Bond and his Aston Martin

There have been several Aston Martins in the James Bond film series, the most notable of course being the one that started it all in Goldfinger, the 1964 DB5. Now, that was a car to do some damage on the road! I loved it!



For today's entry, I'm going to take a moment and look back at all the Aston Martin's driven by 007 and which ones stand out to me and which ones stand out less.


SEAN CONNERY

In Connery's third outing as 007, Q gives 007 his very first Aston Martin which then turns out to be his own personal car in future films. This is a revolutionary car in that we've never seen a car with such amazing gadgets before. In the previous film, Bond's Bentley merely has a phone connected to the car, which for 1963 was never done before, but in today's standards, is hardly outstanding. When Bond asks Q where his Bentley is in Goldfinger, Q responds, "Oh, it's had it's day I'm afraid." Bond replies, "Well it's never let me down before." "M's orders 007. You'll be driving this new Aston Martin DB5 with modifications." This is when Bond meets his match in British automobiles for decades to come.

Aston Martin DB5 with modifications.

The car is not only gorgeous and sleek, but it also comes with a handful of gadgets such as:

Q's modified gadgets

An ejector seat; a rear oil slick; two front end machine guns behind the turn signals; bulletproof glass;  a rear shield to stop gunfire and more. The car for 1964 is a beauty and I'm sure the world over wanted to be like James Bond and get in one of these.

Tire slashing wheels

GPS mounted on dashboard...ingenious!

As mentioned before, the car was so renowned with 007 that in following films we see it yet again. She is featured the most even if she isn't in all the scenes or the main car of the film.

Goldfinger
Thunderball
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
Casino Royale
Skyfall
SPECTRE

Used mainly as Bond's personal car, after it's use on the field Bond has a soft spot for the vehicle and uses it throughout the decades. In Skyfall, although the car is clearly damaged after the events of the film, Q fixes her up to be used by the end of SPECTRE. Mainly a 60's car, this car holds the routes for 007 and his adventures and different incarnations in Connery, Brosnan and Craig.




GEORGE LAZENBY

In 1969, the world saw a new Bond in Australian actor George Lazenby. With a new Bond came a new Aston Martin. This time, as a 1968 DBS. Now, although not as memorable in design or as gadget laden as the DB5, this is certainly a gorgeous looking car and is worth mentioning as it is still a part of the Bond Legacy.

1968 Aston Martin DBS 

When we first see the sleek design in the beginning of the film, Bond is driving down near a beach giving chase to whom we later discover to be his future wife, the fateful Tracey de Vincenzo.

As mentioned before, there were no gadgets in this car, other then a compartment for his telescope built into the head of his gun. It is detachable as you can see. He uses this to take a more...personal look of Tracy come to find out she attempts to commit suicide.

Compartment for Bond's shotgun and telescope built into one of the ends.

If only the car was bulletproof like the DB5 or else Tracy would have survived. Instead she gets killed by Blofeld. At the same time...this car is also memorable for the fact that this is where he loses his wife.

Funny note, but during the following film, Diamonds Are Forever, you can see the same car being repaired in Q's workshop while 007 talks to him on the phone. 

 

Aston Martin DBS spotting in Q's workshop in Diamonds Are Forever

TIMOTHY DALTON

In 1987, James Bond and Aston Martin finally reunite after nearly 20 years. Timothy Dalton makes his debut (my personal favorite 007) and along comes the 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage/Voltane supplied by Q. Why do I list two cars? Well, we get two different types here but I'm going to focus on the hardtop version of the car, which is the Vantage and this is when we see the car most in action.

Bond's Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The model of the car was in service from 1977 to 1989, a great time for Aston Martin and there is a bit of a Ford Mustang flare to the front of the car. You can still see similarities from the DB5 and DBS but there is a major upgrade in terms of sophistication and suspension as well as style. It does retain it's roots but adds more to it.

The car is laden with a bunch of new gadgets from Q-Branch. They range from bulletproof windows; tire spikes for traction; retractable skies for driving on ice and other terrain; a self-destruct mechanism so as not to fall into enemy hands; target seeking missiles and even a jet engine for fast propulsion. It's everything one could ask for in a Bond car.

Rocket propulsion in motion.

THE END OF PART I. STAY TUNED FOR PART II! I'll get that one done asap.

OUT OF THESE, WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE? THANKS FOR READING AND JAMES BOND WILL RETURN!








SOURCES:

Aston Martin DB5 Gadgets:

• GIF of Aston Martin courtesy of GIPHY.COM

• Images of DB5 gadgets courtesy of dailymail.com

James Bond's 1965 Aston Martin DB5 complete with machine guns and revolving number plates is offered for sale for £3m 

Aston Martin DBS:

• Images of Aston Martin courtesy of IMCDb.org

Aston Martin V8 Vontane/Vontage:

• Image of Aston Martin in Vienna courtesy of IMCDb.org
• Image of rear courtesy of Paste Magazine

"I thought I saw a SPECTRE on your shoulder."

