<![CDATA[Bond By Numbers]]>0142d3d0-a280-5fd1-9602-5a68191b2beeMon, 29 Apr 2024 09:29:32 +0000Captivate.fmBond by Numbershttps://artwork.captivate.fm/8e5f5552-4fad-44f3-aeab-4483a1dc9ea8/full-1548004850-artwork.jpgBond By NumbersBond by NumbersBond by NumbersBond By Numbers is a celebration of the James Bond world. More an enthusiast's journey than an expert's quest, each episode investigates the world of a different 007 production or topic with in-depth conversation, opinion and regular features. If you like your podcasts well-researched but crave the down-to-earth energy of amateur minds, join life-long 007 fans Scott, Josh and Jeff for a fresh look at one of the entertainment world's most successful franchises. https://bond-by-numbers.captivate.fmfalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/bond-by-numbers/nopodcastClosing the Dossier: Goodbye BBNClosing the Dossier: Goodbye BBNHundreds of hours in the 007 podcast mines have led to innumerable highlights and five wonderful seasons of Bond by Numbers. Now our mission is coming to an end. In this, our 100th and final episode, we invite you to look back with us over the terrain of our assignment and share in the celebration of closing the BBN dossier.

]]>Hundreds of hours in the 007 podcast mines have led to innumerable highlights and five wonderful seasons of Bond by Numbers. Now our mission is coming to an end. In this, our 100th and final episode, we invite you to look back with us over the terrain of our assignment and share in the celebration of closing the BBN dossier.

]]>cf242921-8e8c-4ea5-b3fd-ce4a9c8225f7Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +010001:44:20falsefull5145145Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Golden Age 007What If? - Golden Age 007Our final "What If?" show considers the wild ride that would have been if three of Pierce Brosnan's outings had been adapted in the Golden Age of Cinema! From pirate musicals to Marshall Plan extortion, we've got the craziness covered as we rewrite, recast and redesign Bond for the 1930's, 40's and 50's!

]]>Our final "What If?" show considers the wild ride that would have been if three of Pierce Brosnan's outings had been adapted in the Golden Age of Cinema! From pirate musicals to Marshall Plan extortion, we've got the craziness covered as we rewrite, recast and redesign Bond for the 1930's, 40's and 50's!

]]>5ec0f8b5-1865-4989-939a-0988582b7612Thu, 11 Apr 2024 21:00:00 +010001:15:02falsefull5135135Bond by NumbersPre-Title SequencesPre-Title SequencesPre-Title thrills are unique DNA for 007 films. Without them, it's hard to imagine the franchise as we do. In this episode, we resurrect our "rank-a-thon" from its slumber and try to calculate a clean line through all the Bondian preludes.

]]>Pre-Title thrills are unique DNA for 007 films. Without them, it's hard to imagine the franchise as we do. In this episode, we resurrect our "rank-a-thon" from its slumber and try to calculate a clean line through all the Bondian preludes.

]]>bd359a72-8154-47a6-8e67-dedba351cd34Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +010001:12:50truefull5125125Bond by NumbersEye of the Needle (1981)Eye of the Needle (1981)Our final selection for the "3 Non Bonds" festival is the WW2 thriller, "Eye of the Needle" from 1981. Donald Sutherland stars as Faber, aka "the Needle", Hitler's premiere stiletto-wielding spy in England, who is racing to deliver news of the imminent Normandy invasion. But complications arise when he's thrown off course as he tries to flee and ends up shipwrecked on Storm Island. There he meets an estranged couple, Lucy and David (Kate Nelligan and Christopher Cassenove) who stand in his way of completing the job. Directed by Richard Marquand (who earned George Lucas' respect and the seat on "Return of the Jedi" for his sharp work here), "Eye of the Needle" is governed by a cool, quiet confidence and boasts some strong performances and memorable locations. But will it pass the triple-agent scoring? Grab your anoraks and step on-board with us to find out - the good ship BBN takes one final voyage in Non-Bond waters!

]]>Our final selection for the "3 Non Bonds" festival is the WW2 thriller, "Eye of the Needle" from 1981. Donald Sutherland stars as Faber, aka "the Needle", Hitler's premiere stiletto-wielding spy in England, who is racing to deliver news of the imminent Normandy invasion. But complications arise when he's thrown off course as he tries to flee and ends up shipwrecked on Storm Island. There he meets an estranged couple, Lucy and David (Kate Nelligan and Christopher Cassenove) who stand in his way of completing the job. Directed by Richard Marquand (who earned George Lucas' respect and the seat on "Return of the Jedi" for his sharp work here), "Eye of the Needle" is governed by a cool, quiet confidence and boasts some strong performances and memorable locations. But will it pass the triple-agent scoring? Grab your anoraks and step on-board with us to find out - the good ship BBN takes one final voyage in Non-Bond waters!

]]>4af2bce5-f4ab-4f37-aa1d-c15b4deef950Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:00:00 +010001:22:56truefull5115115Bond by NumbersThe Ipcress File (1965)The Ipcress File (1965)After bringing us Ronin, The Quiller Memorandum and The Bourne Identity in previous years, 00-Chapman returns to the "3-Non Bonds" stage for one final showcase. This time, Harry Saltzman's 1965 thriller, The Ipcress File, is under investigation. Deemed by some an "anti-Bond" film for its calculated, artistic economy and unlikely hero, this jazzy spy thriller nevertheless had a good helping of James Bond talent behind the camera. The creative fingerprints of Ken Adam, John Barry, Peter Hunt and Norman Wanstall are all on show throughout this Michael Caine caper, set amidst the cool gloom of a not-yet swinging London.

]]>After bringing us Ronin, The Quiller Memorandum and The Bourne Identity in previous years, 00-Chapman returns to the "3-Non Bonds" stage for one final showcase. This time, Harry Saltzman's 1965 thriller, The Ipcress File, is under investigation. Deemed by some an "anti-Bond" film for its calculated, artistic economy and unlikely hero, this jazzy spy thriller nevertheless had a good helping of James Bond talent behind the camera. The creative fingerprints of Ken Adam, John Barry, Peter Hunt and Norman Wanstall are all on show throughout this Michael Caine caper, set amidst the cool gloom of a not-yet swinging London.

]]>3b434b01-16e7-4d67-82b3-ca3a6c116a2aThu, 18 Jan 2024 19:15:00 +010001:35:10falsefull5105105Bond by NumbersWin, Lose or Die (1989)Win, Lose or Die (1989)The John Gardner sweep continues with "Win, Lose or Die", the eighth continuation novel from his cycle of Bond adventures. With this story, Gardner keeps on trend-jumping, here drawing inspiration from the "Top Gun" and "Iron Eagle" craze of the era. Bond returns to the Navy, upgrades to Captain and plays War Games with some very important dignitaries in order to defend a top-secret Steward's Meeting from a new terrorist threat. So grab your aviators and fire up the After Burner Arcade, we're flying back to 1989 for one final wild ride of the decade!

]]>The John Gardner sweep continues with "Win, Lose or Die", the eighth continuation novel from his cycle of Bond adventures. With this story, Gardner keeps on trend-jumping, here drawing inspiration from the "Top Gun" and "Iron Eagle" craze of the era. Bond returns to the Navy, upgrades to Captain and plays War Games with some very important dignitaries in order to defend a top-secret Steward's Meeting from a new terrorist threat. So grab your aviators and fire up the After Burner Arcade, we're flying back to 1989 for one final wild ride of the decade!

]]>a2fff737-88d0-4fba-8c3d-15012589ba8dSat, 13 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +010001:34:37truefull59595Bond by NumbersBBN Holiday Special 4BBN Holiday Special 4It's that time of year again, Bond fans - the festive quizzing challenge! This time, 00-Taylor and 00-Chapman face their toughest opponent yet: a 100-point quiz, blending Bond, Christmas and beyond. So, buff the wassail bowl and decorate your Douglas Firs, BBN's fourth and final Holiday Special is ready for action!

]]>It's that time of year again, Bond fans - the festive quizzing challenge! This time, 00-Taylor and 00-Chapman face their toughest opponent yet: a 100-point quiz, blending Bond, Christmas and beyond. So, buff the wassail bowl and decorate your Douglas Firs, BBN's fourth and final Holiday Special is ready for action!

]]>6c5f74fc-6644-4a9d-b67d-e5ce67beb599Sat, 23 Dec 2023 07:30:00 +010001:56:57truefull58585Bond by Numbers007: Road to a Million (2023)007: Road to a Million (2023)Josh and Scott add their thoughts to the chorus of reviews and unpack the recent Amazon original production. The quizzical, the critical and the admirable - all angles covered en route to a verdict about this Bond-inspired reality game show.

]]>Josh and Scott add their thoughts to the chorus of reviews and unpack the recent Amazon original production. The quizzical, the critical and the admirable - all angles covered en route to a verdict about this Bond-inspired reality game show.

]]>a576b43b-4922-4352-aaf9-fa6d6ad56ca8Fri, 01 Dec 2023 22:00:00 +010052:58falsefull57575Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Alternate Endings: Part 2What If? - Alternate Endings: Part 2The concluding installment of our "What If?" episode on (very) unofficial Alternate Endings. From caviar blockades to Gobinda's betrayal, the remorseless roulette guides us through discussions of the remaining dozen films. Foolishness abounds, listeners advised!

]]>The concluding installment of our "What If?" episode on (very) unofficial Alternate Endings. From caviar blockades to Gobinda's betrayal, the remorseless roulette guides us through discussions of the remaining dozen films. Foolishness abounds, listeners advised!

]]>a90484a4-7c13-4932-9f24-aa5ab667b314Sun, 12 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +010001:17:33truefull56565Bond by NumbersForeign Correspondent (1940)Foreign Correspondent (1940)What happens when you mix a “mad love of country with an equally mad indifference to life”? Well, if Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 thriller is anything to go by, a crackpot peace movement and a nest of horrid spies, that's what!

