The Importance of Being Bond

The Importance of Being Bond
Name	The Importance of Being Bond
Director	John Cork
Producer	John Cork, David Naylor
Starring	Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan
Music	David Arnold
Cinematography	David Tattersall
Editing	John Cork
Studio	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Released	2006
Runtime	45 minutes
Country	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English

The Importance of Being Bond is a 2006 documentary short film that explores the casting and tenures of the actors who have portrayed the iconic MI6 agent James Bond in the official Eon Productions film series. Produced for the Ultimate Edition DVD releases, it features exclusive interviews with four former 007 stars and delves into the unique challenges and cultural impact of assuming the role. The film serves as a companion piece to the broader documentary series included in the DVD collection, offering a focused examination of the actors' personal and professional journeys.

Plot summary

The documentary is structured around in-depth interviews with Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan, each reflecting on their experiences playing James Bond. It intercuts these personal accounts with archival footage from their respective films, such as *Live and Let Die*, *On Her Majesty's Secret Service*, The Living Daylights, and GoldenEye. The narrative traces each actor's path to being cast, often involving meetings with producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, and their subsequent navigation of the immense fame and scrutiny associated with the role. The film concludes with the actors reflecting on their legacy within the franchise and the enduring global phenomenon of the character created by Ian Fleming.

Production and development

The documentary was conceived and directed by John Cork as part of the comprehensive special features for the Ultimate Edition DVD box sets released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and 20th Century Fox in 2006. Cork, a renowned film historian and documentarian, had previously produced extensive features for MGM's Bond releases. The production aimed to provide a more actor-centric perspective compared to other documentaries in the collection, which often focused on technical or historical aspects. Interviews were conducted separately with each former 007 actor, with David Arnold providing a bespoke musical score that incorporated motifs from his work on Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough.

Cast and characters

The primary subjects are the four former James Bond actors: Roger Moore, who discusses his seven-film tenure beginning with *Live and Let Die*; George Lazenby, the Australian model who starred in the single film *On Her Majesty's Secret Service*; Timothy Dalton, who brought a darker edge to the role in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill; and Pierce Brosnan, who revived the franchise with GoldenEye after a legal hiatus. The documentary also features archival audio and video of key figures like producer Albert R. Broccoli, as well as brief mentions of other actors such as Sean Connery and David Niven, who played the role in the non-Eon production *Casino Royale* (1967).

Release and reception

*The Importance of Being Bond* was released exclusively on the Ultimate Edition DVD collections in 2006 across North America and Europe. It was not given a theatrical or standalone television broadcast. Reception from critics and Bond enthusiasts was positive, with praise directed at the candid nature of the interviews and the quality of the archival presentation. Reviewers for publications like The Guardian and *Empire* noted the particular insight offered by George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton, whose tenures were less frequently examined in depth. The documentary is considered an essential feature for collectors and historians of the Eon Productions series.

Themes and analysis

The film analyzes the immense pressure and cultural weight of inheriting the role of James Bond, a character solidified in popular culture by Sean Connery's performances in films like Dr. No and *Goldfinger*. Key themes include the actor's struggle to define their own interpretation while satisfying the expectations of Eon Productions, global audiences, and the legacy of Ian Fleming. It also explores the relationship between the actor and the evolving zeitgeist, from Roger Moore's lighthearted approach during the Cold War to Timothy Dalton's gritty portrayal influenced by the novels. The documentary posits that each actor's tenure reflects both the filmmaking trends of its era and the personal character of the star.

Legacy and influence

As a primary source document featuring firsthand accounts, *The Importance of Being Bond* remains a valuable resource for understanding the history of the cinematic 007. It has been referenced in subsequent documentaries and books about the franchise, including those by historians like John Cork himself and Steven Jay Rubin. The film's focus on the human element behind the icon has influenced later making-of features for other major franchises, emphasizing actor testimony. Its release coincided with the debut of Daniel Craig in *Casino Royale* (2006), providing context for the enduring challenge faced by each new actor stepping into the role originally created by Ian Fleming.

Category:2006 films Category:British documentary films Category:American documentary films Category:James Bond documentaries Category:Films about actors