The world of James Bond recently found itself at the center of a digital controversy when Amazon Prime, which currently streams all 25 official Eon Productions 007 films, made the surprising decision to remove guns from the movies' promotional images.
A predictable wave of public criticism followed, leading the streaming giant to reverse its policy. This incident highlighted both the sensitivity surrounding firearm imagery in modern media and the fact that Prime has become the definitive streaming home for Agent 007.
James Bond's Complicated Legacy
The Bond franchise has navigated numerous controversies throughout its six-decade history. Back in 1962, Sean Connery's Bond made a racially charged comment to his Asian adversary Dr. No, stating "Your disregard for human life means you must be working for the East."
Canadian literary legend Mordecai Richler once examined potential antisemitism in Ian Fleming's original novels, noting how villains frequently had names like "Goldfinger" and "Blofeld." In his 1968 essay, Richler specifically mocked Fleming's description of Casino Royale villain Le Chiffre, whose "Jewish blood" was supposedly indicated by "small ears with large lobes."
British author Simon Winder perfectly captures the experience of growing up as a Bond fan only to rediscover the films' problematic elements as an adult. In his book The Man Who Saved Britain, Winder describes his shock upon rewatching Roger Moore's 1973 debut Live and Let Die with his young sons, calling the experience something that "left me mute with grief." He concluded the film was "a mean-spirited and offensive shambles, too stupid really even to be racist."
Three Bond Films That Aged Gracefully
Despite these challenges, Winder acknowledges that certain Bond films and books remain worthy of appreciation. Here are three 007 adventures available on Amazon Prime that best withstand modern scrutiny while delivering exceptional entertainment.
From Russia, With Love (1963)
Adapted from Ian Fleming's fifth novel, this 1963 film represents one of the most grounded entries in the entire Bond franchise. The novel itself takes the unusual approach of barely featuring Bond in its first half, instead focusing extensively on the Russian training of psychopathic double agent Red Grant.
The film version ensures Sean Connery maintains a strong presence throughout, surrounded by an exceptional supporting cast including Lotte Lenya as Russian spymistress Rosa Klebb, Mexican actor Pedro Armendáriz as Turkish ally Kerim Bey, Italian actress Daniela Bianchi as beautiful Russian pawn Tatiana Romanova, and the formidable Robert Shaw as the sadistic Grant.
Unlike many later Bond films that ventured into increasingly fantastical territory, From Russia, With Love maintains a compelling realism rooted in Cold War tensions, making it perhaps the most sophisticated and enduring entry in the series.