"What's Going On?" Bond fans! Our annual 3 Non Bonds film festival gets underway for the fourth and final time with Josh's selection of Hitchcock's international spy caper. Joel McCrea, Laraine Day and Herbert Marshall star in this curious yarn of war-time espionage, family secrets and romantic pursuit which showcases several features of the Bond formula in early form.

]]>What happens when you mix a “mad love of country with an equally mad indifference to life”? Well, if Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 thriller is anything to go by, a crackpot peace movement and a nest of horrid spies, that's what!

"What's Going On?" Bond fans! Our annual 3 Non Bonds film festival gets underway for the fourth and final time with Josh's selection of Hitchcock's international spy caper. Joel McCrea, Laraine Day and Herbert Marshall star in this curious yarn of war-time espionage, family secrets and romantic pursuit which showcases several features of the Bond formula in early form.

]]>6efa36d4-a003-4715-acf9-2d2f8d0b8f15Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +010001:35:25truefull55555Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Alternate Endings: Part 1What If? - Alternate Endings: Part 1In the first "What If" of its final season, BBN explores some (very) unofficial alternate endings. Led by the punishing whimsy of roulette and dice, Part 1 throws canon to the wind in presenting absurdist possibilities for reshaping thirteen of Bond's 25 official endings.

]]>In the first "What If" of its final season, BBN explores some (very) unofficial alternate endings. Led by the punishing whimsy of roulette and dice, Part 1 throws canon to the wind in presenting absurdist possibilities for reshaping thirteen of Bond's 25 official endings.

]]>ab1727fe-046e-4972-aede-c5b7828bc03fThu, 28 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +010001:05:45truefull54545Bond by NumbersScorpius (1988)Scorpius (1988)From a post 9/11 framework, some could read John Gardner's seventh Bond adventure as chilling and prophetic. In the year of its publication, however, Scorpius aimed for and hit a lot of contemporary targets. From growing world terrorism to the microchip's boom; from satanic panic to luxury golf resorts, this outing sees M throw Bond into a complex web of inter-agency activity and exceedingly heavy stakes. Scott and Josh talk through the novel as they take another look down the literary gunbarrel.

]]>From a post 9/11 framework, some could read John Gardner's seventh Bond adventure as chilling and prophetic. In the year of its publication, however, Scorpius aimed for and hit a lot of contemporary targets. From growing world terrorism to the microchip's boom; from satanic panic to luxury golf resorts, this outing sees M throw Bond into a complex web of inter-agency activity and exceedingly heavy stakes. Scott and Josh talk through the novel as they take another look down the literary gunbarrel.

]]>6df60d3a-558b-4ee0-893a-b5097ef6cf6aSun, 17 Sep 2023 20:30:00 +010001:07:21truefull53535Bond by NumbersLive and Let Die @ 50Live and Let Die @ 50A half-century ago, Roger Moore sauntered across the screen in his first gunbarrel scene as James Bond. Live and Let Die started for him a highly successful 7-picture, 12-year run. In honour of its golden anniversary, we deemed it our duty to re-watch the 1973 film and meet to discuss its merits and maladies. What holds up like a cigar-smoking spinnaker and what deflates faster than Whisper's subterranean sofa? Join us for coffee and a light chat over Moore's inaugural outing.

]]>A half-century ago, Roger Moore sauntered across the screen in his first gunbarrel scene as James Bond. Live and Let Die started for him a highly successful 7-picture, 12-year run. In honour of its golden anniversary, we deemed it our duty to re-watch the 1973 film and meet to discuss its merits and maladies. What holds up like a cigar-smoking spinnaker and what deflates faster than Whisper's subterranean sofa? Join us for coffee and a light chat over Moore's inaugural outing.

]]>5ec72584-1b7b-41ec-a305-3d137a22cfc0Wed, 30 Aug 2023 19:00:00 +010051:01truefull52525Bond by NumbersBond Top Trumps - Summer ReunionBond Top Trumps - Summer ReunionIt's been more than five years since all three co-hosts have been together in person. When the short-term stars align like that, shining down on a single postcode, it's definitely time to break out the celebratory fun and games. This episode shares some of that reunion. We could have gone to the cinema.... enjoyed a long dinner.... took in a concert or a ball game... but we played 007 Top Trumps instead! For better or worse, the ups and downs of our ridiculous card game are captured here in full. Good luck!

]]>It's been more than five years since all three co-hosts have been together in person. When the short-term stars align like that, shining down on a single postcode, it's definitely time to break out the celebratory fun and games. This episode shares some of that reunion. We could have gone to the cinema.... enjoyed a long dinner.... took in a concert or a ball game... but we played 007 Top Trumps instead! For better or worse, the ups and downs of our ridiculous card game are captured here in full. Good luck!

]]>c9f85dff-5937-4bd4-a9fb-f6cef744dd3aThu, 03 Aug 2023 15:30:00 +010001:33:33truefull51515Bond by NumbersNo Deals, Mr Bond (1987)No Deals, Mr Bond (1987)In John Gardner's sixth continuation novel, M has "cream cake" on his face and Bond is brought in to clean up the mess. Ghosts from a former operation have returned to haunt the MI6 chief as his agents are being mutilated and wiped out. Without the help of official channels, 007 must rely on his rolodex of allies to safeguard the targets and track down the hit team before it's too late. So, tune those harmonica bugs and call your gangster friends: from London to Ireland, Paris to Hong Kong, the stakes are high and set-pieces abound in this "help wanted" adventure!

]]>In John Gardner's sixth continuation novel, M has "cream cake" on his face and Bond is brought in to clean up the mess. Ghosts from a former operation have returned to haunt the MI6 chief as his agents are being mutilated and wiped out. Without the help of official channels, 007 must rely on his rolodex of allies to safeguard the targets and track down the hit team before it's too late. So, tune those harmonica bugs and call your gangster friends: from London to Ireland, Paris to Hong Kong, the stakes are high and set-pieces abound in this "help wanted" adventure!

]]>fd0f46cf-0473-4448-9bd3-627e6e60412fTue, 13 Jun 2023 18:00:00 +010001:11:51falsefull4194194Bond by NumbersNobody Lives For Ever (1986)Nobody Lives For Ever (1986)Gardner's fifth Bond adventure sees 007 forced to jettison his annual leave in Europe when he's made aware of a SPECTRE contract on his head. Some of the bounty hunters hope to lure Bond in by kidnapping May and Moneypenny, two heart-shaped targets for the noble agent. Gardner diverts from his own formulaic structure in this one but still delivers the action and zaniness we've come to expect from his early adventures. Vampires and guillotines at the ready!

]]>Gardner's fifth Bond adventure sees 007 forced to jettison his annual leave in Europe when he's made aware of a SPECTRE contract on his head. Some of the bounty hunters hope to lure Bond in by kidnapping May and Moneypenny, two heart-shaped targets for the noble agent. Gardner diverts from his own formulaic structure in this one but still delivers the action and zaniness we've come to expect from his early adventures. Vampires and guillotines at the ready!

]]>307d47f8-516c-47c1-a881-242105962739Fri, 21 Apr 2023 07:00:00 +010001:03:28truefull4184184Bond by NumbersWhat If? - 007 Board Games: #3 - "Bonds of War"What If? - 007 Board Games: #3 - "Bonds of War"In the season finale, 00-Chapman brings our three-part "What If?" to an end by presenting his original idea for a Bond-related board game. Leaning cosily into the short-life starter genre, "Bonds of War" is a tabletop action card game overflowing with franchise characters and played over the swankiest desk imaginable! Competitive or collaborative, Jeff's explosive concept has something for almost every bond fan and is the only one of our ideas with expansion packs and collectable add-ons! Did somebody say, "kickstarter"?!

]]>In the season finale, 00-Chapman brings our three-part "What If?" to an end by presenting his original idea for a Bond-related board game. Leaning cosily into the short-life starter genre, "Bonds of War" is a tabletop action card game overflowing with franchise characters and played over the swankiest desk imaginable! Competitive or collaborative, Jeff's explosive concept has something for almost every bond fan and is the only one of our ideas with expansion packs and collectable add-ons! Did somebody say, "kickstarter"?!

]]>959e82b5-fa99-4d59-b9d2-4c6e7e58c932Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +010001:05:52truefull4174174Bond by NumbersWhat If? - 007 Board Games: #2 - "Thunderball"What If? - 007 Board Games: #2 - "Thunderball"Our three-part tabletop extravaganza continues here with Josh's retro proposal: a Thunderball-inspired race to nuclear disarmament! Featuring all the thrills from the film but none of the water-logged drag, "BBN Games Thunderball" is 00-Taylor's loving tribute to the best of '60s adventure but with a contemporary flare. It'll strike the right chords with both Bond fans and game aficionados. Tick-tock-tick-tock... protect your Paula and get to Pinder's Warehouse before it's too late!

]]>Our three-part tabletop extravaganza continues here with Josh's retro proposal: a Thunderball-inspired race to nuclear disarmament! Featuring all the thrills from the film but none of the water-logged drag, "BBN Games Thunderball" is 00-Taylor's loving tribute to the best of '60s adventure but with a contemporary flare. It'll strike the right chords with both Bond fans and game aficionados. Tick-tock-tick-tock... protect your Paula and get to Pinder's Warehouse before it's too late!

]]>9aa885c6-0787-4e41-b236-10096d25edb0Tue, 28 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +010001:05:08truefull4164164Bond by NumbersWhat If? - 007 Board Games: #1 - "Dicefire"What If? - 007 Board Games: #1 - "Dicefire"In this "What If?" episode (the first of three which will end our season), we introduce our fondness for table-top gaming and set the groundwork for our latest project: developing our own 007-inspired Board Games. Buy stock now! First up, "BBN: Dicefire" - a game of reckless rolling and canon-heavy confrontation!

