On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley continue their exploration into the life and work of Sir Sean Connery, the first movie James Bond. Covered in the second part of this two-part special: Connery's burgeoning film career outside of Bond including his many collaborations with Sidney Lumet. His growing dissatisfaction with the James Bond films on 'Thunderball' and the press intrusion through the explosion of the spy film genre, to him qui...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 48 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley convene to discuss the life and work of Sir Sean Connery, the first movie James Bond. Covered in the first part of this two-part special: Connery's early life in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh and his journey to stage and screen via Mr Universe and a touring production of South Pacific. His early film roles, his breakthrough from the BBC production of Requiem of a Heavyweight, and meeting his first wife Di...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 26 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more filmmakers, characters and topics from the letter C. Covered in this show: The Circus Twins, aka Mischka and Grischka, the knife throwing henchmen from 1983's 'Octopussy', played by real life twins David Meyer and Anthony Meyer. Jim Clark, the acclaimed film editor with an incredible CV of films that worked as an editor on Pierce Brosnan's 1996 James Bond adventure 'The World Is Not Enough...
May 27, 2021•57 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast, hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle six more topics under the letter C. Covered in this show: Roger Moore's tailor Cyril Castle who shaped the look of 007 in 'Live and Let Die' and 'The Man With The Golden Gun at the start of his tenure. Henry Cavill, the Superman actor who was nearly cast as James Bond for 2006's 'Casino Royale' but was pipped to the post by Daniel Craig, and is hotly tipped to be the 7th 007. Chang, Hugo Drax'...
May 20, 2021•49 min
Simon Brew (@SimonBrew), journalist, author, podcaster, and publisher of Film Stories (@FilmStoriesPod), joins James Bond A-Z hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley to talk about 2006's 'Casino Royale'. Simon shares his insight into the film landscape of 2006 that Daniel Craig's debut 007 was competing in, the initial backlash against Craig, and the film's success at the box office. Simon also sheds light on the studio politics that have shaped Daniel Craig's tenure, what his films ha...
May 13, 2021•57 min
James Bond A-Z hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a deep dive into the making of Daniel Craig's 2006 James Bond debut 'Casino Royale'. This episode looks at the legal wrangling behind the scenes that finally allowed Eon to officially adapt Ian Fleming's first 007 book, Pierce Brosnan's exit from the series, and the initially controversial casting of Daniel Craig as the 6th actor to play Bond. The team look at the development of the script, the casting of its major players inc...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 50 min
Author, journalist, and espionage writer Jeremy Duns joins The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley to talk about his research into the many unmade versions of 'Casino Royale' that preceded the 1967 and 2006 adaptations. The first film adaptation of Ian Fleming's debut James Bond novel is an anomaly in the history of the 007 films, as it was developed in isolation outside of the Eon Productions hit factory. Duns explains how he discovered early drafts of the fi...
Apr 29, 2021•54 min
James Bond A-Z hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a deep dive into the murky world of 1967's 'Casino Royale'. The farcical comedy which starred David Niven, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, Orson Welles and a host of other stars who should have known better, is a blot on the history books of 007, and is not considered canon by fans. But the complicated journey of Charles K Feldman's disastrous adaptation of Ian Fleming's debut James Bond novel offers a tantalising glimpse and how ...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 11 min
On this episode hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley look into six more James Bond creatives and characters under the letter C. The diverse topics of discussion include Joe Caroff, the graphic designer responsible for the iconic 007 gun logo and filmmaker William P Cartlidge who held vital roles on a number of different Bond films. The team also look at 'Tomorrow Never Dies' power couple Elliot and Paris Carver, as portrayed by Jonathan Pryce and Teri Hatcher. Finally, the episode co...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 8 min
On this episode hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley have reached the letter C in the James Bond A-Z. Topics covered include Syd Cain, the acclaimed production designer who worked on a number of James Bond films from 'Dr No' to 'GoldenEye'. Jeffrey Caine who was credited as a writer on Pierce Brosnan's 007 debut, and Allan Cameron the production designer on 'Tomorrow Never Dies'. Finally, the team take a look into the life and career of filmmaker Martin Campbell. Having directed 'Gol...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Taking a break from the usual routine, James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley deliver a conversational episode tackling some of the big questions around 007. Who is the best James Bond and which scene typifies them best? Which tertiary James Bond character is the mist important to the series? Who is the most important creative behind the scenes? Which James Bond film would you show to an agnostic in a bid to win them over to the series? Which Bond villain is the...
Apr 01, 2021•57 min
Hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley are joined by James Bond expert Calvin Dyson to talk some more about Pierce Brosnan. Started in 2007, Calvin's James Bond-themed YouTube channel has racked up over 9 million views tackling a wide range of topics in the world of 007. He's ranked and reviewed the films, the actors, the Bonds, he's explored the many video games of the series, and he regularly goes beyond the world of 007 to look at Bond stars in non-Bond roles, and at other films in ...
