Info

Bond & Beyond

A new podcast dedicated to the world's favourite secret agent. Every fortnight, Alex Boucher and James Batchelor delve into the world of Bond - not just the films that made him famous, but the original novels, video games and the many, many other characters inspired by him.
RSS Feed
Bond & Beyond
2023
December
November
October


2022
December
October
September
August
July
June
May


2021
November
October
August
July
April
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
May
March


2019
December
November
September
August
July
May
April


2018
September
August
June
May
March
February


2017
December
November
October
September
July
June
May
April
March
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
June
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2016
Dec 24, 2016

James Batchelor and Alex Boucher track down the early screen treatment for what would have been Timothy Dalton's third Bond film: an adventure that takes 007 to Hong Kong in pursuit of a cat burglar who may be the key to investigating mysterious disasters at power plants and industrial facilities.

For this episode, we tried something a little different. The first half is an audiobook-style narration of the film, while the second is a discussion about potential reactions had the movie been made as well as who we would bring in to star in the film, sing the title song and compose the score.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Nov 20, 2016

Alex and James are joined by returning guest Gez to discuss arguably Roger Moore’s greatest outing as 007. When a nutter with barely noticeable webbed hands plans to start a nuclear war between the US and Russia, apparently the only hope for humanity will be to move under the sea. That is, unless James Bond and KGB agent Anya Amasova can distract themselves from trying to both sleep with and kill each other long enough to save the world.

We discuss the plot, the stunts, the car, the henchmen, the music, the girls, the gadgets, the cameos and all the other elements that make this one of the best classic Bond films (assuming you like a bit of camp ‘70s filmmaking).

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Oct 7, 2016

The Bond & Beyond Review comes to perhaps the most classic film of them all. Alex and James discuss Goldfinger, Sean Connery's third adventure and the source of so many 007 tropes - and parodies.

While we might not tackle it in the most sensible order, everything is here: the laser table, the car, the golden girl, the song, the golf game, the raid on Fort Knox, Pussy Galore and the villainous Goldfinger himself. Enjoy!

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Sep 16, 2016

The Bond & Beyond Review takes an in-depth look at Daniel Craig's second outing at 007 – a film beset by problems, not the least of which were the 2008 Writer's Strike and the burden of following the acclaimed Casino Royale.

Alex and James discuss how frantic camerawork, a stunning visual style, a surprisingly clever plot, an underrated Bond girl and a weedy Frenchman make this a far more impressive entry into the series than you might think. 

WARNING: Contains that awful Jack White/Alicia Keys song

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Aug 18, 2016

In our longest Bond & Beyond review yet, we revisit Pierce Brosnan's second adventure in which a mad media mogul brings the globe to the brink of war - to, er, sell some newspapers.

Arguably one of the weaker entries in the series, there's still a lot to like here and it remains James' personal favourite. Listen in as he and Alex discuss the incredible action sequences, surprisingly engaging characters and phenomenal soundtrack that hold this film together.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Aug 4, 2016

The Bond & Beyond Review turns its attention to what many consider to be the black sheep of the Classic 007 family. Timothy Dalton's second and (sadly) final outing as Ian Fleming's iconic secret agent sees him defying Queen and country to settle a personal vendetta with notorious drug lord Franz Sanchez.

Is this just another generic '80s action film donning Bond's tuxedo, or the foundations for the popular Daniel Craig formula? Or is it both? And why, oh why does Q chuck that expensive and top secret broom radio into a bush? Listen in as we discuss the ever-divisive Licence To Kill.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Jun 19, 2016

This time the Bond & Beyond Review turns its eye to the highly questionable The Man With The Golden Gun. Alex and James discuss whether a truly wonderful performance by Christopher Lee - plus some great M moments - are enough to make up for the many, many, many regretful aspects of Moore's second outing. And we're not just talking about the return of Sheriff J W Pepper!

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Jun 3, 2016

Bond & Beyond is back with a quick news update on Daniel Craig’s alleged departure (we still haven’t heard it from him), thoughts on the Bond In Motion exhibit and an in-depth discussion about the cars of the series.

As one of the franchise’s signature elements, we discuss what makes a great Bond car, whether you can have too many gadgets, and why oh why did they make that invisible car in Die Another Day.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Apr 22, 2016

The Bond & Beyond Review moves on to the second round of films, starting with Sean Connery's return in From Russia With Love. Arguably the true beginning of the franchise, we discuss the groundwork laid by their globetrotting spy adventure, the tragic story of Kerim Bey, and even that weird video game released nearly fifty years later.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Apr 7, 2016

James and Alex are joined by a very special guest this week: James' wife, Penny. Having endured as much as she can of Old Bond, and as a massive fan of New Bond, she's here to discuss her take on the series, it's high points and low points, the appeal of Daniel Craig, her reaction to Connery's more brutal moments, and 50+ years' worth of Bond Girls.

As always, our episodes can be found at bondbeyodpod.tumblr.com. You can chat to us on Twitter, @BondBeyondPod, or share you views at our new Facebook page - just search "Bond and Beyond".

Mar 24, 2016

Alex and James are joined by returning guest Gez to discuss Casino Royale, the debut of Daniel Craig and the beginning of the new Bond era. Ten years on, how well does this film stand-up? Does it overcome excessive product placement to become the Best Bond Film, or is it just a bloody good film? 

As always, find all our episodes at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com and contact us via Twitter: @BondBeyondPod.

Mar 3, 2016

With rumours abound that Daniel Craig has hung up his tuxedo for the final time - we'll believe it when we see it - James and Alex discuss the potential contenders to be the next James Bond. They're joined by honourary Bond & Beyonder and friend of the show Gez, who chips in to help weigh up what qualities the next James Bond actor should have.

As always, find all our episodes at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com and contact us via Twitter: @BondBeyondPod.

Feb 5, 2016

This week's Bond & Beyond review brings us into the Pierce Brosnan era with the fifth Bond's first (and perhaps best?) outing. Alex and James discuss the long wait fans had to endure before this film arrived, the new MI6 cast, the best of the action scenes and the worst of soundtrack.

As always, find all our episodes at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com and contact us via Twitter: @BondBeyondPod.

Jan 22, 2016

This week, we discuss Bond's allies in the field, the informants and foreign agents that help him complete his mission.

Chief among these is, of course, Felix Leiter: a character that has appeared to be both comically incompetent and unapologetically heroic - although never in the same film.

We also discuss what we've lovingly come to know as the Not Felixes, ranging from Greek smugglers, Turkish agents, and the elusive other Double-Os.

As always, find all our episodes at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com and contact us via Twitter: @BondBeyondPod.

Jan 8, 2016

The Bond & Beyond Review tackles the first of Timothy Dalton's two movies, in which a plot to make money spans over two hours, several countries and some excellent action sequences. A personal favourite of Alex's, hear him and James discuss the film's more unappreciated features as well as its more bizarre inclusions – fat Scouse jailer, anyone?

N.B. We are aware of some audio issues with this episode. We are working on sourcing better equipment and finding an alternative recording location, and we thank you for you patience.

As always, find all our episodes at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com and contact us via Twitter: @BondBeyondPod.

1