]]>In this "What If?" episode (the first of three which will end our season), we introduce our fondness for table-top gaming and set the groundwork for our latest project: developing our own 007-inspired Board Games. Buy stock now! First up, "BBN: Dicefire" - a game of reckless rolling and canon-heavy confrontation!

]]>c9317bb0-da39-4409-970c-aa876937b9c7Mon, 13 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +010001:31:56truefull4154154Bond by NumbersRole of Honour (1984)Role of Honour (1984)Our exploration of John Gardner's Bond continues here as the literary gun-barrel sets its aim upon "Role of Honour" from 1984. Tech-heavy and mired in the world of computer sabotage, this title boasts more than a little ingredient inspiration for Roger Moore's swan song, "A View to a Kill", released the following year. Oh, and there's a blimp here, too! So, let loose your mooring cables and join us for a trip through this gravity-defying text as we cover surprise inheritances, Bond's Monte Carlo CPD, the lesser known "Battle of Endor" and everything in between!

]]>Our exploration of John Gardner's Bond continues here as the literary gun-barrel sets its aim upon "Role of Honour" from 1984. Tech-heavy and mired in the world of computer sabotage, this title boasts more than a little ingredient inspiration for Roger Moore's swan song, "A View to a Kill", released the following year. Oh, and there's a blimp here, too! So, let loose your mooring cables and join us for a trip through this gravity-defying text as we cover surprise inheritances, Bond's Monte Carlo CPD, the lesser known "Battle of Endor" and everything in between!

