The Darwinist vision in James Bond series

Résumé du document

Kamal Khan in the 1983 film Octopussy says to James Bond: "Mr Bond, you have a nasty habit of surviving." And, to this statement, the latter answers, "You know what they say about the fittest." Every James Bond fan shall acknowledge there is something magical about staying alive like he does in film after film. Here is the key to the account for the series of success throughout the world: James Bond is a kind of modern hero, a superman without extraordinary abilities but phlegm and braveness. His answer "You know what they say about the fittest" is particularly relevant to analyze his spirit of survival and tends to introduce a Darwinian vision in the movies. This theory asserts that evolution is the result of a struggle between the strongest and the weakest, in which only fittest people like dominant males can survive as they adapt themselves to the environment. Actually, Bond's witty answer to Khan in Octopussy is a clear reference to Herbert Spencer and his selection theory, often summed up as "the survival of the fittest".

Extraits

[...] But still, he was the reflection of the dark- hair brown eyed he-man. The Connery's movies showed all his abilities, especially physical for instance while diving in Operation Thunderball or when fighting against oddjob, the well-known sidekick of Auric Goldfinger. Quick to react and adapt himself to his environment and context, he has this original idea in Dr No when surrounded by guards, he uses bamboo sticks to hide underwater and breath normally. Bond knows the art of camouflage when reason imposes carefulness and silence, and self-defence when time is for action and fatal strikes. [...]

[...] The Darwinist vision in James Bond series Every James Bond fan shall acknowledge there is something magic about staying alive like he does film after film. Here is the key to account for the series success throughout the world: James Bond is a kind of modern hero, a superman without extraordinary abilities but phlegm and braveness. His answer know what they say about the fittest" is particularly relevant to analyse his spirit of survival and tends to introduce a Darwinian vision in the movies. [...]

[...] They are a perfect complement to his natural skills but they can also save his life in many occasions. Every fan kept in mind the image of the ejection seat on the Aston Martin DB4 in Golfinger, not to forget the usual laser watches quite useful to escape. Therefore, Bond is not only physically superior to his evil enemies, or just more intelligent and cunning, but also technologically superior thanks to little invisible gadgets. The recent trend with Brosnan where gadgets were overused and farfetched is hopefully over with Craig's era since Q even disappeared from the series. [...]

[...] Moreover, Lazenby is quite in the line of Connery with his dark hair and masculine body. Nevertheless, it's particularly interesting to point out the fact that both in Casino Royale and On her Majesty's secret service, Bond is confronted to pain and suffering when he loses the beloved woman Vesper and then Tracy. Thus, we may think Bond is becoming human, eager to quit his secret life to be a normal guy but he quickly ends up resuming his job with more and more composure. [...]

[...] Consequently, many fans were disturbed by Lazenby's performance since he is more genuine, human, and sensitive. To counter-balance this view, I should note that Lazenby is nonetheless something of a womanizer when, in custody in Bloefeld's HQ, he “seduces” two or three girls in a row, by saying exactly the same thing. James Bond sacred duty leads him to only use the girls he meets throughout his adventures to serve the Queen. [...]