***Ov®r th* year* Ibis nom* bos ItwNtod mHHons and hopefully win continue to do to. James Bond It not just another fictional character, James Bond is a legend and a pioneer in the world of spy thrillers. A famous critic rightly says "the world of spy novels would not have been so mature if It had not been for James Bond."

***Films

Sean Connery as James Bond were Dr. No. 1962, From Russia With Love, 1963, Goldfinger, 1964, Thunderball, 1965, You Only Live Twice, 1967, Diamonds are Forever, 1971, Never Say Never Again. 1983.

David Niven did Casino Royale, 1967 George La-zenby completed On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969. And Roger Moore as Bond 007 did Live and Let Die, 1972, Man with the Golden Gun 1975, The Spy who Loved Me 1977, For Your Eyes Only, 1979, Moon-raker, 1981, Octopussy, 1983, a View to a 0,1985.

* LL eyes turn as he /\ walks in. clad in a

\ black tuxedo looking "TOp^table. that masculine sneer on his lips. The right side of his Jacket a little bulgy. naturafiv. he is carrying his ever faithful Walther P.P. K.. a beautiful waitress walks up to him and asks questi-oningly "you have a reservation mr...?"

"Bond" speaks out the gentleman in an chaste English accent and after a short pause. "James Bond."

Oxer the vears this name has thrilled millions and

instead he took up a partner ship xvith city stockbrokers

During the Second World War Fleming was Personal Assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence at the admiralty, rising from the rank of Lieutenant to Commander. His wartime experiences were as exciting as any featured in he James Bond novels, and this provided him xvith fast hand knowledge of secret operations.

James Bond is a Just a character based on Fleming himself, ian Fleming imbued bond xvith many of his oxvn

tastes, beautiful xvomen. fast cars etc. He used his wartime experiences to write Bond. His Journalistic career, wartime Intelligence works provided him xvith the appropriate materials to put into his thrillers. After the war he became foreign manager of Kemsley newspapers and it was then that he built his house "Goldeneye” at Jamaica. (Goldeneye is the name of the latest bond filtn).

There at the age of 42 he wrote Casino Royale the first Bond thriller. Casino Royale earned the reputation of be-

ing the best English thriller since Ambler. After the phenomenal success of Casino Royale. Ian Fleming continued to write bond novels. One was better than the other. Dr No. The Spy who Loved Me. ThunderbaJl. Moonraker. Live and Let Die. all proved to be international bestsellers, by 1961 the cult of James Bond was internationally established

Ian -Fleming had succeeded in creating a fictional character unrivalled in modem publishing history. Naturally the famous film direc-

According to Richard Grant "he is known and denounced in Russia, he is known and admired in the smallest American town, go to any Malayan village, stop the first person you meet and ask who James Bond is and there is more than even chance that the answer would be Sean Connery.”

After Sean it was George Lazenby who played Bond Tn On her Majesty's Secret Ser vice” but due to some com-pllcaUons George Lazenby lost the contract Again there was a massive search for a

Wts And producers had their eyes on James Bond and many expressed their inherent desire to give enigmatic form to this legend. At first there was some controversy as to who will portray this dynamic and charismatic character. Many prominent actors were taken into consideration but the ideal actor was not found.

The directors started to look for a new face and the ansiver was Sean Conneiy. Sean Conneiy was virtually unknown and xvas struggling to become an actor. This was a great breakthrough for him. The first Bond film Dr. No di-

new Bond and this time it was Roger Moore. Roger Moore who had thrilled millions of viexvers as Simon Templer (Saint) the perfect English adventurer finally achieved his ambition to create a new Bond. Live and Let Die was released In 1972 xvith Roger Moore playing the major role and was an instant blockbuster. Roger Moore added humour to the character of James Bond and proved many critics xvrong by becoming the perfect 007.

After Moore the role of James Bond xvas awarded to Timothy Dalton who proxied to be an excellent actor. Ti-

hopefully will continue to do so. James Bond is not just another fictional character. James Bond is a legend and a pioneer in the world of spy thrillers. A famous critic rightly says "the world of spy novels would not have been so mature if it had not been for James Bond."

Needless to say that Bond added a new dimension to the arena of spy thrillers. To quote the Chicago Sunday Tribune James Bond is one of the master spies of the cloak and dagger fantasy. But before we go on to discuss Bond we must get ourselves acquainted with its creator — Ian Fleming...

Ian Fleming was born in 1908 and educated at Eton. Fleming always had a very imaginative mind and excelled in sports. After a brief period at Sandhurst. Fleming went abroad for higher education. During this period he developed a flair for foreign languages. In 1931 he Joined Reuters Flemings first contact with the secret service came in 1933 when he covered the notorious Moscow trial of the six British engineers arrested on espionage charges. His brilliant reporting led to his promotion but

rected by Terence Young xvas an instant success. Bond fans poured into the cinema halls to see Sean Connery -the masculine gilt-edged Bond, this role played a great part in the transition of Sean from milkman to millionaire. The world xvas swept by a Bond mania and Dr No became the most watched film of the year.

So with Sean Connery James Bond started its journey in the celluloid xvorld. Sean became a living legend.

mothy Dalton made two Bond films and believe me both of them are just marvellous. Why he lost the contract is still a mystery. However after Timothy Dalton's untimely departure a search w^s on again to find another suitable actor and this time Pierce Brosnan was the chosen one xvith Pierce Brosnan playing the major role the film "Goldeneye" xvas released. (Pierce Brosnan has already got contracts to do the next txvo films).

Ian Fleming is long dead but his James Bond continues to entertain us. It wouldn't be inappropriate if we say that James Bond has faded the name of its creator. Ian Fleming is outshined by his oxvn creation. The books are still being printed and the movies still- xvatched by millions. Fast pace action, expensive bars, eye catching locations, beautiful women, modern electronic gadgets, excellent photography, are the major ingredients of a Bond film. These ingredients make the films sheer entertainment ones. Each Bond film is an extravaganza.

Pierce Broenan xvill one day become too old to play Bond and then another search xvill be Initiated and another actor xvill be found and one day he also xvill no longer play Bond and then yet another search will be conducted for yet another face the actors will come and go but the character of James Bond xvill stay forever.

The charming English agent xvith a passion for vodka martini (shaken not stirred) xvill continue to captivate viewers around the world.