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Your questions answered, whether sent via Instagram, Chinese social media, or in a comment on Youtube! The questions were:

• How do you feel being in the UK after 2 years?
    - Instagram: @BondUpNorth (Sam)
• How is your Bond fitness challenge going?
    - Instagram: Licensetolift
• What is your favourite British sitcom from the 1980s? 
  – [an old friend who will remain anonymous]
• Why are Vikings so popular? 
  – Instagram: @BritishBondFan (a different Sam!)
• Could you talk about Narnia? 
  - Instagram: @Francisco_Trevelyan 
• Could you talk about British food? 
  - Instagram: @BondUpNorth
• What is it you love about the Bond films the most?
   - Instagram: @MrHarris00794
• Which Bond outfit would you love to have made for you? Which one is your favourite?
   - Instagram: @BritishBondFan
• Predictions for Bond 26? 2028-2030? 
   - Jason Kim 

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me using any of the methods below! 

Message me anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: [email protected]

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"Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise. Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.” - 20/02/2025

This news has gained sufficient traction that even my wonderful vicar asked me about in on Sunday, before the service. Of course, the Broccoli family is American, although based in the UK. But, seeing creative control of a very British film icon passing from a family firm to a US corporation has raised many questions for many people. I give my take, which is that this is not the first turning point for 007, and that a third-generation business would be very unusual, both in movie making and in the UK generally.

Naturally, I can't resist looking at the counter examples! According to the Campden Family Business news website, the oldest twenty family firms in the UK have collectively traded for 7013 years, and traded on average for 350 years each. I take a quick look into these, along with a couple of famous UK artisans, who each came from a family of famous creators, but who did not leave a business to be handed down to grandchildren, either.

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I’ve just read all 7 Harry Potter books, plus the three supplementary books, for the first time. 

I’ve also visited some of the movie locations in the UK (including Durham Cathedral and King’s Cross Station), tried Butterbeer and Fizzing Wizzbees (plus Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs), worn my house colours (having been sorted by the official Sorting Hat), and played the video game Hogwarts Legacy. I’m slowly re-watching the movies as well, having not watched any of them for well over a decade, and most of them since the year they first came out. Finally, I’m now checking out all the J.K. Rowling writings originally hosted on the Pottermore website.

Was it all worth it? Listen to the episode to find out.  

The books in order:

• Year #1: Philosopher's Stone (1997)
• Year #2: Chamber of Secrets (1998)
• Year #3: Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
• Year #4: Goblet of Fire (2000)
• Year #5: Order of the Phoenix (2003)
• Year #6: Half-Blood Prince (2005)
• Year #7: Deathly Hallows (2007)

The three supplementary books:

1. Hogwarts textbook: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001)
2. Harry’s free time reading: Quidditch Through the Ages (2001)
3. Bedtime stories for witches and wizards: The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2007)

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5 very special guests join me for this episode from 4 continents:

• David Zaritsky @TheBondExperience
• Donnie Waldron @Quantum of History
• Pete Brooker @LondonBondMap
• Gabriel Rabenales @TheStyleisNotEnough
• Lincoln McConnell-Brown @DressingLikeMcQueen

We talk about places, themes, and values shown in this film from our vantage points in London, the USA, Chile, and Australia. Is this film truly British? If so, what makes it so? Listen to the episode to find out!

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Raymond Benson is the author of over forty published titles. He is most well-known as being the first American to write continuation James Bond novels (six original titles and three film novelizations, between 1996-2002), and for the best-selling and acclaimed five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO (2011-2014). I also mention in the episode that he wrote, JETHRO TULL (POCKET ESSENTIAL SERIES) There's a lot more, so if you want the full story please visit the author at his website: https://raymondbenson.com/ and also his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaymondBenson

I previously reviewed his first two 007 continuation books on my Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/britishculture

"James Bond Book Review | Zero Minus Ten | I've visited these Chinese locations!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_kKtQsZlo

"James Bond Book Review | The Facts of DEATH | Someone I know appears in the book!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow_WnHuU_bY

Benson's newest original novel, THE MAD, MAD MURDERS OF MARIGOLD WAY, was published in 2022. His most recent works also include the suspense novels, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, BLUES IN THE DARK, and HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR.

His backlist of original thrillers (EVIL HOURS, TORMENT--A LOVE STORY, ARTIFACT OF EVIL, A HARD DAY'S DEATH, DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE, and others) as well as his classic reference book from 1984, THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, are much loved.

Raymond is also a prolific tie-in writer: the first two best-selling TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL novels (for the latter he used the pseudonym of "David Michaels"), and with John Milius he wrote HOMEFRONT: THE VOICE OF FREEDOM. He also produced novelizations of other popular videogames--METAL GEAR SOLID and METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY, HITMAN (HITMAN: DAMNATION, and DYING LIGHT (DYING LIGHT--NIGHTMARE ROW).

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Introduced by Joe Darlington (Being James Bond), I investigate the uniquely British aspects of this 007 film, with 6 special  interviews from China thanks to my previous guest Max James Joy (A Brit Abroad... in China - Celebrating a 'British Day' in Guangzhou). 
 
