Many of you who have read some of my older articles know that I was introduced to James Bond through my father. My father was a busy entrepreneur who was not the “throw the ball in the backyard” type Dad. Don’t get me wrong; he loved his kids and we had an amazing relationship. But our moments together seemed just that…moments.
That all being said, some of the most indelible moments was when we would watch a James Bond film together. He would have me watch on those ABC late night movies, letting me stay up way past my bed time because after all, it was Bond…James Bond. These seemed like magical moments with my Dad and the fact that I was blurring the lines of my bed time made them that much more exciting.
So, you can imagine my own excitement in taking my two daughters and my Mother to Skyfall the other day. For many days ahead, I thought deeply about my father, wishing he could share in the moment that would be created. I was satiated that at least my mother would be there to share this. But the fact that I was introducing my daughters to a new and wonderful Bond movie was the icing on the cake.
I made a big deal out of it (shocking, I know) and took everyone out for a big breakfast and then we were off to the theater. Even travelling to the theater I thought of my father, wondering if he would like Craig’s portrayal of Bond. I think he would have. I sat next to my 16 year old, Ellis, and as the lights dimmed the thrill of having my family there became so heightened that in a way I felt as if I was seeing the movie for the first time.
I have to admit, I glanced more than a few times at my family instead of watching the movie the entire time just to see their reaction, which was a mix of delight, wonderment, and excitement. They loved it! Perhaps it was the proximity of where I was sitting, but my 16 year old especially loved many of the moments and was thrilled with Q and the Moneypenny parts.
Even leaving the theater, my mother exclaimed that she wanted to see it again and my oldest daughter, Ashlen, said this was her favorite Bond. As a 20 year old who studied psychology, she loved that they delved into Bond’s past and psyche. We talked and exclaimed about the movie even a full day after..the day was a rousing success.
And somehow, some way I felt my Dad was there the entire time, enjoying SkyFall with us and the family time well spent.
It’s nice what you say David, I have not had a chance to go with my father to see a movie of James Bond, died in 1983, I was 6.But do remember that he did many things with it, and now with my daughter, trying to do too many things, we go together to celebrate victory of Spanish football team,We went to the premiere of Skyfall, etc …is nice to spend time with family and children, I think.
Its the most important thing.
Hi David: thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and emotions with us. Your podcasts on bondlifestyle and now on your own website mean much more to many of us than you can imagine. I really do appreciate that you are not only telling us about your collection but also give us an insight in your emotions. Over a couple of months I was in a professional and personal crisis. When I was laying in my bed and I could not find sleep I very often found “solace” in following your contributions. “I have survived” and solved all the problems. I am now very excited about becoming a dad in the next 10 days. I am even more looking forward to someday watch Bond with my son. In the meantime I will stay a constant follower of your and of Remmerts website. It is great fun…best Uwe
Congrats on becoming a father…and thank you for the wonderful kudos.
What a lovely family! I had the same sort of introduction to Bond with my Dad.
Great article. It was my dad that introduced me to Bond as a child. Though, we never went to the theatre to see a Bond movie together.
On a recent visit to Scotland, to see family. My brother was taking his grandson to see Skyfall. So I decided to tag along with them.
While I was sitting there watching the opening credits, I realised this was the first time I had ever been to the movies with my brother. I’m 43 & my brother is 61! I couldnt think of a better movie for the both of us to watch for our first movie experiance together. It was also good to know that Skyfall was my nephews first Bond experiance at the movies.
Never too late….you’ve inspired me to see SF with my own bro!
Great to hear that the Skyfall family affair was a success! I hope that when my two daughters are older they’ll be able to enjoy Bond as well as my other avenues of fandom. 🙂
David your words hit home to me. My first ever Bond experience came about like this. It was the mid to late ’60sI was 7 or 8 years old and all week at school everyone had been saying that they’d been to see Bond and I was feeling really left out. Of course, I’d heard about Bond. I knew that James Bond was the Superman of my time, I knew he was exotic and exciting. The only problem was that my Mother had decreed that Bond was violent and sexist and had no place in a young boys head. I was therefore banned from Bond for as long as she deemed me to be a boy. Little was I to know, when I got home toward the end of that week of torture at school, that my beloved Grandfather had hatched a plan. I got in from school and my Grandmother all but threw me into the bath telling me I was going out but refusing to say where, only that I had to be ready when my Grandfather got home from work and had to be out of the house before my Mother got home. It wasn’t until we arrived outside the cinema, I could not believe it, a double bill, Goldfinger & Thunderball. And so began my life long affair with a man called Bond, who knows, if it had not been forbidden fruit then I might never have been bothered. Needless to say on our return home my Mother achieved what SPECTRE ad never managed and started World War III but I didn’t care, I was a confirmed Bond fanatic for life.
WOW, phenomenal story….I am always interested in hearing how the Bond spark started for people…what an amazing and moving memory.
Im watching every Bond in order with my oldest. ( fast forwarding through some of the sexier parts – lol) But it something we are sharing thats very special. A very sweet article that as a father of two beautiful girls, reminded me of my own life. And I too was introduced to Bond by my father, and wish I could watch one with him again often.
Well Done.
David –
Nice post! I too have watched the last six years of Bond flicks wishing my dad could have seen them. And I chuckle at the gun barrel debates, as I remember all Bond films starting this way…
http://youtu.be/EiuANdElLPI
Yeah, it seems to have brought quite a few people back.
Wow. Great story David. And, what a lovely family you have. My father too introduced me to Bond. I can remember watching all the old films on TV during the Bond marathons with my dad. But, I grew up with Brosnan and watched every Brosnan film with my dad, in the theater, as a young boy. I have been fortunate enough to watch every Craig film in the theater with my dad as well. I still remember watching Casino Royale in the theater with my dad. It truely is one of the most memorable moments of my life. My father and I were so sceptical about this new Bond and then we saw the film. It was like we were transported back to another time and place. It has long become our favorite Bond film. I watched Skyfall with my dad the day it came out in the states. He has seen every James Bond film in the theater. And, as my dad gets older and his health is continually declining, I wonder how many more we will have together. But, I know that I will always have a way to remember him in my attempts to be more like Bond and through the films. Thank you for what you are doing here David. You do good work my friend.
Have had this page bookmarked for years but as the holiday weekend approaches and I gave my staff the day off- I was perusing and read this article.
My Dad also introduced me to 007 in a similar way- through those ABC “Sunday night at the movies” broadcasts in the 70’s and 80″ (every now and then they did a double feature as I recall. My Dad was probably similar to yours- chasing the dream through long hours and dedication, he and I had a great relationship but weren’t close until I grew older and wiser- but we always had Bond…..
I have passed this love along to my own sons- we share premiere nights and the rumors and buildup to each film about a year in advance of release…..this “thing of ours” gets passed like our sports teams, from generation to generation.
Loved your story and thanks for sharing,
Paul