Everything or Nothing

"Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007" (2012 release; 98 min.) is a documentary about the James Bond movie franchise (which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012). After a 'classic' Bond opening, we quickly delve into Ian Fleming's background, and in particular how deeply affected he was by WWII (in which he served) and later the Cold War. It eventually leads him to create the James Bond character, and the first Bond novel "Casino Royal", which some refers to as Fleming's "autobiography of a dream", ha! After this promising start to the documentary, we quickly evolve into the complicated relationship between Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.

Couple of comments: this documentary is directed by British film maker Steven Riley. Riley tries to walk a fine line between on the one hand all of the legal issues that have confronted the James Bond franchise over the years (and believe me, there are PLENTY), and giving an overview of how the Bond movies have evolved over the years. There are some tidbits here and there that I found interesting (such as: the budget for the first Bond Movie "Mr. NO" being $1 million--or about $8 million in today's dollars, can you imagine making a Bond movie for just $8 million?; and the interview with one-time Bond actor George Lazenby, on how he talked Broccoli and Saltzman into becoming the new Bond, only then to be kicked out of the Bond franchise after just one movie).

I recently stumbled on this while browsing the EPIX on Demand documentary section. When a 50th anniversary celebration movie like this one is put together, you can be assured that it stays on the lighter side when all is said and done, and that's fine. I'm sure one day someone (independent from the Bond film makers) will produce the definitive James Bond documentary.

Over the years, there has been so much media (in all formats) given to the James Bond saga that one would think it would be difficult to approach the matter from a new, fresh perspective. However, that is EXACTLY what "Everything or Nothing" manages to do by focusing on the creative talent behind the creation of Bond.

Basically, this documentary tells the "Bond story" from the perspective of those who created the books and films:

-It begins with much exposition on Ian Fleming, the book author, and what inspired him to create such an iconic character.

-Then, it focuses on the beginning of the films and how the Broccoli/Saltzman relationship became such a dynamite pairing that rocketed the franchise to stardom.

-The rest of the show explains how the Bond movies changed over the years due to the ever- changing relationships of the power players behind the scenes.

As a huge Bond fan, I very much enjoyed this documentary for its ability to pull back the curtain on the creative side of Bond, exposing some stories I had not heard before and some casting/creative decisions about the franchise that now make a bit more sense once the "backstage" stuff is known.

If you are just looking for a "Bond highlight reel", you might be disappointed here. But, if you want some great interviews and all the "dirt" on the creators, this will completely suck you in!

Nothing here that I didn't already know. The information is already out there in countless books and other documentaries. Because it's an official documentary, views are very sanitized. Dull.

Documentary that pays tribute to James Bond, the longest-running and most profitable film franchise of all time, 60 years after the seductive secret agent first hit the big screen. It narrates the universe of the legendary British agent through interviews and frames.

Showing some reviews are given of all the actors who have given life to 007: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Sean Connery's first film was ¨Terence Young's Doctor No¨and following others as ¨From Russia with love¨, You Only Live Twice¨, ¨Thunderball¨, ¨Goldfinger¨. Sean told her he'd never play James Bond again, however , for a big salary he accepted to perform ¨diamonds are forever¨ and later "Never say never again". The youngest was George Lazenby , who was twenty-nine in 007 ¨On Majestic's secret service¨ (1969). Sir Roger Moore as a new James Bond is cool , his first one : ¨Live and let die¨, and others as ¨Octopussy¨, ¨Moonraker¨ , ¨The spy who loved me¨, ¨A View to a Kill¨. Moore lacked coldness and toughness characterized by Sir Sean Connery; however, earning in irony , suavity and smoothness . Sean Connery turned down the then astronomical sum of five and a half million dollars to perform James Bond. Sean Connery gave Sir Roger Moore his personal seal of approval for inheriting his character , calling him "an ideal Bond¨ and making him the oldest actor to do so.

In the interviews they reveal the experiences that embodying one of the most legendary fictional heroes of all time has brought them. In addition to the statements made by the different interpreters, there is a special remembrance telling the story of the producers who financed the films: Albert R. Broccoli, and Harry Salzman with their company Eon along with the Hollwood production United Artists, they shared the dream of bringing to the screen the novels of the character created by Ian Fleming in 1952, the latter there is also a due memory. Showing the emotional experiences that the three creators experienced with their respective families and also containing some of the most impactful scenes of the Bond phenomenon films.

However, due to a copyright conflict regarding the novel "Thunderball", writer/producer Kevin McClory took over the rights and made a new Bond with an already aging Sean Conney, who had previously promised not to repeat this famous character. As Connery returned to the world of Bond after 12 years , it resulted to be a peculiar remake , titled "Never Say, never again¨ and was a failure at the box office. This Bond film was not part of the franchise produced by these producers , but here Kevin McClory who was producer and co-writer of Thunderball (1965), won a legal battle against Ian Fleming to make his own Bond movie , the settlement stipulated that it had to effectively be a remake of Thunderball . On the other hand, Timothy Dalton was a brief Bond playing only two films : ¨Living daylights¨, and ¨Licence to Kill¨. While Pierce Brosnan played ¨Die Another Day¨, ¨World is not enough¨, ¨Tomorrow Never Dies¨and ¨Goldeneye¨. Eventually, last James Bond, the tough and blond Daniel Craig has played: ¨Casino Royale¨, ¨Quantum of solace¨, ¨Spectre¨, ¨Skyfall¨ and ¨No Time to Die¨.

Though this feels like a better than average DVD extra that's been buffed up and polished so that it can attempt to stand on its own two feet as a tv special/film, this actually isn't too bad.

It covers (briefly) how Bond came to be, but mostly focusses on how the film franchise came to be the massive deal that we know it to be.

It doesn't shy away from covering some of the lower moments along the way, not to mention that awkward six year gap between the reign of Dalton and Brosnan, but it's perfectly accessible for those who've heard all of the stories many times before, and equally those who don't.

A good effort.