Movies

Unveiling David Niven: The Forgotten James Bond You Never Knew About!

BBG News

The character’s name is James Bond, and Sean Connery is one of the actors who played him. Connery played Agent 007 in the 1960s and again in 1983, shaping many of the character traits and fashion choices that fans love today. After Connery, George Lazenby, the only non-Brit to be offered the role, stepped in. Lazenby is known for his clever trickery during the audition, much like how Bond might handle a similar situation fictitiously. Following Lazenby was Roger Moore, who unfortunately starred in several poorly made Bond films, but still gained popularity.

In the ’80s, Timothy Dalton stepped into the role, portraying a grittier take on the character that fans appreciated. Following him was Pierce Brosnan in the ’90s, much like Connery, he was a gifted actor whose impact as James Bond continued to resonate even after he put down the Agent 007 gun. Lastly, we have Daniel Craig, who has added a contemporary twist to the series while balancing between being a rogue and a nobleman. However, it’s worth noting that David Niven played Bond in the less-known 1967 film, Casino Royale.

Niven’s Bond Drove a Bentley, Married a Real-World Spy, and Ate Royal Jelly

In his 56th year, Niven portrayed James Bond in an unconventional manner. Instead of the usual suave and dashing agent we’re accustomed to, he brought to life a character who was an elderly, refined, retired British intelligence officer and war veteran. This version of Bond was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second Boer War, married the legendary World War I spy Mata Hari (with whom he had a daughter), and found solace in playing Claude Debussy on the piano, snacking on royal jelly, and cultivating black roses in his garden.

Niven’s portrayal of Bond showcased his unique flair in automobiles; he opted for a classic Bentley instead of the Aston Martin often associated with other screen incarnations of the British agent. It was Connery’s preference that made the Aston Martin the iconic vehicle for Bond, while Niven’s version emphasized that upon retirement, the ‘007’ designation would be handed to another agent, a detail echoed in the novels. In some circles of the fanbase, it is believed that Niven’s Bond was the original, followed by Connery.

Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the initial movie remains entertaining to watch. Presented as a spy parody, Casino Royale introduces us to Sir James Bond, who has been out of active service for two decades. M urges him to return to work due to an evil group called SMERSH that has been eradicating agents. However, when Bond initially declines, M resorts to explosive measures, inadvertently causing his own death during the attack on Bond’s estate.

Following this development, Bond is now appointed as the Head of MI6. However, things might not be as they seem. It’s quite absurd, really. You see, all the new agents are prone to indulgence and can’t resist temptation, especially when it comes to women. This is where SMERSH takes advantage, using attractive women to lure these agents.

To counter this, Bond decides to rename every remaining MI6 agent as “James Bond 007” in an attempt to confuse the enemy. He also initiates a strict training program for male agents to resist the charms of beautiful women. Will this strategy succeed?

Niven Was Ian Fleming’s First Choice

As per Jeremy Black’s book, “The Politics of James Bond: From Fleming’s Novels to the Big Screen”, David Niven was considered an ideal fit by Ian Fleming if the character were ever brought to the silver screen. However, Eon Productions opted for Sean Connery instead, kick-starting the franchise with him. Unfortunately, they couldn’t produce a Casino Royale film as producer Charles K. Feldman held the rights to the novel.

Feidman attempted to partner with Eon Productions for a joint project, yet he was unable to reach an agreement with Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman. Subsequently, he formed an alliance instead with Columbia Pictures and went on to create the movie as a satire. Released in April 1967, two months ahead of Sean Connery’s fifth Bond film, You Only Live Twice, Casino Royale, this production was a commercial success, earning over $41.7 million worldwide. Burt Bacharach’s musical score even received an Oscar nomination, but the critics were rather unimpressed.

In an effort to prevent fan confusion, Feidman initially sought Sean Connery for the role, but his demand for $1 million was deemed too steep. Instead, he eventually chose Niven. Notably, he also enlisted several actors who had previously appeared in Bond films. This group included Vladek Sheybal from “From Russia with Love”, Burt Kwouk from “Goldfinger”, and Ursula Andress, known for her role as Honey Rider in “Dr. No”. Additionally, Feidman was able to secure the talents of notable figures like Orson Welles and Peter Sellers for the cast.

Niven Had the True Spirit of James Bond

Fervent James Bond enthusiasts might not give much thought to David Niven, but dedicated film aficionados certainly do. Throughout his acting career, he garnered an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his performance in “Separating Tables“. Additionally, he received numerous other award nominations, such as those at the Emmys and the BAFTAs. What stands out most, however, is that Niven was daring and unpredictable, much like Bond himself.

It’s said that in 1933, Niven decided to leave the British army due to his dissatisfaction with lack of action. As per his memoir, “The Moon’s a Balloon”, this decision was made after he became annoyed during a prolonged military lecture on machine guns, which conflicted with his dinner plans with an attractive woman. When the speaker (a major general) inquired if anyone had any questions, Niven inquired, “Could you tell me the time, sir? I have to catch a train.” This implies he was eager to leave.

Remarkably, Niven returned home and re-entered the British military the day following Britain’s declaration of war against Germany in 1939. This was an unusual move, as the British Embassy had advised British stars working in Hollywood to remain in America, due to its relative safety. Yet, Niven, much like Agent 007, preferred excitement over monotony and refused his assignment in the motor training battalion. As a result, his superiors were compelled to transfer him to the Commandos instead. Much like Bond, he emerged from all the firefights relatively unscathed.

It’s often said that Trust Bond often found himself at odds with Her Majesty, much like Niven did. It’s generally thought that he never received a British honor from the queen due to his decision to reside in a chalet near Gstaad, Switzerland, which was considered a tax haven at the time. As per his second wife, Hjördis Paulina Tersmeden, a Swedish fashion model, Niven’s boyish fascination with attractive women put a strain on their marriage. His life was marked by numerous indiscretions. It’s also said that he had an affair with Princess Margaret, which may have contributed to the queen’s disfavor towards him. He was also known to sleep with every actress, flight attendant, and waitress he encountered.

The name is Niven… David Niven.

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2025-05-24 23:06

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