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Scene reversal that doesnt work (SPOILERS)

posted 9 years ago by DC1977
7 replies | jump to latest

On the audio commentary it mentions the fact that Bond and Leiter can be seen talking after Bond dance with Domino after playing cards with Largo even though Bond and Leiter haven’t met in the story.

The explanation given for this is the fact that the editor Peter Hunt brought this scene forward so that it makes more sense for Quist to be sent to kill Bond after the first meeting with Largo. This is described as an example of great editing but I don’t think it works.

If Bond (who is known to SPECTRE) has already met Domino and chatted with her at a public place like a poolside then that’s sufficient reason for Quist trying to kill him.

The switching of the scenes in the editing not only causes the minor continuity problem of Bond talking to someone he hasn’t met in the story; it also makes a nonsense of Largo’s comment to Bond ‘One of my associates spoke about you’ which is obviously a reference to Quist who, because of the reversal of the scenes, Bond hasn’t met either.

It appears from the audio commentaries as though Hunt had to restructure both From Russia With Love and Thunderball after shooting had been completed because Terence Young shot scenes with little consideration for the overall film.

[–] Stapa-Bomar 9 years ago

That's interesting. One of these days I really need to finally watch the commentary. I always just thought when Largo told Bond an associate spoke about him that he just meant SPECTRE in general (from Dr No & FRWL). Also, keep in mind Bond does know Felix already, albeit a different actor yet again (although the punch in the stomach greeting scene would be a little weird if they were talking earlier).

[–] DC1977 8 years ago

I agree. Bond and Felix already know each other but as you say the punch in the stomach makes no sense because of the earlier scene.

That's what I was referring to.

[–] nhamer 8 years ago

I'm not sure any problem exists here.

Leiter is first seen ~47 minutes in right after Bond meets Domino. Bond and Domino walk across the beach and Leiter is watching from afar. The audience doesn't yet know it is Leiter since a new actor is portraying him and he hasn't been identified.

After the dance scene Domino walks away with Largo. We then get a shot of Bond watching them leave with Leiter standing further back facing the same direction as Bond; I believe this is the edit you are referring to, though no dialogue is exchanged between them. This again just appears to be some unknown keeping tabs on Bond.

When Bond is in his room he knows from his recorder that somebody has been there. So when we see this hitherto unidentified character come to the door we are led to believe he is the assassin coming for Bond. This then leads into the "punch greeting" and the reveal that it is Felix Leiter.

As for Largo's comment about his associate, he almost certainly refers to Lippe with whom Bond clashed at the clinic earlier in the film.

It would make no sense for Largo to just openly admit to having sent an assassin to murder Bond and then still play dumb as to who Bond is and at the mention of SPECTRE.

I can't comment on how well the movie plays as is versus how it would with the differing order, but I don't think the contradictions you mention exist.

[–] DC1977 8 years ago

You see Leiter and Bond speak to each other briefly, the audio commentary acknowledges this and the contradiction.

Also I think its a bit tenuous to suggest that Largo is referring to Lippe as there is no contact at all between them in the film.

The scene in the casino was meant to come after Quist had spoken to Largo about Bond and so that is clearly what that scene is referring to.

[–] nhamer 8 years ago

Hmm... I sought a second copy of the movie to see if there was any difference but still Bond and Leiter do not acknowledge each other in this scene. I also don't see any information regarding any alternate cuts of the film so I'm not sure what you're referring to.

As for Largo and Lippe, the first time we see Largo he says "I have sent SPECTRE agent Count Lippe to the south of England where he is making the necessary preparations".

We later hear Number One tell the room "Number Two has done well, unlike Count Lippe"; so SPECTRE is clearly aware of what Lippe is doing and his encounter with Bond.

Largo is obviously in personal contact with Lippe since he is running the operation and mentions him by name.

I don't doubt that it was the original intention to have Bond and Leiter meet prior to the scene in the Casino (that is how it is ordered in the novel as well) but I don't see anything here which creates continuity problems.

[–] DC1977 8 years ago

'Hmm... I sought a second copy of the movie to see if there was any difference but still Bond and Leiter do not acknowledge each other in this scene. I also don't see any information regarding any alternate cuts of the film so I'm not sure what you're referring to. '

Watch the DVD. As I said before, you see Leiter and Bond speak to each other briefly, (this is when Largo and Domino walk off after Bond has danced with Domino) the audio commentary acknowledges this and the contradiction.

Largo may be in contact with Lippe although this is by no means certain. As Lippe and Largo have no scenes together his comment about an associate speaking of Bond is vague when placed before Quist's death and Largo could be referring to any number of people within SPECTRE.

However Volpe has separate scenes with both Largo and Lippe so its quite plausible that Lippe only has direct contact with Volpe.

It makes far more sense for Largo to be referring to Quist as the associate who spoke of Bond as we see this before Quist is killed and the scene where Bond and Domino dance was intended to take place after this.

[–] wwestar 8 years ago

You're obsessed with Edit's.