Customer Reviews

Goldeneye - The Secret Life of Ian Fleming [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An intriguing story about the life of the man who created James Bond, his name was Cmdr. Ian Fleming. Charles Dance, stars as Fleming, the adventurer who created the legend known as 007. But Fleming's super spy was not just an invention of a good imagination, his ideas came from his own life. An amazing love of adventurer led him to become involved in espionage during the second world war. His personality went into his Bond books, including his seductive charm and wit, the same as Bond's. This film is based on a true story, and should be viewed by anyone who is a James Bond fan, and everyone who has viewed a James Bond films hould learn who the real James Bond is-Ian Fleming.

Another reviewer here says that SPYMAKER, the TV movie starring Jason Connery (Sean's son) is better. That's really a matter of personal opinion. But as a long-time James Bond fan and collector, not only of the films but of the original Ian Fleming books, I can tell you unequivocally that GOLDENE EYE is a much more accurate portrayal of the life of Ian Fleming.

Another major plus is that Charles Dance actually looks like Fleming, and manages to mimic his voice and mannerisms quite well, based on the archival footage I've seen of Fleming. Jason Connery doesn't even come close -- he was obviously cast because of his father's reputation.

If you're looking for a purely fictionalized fantasy, only loosely suggested by Fleming's wartime career, then you might enjoy SPYMAKER. But if you want the true story, I highly reccommend GOLDEN EYE. I also strongly reccommend the Ian Fleming documentary which is included on the special edition DVD of THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS.

This is the best of the two Life of Ian Fleming movies made about 10 years ago. This is also the closest to his actual life. The other movie took many liberties and fictionalized many aspects of his life, mostly during the war. Excellent job by Charles Dance as Ian Fleming. Dance actually played a villain in, 'For Your Eyes Only' in 1981. Well worth getting a copy for your collection. Sadly it is not yet available in DVD.

I really enjoyed this film and thought Dance managed to capture what I undertand was Fleming's character via the biographies I have read (John Pearson, Andrew Lycett). I suspect that in real life Fleming was probably a bit more humorous. But still: most of the elements are there: the cold lover, the chainsmoker, the sharp observer of the world (Fleming was a good journalist), snappy dresser, and rather admirably patriotic character who did actually make an important contribution to the war effort at some personal risk. He was certainly no mere waster, as recent writer on James Bond and British history, Simon Winder, has argued in a rather intemperate book.

Charles Dance makes a very good Ian Fleming. This movie is quite good. Is it fiction or fact? Knowing MI5 (or is it MI6?) we will never know the truth. Great movie just the same.

This highly fictionalized tale of Ian Fleming is very entertaining. The movie tries to make Fleming look like his hero in this TV movie but I doubt that was the case. However, I did like the way the movie gave Fleming much more humor than I would have imagined he had. This was time well spent.

This is a highly fictionalized account of the late Ian Fleming's role in the 1939-1945 war. As fiction it is very entertaining, but as history it is total trash.

Unlike the account in this film, Ian spent the whole war as a minor desk jockey in England. His relationship with two women are accurately portrayed. The part about Stevenson is also fiction. In fact, the book about him called "The Man Called Intrepid" has a preface by the British publisher that it is 100% fiction.

The appearance by Phyllis Logan is very good. She is a very versatile actress realistically portraying the whole range from a morally sleazy woman in this film to a quality woman in Lovejoy.

Charles Dance is fantastic in this role. The movie is charming and I was quite satisfied at the end but it's also fake as all get out. Ian Flemming actually spent most of the war riding a desk and there is no shame in that. It was probably a thin guy with dandruff and bad taste in shirts who cracked the German spy codes. Desk jockeys helped win WWII and trying to turn Ian Flemming into his James Bond character was a bit much.

I first saw this made-for-TV movie about 7 years ago. I thought it was really interesting. Charles Dance does an excellent job portraying Ian Fleming. This isn't James Bond, there aren't any secret gadgets or humorous one-liners. This is the life story of Ian Fleming. It's a bit dry and seems to drag on in spots. Spymaker is better, but if you're a bond collector it's worth having.