Happy Birthday, 007
Well, to his creator anyway. Ian Fleming was born May 28, 1908. WOW… that would make him 100 years old today… of course he passed away many years ago. Ironically, he left the world mere months after the release of From Russia with Love on the big screen in 1964. The centennial of the author’s birth is being celebrated in at least two ways. Today sees the release of the newest James Bond novel Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks. In November, the 22nd film in the Bond franchise Quantum of Solace will be presented on the big screen with Daniel Craig reprising the role of British Secret Service agent 007.
In total, Fleming wrote 12 Bond novels and two collections of short stories. Following his death, other writers have taken up the mantle. Although most of the plots for the books and the movies have very little in common, fifteen of the movies take their titles directly from the books. The novel From Russia with Love was high on President John F. Kennedy’s favorite reading list which prompted the production of the second film. Below is a list of Fleming’s 12 Bond novels and 2 short stories and the order in which the movie was released which are not synonymous.
Casino Royale (21)
Live and Let Die (8)
Moonraker (11)
Diamonds are Forever (7)
From Russia with Love (2)
Dr. No (1)
Goldfinger (3)
For Your Eyes Only (12)
Thunderball (13 sorry… 4)
The Spy Who Loved Me (10)
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (6)
You Only Live Twice (5)
The Man with the Golden Gun (9)
Octopussy (13) and the Living Daylights (15)
(GoldenEye takes its name from Fleming’s Jamaican home where he wrote the stories)
Fleming’s writing was not limited to the world of the spy. He also penned the children’s book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
