Showing how Britishness/Englishness is constructed in James Bond movies will be the main aim of this research paper. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the difference between a British and an English identity if there is any. Taking a closer look at the Bond movie From Russia With Love might help to detect what kind of national identity is constructed as well as to answer the question whether James Bond is a British or an English icon.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The phenomenon of James Bond as an international cult figure
3. The construction of a national identity in James Bond movies
4. From Russia With Love - A case study
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This research paper examines how the concepts of Britishness and Englishness are constructed within the James Bond film series, specifically focusing on the movie "From Russia With Love". The study investigates whether the character of James Bond functions as a British or an English icon, and explores the political and identity-driven motivations behind his representation.
- The construction of national identity in cinema
- The role of James Bond as an international cult figure
- The distinction between British and English identity
- Stereotypes and "The Other" in identity formation
- Analysis of "From Russia With Love" as a representative case study
Excerpt from the Book
From Russia With Love - A case study
On this basis, the following thesis for a case study can be created: The James Bond movie From Russia With Love (FRWL) is one example of actually having constructed an English icon that represents the English national identity which is then turned into a British icon for political purposes. This thesis will be answered in due consideration of the guiding question: “How is Britishness/Englishness constructed in FRWL?”.
From Russia With Love is the second of the James Bond series that was released in 1663. Most critics regard this movie as the best Bond movie ever; one reason is that “the cast is one of the best ever recruited for a Bond film” (qtd. in Fairbanks 151). It is one of six Bond movies in which Sean Connery takes the lead.
What is the movie about? “SPECTRE plans an intricate scheme to lure James Bond into stealing a valuable Soviet decoding machine, and unknowingly deliver it into their hands. In the process, agent 007 is to suffer a humiliating and disgraceful death” (cf. MI6: The Home of James Bond 007, 2013). Tatjana Romanova works at the Russian embassy in Turkey, section cryptograph service; besides, she is a good and loyal worker of SMERSH. She receives the order of giving false information to the enemy, Britain, from Rosa Klebb, head of SMERSH´s assassination and torture department. Romanova does not know that Klebb is no member of SMERSH anymore but of SPECTRE. Romanova has to claim that she is in love with Bond and that she can deliver, him and the British MI6, a new Lektor in return that 007 brings her to England.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the difficulty of establishing a clear British national identity and introduces James Bond as a central icon to be analyzed in the context of Britishness and Englishness.
2. The phenomenon of James Bond as an international cult figure: This section details the rise of the Bond character, the emergence of "Bondmania," and the strategic selection of actors and brand advertisements to reinforce the character's global appeal.
3. The construction of a national identity in James Bond movies: This chapter explores the theoretical framework of national identity, the role of stereotypes in self-definition, and how the Bond films utilize specific tropes to project a post-imperial British self-image.
4. From Russia With Love - A case study: This chapter applies the thesis to the specific film, analyzing how the plot, the construction of the "Other" (Russia), and the behavior of the protagonist serve to promote a specifically English identity under a British guise.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, arguing that while James Bond is marketed as a British icon, he is fundamentally constructed as an English creation used for strategic political purposes.
Keywords
James Bond, Britishness, Englishness, National Identity, From Russia With Love, Stereotypes, Cultural Studies, MI6, Identity Construction, Post-Imperialism, Representation, Cinema, Cult Figure, Cultural Politics, SMERSH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the construction of national identity within the James Bond film series, specifically analyzing how the protagonist is utilized to represent either English or British identity.
What are the core thematic fields addressed in this work?
The core themes include film studies, national identity theory, the influence of post-imperialism on British self-perception, and the usage of media stereotypes.
What is the central research question?
The guiding question is: "How is Britishness/Englishness constructed in the James Bond movie From Russia With Love?"
Which scientific methods are employed?
The research uses a qualitative analysis approach, primarily through a case study methodology, examining film content, character traits, and academic literature on national identity.
What does the main part of the paper cover?
The main part covers the historical context of the Bond phenomenon, the theoretical construction of identity through "the Other," and a detailed analysis of specific scenes and tropes within "From Russia With Love".
Which keywords characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Britishness, Englishness, national identity, James Bond, stereotypes, and cultural politics.
How does the author define the relationship between "Britishness" and "Englishness"?
The author argues that while "British" is the official political designation, the identity constructed through the Bond films is predominantly "English," which is then strategically rebranded as "British" for international and political prestige.
Why is "From Russia With Love" considered a representative case study?
It is chosen because it demonstrates clear usage of Cold War-era stereotypes, binary oppositions between Britain and the Soviet "Other," and establishes conventions for the Bond persona that are seen throughout the series.
- Quote paper
- Hakima Imaankaf (Author), 2013, Englishness in Ian Fleming´s James Bond movie "From Russia With Love", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/272951
