Daily: Bond On The Run – Does Britain still need 007?

DANGER, SPOILERS! James Bond finally returns to cinemas in a world where questions about sexism, racism and Britishness have seldom been more pointed. Is there a place for a suave, womanising emissary of British power in the modern world? Is it time to reassess the role of Bond in British culture? Regulars and Bond fiends Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell talk to Ian Kinane, editor of the International Journal of James Bond Studies and a senior lecturer in English literature, about their first Bonds and where 007 should go next. Do not listen unless you’ve seen the film.

• “Bond offers a parallel universe in which Britain always wins.” - Arthur Snell
• “Bond probably has many fatherless children all over the world.” - Ian Kinane
• “James Bond is so far from the boring reality of intelligence work, like people staring at databases.” - Arthur Snell 
• “Shirley Bassey is seen as singing an anthem of Britain's glory days of Empire.” - Ian Kinane
• “Bond seems to embody what is properly British, but more often he’s played by actors who aren't British themselves.” - Ian Kinane

Presented by Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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