We talk about:

• What makes this film so special?
• British submarines
• British-Greek Relations
• The King's Medal
• Ancient Chinese Sayings
• Elektra
• Saint Cyril
• The Most Famous British Greek
• British Winter Olympics

I draw on a range of books, including but not limited to:

• Bond on Bond, by Roger Moore
• Some Kind of Hero, by Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury
• For My Eyes Only, by John Glen
• The Return of Heroic Failures, by Stephen Pile
• The Complete James Bond Short Stories, by Ian Fleming
• Operation Mincemeat, by Ben Macintyre
• Ian Fleming's Commandos, by Nicholas Rankin
• Ian Fleming, by Nicholas Shakespeare
• A Bond Odyssey, by Adam Muckle
• 30 Hot Days, M.A. Birant  

For Greece during the Second World War, I do draw on Winston Churchill's 6 volume account, and recommend the following novel and TV drama:

• Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
• Sword of Honour (2001) starring Daniel Craig

If this podcast prompts any thoughts you would like to share, please do message me at the contact details below.

Message me anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: [email protected]

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What makes the 007 films so uniquely British? In this episode, I take a deep (1-hour) dive into 2012's 'Skyfall' starring Daniel Craig. If you haven’t seen the film ‘Skyfall’ since it came out in 2012, don’t worry, there is plenty for you. In fact, if you’ve never seen this film, I hope you’ll still enjoy this podcast, and indeed can still enjoy watching the film afterwards without too many plot or character spoilers beyond the usual shape of a Bond / action film... but I will comment on locations a great deal. I’m looking at what stands out to me in this film as a UK cultural icon, pondering what adds to my enjoyment, and delving into cultural touchpoints along the way. Bond reviews are my most requested topic, but this is something hopefully satisfying for Bond fans and for non-Bond fans alike.

Topics include:

• An Englishman in Turkey
• The Reichenbach Falls
• Obituaries in the Times
• New Digs: Churchill's Bunker 
• The National Gallery 
• China: Shanghai and Macao
• BBC News: Hostage Killings
• Lord Tennyson 
• Is James Bond Scottish?

The final 5 minutes is me explaining why I like this film so much. I largely avoid topics covered in other podcasts I listen to, especially film reviews of Skyfall. I even avoid repeating what I previously said on 'The Bond Experience' Youtube channel on this topic (which has full spoilers). So, if 1 hour is not enough, do check out: 'Queen Elizabeth II & James Bond | ON THEIR MAJESTIES’ SECRET SERVICE | King, Queen, Bond' over on Youtube. Thank you to everyone who has kindly encouraged me over the last 6-months especially. I am glad to be able to release my first newly recorded monologue since April 2024. Your messages have made all the difference at a personally very difficult time. Again, thank you.

Correction: near the end, I state that Sean Connery was brought up in Glasgow. In fact, his hometown is Edinburgh. 

If this podcast prompts any thoughts you would like to share, please do message me at the contact details below.

Message me anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: [email protected]

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Every year, on October 21st, the Royal Navy celebrates Admiral Nelson’s most famous victory, near Trafalgar in 1805 when 27 British Royal Naval ships defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 warships. 

But, what if Nelson had lost? And how can we celebrate this night?

I draw upon three books:

• ‘The Rise and Fall of the British Empire’ by Lawrence James 
• ‘Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World’ by Brian Lavery
• ‘HMS Victory’ by Peter Goodwin

I also recommend the movie ‘Master and Commander’ (2003), the TV show Hornblower (1998-2003), and the classic clip (on Youtube) of John Noakes cleaning Nelson’s Column for the children’s TV show ‘Blue Peter’. 

My ‘Recommended Rabbit Hole’: Lord Cochrane.  Just start with Google, see where it takes you, and let me know if you found it as fascinating as I do. 

This is an annual celebration and commemoration, so this episode is a rerelease from October 21st, last year. 

You can e-mail me: [email protected]
You can find me on Instagram: @FlemingNeverDies

***

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What is it like to be a Brit in China, before, during, and after the pandemic? Today's special guest, Max James Joy, shed some light on how being a Brit in China has changed over the last few years (since I left). He also talks about the different cultures found *within* China, and even within the same city.

Max is a UOI (Unit of Inquiry) teacher, helping students from a range of cultures develop an wholistic view of the world. His school will play a key role in the 'British Day' event in Guangzhou that will be held on the 2nd of November, 2024, at Canton Place. If you're interested, just send me a message. 
 

If this podcast prompts any thoughts you would like to share, please do message me at the contact details below.

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Have you ever wondered what it's like to live overseas?

In this episode, I share a selection of clips from my audio diary, recorded on cassette tape in 2006. At that time, I had been living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for 5 years, the first experience of 'expat living' that I remember. I had lived in West Berlin in the 1980s, but my memories of the West and visiting the East are hazy at best! In the audio diary, I documented my day-to-day life, not intending then to share it with anyone at any point. I doubt I could have imagined using it for a podcast 18 years in the future! I add in my current recollections and reflections to give further information and context. I hope this episode offers some insight into the oddity of growing up in another culture.

If this podcast prompts any thoughts you would like to share, please do message me at the contact details below.

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