00-section. Claiming it is underfunded and causing the service a lot of debt, he is striving to shut it down when a crises occurs and forces him to reopen it, much to his chagrin. Not taking 007 seriously and having a very short temper, this M is probably the most unbearable in terms of his treatment of other officials as well as 007. "I sent you to a health clinic to get yourself in shape, instead you demolish it!" "A man did try to kill me, Sir", Bond replies. "Oh! Caught you seducing his wife did he?!" He almost treats Bond like a child breaking the rules and lectures him rather than giving him enough information on a mission. Funny at times, but perhaps the most number cruncher than any other M.Appearances:
DAME JUDI DENCH:
In 1995, the role of M is passed down to Dame Judi Dench. The first female in the role, she stands her ground and doesn't let men get in the way of her duties. In Tomorrow Never Dies, Admiral Roebuck makes a personal attack on her sex. "With all due respect, M. Sometimes, I don't think you have the balls for this job!" "Perhaps" replies M. "But the advantage is I don't have to think with them all the time." She also understands her positioning on the grounds of sending people out to their deaths but "won't do it on a whim." This is also the first M we discover that has children and treats 007 almost as a son she never has. Her chemistry with both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig is impeccable. Dying in 2012 at the hands of an former agent, M passes away in Bond's hands and left a legacy for all to follow just as Bernard Lee did all those years ago.
Out in the field only a small handful of times, M, being the mother that she is, goes out to Baku to product Elektra King, oil heiress of her father whom has died under mysterious circumstances. Discovering that Elektra is behind the death, M is kidnapped and her ingenuity allows her to find a way to contact 007 and pin point her location. Quite resourceful, smart and cunning, she pulls out the stops under the most dangerous of situations. Not only does she give the orders behind the desk, she also proves to those that she can handle herself and rid the negative stereotype of a women in charge of the British Secret Service.
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When unable to obtain the file containing information on every MI6 across the globe, M (Judi Dench) is under investigation and given the option to retire as head of the Service. Protesting and defending herself against Gareth Mallory, she vows she is as capable to tend to her duties as anyone else. Once M passes away on the field, Mallory is the new head of the service and Ralph Fiennes brings back the by the book style of Bernard Lee with a touch of Robert Brown. When MI6 is facing a shutdown, M goes in the field and does what he can to ensure the security of the state. While at first not very likable as he is a replacement for Dench's M, he proves himself as a worthy successor while bringing the role of M and making it his own.
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