]]>ae1fd440-2df8-4b78-9388-8fae8239a1f0Thu, 12 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +010001:47:20truefull4144144Bond by NumbersBBN Holiday Special 3BBN Holiday Special 38906f89a-d4f0-40da-a29f-4ce15bc354c7Sat, 24 Dec 2022 07:20:10 +010002:37:26falsefull4134134More Bond-inspired games, trivia and nonsense as you've come to expect from us at this festive time of year. So spike your punch and cozy up by the yule log - our third Holiday Special is reporting for duty!Bond by NumbersThe Third Man (1949)The Third Man (1949)6e78fbe5-7446-46eb-87d0-035a68b7cebdSun, 27 Nov 2022 08:09:26 +010002:25:25falsefull4124124The curtain closes on this year's "3 Non Bonds" series with 00-Taylor's choice of Carol Reed's "The Third Man". This influential British noir, set and filmed on location in post-war Austria, stars Joseph Cotten, Trevor Howard, Alida Valli and Orson Welles. Penned by ex-MI6 agent Graham Greene and boasting inspired involvements from Bernard Lee and Guy Hamilton, Reed's thriller is by no means short of Bond pedigree. Grab your galoshes and flashlights, friends, it's time to hit the Viennese sewers with us in search of The Third Man! Bond by Numbers60in60for60: A Highlights Show!60in60for60: A Highlights Show!37140962-321b-44d6-81cb-4927e4e4e14fFri, 21 Oct 2022 18:40:51 +010001:09:04falsefull4114114In celebration of Bond's 60th Anniversary on film, we sat down recently to share some of our favourite moments from 007's six decades of franchise life. The challenge seemed painless enough but the selection process was punishing: three hosts, twenty highlights each and a sixty-second clock limiting presentation. So, come join us for some fun as we negotiate then commemorate the threescore peaks of Mount Bond... BBN style!Bond by NumbersThe Train (1964)The Train (1964)daf70604-4e33-4386-bb25-0bdafa75e8deMon, 17 Oct 2022 21:35:58 +010001:48:05falsefull4104104All aboard! "3 Non-Bonds" Season continues on the show as Scott delivers tickets for a return journey on "John Frankenheimer's The Train", his choice for the annual film festival. This fastidiously rich WW2 film offers cinephiles and history-buffs much to chew on while Burt Lancaster and Paul Scofield battle wits on and around the French railways in the dying days of Nazi Occupation. So, take a seat in our first-class coach and relax; in this episode we stoke the fires and do the locomotion over an engaging tale of a patriotic nation and the desperate foes who sought to pillage its cultural treasure. Bond by NumbersIcebreaker (1983)Icebreaker (1983)23c638a5-ad6c-42b6-a660-46e3a9a22f04Wed, 28 Sep 2022 06:22:25 +010001:12:34falsefull49494Our survey of John Gardner's continuation novels carries on with a chat over his third effort. If, like many, you buy into the belief that a Bond's third outing is his best ("Goldfinger", "The Spy Who Loved Me", "Skyfall".... Fleming, too, wrote "Moonraker" third) then Gardner should be stretching comfortably by now. "Icebreaker" sees 007 join an inter-agency operation in Finland to thwart a fascist terrorist group. So, come join us in a world of snowmobiles, double agents and smoked salmon fireside chats. We're off to infiltrate an Ice Palace! It's time to look down the literary gun barrel once again!Bond by NumbersThe Bourne Identity (2002)The Bourne Identity (2002)d12ca2d8-ee24-43b1-bcb2-946e59414b62Sat, 10 Sep 2022 20:50:16 +010002:22:11falsefull48484Just six weeks before "Die Another Day" hit theatres, a lesser-known commodity was getting its own release. Starring Matt Damon as Robert Ludlum's amnesia-stricken assassin, "The Bourne Identity" would knock the socks off audiences with a new style of action that shifted sands and set a fresh standard for spy thrillers. Well, it's "3 Non Bonds" season again on the show and, what's more, our very own 00-Chapman has selected this modern classic to start festivities! So, grab your winter coats (don't leave them in the park!) and join us at your ex's farmhouse for a cozy discussion of Doug Liman's influential crowd-pleaser. Bond by Numbers00-Origins: Operation Mincemeat00-Origins: Operation Mincemeatebf76375-0b7f-493a-97e4-adc63eb523b3Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:45:20 +010002:00:29falsefull47474In July of 1943, as Allied forces planned desperately for Mediterranean access into Europe, Britain's Naval Intelligence were spearheading an intrepid operation, a bait-and-switch of colossal consequence. Commander Ian Fleming, serving as personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence, helped to encourage the intricate planning for what would soon become Operation Mincemeat. In this episode, 00-Chapman, our resident military expert, cracks cover and leads us through a tour of this incredible story. We also offer our thoughts on the recent film adaption, directed by John Madden and starring Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew MacFadyen and Jason Isaacs. Bond by NumbersFor Special Services (1982)For Special Services (1982)16cef92c-c0f3-499f-bf9d-c9389e16a7a1Wed, 13 Jul 2022 10:03:25 +010001:23:32falsefull46464In his second continuation novel, John Gardner returns Bond to the USA and reunites readers with some canonical staples. Motivated by a recent spate of airline hijackings with potential SPECTRE links, Bond is sent by M to investigate an ice-cream magnate from Texas whose guarded compound and general milieu reeks of suspicion. But the decision to resurrect Fleming's narrative ghosts comes with hefty responsibilities and there's a thin line between successful fan-service and ephemeral tokenism. Join us as we go down the literary gunbarrel to discuss the many features of Gardner's sophomore effort! Bond by NumbersDr. No @ 60Dr. No @ 603d620701-3ddf-4a09-b03a-3a7d5d024b0aTue, 28 Jun 2022 21:23:48 +010054:43falsefull45454In recognition of Bond's 60th Anniversary on the big screen we brew up and sit down for a casual chat about "Dr. No", reflecting on the enduring features and legacy of the film that started it all. Bond by NumbersBond Song Rank-a-thon!Bond Song Rank-a-thon!695a1ff4-025a-4266-8569-2ab8dc86788dFri, 17 Jun 2022 06:31:39 +010001:36:34falsefull44444So it's time we finally put things right... nearly four years of 007 podcasting have come and gone without a proper ranking of the EON songs and that's just not good enough! Upon discovering this egregious oversight, we recently set about remedying things for the whole darn world. So here it is - the BBN Bond Song Rank-a-thon! Predictably (...ridiculously?), science and scoring govern our contest here so you're invited to play along with us! When the dust settles in our own three-figured thunderdome, what songs will rise to champion status? Join in the fun and find out as we reveal the unequivocal champions of the Bond Song universe! Bond by NumbersNo Time to Die (2021) No Time to Die (2021) cf449cce-ca82-4036-ac58-6bdb36161606Thu, 19 May 2022 20:26:37 +010002:11:21falsefull43434So yeah, we know... months have passed since the final chapter in Daniel Craig's 007 sweep premiered worldwide. But, like succulent lamb left to stew in its own juices before being glazed, skewered and coupled with caviar, our impressions are finally ready for serving! The long-awaited (...at least by us) follow-up to our NTTD impressions episode has arrived. It feels good to be back behind the wheel of a full-scale Bond review once more! Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Character Spin-OffsWhat If? - Character Spin-Offsd3b390b1-bd6d-4c7e-958c-7a77f19ca50dMon, 04 Apr 2022 07:46:00 +010001:55:38falsefull42424Inspired by Ian Fleming's 14 books and textured further by dozens of collaborators, the 25-film franchise we know and love possesses a wealth of spin-off material for the ambitious story developer. Now that Amazon holds the reins of the MGM Bond wagon, it's not unlikely that we could soon see expansion into television and short series projects. In our first "What If?" of Season 4, we brush the dust off our trusty roulette and pitch our own original treatments for 007 spin-offs! Bond by NumbersLicence Renewed (1981)Licence Renewed (1981)55a3341a-a968-42a3-8a1e-91bd8e8e6409Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:06:48 +010053:23falsefull41414An ousted nuclear scientist with a Braveheart complex looks for revenge in John Gardner's "Licence Renewed", the first Bond novel of the 1980s and the focus of our first episode this new season! From fixed horse races to holographic bedrooms, we portion out the narrative goods and take a fruitful look down the "literary gun barrel" at the start of Gardner's tenure with this wild whirlwind adventure. Warning, spoilers ahead! Bond by NumbersBond Redux: FYEO Watch PartyBond Redux: FYEO Watch Partybb06092c-505f-4fb3-b9e2-1b06b6037858Sun, 30 Jan 2022 21:40:15 +010002:16:22falsefull3163163For our final episode of the series, we combine (and recline) our forces in real-time camaraderie over 1981's "For Your Eyes Only", Sir Roger's fifth outing as 007 and 00-Chapman's selection for Watch Party #3. Together, we negotiate some of the franchise's most opulent locales and nifty scenes. Don't like biathlon or figure skating? That's alright, FYEO also offers car chases, keel-hauling, submarine conflict, rock climbing and even the pitfalls of awkward relationships! So welcome aboard the good ship BBN! Grab your cocktails and head to the cinema room where our friendly stewards will assist in synchronizing your MGM lions to ours (08:08 in). Yia mas! It's time to finish this series in style!Bond by NumbersBBN Holiday Special 2BBN Holiday Special 2d5f23f74-9b34-4bb2-a189-0620b020cf1eSat, 18 Dec 2021 09:40:33 +010002:14:38falsefull3153153Happy Holidays, Bond fans! In this episode, our second seasonal soiree, we serve up more games, discussion and trivia with a festive Bond flavour. Flick on the tree lights and switch off your brains, grab some grog and come join us for fatuous fun: Christmas may only come once a year but you can replay our foolish Holiday special as much as you like! Bond by Numbers"What Now, Mr Bond?""What Now, Mr Bond?"0873e8fb-6101-4374-b623-33538b219d01Sun, 21 Nov 2021 11:29:37 +010001:24:06falsefull3143143With the release and revelations of "No Time to Die" finally in the world's rear-view mirror, talk is properly heating up about how and with whom "James Bond Will Return". Here, we prognosticate together and add our eager voices to the discussion, issuing favourites, follies and some dark-horses contenders! Bond by NumbersNo Time To Die: First ImpressionsNo Time To Die: First Impressionsacd1a011-8d87-4181-b9e6-23b1a64b3077Mon, 18 Oct 2021 13:37:23 +010001:16:12falsefull3133133At long last, the wait for Bond 25 is over! Now that they've all seen "No Time to Die", Josh, Scott and Jeff bridge the Atlantic gap with conversation and first impressions of Daniel Craig's final outing as 007. SPOILER ALERT: chat on the film's plot and features starts at 8:20. Bond by NumbersBond Redux: TSWLM Watch PartyBond Redux: TSWLM Watch Party476240d5-eefe-433f-98c5-b7f9c2525791Wed, 29 Sep 2021 16:13:59 +010002:27:08falsefull3123123In our second watch party of the season, we invite you to synchronize your MGM lions (@21:09) and groove casually with us through the waves and rhythms of 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me". Upheld by many as his best and most stylish outing as 007, Sir Roger's third Bond adventure was directed by YOLT helmsman, Lewis Gilbert, and contains a dynamic mix of action, humour and megalomaniacal pageantry that's bound to keep you entertained when our own commentary grows dull! No need for social distancing here so grab your refreshments from the lobby and meet us inside! For our full review of the movie, check out S1:E34 from January 2020. Bond by NumbersThe Music of TWINE w/ Chris WoodThe Music of TWINE w/ Chris Wood46e414e7-b613-4030-aa63-0920ba45ec3fSat, 04 Sep 2021 10:15:24 +010002:12:10falsefull3113113The wonderful Chris Wood (@bondonvinyl) returns in this special episode to discuss the music of "The World is Not Enough", arguably David Arnold's most ambitious effort as 007 composer. So come join us as we leisurely inspect the beats and braces of this varied score. From the boisterous Thames boat chase to the burning oil fields of Baku, we've got it covered like an inflatable ski jacket! Bond by NumbersColonel Sun (1968)Colonel Sun (1968)0989ea3b-aaa4-4501-bf08-15c7522f501cMon, 30 Aug 2021 22:00:43 +010001:50:42falsefull3103103In this episode we look down the literary gunbarrel at "Colonel Sun", written by Robert Markham (Kingsley Amis) and published four years after Ian Fleming's death. Amis's compelling adventure comes on the heels of his successful non-fiction character-piece, "The James Bond Dossier" and marks the first "official" 007 fiction of a new era. So, hop aboard the good ship BBN and brandish your shades and parasols - we're setting sail right now, straight for the Sun... Colonel Sun! Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Bond DesignsWhat If? - Bond Designsfe71c338-ec6e-4bcf-ab22-78125a2aa4d5Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:01:04 +010001:34:51falsefull39393If budgets, engineering and the many laws of physics were not factors to consider, how might you build your 007 dream home from the franchise's fabled sets, locations and interiors? An Atlantis En-Suite? How about an Octopussy boudoir? Throwing logic and planning to the wind, in this "What If?" we revive our trusty roulette and share blueprints for our Grand (Bond) Designs! So clear that empty lot in your imagination and come building with us! Bond by NumbersCharade (1963)Charade (1963)6aadd45e-306f-4f10-be8d-b270d60b84c6Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:45:06 +010002:24:36falsefull38383Stanley Donen's cinematic kitchen was working hard in 1963: start with a pair of stars, thicken their stock with an ensemble cast, add a wallop of visual style, toss in a heavy helping of romantic comedy then add a pinch of international intrigue before finishing with a half-cup of irony. What's that make? A difficult film to categorize! Or, if you prefer, the "whoopie-cushion thriller" better known as "Charade"! We discuss all the ingredients here as Josh's selection brings our annual "3 Non Bonds" review festival to a close in simmering style. We also go inside the new book from Pete Brooker and Matt Spaiser, "From Tailor's With Love" (11:35) and celebrate the fascinating war-time career of young Audrey Hepburn (40:40). Bond by NumbersTorn Curtain (1966)Torn Curtain (1966)b1ebe957-b8ad-4c9a-bc7e-97edb8542496Tue, 06 Jul 2021 06:15:18 +010002:01:57falsefull37373For our second selection in the annual "3 Non Bonds" festival, we go behind the Iron Curtain with Paul Newman and Julie Andrews in Alfred Hitchcock's "Torn Curtain". Often pegged as one of the famed director's more conflicted works, this thriller possesses enough moments of intriguing espionage, quirky potpourri and technical chutzpah to nevertheless make a case for itself. So grab your passport and get ready to infiltrate - BBN's flight to defection is now boarding! Bond by NumbersThe Quiller Memorandum (1966)The Quiller Memorandum (1966)054e94c0-26ed-4680-a5dd-024c8a405a2eTue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:11 +010002:17:18falsefull36363This season's "3 Non Bonds" Festival gets off to a great start with 00-Chapman's selection of "The Quiller Memorandum" from 1966. Directed by Michael Anderson, "Quiller" was penned by the renowned Harold Pinter and features a dynamic cast including George Segal, Senta Berger, Max von Sydow and the impeccable Alec Guinness. Looking for an understated neo-Nazi spy thriller set in divided Berlin? Then look no further as we launch our annual fest with this worthy conversation piece!Bond by NumbersWhat If? - 007 Film FestivalsWhat If? - 007 Film Festivals9ef67e9c-74ab-4845-8d6f-6dd158d3d569Sun, 23 May 2021 07:40:59 +010002:35:42falsefull35353Who doesn't like a good film festival? Our six cinematic Bonds sure do! From inspired screenings to banquet dinners, celebrity speakers to questionable pop-up bars, our first "What If?" of the series pulls out nearly all the stops and runs wild with this imaginative theme. So polish your shoes and grab your VIP passes - BBN proudly invites YOU to this red-carpet event! Bond by Numbers00-Origins: Sir Francis Walsingham00-Origins: Sir Francis Walsinghama1d6ce69-473b-448c-95dc-218e0c78ae3bFri, 23 Apr 2021 07:01:17 +010001:56:14falsefull34343Our "00-Origins" series officially gets off the ground here as Josh introduces the fascinating life and work of Sir Francis Walsingham. Queen Elizabeth I's "spymaster" is widely regarded as the progenitor of British espionage and without his involvements in such matters as the St. Bartholomew's Massacre, The Babington Plot and The Spanish Armada, the course of world history would have run much differently! But one nation's spymaster is another nation's antagonist and Walsingham wasn't everyone's hero. From spoiled thrones to sunken ships, this history-heavy feature is full of Tudoriffic highlights! Bond by NumbersDiamonds Are Forever @ 50! w/ Chris WoodDiamonds Are Forever @ 50! w/ Chris Wood8e5cbb1c-129c-497c-8463-591be497df20Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:30:00 +010002:21:15falsefull33333In this special episode, the multi-talented Chris Wood (Instagram's @bondonvinyl) joins BBN for a fun and furnished survey of John Barry's score to "Diamonds Are Forever". From Wint & Kidd killings to Moon Buggy misdemeanours, we put Barry's versatile efforts under the microscope here and celebrate the film's 50th anniversary in style! Jackpot! Bond by NumbersBond Redux: TND Watch Party Bond Redux: TND Watch Party 381db050-368b-4b21-9fd0-c84adecfbf61Sun, 14 Mar 2021 10:32:02 +010002:08:31falsefull32323In our first watch party of the season, we synchronize our MGM lions (@8:08 in) and saunter through the strokes of "Tomorrow Never Dies", Pierce Brosnan's sophomore outing and Josh's pick for the best Bond flick of the '90s. No need for social distancing here so grab your refreshments from the lobby and meet us inside! For our full review of the movie, check out S1:E11 from March 2019. Bond by NumbersJohn Glen: Captain of the '80s BondJohn Glen: Captain of the '80s Bond6c791d6a-b279-4902-a86f-6b932820fd36Thu, 25 Feb 2021 13:38:39 +010001:39:28falsefull31313BBN marks the start of its third series with an overdue exploration into the style and many contributions of John Glen to the Bond franchise. His tenure as director encompassed the entire decade of the 1980s and his straight-ahead approach to action and storytelling left its impressive mark on several influential features. Join Josh, Jeff and Scott as they survey the legacy of Glen's career with 007. Bond by NumbersBBN Holiday Special! BBN Holiday Special! bf3b464a-654b-45cf-9cec-e753b86c507cThu, 17 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +010003:04:29falsefull2162162Our season finale proudly presents a festive assortment of trivia, games and discussion as we try to send the ugliness of 2020 packing like a Max Zorin megabomb! So, Ho-Ho-Holster your PPKs and join us by the hearth for our marathon Holiday Special! Bond by NumbersFarewell, Mr. ConneryFarewell, Mr. Connerybd286269-7402-4a4d-904b-63b21353317eTue, 03 Nov 2020 15:40:02 +010016:40falsefull2152152A short reflection and tribute on the occasion of Sir Thomas Sean Connery's passing.Bond by Numbers007 Music: Eric Serra's Goldeneye007 Music: Eric Serra's Goldeneye76acd6ca-0653-41d3-93ba-c770d4e5d5f3Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:19:47 +010002:05:44falsefull2142142Eric Serra's music for "Goldeneye" still manages to elicit grumps, frumps and outrage among Bond fans a quarter-century after its arrival on the scene. However, the soundtrack for Pierce Brosnan's 007 premiere isn't short on creativity and is staunchly defended by some for its tradition-breaking novelty. From guttural beats to "hammer and sickle synth", BBN investigates the story, tracks and controversy of this unorthodox volume in the Bond music library. Bond by NumbersNo Time To Die - COVID DelaysNo Time To Die - COVID Delays849f18dd-e03a-42d1-a6a9-4345254ac08eMon, 05 Oct 2020 15:55:26 +010033:13falsefull2132132Josh and Scott weigh in on the recent announcement of a further six-month delay to NTTD and related issues facing the franchise, its distribution and of cinemagoing more generally. Bond by NumbersWhat If? - 007 in Canada What If? - 007 in Canada 76a333c5-cf6a-4ce4-8232-9d8072fa0414Sun, 27 Sep 2020 14:02:32 +010002:24:52falsefull2122122Long overlooked by 007 location scouts and producers, Canada remains an untapped well of potential for the adventures of James Bond. In this special "What If?" episode, Josh, Jeff and Scott put their fandom to creative work and share their ideas for original James Bond missions featuring the true north, strong and free! Bond by NumbersTom Mankiewicz Tom Mankiewicz 010a0ca0-8d2a-4a82-aa9b-99a96b7ea33bSun, 06 Sep 2020 21:02:28 +010002:44:38falsefull2112112Tom Mankiewicz wrote three James Bond films. He also came from Hollywood royalty and developed for himself a reputation as script doctor extraordinaire. A creative talent and raconteur beloved by his friends and collaborators, "Mank" never won an Academy Award like his father or uncle did but succeeded where they failed in "playing the game" by his own rules. In this special episode, BBN digs deep on the life and times of the man and writer lovingly dubbed "Wanky Mits" by Sir Roger Moore and considers his legacy within the 007 universe and beyond. Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Alternate 007 SingersWhat If? - Alternate 007 Singers025832ab-8477-4b48-861b-4629be15f1b0Sat, 22 Aug 2020 13:49:37 +010002:30:10falsefull2102102In our second "What If?" of the series we throw caution to the wind and let our roulette wheel guide us through the reimagined world of 007 title singers. Some hit the musical wall softly and stick, while some other selections miss horribly and fall heavy to the ground. In any case, we welcome you behind the glass and inside the BBN (re)production booth as movie music history falls victim to whimsy. Luckily, at least one of us knows something about music... even if our toy wheel is clueless! Bond by NumbersNever Say Never Again (1983)Never Say Never Again (1983)379abb62-6a6a-4704-97fb-7aec894ad468Tue, 04 Aug 2020 10:05:12 +010002:22:05falsefull29292After years of false-starts, Kevin McClory's remake of "Thunderball" finally got green-lit in 1982. Sean Connery's involvement in the project stretched far beyond his reprisal of 007 and ensured that Cubby Broccoli and EON were kept guessing as production on their own feature evolved simultaneously. Despite its origins in bad blood, "NSNA" nevertheless has its devotees and defenders and holds a firm place within the Bond universe. From foie gras to smoking heels, BBN is delighted to offer its own take on this unofficial installment! Bond by Numbers007 Music: John Barry's OHMSS 007 Music: John Barry's OHMSS 79160da6-e2a0-423f-9f8f-ec80a9065b0dMon, 20 Jul 2020 13:04:48 +010002:08:43falsefull28282John Barry's creative ambitions for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" played innovatively off the electronic landscape of the late '60s and brought James Bond music to new heights. Revered by fans, Barry's work for George Lazenby's lone outing also pushed the envelope for film music in general, opening up new doors of perception and possibility for composers to come. In its first soundtrack deep-dive, BBN tells the story of this landmark achievement from 1969. Bond by NumbersThe Eiger Sanction (1975)The Eiger Sanction (1975)b65d568a-010c-4081-851a-78268b13ef95Mon, 06 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +010002:06:14falsefull27272Clint Eastwood politely turned down the role of 007 when it was offered to him after Connery's departure, which probably leaves "The Eiger Sanction" as the closest fans ever got to seeing him play the secret agent. Like Bond, Jonathan Hemlock also has henchmen, villains and a speckled past to contend with. This controversial film from 1975 is part spy thriller, part mountaineering adventure and marks the end of our "3 Non Bonds" review miniseries. Grab your pitons, crampons and pemmican and join BBN for a trip up the Eigerwand... Eastwood style! Bond by NumbersRonin (1998)Ronin (1998)fc3a5d81-cc81-4332-96b2-eafa719c16e5Mon, 22 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +010001:49:59falsefull26262More than twenty years after its release, John Frankenheimer's "Ronin" still delivers to audiences some of the best car chases ever manufactured for cinema. But the film's impact isn't restricted to its 150 stunt drivers tearing up French highways and locales. "Ronin" also offers the promise of Robert DeNiro in full action mode and an ensemble cast featuring no less than three 007 villain actors. Join BBN for a ride behind the wheel of Jeff's inspired selection as its review miniseries of "3-Non Bonds" continues! Bond by NumbersBond @ Blockbuster: The 007 Rental ListsBond @ Blockbuster: The 007 Rental Listsa9d2b758-f741-4c8d-bf53-a5ccca4e08a0Mon, 08 Jun 2020 08:30:00 +010002:00:34falsefull25252Six Bonds walk into a Blockbuster Video... this might be the start of a bad joke but it's also the premise of our fanciful discussion for Ep.40! What will they rent? What confectionary is collected at the counter? Do they rewind the tape? The variables abound as Josh, Scott and Jeff wax hypothetical on this singular topic so grab your membership cards and join BBN for some weekend rentals!Bond by NumbersMission Impossible (1996)Mission Impossible (1996)127ec71c-4298-4618-9386-c73964e0b007Tue, 26 May 2020 08:30:00 +010001:55:01falsefull24242Our seasonal survey of "3 Non Bonds" kicks off with Josh's selection, 1996's "Mission Impossible". The teaser poster forewarned audiences to "expect the impossible"... which is another way of saying "suspend your disbelief, a whole lot of crazy is on the way"! And yet, the production confidently came in under budget and ahead of time. Most critics warmed to the performances and the ambitious vision of De Palma's slick, complex thriller but veteran fans and cast members of the original TV show stood aghast. Hold on to your facemasks, everyone, "Mission Impossible" is about to get some BBN treatment. Bond by NumbersWhat If? - Alternate 007 LadiesWhat If? - Alternate 007 Ladies4ab111a2-1efb-4950-8cd9-41a81654421bTue, 12 May 2020 06:30:00 +010002:08:05falsefull23232Our first What If? episode renders a range of scenarios spanning from the intriguing to the incredulous. We unleash our roulette and empower it as casting director in charge of the Bond Ladies. Every film is subjected to its spinning whimsy and judgement. There probably aren't enough polite disclaimers to cover this one - trust a toy wheel and you'll get what you deserve! Bond by NumbersTerence Young: Bond's Elemental ExecutiveTerence Young: Bond's Elemental Executive38ef3df5-1acd-4c71-8181-b297a832d6f1Mon, 27 Apr 2020 06:30:00 +010001:37:24falsefull22222"The First James Bond Director"... that's the starting point for most of us in regarding Terence Young. Credited with schooling Sean Connery in the ways of cool, Young was at the helm for three of Bond's first four adventures so it's impossible to downplay his impact on the franchise. In Episode 37, BBN looks back on the career and contributions of Terence Young in this first panel discussion on the 007 directors. Bond by Numbers"2C or not 2C?": Our Favourite Chases"2C or not 2C?": Our Favourite Chasese96e46c5-aaab-4343-929a-322ff925ebf9Tue, 07 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +010001:02:35falsefull21212Kick the mud off your shoes, store your drink and buckle up, friends! Season 2 of BBN enjoys an early launch here with a quarantine-enabled chinwag over some favourite car chases. Join your hosts as they shift gears through the varied terrain of this much-loved 007 topic!Bond by NumbersSeason Finale: The EONours ListSeason Finale: The EONours List4a623442-c024-4db9-acaa-8fe3d800e20cWed, 26 Feb 2020 18:30:00 +010003:26:39falsefull1351351Dry-clean the evening wear, Bond fans, it's awards season! Yes, the finale of BBN’s inaugural series sees the panel join forces and butt heads over their evaluations of all things EON. Cars, gadgets, locales and all the rest – we’ve got you covered. Who’ll earn a coveted spot and who’ll be sent home in a Citroen C2V? Play along and join in the fun as Josh, Scott and Jeff say farewell to Season 1 in style! Bond by NumbersThe Spy Who Loved Me (1977)The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)385b5e21-9b93-4732-9ffd-014df0911c64Wed, 29 Jan 2020 07:45:00 +010003:49:50falsefull1341341With a script tailored to his unique brand of 007, Roger Moore delivered what many feel was his best of seven EON performances. Complemented by outstanding stunts, evocative sets and the world's largest sound-stage, TSWLM is still held up as a favoured instalment. Nevertheless, controversies loom large like Liparus over elements of production. Grab your ticket for the Good Ship BBN and let it guide you through the fabled fathoms of Moore's third Bond adventure! All aboard! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #9: Tie-in EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #9: Tie-in Episodef35efe84-9708-44af-95ef-5c272349a4c6Sat, 18 Jan 2020 18:45:00 +010002:39:14falsefull1331331Regarded by its author as a "cautionary tale" (...uh, sure, okay Ian...) Bond's 1962 literary adventure, set in leafy upstate New York, is anything but classic 007. Narrated by a vulnerable female protagonist trapped in a motel with libidinous ghouls, "The Spy Who Loved Me" has more in common with Hitchcock's "Psycho" than the EON production of the same name. Maligned by critics and fans alike, Fleming's experimental novel is here put through the BBN apparatus ahead of their upcoming review on the 1977 film. So, fill up the Vespa and sharpen the ice-pick, it's time to meet Vivienne Michel! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #8: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #8: Tie-In Episodea780b3fc-bc52-4795-881c-4ecf8d708936Sun, 05 Jan 2020 08:40:00 +010002:54:30falsefull1321321Expectations were high when Fleming's "You Only Live Twice" hit the shelves in 1963. The anticipated follow-up to "OHMSS" did, indeed, return James Bond to the field after tragedy befell him but how fitting was the resolution? Set exclusively in Japan, this controversial conclusion to the Blofeld trilogy is as much travelogue as dramatic denouement. Asking a lot from his readers, Fleming straddles dangerously the boundary between his own indulgence and his audience's satisfaction. Bowman & the BFG unpack the pages in this fulsome conversation, originally recorded in November 2016. Bond by NumbersYou Only Live Twice (1967)You Only Live Twice (1967)dd767bc5-2bbf-44b5-9707-4b58f9ca9373Wed, 01 Jan 2020 08:15:00 +010003:41:49falsefull1311311Given Ian Fleming's fascination with Japan, detailed for readers in his final novel, it was destined that the cinematic Bond would soon delve into the culture's offerings. But with a new director at the helm, a tiring star in the lead and diverse challenges facing the production team, no one knew how "You Only Live Twice" would measure up to previous successes of Sean Connery's 007 run. Join BBN as the panel katana-cuts through the franchise's fifth instalment with ambitious precision and offers up a generous serving of sake... at 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit, of course!Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #7: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #7: Tie-In Episode9c3df052-2868-43e1-9701-959166a3cd64Mon, 16 Dec 2019 18:45:00 +010002:03:11falsefull1301301If "Casino Royale" marked the cool and understated edge of a careful new spy writer courting the literary scene, then "Live and Let Die" was that writer's caution-to-the-wind stag party. Rowdy and unforgiving, Fleming's follow-up narrative offers high adventure, colourful characters and social commentary deeply rooted in challenging cultural conceptions. In spite of its shortcomings, "Live and Let Die" is regarded by many critics and fans as the finest of the Fleming Bond plots. So what's the deal? Join Bowman and the BFG as they explore the workings of this much-discussed story. Bond by NumbersLive and Let Die (1973)Live and Let Die (1973)ffd4927d-98c9-4d15-950c-4c5b0e17e8ecWed, 04 Dec 2019 07:30:00 +010003:36:01falsefull1291291Roger Moore's first outing as 007 remains, for many fans, his best. Reading Blaxploitation trends of early '70s cinema, Saltzman and Broccoli gambled on there not being a better time to adapt Ian Fleming's racially-charged second novel. The film was a financial success and heralded Moore's hold on the role for a new era. From cultural misappropriation to Bond sans Barry, inflated villains to catalytic convertors, BBN plows the poppy fields of this controversial instalment. Bond by NumbersLicence to Kill (1989)Licence to Kill (1989)2fcc9ad3-3c73-469b-8148-77a71d49ce88Wed, 06 Nov 2019 18:45:00 +010003:10:49falsefull1281281LTK's deviation from typical Bond formulae remains as much a matter of controversy now as it did 30 years ago. Some welcome its impulsive punches and sing praises for its fresh, revenge-driven plot. Others find Dalton's second and final outing too gritty and imitative of 80s action themes to celebrate with comparative canonical ease. Charter your planes and fuel your transports, the BBN crew is going rogue to settle the score! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #6: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #6: Tie-In Episode66ac921a-b578-4e82-a977-9ff1ffc7f50fThu, 24 Oct 2019 13:45:00 +010002:18:49falsefull1271271If you like your spy adventures with a taste of the sea then "Dr No" is the novel for you! Aside from its Caribbean setting, complete with coastal breeze and moonlight sailing, Fleming's 6th effort deviates from the sublime to the ridiculous with a fauna-heavy plot featuring centipedes, spiders, magnified fish and giant calamari. But wait, there's more! Like a backdrop of colonial politics and agent reconditioning, not to mention a handless master villain looking to upset the mental health of world powers. Grab your paddle and take a trip to Crab Key with the BBN crew as they review one of Bond's most unlikely and trepidatious holidays. Bond by NumbersDr. No (1962)Dr. No (1962)3971277b-873e-4827-9b6a-4a006ac3bda7Wed, 16 Oct 2019 07:00:00 +010003:14:17falsefull1261261Apart from early adaptations for broadcast radio and television, 1962 marked the true event horizon for James Bond. It was here, with Dr. No, that 007's genetic code was written. Iconic on screen, iconic in team, the ingredients for franchise success evolved out of a shared ambitious vision and a tight million-dollar budget. So come aboard and keep your eyes peeled for blind mice and dragons as the good ship BBN sails through the curious waters of the first Bond motion picture! Bond by NumbersDie Another Day (2002)Die Another Day (2002)ef2a9064-10bb-480c-843f-a6632424c0aeWed, 02 Oct 2019 18:45:00 +010003:38:44falsefull1251251Adored by few, reviled by most, "Die Another Day" offered audiences and Bond fans alike a ticket to 007 crazy town. But just how troubled is this reputed stinker? Are there enough "slivers of maybe" to help justify the disbelief that we were forced to suspend with Brosnan's fourth and final outing? Josh and Scott soften the sofas and brandish the inkblots as they "analyse this" 40th anniversary paradox. Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #5: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #5: Tie-In Episode80c6fbda-c0b0-4614-94df-9b976a9d1ec2Sat, 21 Sep 2019 07:00:00 +010002:17:10falsefull1241241With the exception of the villain's name and the implication of rockets, EON's 1979 production of "Moonraker" shares little in common with its literary antecedent from 1955. Ian Fleming's cold-war novel might not have blasted its characters off into space but it certainly hit the peaks and troughs of spy thriller excitement, further strengthening his (and Bond's) name in the publishing world. Here, your BBN hosts close down a gunbarrel double-bill with a full analysis of this third and very unique 007 novel. Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #4: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #4: Tie-In Episode0c32470e-ec6f-4392-acaa-5a8e52617b00Sat, 14 Sep 2019 09:20:00 +010002:10:00falsefull1231231Encouraged by listener request, this latest tie-in episode changes the literary menu from piecemeal-tapas to full-flavoured stew! Scott & Josh's deep-dive discussion of Fleming's "From Russia With Love" from May 2016 pairs nicely with BBN's recent film review and is presented here in updated full fashion. Пожалуйста! That's right, BBN listeners, "you're welcome!"Bond by NumbersMoonraker (1979)Moonraker (1979)2b50c00d-2b3c-4f74-a3ba-9b5e911094caSun, 08 Sep 2019 19:25:00 +010003:04:12falsefull1221221It was only a matter of time before Roger Moore's trend-jumping Bond wound up on a spaceship. Hoping to cash in on the sci-fi craze of the late 1970s, "Moonraker" remains, to many fans, one giant leap too far in narrative and canonical credibility. Still, few can deny the impact of the awe-inspired Ken Adam sets, the ethereal punch of John Barry's score and the location hopping that unlocked the inner-adventurer in us all. With so much crazy packed in to one film, you'd be excused for needing a guided tour! So zip up your spacesuit and hop inside the "good shuttle BBN" - we've got your first-class voyage covered!Bond by NumbersSpectre (2015)Spectre (2015)640a9945-e859-456b-ab1e-f06f59a538a1Wed, 21 Aug 2019 17:15:00 +010003:07:30falsefull1211211When retcon rides sidecar to fan-service along the poached narrative road of a surveillance empire's sinister takeover, you know you're in for a bumpy journey as a Bond fan. Critics called it crap but EON called it Spectre! Daniel Craig's fourth outing is probably his most contentious but how much of the "style over substance" complaint is warranted? Beware the cuckoo and step inside the nest as your BBN hosts untangle the tentacles of this complex canonical cephalopod! Bond by NumbersFrom Russia With Love (1963)From Russia With Love (1963)fffd5f81-756a-494d-b1a6-bfa2e8bc14e3Tue, 16 Jul 2019 09:15:00 +010003:25:42falsefull1201201Revered by many fans and critics alike, 1963's From Russia With Love ushered in a retinue of slick canonical tropes and features without compromising its cold-war storytelling. Sean Connery reprises his 007 role as the realities of "franchise" come into focus. Join your BBN hosts as they punch tickets and settle first-class passengers into a thorough and sometimes controversial tour through this impactful sophomore instalment. From SPECTRE island to Gypsy camp, Bucharest to Venice's Grand Canal, your comfort and enjoyment is assured. All aboard! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #3: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #3: Tie-In Episode947eb62d-ed71-45d2-b404-a570d4ac0507Mon, 08 Jul 2019 20:30:00 +010002:25:14falsefull1191191In this third companion episode, Scott and Josh share their thoughts on three more Fleming texts. First up, and markedly different from the film, is short story "From A View to a Kill" where Bond reminisces on becoming a man in Paris before lending his expertise in the investigation of a murdered dispatch driver. Discussion on "Thunderball" gets the central billing, highlighted by a female character written with welcome care and complexity. Intrigue and autobiography mix in "Octopussy", the final text covered before your hosts close shop with a reflection of Fleming's final days. Bond by NumbersA View to a Kill (1985)A View to a Kill (1985)a8ede051-eb42-4245-93d1-c616b57582bbMon, 01 Jul 2019 08:30:00 +010004:18:07falsefull1181181Wise to the last, Roger Moore couldn't leave 007 until his bond baked a quiche, stole a fire truck and hung perilously from a blimp. Enter 1985 and "A View to a Kill", EON's canonical answer to the computer and steroid action of the era. But just how much of Moore's swansong is a burgeoning vessel of hot smelly air? Can it withstand the electromagnetic pulse of the critics? Join Scott, Josh and Jeff as they negotiate the gears of the BBN machine across the terrain of this infamous instalment. From deep-dives on ski warfare and microchip crime to the implausibility of caviar-laden backpacks, your hosts have got you covered. Soft-shell crab, anyone?! Bond by NumbersThunderball (1965)Thunderball (1965)434330c6-b3ea-4d1f-a16d-1a230208ed22Sun, 16 Jun 2019 08:00:00 +010003:49:35falsefull1171171"...Water, water everywhere, Nor any drop to drink." When Coleridge revised his Ancient Mariner in 1834 he couldn't have known he was forecasting Thunderball's controversial "production-bloat to audience-nourishment" ratio... or could he? Were the Romantic Poets the first Bond critics? Hmm, the suggestion holds more water than you might think because here we are, 185 years later, grappling with the paradox of the Thunderball experience. Is Connery's 4th outing sodden, spectacular or somewhere in between? Whatever your impression, $9 million to spend in 1965 spelled "epic" so find your flippers and sharpen your spears, we're diving in! Bond By Numbers takes on Thunderball! Bond by NumbersOctopussy (1983)Octopussy (1983)043ca0a5-7eb0-416b-a316-7313e081f7b7Thu, 23 May 2019 20:00:00 +010003:46:42falsefull1161161The title won't be the only thing about this 007 adventure that jumps out to grab you. Running against Sean Connery's controversial remake of Thunderball, "Octopussy" offered audiences a lot of outrageous spectacle for their money. Ever want to see Q fly a hot-air balloon festooned with liquid crystal closed circuit cameras? How about a crocodile submarine infiltrate a girl-powered island of octopus cult devotees? Or maybe flicking antennas at man-crushable henchmen while straddling Beech Model-18s in mid-flight is more your thing? Whatever your fancy, chances are that EON's 13th official James Bond instalment will serve you up something palatable. So, come along! Hop in the Tuk Tuk with your hosts as they negotiate the ins and outs of Roger Moore's penultimate performance! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #2: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #2: Tie-In EpisodeOkay, so a caveat: the recordings here aren't ideal. Sorry about that. In addition to occasional skype signal drops with FYEO, the BFG's then-sinus infection did feature uniquely to antagonise his usual dulcet tones in parts of The Man With the Golden Gun. We've tried to edit around these things. The conversation speaks for itself, however, and we hope you'll enjoy the book reviews as we aim to offer info about these canonical films. If you didn't check out the first Literary Gunbarrel Ep, every five or six films we'll take a breather and share newly-edited content from an earlier show on Fleming's books to keep in-line with the review sequence of BBN. We ranked each original text out of 25, based on the ANGLE acronym (Adversaries/Allies, Narrative, Girls, Locales, Equipment). 

