Never Say Never Again

The powerful SPECTRE organization is back once more to create havoc for agent James Bond 007. By stealing two ‘dummy’ warheads, SPECTRE quickly exemplifies the terror and extortion aspects of their organization after speaking the world’s high leaders. Naturally, if SPECTRE's demands are not later made, they will set forth the revenge aspect, as leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld so eloquently describes...

Fatima Blush: Oh, how reckless of me. I made you all wet.
James Bond: Yes, but my martini is still dry. My name is James. James Bond.
Fatima Blush: Hello James! I’m Fatima Blush.
James Bond: You ski very well.
Fatima Blush: I do many things very well.

James Bond must quickly stop the terror organization from accomplishing their plan. From Shrublands to the Bahamas, Bond rushes around meeting an array of villains and femme fatales such as Maximillion Largo, Fatima Blush, and Lippe to beautiful women such as Domino Petachi, a girl who is more involved with the case than she knows.

James Bond must get into shape, and destroy all the free radicals and toxins in his body. The answer: Shrublands Health Clinic. At the same time however, SPECTRE assassin Fatima Blush is also there assisting Jack Petachi, the man SPECTRE will use to gain access, and eventually steal the warheads. Bond is quickly recognized and nearly killed by the powerful Lippe.

Largo: Do you lose as gracefully as you win?
James Bond: I don’t know; I’ve never lost.

Later on, Jack Petachi is killed by Fatima once he has stolen the warheads for SPECTRE, and they arrive to the man heading the mission: Maximillion Largo. Ernst Stavro Blofeld then addresses the world leaders of their problem, as well as issues a threat. Bond is therefore reactivated by M and sent into the field, make a quick stop at Q Branch before he goes. Once in the Bahamas, Bond meets Fatima and makes love to her on a boat before they go for swim. Evading death from sharks attracted to a beacon Fatima has secretly placed on him, Bond survives and later makes his way back to shore. He later meets up with CIA agent Felix Leiter as well who helps him on the case.

All the while, Domino, the sister of deceased Jack Petachi, has been the “kept woman” of the slightly eccentric Max Largo, and they both meet James Bond later in the film. Bond accepts Largo's offer to play his game ‘Domination’. After playing for several countries, Bond has lost several times, but offers to play Largo once more for a chance to dance with Domino. Largo accepts and Bond wins. During the dancing, Bond tells Domino straightforward that her brother is dead and Largo is the prime suspect. Later on Bond finds at his hotel that his associate has been killed, and a fleeing Fatima is the culprit. He chases after her, but is eventually caught and held at gunpoint by her. Thanks to Q‘s pen, Fatima is killed and Bond escapes.

He is later caught by Largo, who has also turned against Domino as well. Bond escapes with Domino, with the information that the first bomb is in Washington D.C. The location of the second still remains a mystery... 007 later discovers where Largo and the warhead is and goes after him with Felix. He encounters Largo in the Tears of Allah, and is nearly shot while trying to diffuse the warhead, but is saved thanks to Domino firing at Largo at the crucial moment.

Fatima Blush: Write this: The greatest rapture of my life was afforded me on a boat in Nassau by Fatima Blush, signed James Bond...Double-Oh-Seven.
James Bond: I just remembered. It’s against Service policy to give out endorsements.
Fatima Blush: Write!
James Bond: Right now?
Fatima Blush: Right...now.

Bond and Domino are then treated to vacation on their own terms, with Bond turning down Nigel Smallfawcet's request from M to return to the service. Never again.

• James Bond - Sean Connery

• Domino Petachi - Kim Basinger

• Ernst Stavro Blofeld - Max von Sydow

• Maximillion Largo - Klaus Maria Brandauer

• Fatima Blush - Barbara Carrera

• Lippe - Pat Roach

• Lady In Bahamas - Valerie Leon

• Kovacs - Milos Kirek

• M - Edward Fox

• Miss Moneypenny - Pamela Salem

• Q - Alec McCowen

• Felix Leiter - Bernie Casey

• Nicole - Saskia Cohen Tanugi

• Patricia - Prunella Gee

• Nigel Small-Fawcett - Rowan Atkinson

• Full Never Say Never Again Cast List Here

• Director - Irvin Kershner

• Producers - Kevin McClory & Jack Schwartzman

• Screenplay - Lorenzo Semple Jr.

• Production Designers - Stephen B. Grimes, Philip Harrison

• Editor - Ian Crafford

• Costume Designer - Charles Knode

• Casting - Maggie Cartier

• Music - Michel Legrand

• Title Song - “Never Say Never Again” lyrics by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Sung by Lani Hall

• Cinematography - Douglas Slocombe

• Second Unit Director - Michael Moore

• Art Direction - Roy Stannard, Michael White

• Special Effects Supervisor - Ian Wingrove

• Full Never Say Never Again Crew List Here

• World Premiere: 6 October 1983
• UK Television Premiere: 25 December 1986 (ITV)
• US Television Premiere: 2 November 1986 (ABC)
• Total Running Time: 133 minutes
• Locations: London, UK; Shrublands; Nassau, Bahamas; Southern France; North Africa
• Academy Awards: None
• Film Title: Not Spoken

You can read all about the gadgets of Never Say Never Again here.

• Union Jack Fountain Pen
• Laser Beam Watch
• Binoculars

Miss Moneypenny: Have you got an assignment, James?
James Bond: Yes. I am to eliminate all free radicals.
Miss Moneypenny: Ooh. Do be careful.

You can read more quotes from Never Say Never Again here.

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