The evolution and significance of 

BOND GIRLS

By Anandita Chandra

The man who could be Bond

Born into an affluent family in the wealthy London district of Mayfair, Ian Lancaster Fleming would go on to ‘write the spy story to end all spy stories.’  While awaiting his marriage in the spring of 1952, he started working on his first novel, which he finished in just over a month, on the 18 March 1952. This is the novel that started it all; it paved the way for eleven more novels, it laid the foundations for one of the most celebrated film franchises of all time, and it marked the beginning of the notorious spy's career as Agent 007, it would also go on to be the 21st film in the series. This novel was Casino Royale.

Fleming, a member of the Naval Intelligence Division, used his wartime experiences to flesh out the character’s idiosyncrasies. The British Secret Service Agent- Bond, James Bond, has the style and semblance of his creator and the same tastes in cocktails and cigarettes. However, what they do not share is the fame and popularity. Few know of the Spy-maker, but his influence through James Bond and the franchise as a whole is massive, with 14 novels, 24 official movies, and 27 video games. With an extravagant and extraordinary life to match that of his creation, Fleming, the charming rogue, was the man who would be Bond.

Guns, Gadgets, and Girls

Bond is quintessentially British; so his character is predominantly based off of a typical British baddie- surrounded by blood, bullets, booze and babes. It was never about solving the case, it was about using skill and seduction to save the day, and get the girl. This not-so-subtle hedonistic approach has triggered a number of criticisms, accusing the films of misogyny and sexism. For an espionage genre with a heterosexual, white, uber-masculine male, it comes as no surprise that there is an inherent discrimination in the films and the books which feature the original mélange of violence and sex; classic masculinity married to the media-endorsed concept of the overly sexualized female. The British agent could put the American playboy to shame; Hugh Hefner once described the films as “a Playboy magazine with a gun”. Therefore, accusing the film of misogyny has left no one shaken or stirred.

The Bond Girl

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They say behind every great man, there is a woman. Bond, takes it to a whole other league. Behind 007 stand 77 of the most bold and beautiful women to have ever graced the big screen. Bond girls, as they've come to be known, are extraordinarily independent women equipped with not only the looks, but also the license to kill.

But what makes a Bond Girl?

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Ever since Ursula Andress’ Honey Ryder walked out of the ocean 50 years ago in a white bikini (and a tool belt) in Dr. No (one of the most classical scenes is cinematic history) the term Bond girl has stood for a sexually independent and attractive woman with whom 007 shares a certain… bond, or more than a bond. Sometimes she turns out to be evil, most of the times she ends up dead, but she always, leaves an impression. 

The fundamental formula of the Bond-Bond girl equation remains constant for almost all the films: the first girl is the friend, pro-Bond. This incredibly beautiful woman would assist 007 as mere passing fancy before she is bumped off by the enemy, preferably in Bond's arms. The next girl is the foe, the Femme Fátale from whom Bond will have to save himself by using his charm and sexual potency. She is irresistibly seductive while Bond is more concerned with survival. The third girl will survive and end the film in Bond's embrace.

Bond keeps his enemies close, but keeps his women closer, because he never knows what a beautiful woman might be hiding up her skirt. Essentially Bond girls are killed off to make way for new Bond girls. Simple.

Or for male eyes only? The future of Bond Girls

Though most of the movies have a classic sequence—chase scene, shooting scene, find girl, lose girl, fight scene, chase scene, the most riveting aspect was the role of the Bond girl. As the wheels are turning, it is clear that the roles of women in films are revamping. Representation has become a huge regard for characters. These days movies have leading ladies who aren’t afraid to take the shot, speak her mind, or substitute the male lead.

In James Bond, things have clearly improved, but it is not all better. In the most recent Bond film, Spectre (2015) Monica Bellucci is tragically wasted, even after all the positive press over finally having a Bond girl in her fifties.

Former British Prime Minister Theresa May believes that one day there should be a female James Bond. However, Barbara Broccoli, who is in charge of casting 007, argues that Bond is a male character, written as a male and will probably stay as male. Similarly, most actresses who have played the Bond Girl, believe that women deserve better. It would be better to have a female director, or screenwriter for the franchise, rather than turning the character on its head. Specific female characters should be customized for the films. It’s true that the series has a history of blatant sexism and sexual inequality. And it’s also true that the presumptuous, pompous womanizer has been forgiven for far too long and maybe a female Bond is just what the world needs, but will this tokenism be enough?

Why can’t there be original, dynamic and vibrant stories created for fiercely independent female roles, rather than creating female spin-offs that are constantly compared to the male predecessors?

So although Bond has come a long way, there is a long way to go. For the man on her Majesty’s secret service, clearly all the women in the world are not enough, but with 50 years of legacy, and maybe another 50 to go, they will probably never be.