In this episode, we make reference to three great books that should be on the shelf of any 007 fan wanting to know more about the writer and literary character: The Man With The Golden Typewriter (Ed. Fergus Fleming, 2015), Goldeneye: Ian Fleming's Jamaica (Matthew Parker, 2014) and The James Bond Dossier (Kingsley Amis, 1965). 

]]>Okay, so a caveat: the recordings here aren't ideal. Sorry about that. In addition to occasional skype signal drops with FYEO, the BFG's then-sinus infection did feature uniquely to antagonise his usual dulcet tones in parts of The Man With the Golden Gun. We've tried to edit around these things. The conversation speaks for itself, however, and we hope you'll enjoy the book reviews as we aim to offer info about these canonical films. If you didn't check out the first Literary Gunbarrel Ep, every five or six films we'll take a breather and share newly-edited content from an earlier show on Fleming's books to keep in-line with the review sequence of BBN. We ranked each original text out of 25, based on the ANGLE acronym (Adversaries/Allies, Narrative, Girls, Locales, Equipment). 

In this episode, we make reference to three great books that should be on the shelf of any 007 fan wanting to know more about the writer and literary character: The Man With The Golden Typewriter (Ed. Fergus Fleming, 2015), Goldeneye: Ian Fleming's Jamaica (Matthew Parker, 2014) and The James Bond Dossier (Kingsley Amis, 1965). 

]]>f8828440-3f35-4055-b78f-c361a76aacf5Sat, 11 May 2019 08:30:00 +010002:39:56falsefull1151151In this bonus ep, the second of five trips through the pages of Ian Fleming's 007, Bowman and the BFG share further selections from their review series of 2017. With little Fleming source material on show for Skyfall, The World is Not Enough or Tomorrow Never Dies, your hosts instead introduce and present healthy chunks of their literary adventures with For Your Eyes Only and The Man With the Golden Gun. So grab a cuppa and join in as they offer insight and context into the stories that made the movies. Bond by NumbersThe World is Not Enough (1999)The World is Not Enough (1999)566bb442-ef84-48f8-bca8-fca7aa113ea0Sun, 28 Apr 2019 17:00:00 +010003:02:06falsefull1141141Patricide, boat chasing, parahawks, caviar farming, oil pipelines, buzz-sawed BMWs, revenge-napping and a nuclear sub out to destroy Istanbul: is that your idea of explosive fun or a 00-plot headache? Some say the Bond producers didn't know when to stop in party-planning for Y2K with this film, Brosnan's penultimate, while others guffaw at the very notion of a bond film without excess baggage. Wherever you sit on the fence, one thing is certain: The World is Not Enough offers the BBN panel a "crude" and spectacular volume to refine! Join Scott, Josh and Jeff as they get down to business on the context, content and controversy of EON's final Bond adventure of the millennium. Bond by NumbersFor Your Eyes Only (1981)For Your Eyes Only (1981)0583058e-7719-4da1-93bf-715869e36c9dMon, 15 Apr 2019 08:00:00 +010002:48:31falsefull1131131Don your snowsuits and wax your skis, Bond fans, it's time to cut edges around the slopes of "For Your Eyes Only"! A new decade brings in a new director as veteran Bond craftsman John Glen is handed control and helms his inaugural adventure. In a conscious effort to return sobriety to the series after visiting outer space in "Moonraker", Glen & Co. gravitate towards some key Flemingian sources for their script. But FYEO also famously introduces us to Bibi Doll, a plot-motivating parrot and a jarring lampoon of PM Margaret Thatcher... so how successful was it really? Join the BNB panel as they crunch pistachios and brave dizzy heights to bring you the answer! Bond by NumbersThe Man With the Golden Gun (1974)The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)So this exited the wash as our longest episode to date. Cubby's corner and critical reception for TMWTGG offered a lot of discussion in leadup to the main event. Jeff's context on the energy crisis of the early 70s was quite helpful in situating the film's secondary plot within the wider world (even if we all agreed it wasn't the story we wanted to be following). Throughout the course of the show, similar feelings are shared on TMWTGG, a film that could have been a knockout had the Mankiewicz first draft been permitted to breathe. Along the way we learn more than we ever needed (or wanted) about Josh's pubescent awakening via Maud Adams and come down on the same side about the sickening insertion of Sgt Pepper's Racist Bayou Man. Another "00GO" interview leaves its finalising appraisal and Scott reveals some source material connections, comparing Fleming's more interesting Goodnight to the script's myopic stereotype. Matt Parker's "Goldeneye" helps out again with some biographical info and Sir Roger's own "My Word is My Bond" highlights some additional production insight. Let us know what you think!       

]]>So this exited the wash as our longest episode to date. Cubby's corner and critical reception for TMWTGG offered a lot of discussion in leadup to the main event. Jeff's context on the energy crisis of the early 70s was quite helpful in situating the film's secondary plot within the wider world (even if we all agreed it wasn't the story we wanted to be following). Throughout the course of the show, similar feelings are shared on TMWTGG, a film that could have been a knockout had the Mankiewicz first draft been permitted to breathe. Along the way we learn more than we ever needed (or wanted) about Josh's pubescent awakening via Maud Adams and come down on the same side about the sickening insertion of Sgt Pepper's Racist Bayou Man. Another "00GO" interview leaves its finalising appraisal and Scott reveals some source material connections, comparing Fleming's more interesting Goodnight to the script's myopic stereotype. Matt Parker's "Goldeneye" helps out again with some biographical info and Sir Roger's own "My Word is My Bond" highlights some additional production insight. Let us know what you think!       

]]>497ea54c-6dfd-4ffc-a0e5-bde4c46c2698Sun, 31 Mar 2019 21:00:00 +010003:39:37falsefull1121121Iron out your safari suits and affix those superfluous papilla, it's time to take on "The Man With the Golden Gun"! This is the first Roger Moore film selected by the BNB roulette and your hosts leave no stone unturned in showcasing their mammoth dive into one of 007's most publicly polarizing adventures. Weighing in at nearly 4 hours, Episode 12 offers plenty of features to dine comfortably on - best served with a bottle of Phuyuk '74, of course!Bond by NumbersTomorrow Never Dies (1997)Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)What do you get when you combine a stealth ship, the world's fastest no-look typing megalomaniac, shameless product placement, endless rounds of ammo and more techno-buzz than even Q can handle in his rent-a-Hertz crimson coat? It's Tomorrow Never Dies, of course, the 18th entry in the official James Bond series! In spite of some shortcomings and egregious call-backs, this film is full of surprises and freaky connections to real-world culture and curios. Join your hosts as they deconstruct the beats, the feats and the fake news (!) of Pierce Brosnan's unabashed second outing as 007.     