The next James Bond has finally been announced a few days ago! The forth film starring Daniel Craig is to be called SPECTRE. Starring as the main baddie will be Christophe Waltz, whom, like Javier Bardem did before him, is sure to blow us all away in his performance. Joining the cast will of course be the regulars from the previous films: Naomi Harris as Miss Moneypenny; Rory Kinnear as Tanner; Ralph Fiennes as M and Ben Wishaw as Q. The new Bond Girls will be Monica Bellucci--who has been trying to be a Bond Girl as far back as 1997--and Lea Seydoux. This will be the first James Bond in a few years to start production exactly two years after the last one. Skyfall, came out four years after Quantum of Solace due to a legal issues with MGM. Director Sam Mendes will be returning to direct the film after Skyfall.

LETS TAKE A LITTLE TURN NOW DEALING WITH WHY THIS IS CALLED SPECTRE...

Now, for all of those Bond fans out there, you guys know the whole controversy with the name SPECTRE and Ernst Stavro Blofeld and the character. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, wrote a screenplay by the name of Thunderball with Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham in around 1958. Now, a few years later, Ian Fleming decided to turn the screenplay into a novel and when he did, he published it without the permission of his two co-writers. In other words, he took the credit for himself. Now, this naturally upset McClory, who sued Fleming after what he did. McClory won the case, and what was originally to be the first James Bond film, became the forth James Bond film with McClory as producer. The aftermath of these events still allowed Kevin to make his own James Bond movie 10 years later. The only setback was that it had to be based off of Thunderball and nothing else. During those 10 years, the Bond producers were able to use the character and organization of Blofeld for the next three movies. By the end of Sean Connery's run as James Bond, SPECTRE and Blofeld were not to be seen again, as the rights to the character were still owned and controlled by Kevin McClory.

Finally, in 1983, McClory was able to make his rival 007 movie by the name of Never Say Never Again. The title was in recognition to Sean Connery swearing he would "never again" play James Bond after filming Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. Now, the film Never Say Never Again was not allowed to use any elements already established by Eon Productions/MGM. In other words, this film would not be able to have the opening gun barrel scene, the James Bond theme, or any other element. The fact that Sean Connery returned to the role that made him big was really the only selling factor that they had. And boy...did they take it! The film was a massive success.

1983 marked the return of Sean Connery as James Bond.

It would not be until 2013, that James Bond producers (MGM, Eon Productions, Danjaq L.L.C.) would be allowed to use SPECTRE or Blofeld again. But now that they now have the rights to the chracter, they are now able to use the character. In all honesty, I hope they modernize the chracter. You shouldn't have a villain from the 60s that was parodied in the 90s with those Austin Power movies. They should make him dark, contemporary and please...no bald head with a white cat. Maybe have a...I dunno....pet tiger? Haha!  He are all the actors that played Blofeld in the past.

 The Many Faces of Blofeld

Anthony Dawson played Blofeld in From Russia with Love (1963) and Thunderball (1965). Both appearances of the character did not have their face seen. The voice of the character was performed by Eric Pohlmann.

Donald Pleasence played Blofeld in You Only Live Twice (1967). This film features the first time his face is revealed.

Telly Savalas played our favorite Bond villian here in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Blofeld is bald, but what happened to the scar?

Blofeld in the form of Charles Grey in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). This would be his last appearance in the role until 1983.

Max von Sydow played Blofeld in Sean Connery's last outing as 007 in Never Say Never Again (1983). As you can see, there's the kitty and his portrayal of the role was back to the days of Blofeld in his first appearance.

 And there you have it folks! Here are all the Blofelds throughout the years. Oh, I almost forgot...Roger Moore had his brief ordeal with "bald man with cat" in For Your Eyes Only. Since it was past the 10 year mark and Eon Productions were unable to use the Blofeld character, this appearance was a final "f*ck you" to Kevin McClory telling the audience that the James Bond films would go forward with or without his character that he deprived for so long.

John Hollis played Bl--"man with white cat" villain in For Your Eyes Only (1981) alongside Roger Moore. Voiced by Robert Rietty. 

So, there you have it. All of the Blofelds in the series. Now that we have SPECTRE set to hit theaters next year, we can only guess if he will indeed be Christoph or not. We will just have to wait and see. 

                                                                               Blofeld 2015?

Daniel Craig (James Bond) and new baddy Christoph Waltz star in next year's SPECTRE. I highly doubt they will be this close in the film. Only the total opposite.

During an interview for the film, Daniel Craig said, "I think we've got a better script this time around." We will just have to wait and find out next year! SPECTRE, the forth film starring Daniel Craig, is set to hit movie screens next November next year! Are you excited?!!!