Mar 29, 2021•44 min
In the second part of the Pierce Brosnan special hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley take a closer look at the actor's four 007 films. They discuss how 1995's 'GoldenEye' introduced a new James Bond for the 1990s, securing the future of the franchise. They dive into 'Tomorrow Never Dies', a film that was beset with scripting issues from the outset, but features a swaggering performance from Brosnan. They jump into 'The World Is Not Enough', a bold but divisive Bond film, and they br...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 30 min
The team have reached Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan. The Irish actor is the fifth James Bond on film who began his 007 tenure with 1995's 'GoldenEye', and ended it with 2002's 'Die Another Day'. In the first part of a two-part special, the team take a look back at Brosnan's early life in Ireland, his subsequent move to London, and his discovery of acting. They explore his relationship with his first wife, the 'For Your Eyes Only' Bond girl Cassandra Harris , and how it brought him into the orbit of Bo...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 8 min
This episode covers the life and work of acclaimed graphic designer Robert Brownjohn who shaped the look of the iconic James Bond title sequences with his groundbreaking work on 'From Russia With Love' and 'Goldfinger'. The team also look at Jeremy Bulloch. Most famous as Boba Fett in Star Wars, the English actor starred in three James Bond films and was a fan favourite on the convention circuit. They shine a light on Irma Bunt, the Spectre agent of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' who inflicte...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Born into the world of James Bond, Barbara Broccoli OBE has been part of the 007 films for her entire life. On this episode, the team explore the 'No Time To Die' producer's early days growing up on the James Bond film sets, her early forays into the filmmaking business, and taking on the series – with her half-brother Michael G Wilson – from 1995's 'GoldenEye' onwards. They look at the bold decisions she has made to keep the 007 franchise moving forward, her other projects beyond Bond, and what...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Albert R. Broccoli, known to all as Cubby, is perhaps the man - beyond Ian Fleming - most responsible for the cultural phenomenon that is James Bond. Initially as co-producer with Harry Saltzman, then later as sole producer, Cubby oversaw the films as they developed from their relatively low-budget origins to large-budget, high-grossing extravaganzas, and Broccoli's heirs continue to produce new Bond films to this day. The team take a look back at the man's life and legacy, specifically his inpu...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 4 min
This episode covers a wide variety of topics from the world of the 007 films: 'Licence To Kill' character Pam Bouvier, prospective Bond 25 director Danny Boyle, 'You Only Live Twice' character Helga Brandt, lyricist Leslie Bricusse, fashion house Brioni, and James Brolin, the man who was very nearly Bond. The discuss the life and work of actor Carey Lowell, who starred with Timothy Dalton in his second 007 outing. They delve into Danny Boyle's failed attempt to make Bond 25, and look into what m...
Feb 18, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Author and pop culture pirate Mark O'Connell joins the team for a special bonus episode to share his love for 'A View To A Kill'. The writer of 'Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan' is a self-confessed Bond '85 superfan, and is here to set the A-Z team straight about Roger Moore's swansong. Topics covered include the film's supporting cast, Roger Moore's exit from the series, Lois Maxwell's final turn as Moneypenny, and that long-standing Maud Adams cameo myth. Mark (@Mark0Connell) also fill...
Feb 16, 2021•45 min
This episode is dedicated to James Bond's arch-nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. From his origins in the books to his film debut in 'From Russia With Love' right up to his next appearance in 'No Time To Die', the team dive into every aspect of SPECTRE's number one man. He's been played by a number of actors over the years including Donald Pleasance, Telly Savalas, Charles Gray, and Max Von Sydow, but was absent from the films until he was brought back into the fold with a charismatic turn by Oscar-w...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 28 min
On this show, hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley explore the work of Maurice Binder, the man responsible for James Bond's iconic gun barrel design, and countless 007 title sequences. They talk about the life and career of Don Black, the Oscar-winning lyricist who wrote a number of James Bond theme songs including 'Thunderball' and 'Diamonds Are Forever', and one-time screenwriter Harold Jack Bloom. Also explored is the franchise's relationship with BMW in the 1990s, skiing camerama...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min
As our mission reaches the letter B, it heralds the arrival of some heavy Bond hitters. In this episode the team delves into the stories of actor Joe Don Baker, who – as two different characters - straddles two eras of 007. They explore the life and work of John Barry, the award-winning composer whose sound defines Bond, and three-time theme tune singer Dame Shirley Bassey, who worked closely with Barry. Also discussed is two-time Bond Girl Martine Beswick, 'From Russia With Love' ally Kerim Bey...
Jan 28, 2021•58 min
The team dance into the fire with Sir Roger Moore's final James Bond film: 1985's 'A View To A Kill'. Hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy and Tom Wheatley look into the making of the fourteenth 007 film that came at a transitional moment for the franchise, which had one foot in the past and one in the future. The team look into the film's incredible stunt work, including that famous dive off the Eiffel Tower, and its extensive San Francisco shoot. They study the context of Roger Moore's swansong, it...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 43 min
In Episode 2 of The James Bond A-Z Podcast, your hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are still on the letter A. The team focus on the life and work of film and TV composer David Arnold whose James Bond-themed album 'Shaken and Stirred' led him to scoring five 007 films - 'Tomorrow Never Dies', 'The World Is Not Enough', 'Die Another Day', 'Casino Royale', and 'Quantum of Solace'. They also take a deep dive into the world of Aston Martin, the car brand that defines Bond, and - to a ...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 23 min
In Episode 1 of The James Bond A-Z Podcast, your hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley cover the first part of the letter A. In it the team shine a spotlight on legendary production designer Ken Adam, two-time Bond woman Maud Adams, You Only Live Twice's Aki, The Spy Who Loved Me's Agent XXX, 'The World Is Not Enough' director Michael Apted, and long-serving 007 stunt performer and action director Vic Armstrong. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Ou...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Welcome to The James Bond A-Z Podcast. Hosted by three lifelong James Bond fans – film journalist Tom Butler, journalist Tom Wheatley, and improviser Brendan Duffy – the show takes an encyclopaedic deep dive into the making of the world’s greatest spy film franchise. Each episode covers the key creatives and characters from every James Bond film from 1962’s 'Dr No' to 2021’s 'No Time To Die', talking about Ken Adam to Max Zorin, and everything in-between (and yes, that includes Never Say Never A...
Jan 05, 2021•1 min