]]>What do you get when you combine a stealth ship, the world's fastest no-look typing megalomaniac, shameless product placement, endless rounds of ammo and more techno-buzz than even Q can handle in his rent-a-Hertz crimson coat? It's Tomorrow Never Dies, of course, the 18th entry in the official James Bond series! In spite of some shortcomings and egregious call-backs, this film is full of surprises and freaky connections to real-world culture and curios. Join your hosts as they deconstruct the beats, the feats and the fake news (!) of Pierce Brosnan's unabashed second outing as 007.     

]]>f230054c-5e5e-46b8-8cf9-afbc89bc21fdSun, 17 Mar 2019 20:00:00 +010003:22:05falsefull1111111What do you get when you combine a stealth ship, the world's fastest no-look typing megalomaniac, shameless product placement, endless rounds of ammo and more techno-buzz than even Q can handle in his rent-a-Hertz crimson coat? It's Tomorrow Never Dies, of course, the 18th entry in the official James Bond series! In spite of some shortcomings and egregious call-backs, this film is full of surprises and freaky connections to real-world culture and curios. Join your hosts as they deconstruct the beats, the feats and the fake news (!) of Pierce Brosnan's unabashed second outing as 007. Bond by NumbersSkyfall (2012)Skyfall (2012)1aa97a94-50dd-4c1d-9460-ca2a29186bcaMon, 04 Mar 2019 12:00:00 +010002:38:04falsefull1101101For Bond's 50th Anniversary in 2012, Sam Mendes was brought on board to help Craig & Co. deep dive into the complex relations of MI6 and the vengeful nerds it leaves behind. Join your hosts as they explore the finer points of surrogate maternal love and the many other features that help to make Skyfall a fan favourite. Don't forget your hairpiece and Heineken! Bond by NumbersLiterary Gunbarrel #1: Tie-In EpisodeLiterary Gunbarrel #1: Tie-In Episodea2bc2631-6945-4b17-8737-f8d3723ed8d3Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:00:00 +010002:00:15falsefull19191Sifting through the archives of our Ian Fleming series from 2016-17, we have pieced together a sample of our conversations based on the literary source material for the movies being discussed throughout BNB. Appearing every 6 episodes or so, these bonus shows throw chronology to the wind and are cut to follow the order of our BNB roulette, inviting you to learn a bit more about the stories behind the films. For this first bonus ep, we dive deep into the source material for The Living Daylights, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Goldfinger, Quantum of Solace, Diamonds are Forever and Casino Royale. Bond by NumbersCasino Royale (2006)Casino Royale (2006)69098eed-df46-4079-8543-5c2f978a53a3Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:00:00 +010002:47:23falsefull18181Now heralded as one of the best 007 actors, Daniel Craig was much maligned by the public and press when news of his replacing Pierce Brosnan was announced in 2005. "Casino Royale" ushered in a newly dark and gritty era for James Bond and solidified the "contemporary edge" that Barbara Broccoli was hoping for in steering the franchise forward. Join your hosts as they knead the dough on this quick-rising character reboot inspired by Ian Fleming's first novel. From pretentious first impressions to surprising grandmother interviews, Episode 8 has Craig's first appearance covered! Bond by NumbersDiamonds are Forever (1971)Diamonds are Forever (1971)27d73d83-cffa-46c1-b900-34f94b6535ffThu, 31 Jan 2019 21:00:00 +010002:52:43falsefull17171With 1971's "Diamonds are Forever", Bond producers encouraged moviegoers to forget the recent past of OHMSS's character arc and tragic love by resurrecting earlier moves and establishing a zanier tone. And how better to erase awkward feels than to bring Sean Connery back for the greasy and bling-studded stateside adventure? Not without its charms, DAF remains one of the series' more distracting entries that never fails to generate opinion. Join your hosts in rolling the dice around this complex conversation piece!Bond by NumbersQuantum of Solace (2008)Quantum of Solace (2008)The fifth film to fall under BBN scrutiny, Quantum of Solace is a fast and angry action film. It may have withstood the Hollywood writer's strike and its lukewarm audience reception but can it survive being explored by our intrepid panel and the dreaded Granny-O interview?

]]>The fifth film to fall under BBN scrutiny, Quantum of Solace is a fast and angry action film. It may have withstood the Hollywood writer's strike and its lukewarm audience reception but can it survive being explored by our intrepid panel and the dreaded Granny-O interview?

]]>f2297bb0-248a-4234-8772-5bbc8f159afeSat, 12 Jan 2019 20:00:00 +010002:26:37falsefull16161Daniel Craig's second outing as 007 is our first of his films to be explored (...yeah, we get that it's a sequel but the roulette wheel doesn't care). So grab your Tosca tickets and ear-pieces - it's time to unpack the convolutions of this controversial entry. Bond by NumbersGoldfinger (1964)Goldfinger (1964)"Do you expect me to talk...?" 
I sure hope so... and for over three hours, please, because Goldfinger is regarded by many fans as the top Bond film of the franchise! Aware of their responsibility, the BBN hosts navigate the glittering vaults of this 24-carat classic with dutiful care and enthusiasm.

]]>"Do you expect me to talk...?" 
I sure hope so... and for over three hours, please, because Goldfinger is regarded by many fans as the top Bond film of the franchise! Aware of their responsibility, the BBN hosts navigate the glittering vaults of this 24-carat classic with dutiful care and enthusiasm.

]]>98a9c609-af6c-488a-ade3-e2dfaae7f761Fri, 28 Dec 2018 20:00:00 +010003:05:42falsefull15151The fickle BBN roulette leads the team towards another canonical gem. Held by many as the gold standard of Ian Fleming's character on-screen, 1964's Goldfinger presented Sean Connery at his most confident as the franchise poised for irreversible worldwide success. Bond by NumbersOn Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)Just in time for the holidays, the trio ponder the mysteries of Christmas trees, Swiss locales and, of course, George Lazenby's sole and controversial outing as James Bond. Scott, Josh and Jeff cut powdered shapes around the slopes of Peter Hunt's neatly structured cult classic.    

]]>Just in time for the holidays, the trio ponder the mysteries of Christmas trees, Swiss locales and, of course, George Lazenby's sole and controversial outing as James Bond. Scott, Josh and Jeff cut powdered shapes around the slopes of Peter Hunt's neatly structured cult classic.    

]]>058ff6d0-637e-4ed6-9b3f-d65220cf3b92Sat, 15 Dec 2018 20:00:00 +010003:01:06falsefull14141The BBN roulette spins the crew into 1969 and OHMSS where 007 pits wits against an earlobe-less villain who stands in the way of his happiness. Just in time for the holidays, Scott, Josh and Jeff ponder the mysteries of Christmas trees, Swiss locales and, of course, George Lazenby's controversial outing as they cut shapes around the powdered slopes of Peter Hunt's neatly structured cult classic. Bond by NumbersThe Living Daylights (1987)The Living Daylights (1987)Josh and Scott welcome back Jeff the Roommate and scare the living daylights out of each other in a discussion that tips its hat to one of Ian Fleming's best (short stories) and Felix Leiter's worst (... sorry, John Terry!). The short tenure of Timothy Dalton began here and brought to the franchise the iciest 007 to date. In a conversation full of "what ifs?" and "how comes?", John Glen's penultimate directorial bid is put under the microscope.  

]]>Josh and Scott welcome back Jeff the Roommate and scare the living daylights out of each other in a discussion that tips its hat to one of Ian Fleming's best (short stories) and Felix Leiter's worst (... sorry, John Terry!). The short tenure of Timothy Dalton began here and brought to the franchise the iciest 007 to date. In a conversation full of "what ifs?" and "how comes?", John Glen's penultimate directorial bid is put under the microscope.  

]]>48c13cdc-b850-4a0e-84e6-c281c887f381Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:00:00 +010002:27:54falsefull13131Josh and Scott welcome back Jeff the Roommate and scare the living daylights out of each other in a discussion that tips its hat to one of Ian Fleming's best (short stories) and Felix Leiter's worst (... sorry, John Terry!). The short tenure of Timothy Dalton began here and brought to the franchise the iciest 007 to date. Bungee-cables are traded in for cello-sleds as the team explores a conversation full of "what ifs?" and "how comes?" concerning John Glen's penultimate directorial bid. Bond by NumbersGoldeneye (1995)Goldeneye (1995)Josh and Scott measure steps through their first discussion, focusing on 1995's Goldeneye. It's a new Bond, a new decade and a new world post-USSR. Joining our hosts to share some insight is Jeff Chapman, military and cold war history buff, and our nonagenarian grandmother for her first interview of the series! 

]]>Josh and Scott measure steps through their first discussion, focusing on 1995's Goldeneye. It's a new Bond, a new decade and a new world post-USSR. Joining our hosts to share some insight is Jeff Chapman, military and cold war history buff, and our nonagenarian grandmother for her first interview of the series! 

]]>c4b346d4-acac-41f8-843a-59fd7c424beaSat, 10 Nov 2018 20:00:00 +010002:46:50falsefull12121BBN's in-house roulette table has delivered us unto Pierce Brosnan and 1995's "Goldeneye" for our inaugural episode!Bond by NumbersWelcome to BBN: Introduction & ParametersWelcome to BBN: Introduction & Parameters6abb32cd-0706-4e7e-a505-6d865fdfaff0Sat, 27 Oct 2018 20:00:00 +010041:31falsefull11111Having previously explored the literary and musical landscapes of the 007 world, Bowman & the BFG here lay out plans for their mightiest (if inevitable) James Bond adventure yet - the films themselves! Bond by Numbers