Happy Birthday, James

[Michael Rolls]

Ian Fleming's 'Casino Royale' was published 12th April 1953, so the James Bond character has been with us for 70 years! When I read it, never for a moment did I imagine that Bond and I would still be here 70 years on

[GrannyMac]

When I visualise James Bond, its always Sean Connery.   Who was your iconic Bond?

[Michael Rolls]

Sean Connery. Nobody else comes even close for me - leading the runners-up, but a good ways back, Pierce Brosnan, with Dalton and Craig neck and neck. Last by a long way, Roger Moore who treated the whole character and the stories as a series of jokes with violence, and gave me the impression that he was conveying to his audience 'yes, I know it's rubbish, but it pays well'

[GrannyMac]

I think thats a good summary Mike, although I prefer Craig to Dalton. What about David Niven?

[klondike]

I made a start on re-reading (actually probably listening to audiobooks) and their age certainly shows now. I only went through a few. There are lots of the mid term Bond films I never watched, The newish ones seem to somehow be over produced and I'm not a big fan. Back in the day I certainly enjoyed the Sean Connery ones.

[Michael Rolls]

I think thats a good summary Mike, although I prefer Craig to Dalton. What about David Niven?

Thank film was a spoof, so I don't regard Niven as a 'real' Bond, much as I liked him as an actor

[JBR]

Ian Fleming's 'Casino Royale' was published 12th April 1953, so the James Bond character has been with us for 70 years! When I read it, never for a moment did I imagine that Bond and I would still be here 70 years on

Well, I was born August 1952, so I suppose I am pretty much the same age as Bond too!

[Alex]

Sean Connery WAS James Bond and nobody has been as good as he was.  Roger Moore was irritating playing Bond and not good looking enough !  The others who've played JB were all second best. 
Will be get a female Bond next ?  I hope not, he should be a man, preferably Scots and handsome 

[Michael Rolls]

I have a nasty feeling that wokery will triumph and the next Bond will be a black female trans called Janet

[Diasi]

I have a nasty feeling that wokery will triumph and the next Bond will be a black female trans called Janet

The only one who could have been James Bond in real life was David Niven.

He was a commando officer during WW2, engaged in espionage in what were known as Phantom Patrols.

As such he would, no doubt, have had to kill people swiftly & quietly as the need arose.

[Michael Rolls]

fair enough - but Bond isn't real life

[Diasi]

fair enough - but Bond isn't real life

But Niven is still the only actor whose real life persona is closest to James Bond's fictional persona.

[Michael Rolls]

we are agreed - but the film in which he appeared was a spoof send-up.

[dextrous63]

fair enough - but Bond isn't real life

Don't be absurd.  All those movies are actually documentaries.

[Michael Rolls]

Really? Gosh!