007 Exposed

Being a James Bond fan requires an incredible leap in logic. On the one hand, we're asked to buy into the myth of a super-secret operative working as a member of a clandestine government agency. Simultaneously, we lap up the endless flood of 007 coverage, criticism, and collectabilia. Our imaginations are drawn into Bond's world of classified operations against the veiled activities of his adversaries. Meanwhile, with the release of each successive Bond film, the marketing machines grow ever more proficient at making James Bond (The Product) ever more accessible. It appears we Bond fans want it all -- the mystery and the minutiae. So what's a fan to do?

Forty years ago my big brother took me to see Doctor No at our local movie house. Like most of us, I'll never forget that first dose of vitamin B. I was hooked. By age 11 I had devoured all the Bond novels, having discovered my brother's secret stash. (You must remember that these books were still considered too racy for the adolescent crowd way back in '67!) As the years rolled by, and my indulgence in all things 007 increased I felt that perhaps I had lost some of the initial awe I'd felt at my first encounters with Bond. So in 1999 -- as a cultural experiment -- I struggled mightily to avoid all hype and pre-release coverage of the last Bond film The World Is Not Enough. My intent was to arrive opening day without any foreknowledge or speculative anticipation of the film. Well... the result of my little exercise I can only describe as... underwhelming. Perhaps I'd become too much the victim of my own Bond fandom, but I found it impossible to recapture that initial wonder after all those years. And the point of this lengthy lead-in? That perhaps all of us who are destined to become indentured Bondophiles should simply accept the fact that while we indulge ourselves in the fictional 007, we're inevitably going to succumb to our weakness for the behind-the-scenes Bond.

Which leads to notion of the wonderful new "Bond, James Bond" exhibit now running at London's Science Museum. I've just returned to New York from a quick trip across the pond and here's my take: It's the perfect experience for casual Bond fans or youngsters who might like to learn a bit about the Bond legacy. Designed in concert with Eon Productions, the exhibit is chiefly about the Bond films, only briefly touching on the literary origins.

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Exhibit Slideshow

Visitors enter the main exhibit and are presented with their own Agent Cards. One then proceeds into the exhibit proper which has been cleverly laid out to mimic the flow of the typical Bond movie formula. As you progress from your walk through the gun barrel opening to the final countdown and explosive finale in the arch-villian's control room, you'll encounter interactive kiosks where you may test your 007 trivia expertise. You swipe your card in each kiosk and your responses to the Bond trivia questions are tracked and tabulated, whereupon you can discover just how well you fared at the end of you visit. The kiosks also provide an opportunity to view production notes, stills, and videos. And don't forget to go the Science Museum's web site later to experience the great online follow-up to the exhibit.

Displayed liberally throughout each of the areas of the main exhibit are scores of original film props, costumes, and production concept pieces. Some highlights include the set of M's office, the green screen simulation, and examples of artwork and maquettes depicting production, prop, and marketing designs. Once you've completed the main exhibit on the first floor, proceed up a flight to gawk at the amazing collection of vehicles and props from several of the films. Classics include Goldfinger's Rolls, Bond's speedboat from The World Is Not Enough, and the famous Aston Martin DB5.

Lastly, if you're looking for some goodies to bring home, you'll find lots of them in the gift shop area. Collectibles range from inexpensive key chains and coffee mugs to high ticket items such as the DB5 model and 12" character figures.

The "Bond, James Bond" show at the Science Museum succeeds as a testament to the creative efforts of the Bond film makers. If you've ever wanted to get up close and personal with those great props and vehicles, or just introduce the kids to your lifelong hero, it's just the ticket. So go ahead and treasure the James Bond "secret agent" myth, but in the meantime relish the public display of 007 the pop icon.

Inside info:

Visitors are assigned entrance time slots at 15 minute intervals, giving one time to linger over exhibit details without a continual crush of incoming fans.
Some will note that items in this new exhibit have been included in events elsewhere, however the overall depth of the collection and the inclusion of several props and vehicles from the newest film Die Another Day should still make your visit memorable.
Be forewarned: the Agent kiosks in the exhibit proper are very popular and you may have to wait several minutes for your turn at the screen. Fortunately, they're timed out, prompting user's to move on through the exhibit.
Advance tickets are strongly recommended, especially if planning a weekend visit. Once you call the advance ticket number provided through the Science Museum's site, be prepared to wait for up to a half hour for an operator to take your order! The exhibition runs from 16 October 2002 to 27 April 2003. Ticket Prices: Adults £8.95. For those unable to get to London, it's a sure bet that this exhibit will arrive in the US sometime next year.

Check the Science Museum's site for all the details -- www.jamesbondexhibition.com

Brian Berley is an illustrator, new media consultant, and life-long Bond fan. His site can be reached here.