For His Eyes Only: The Women of James Bond (2015)

The release of Skyfall marked the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise. It earned over US$1 billion at the worldwide box-office and won two Academy Awards; yet, amidst popular and critical acclaim, many have questioned the representation of women in the film. From the representation of an aging M, to the limited role of the Bond Girl, to the characterization of Miss Moneypenny as a defunct field agent, Skyfall develops the legacy of Bond at the expense of women. Since Casino Royale (2006) and its sequels Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015) constitute a rebooting of the franchise, it is time to question whether there is a place for women in the new world of James Bond and, if so, what role will these women play in the future of [the] series? This volume answers these questions by examining the role that women have historically played in the franchise, which greatly contributed to the international success of the films. This anthology constitutes the first book-length academic study on femininity and feminism in the Bond series. It covers all 23 Eon productions to date as well as the spoof Casino Royale (1967) and considers a range of factors that have shaped the depiction of women in the franchise, including female characterization in Ian Fleming's novels, the vision of producer Albert R. Broccoli and other creative personnel, the influence of feminism, and broader trends in British and American film and television. This anthology thus provides a timely and retrospective look at women in the Bond franchise and offers new scholarly perspectives on the subject.