The Spy Who Offended Me

The Spy Who Offended Me

The British Film Institute (BFI) has given trigger warnings amid fears James Bond films could offend.

 

In celebration of film score composer John Barry, the BFI presents a series of flicks he worked his magic on, including You Only Live Twice and Goldfinger.

 

The tribute marks 50 years since John moved to the US. A British judge later accused him of emigrating to avoid paying £134,000 due to the Inland Revenue.

 

The BFI has slapped on the warning that they "contain language, images or other content that reflect views prevalent in its time, but will cause offence today (as they did then)".

 

"The titles are included here for historical, cultural or aesthetic reasons and these views are in no way endorsed by the BFI or its partners", they add.

 

Goldfinger features Sean Connery's Bond slapping a woman's bum while ushering her away so he can conduct "man talk". He later forces himself onto Pussy Galore in an attempt to 'turn' the gay character.

 

 

You Only Live Twice depicts Sean's Bond trying to pass off as Japanese with the help of a wig and some makeup. The 1967 film contains a second warning that it "contains outdated racial stereotypes".

 

 

This is the right way to go after Ian Fleming's books were edited. People complain about the BFI's move, but a harmless warning is better than deleting scenes or cancelling the films altogether. 

 

Copyright © 2024 J W Emery Ltd. All rights reserved.

Joe Emery

Joe is Editor of For Bond Fans Only and a writer by trade. When he's not watching Bond, he can be found listening to The Beatles and worrying about West Ham. You can find him on Twitter @JWEmeryLtd

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