James Bond is the most persistent character in film history. Holding a record 24 films to his name, James Bond has weathered the cultural storm since his inception in 1953. He has transcended the original character envisioned by Fleming and evolved into a cultural icon, even going so far as to be highlighted in Britain’s opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. But what has made James Bond impervious to the cultural fatigue? What quality does the James Bond series possess that results in a renewed interest every few years?

This project aims to answer that question by positing that James Bond’s consistency is a result of his ability to reflect. James Bond is a mirror for the cultural climate. He represents the heroic, revolutionary beliefs held by his audience and defeats the villainous forces of the real world. Depending on the day, James Bond could stop the looming spread of communism, halt the spread of misinformation by a media oligarch or aid the US in its war on drugs. Whatever the world needed most, James Bond would provide. This adaptability has resulted in unparalleled longevity in the cultural landscape.

The project is broken up into eras of films. Each era represents a cultural shift in the Bond identity: a Sexual Revolutionary, a British Ambassador, a Hollywood Cannibal, a Cold Warrior, a Champion of Imperialism and a Post-9/11 Insurgent. The eras each contain two key aspects of a James Bond film: the baddies and James Bond, himself. These aspects are the characters, which affect the plot the most and offer the most cultural interpretation.

By utilizing the original Ian Fleming novels as the source material and contrasting that with the changes made by the films, I hope to create a timeline of the past 54 years painted through James Bond. This timeline will both illustrate the adaptability of the character, as well as instigate further dialogue into topics of cultural change and advancement.

The eras are listed in the top menu with each key aspect sublisted. You may go in any order. I suggest the linear order, but I’m a website so I can’t stop you. Also there will be a playlist of bond themes corresponding to the era on each page for those who would enjoy some tunes.