Being Bond

What is it like playing the iconic, super-secret agent James Bond in five films?

That’s the question (along with a few others) Daniel Craig would ponder as he took on the roll of James Bond.

Playing James Bond is not something any actor should take lightly. Bond is a film icon. The role can make an actor’s career. It can also type cast him if he is not careful.

I really liked Daniel Craig as James Bond. He portrayed the character much like he is described in the Bond novels. Behind Sean Connery he is/was my favorite James Bond.

Craig was able to install some humanity-faults and all, into Bond, who is basically a skilled assassin-albeit a sanctioned one by the British Secret Service.

In Titan Books’ massive hardbound book: Being Bond A Daniel Craig Retrospective, with a beautifully designed dust jacket featuring Craig as Bond on its cover in black and white and full-color spot varnished photos from his Bond films on its back, written by Mark Salisbury.

Inside color and black and white photos pop on the dull-coated, paper-stock interior pages. Sketches and art accompany the intriguing and thorough examination of the films’ productions and releases.

The book follows Craig tenure as Bond beginning with Casino Royale and Bond’s ‘death’ in No Time To Die.

Craig’s performance as Bond was intense, deep and multi-layered. His portrayal of Bond was as a flawed human being, with his own ghosts, fears, failings and strengths.

The films delve into Bond’s past, his choices, character development and what makes him tick.

A gallery of photos provide scenes both in front of and behind the cameras.

Commentaries, production notes and insider information all combine to make a captivating treatise on how the films were made.

Sets, costumes, locations, cars, cast choices, practical and visual effects, pre and post production and more are all covered in great detail.

Discover how Craig prepared for each film, how the cast members were chosen and the decisions made such as the killing off of M and more.

Especially interesting to me is how the stunts were pulled off, what locations were chosen and cast choices and script moments.

Seeing how the Craig Bond films were made made me appreciate the films even more. The book does an excellent job of laying out the films and explaining the filming processes and decisions.

Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.