8 James Bond Movie Moments That Haven’t Aged Well

James Bond has always been good at his job, but he hasn’t always been well-mannered. Outside the context of his fictional universe, Bond was created as somewhat of a bad boy by author Ian Fleming. For a long time, screenwriters preserved the character’s questionable characteristics when transferring the stories from paper to the screen. The Fleming books also had plenty of insensitive elements, but given how critically acclaimed they were, directors never felt the need to change much.

Various old 007 movies thus feature scenes that would never be allowed today. Such moments are often excused and labeled “products of their time” and they are. But in the current social climate where sensitivity is highly emphasized, some of the character’s actions are primed to trigger plenty of outrage.

To conform with the changing times, the franchise has changed a lot, so much so that Daniel Craig’s final outing as the character, No Time to Die, didn’t even have a single sex scene, despite clocking in at almost three hours long. Whether Bond movies are becoming too politically correct is a matter of debate. For now, let’s look at some classic Bond scenes that would never be included in modern movies.

8 Bond Orders a Black Man to Fetch His Shoes

Dr. No (1962)

In Dr, No, MI6 agent John Strangways disappears in Jamaica, so Bond is ordered to investigate. There, he meets Quarell, a local guide who once worked with Strangways. Quarell is in no way Bond’s servant, yet while Bond is busy cozying up with a bikini-clad beauty, he orders the man to fetch his shoes, which are only a few meters away.

Slavery Undertones

The depiction of Quarell as a servile figure was in bad taste, even in the early 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement was busy trying to push for equal rights for black people in America while many countries around the world were trying to free themselves from the pangs of British colonialism.

Interestingly, Dr. No premiered only a few months after Jamaica gained independence. In the 2020s, where the topic of racism is even more sensitive, such a scene wouldn’t fly.

7 Bond Blackmails a Nurse Into Sleeping with Him

Thunderball (1965)

When Bond survives an attempt on his life at Shrublands Health Clinic in Thunderball, he vows that “somebody’s going to wish today never happened.” The remark is misconstrued by Nurse Patricia, who believes the agent is labeling her incompetent. “Please, I could lose my job!” she says. Noticing her fear, Bond pushes for coitus, saying, “I suppose my silence could have a price.” The two then sleep together.

The Inappropriate Moment Ruins an Otherwise Great Movie

Thunderball is terrific viewing for anyone interested in the geopolitics surrounding NATO. Besides that, Director Terrence Young never shies from depicting Bond’s famous complexities and weaknesses. The result is a film that convincingly shows why he is the greatest movie spy of all time. Sadly, the scene with Nurse Patricia ruins the wonderful characterization. Even worse, he counters her “Oh no!” with a creepy “Oh yes!”

6 Bond Stereotypes an Indian Man

Octopussy (1983)

In Octopussy, Agent 007’s globetrotting adventures lead him to India, where he meets a woman operating a smuggling ring and learns of a plot to blow up a U.S. Air Force base in West Germany. While he is in the country, all stereotypes get thrown in, including those revolving around Indian culinary tastes. In one scene, he gives a man a giant pile of cash and then asks him, “That’ll keep you in curry for a few weeks, won’t it?”

Curry Isn’t a Constant Preference

Bold of Moore’s Bond to assume that all Indians love curry, and they have no other use for their money. Craig’s Bond would have been torn apart if he ever said such words. Still, the controversial moment isn’t as terrible as others in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. With better phrasing, Bond’s philanthropic gesture would have earned him praise. All he had to do was give a tip and tell the man to enjoy himself.

5 Bond’s Forceful Interrogation of Miss Anders

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

While digging up information about an assassin, Fransisco Scaramanga, Bond approaches the killer’s mistress, Miss Anders, as she is showering and tries to extract as much intel as he can from her. As expected, she stays mum, aware that any treachery will be punished with a bullet from the golden gun. Unwilling to let her be, Bond twists her arm and threatens to break it. When she still refuses to cooperate, he slaps her.

Bond Puts Anders in Pain and a Tough Spot

In this case, Anders is merely a victim, and Bond is supposed to be a good guy. She isn’t with Fransisco Scaramanga willingly. It’s obvious that if she leaves him, he will kill her. Bond’s choice to forcefully extract information from her thus adds to her misery. By engaging Anders, Bond also seals her fate. As soon as Scaramanga learns she is talking to him, he kills her.

4 Bond Locks Nick Nack, a Man with Dwarfism, in a Suitcase

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Fransisco Scaramananga’s henchman, Nick Nack, spends most of his time lollygagging at his employer’s estate. And when it comes time to confront Bond, he does his best. Because he is a man with dwarfism, Nick Nack doesn’t always have the upper hand and Bond goes the extra mile to humiliate him. First, he breaks a chair’s frame and tries to fish him from under a couch like he is a pet. Then, in the movie’s final minutes, he locks Nick Nack up in a suitcase before throwing it into the ocean.

An Easy Win for Bond?

Nick Nack getting trapped in a suitcase is considered one of the funniest moments in Roger Moore’s Bond movies, but it’s still pretty insensitive. This kind of humor largely expired in the 20th century. Today, any attempt to make fun of a person with dwarfism would be viewed with derision.

Other than that, Nick Nack is a perfect henchman and director Guy Hamilton can be thanked for making him all the more interesting. After all, he is the same person who crafted Oddjob and Baron Samedi to perfection.

3 “Man Talk!” With a Slap on the Rear

Goldfinger (1964)

For most of Goldfinger’s running time, Bond remains hot on the trail of bullion dealer Auric Goldfinger. The hunt officially begins when CIA agent Felix Leiter briefs him at Miami’s Hotel Fontainebleau. At that time, Bond is seen getting a massage from Dink. He first introduces her to Felix before instructing her to leave. “Dink, say goodbye to Felix. Man talk!.” As she is walking away, he slaps her on the rear.

Sexual Harassment or Mere Playfulness?

Dink is only a masseuse, not Bond’s lover, so he has no real right to lay hands on her. Such a scene is guaranteed to raise discussions about women in the service industry being sexually harassed by male clients. Even if Dink was romantically involved with Bond, there would still be questions about consent and whether a man in a PG-13 film should be spanking a woman on camera.

For a Bond movie in the 2020s, the masseuse would walk away and leave the two men to talk. The “man talk” line wouldn’t exist either.

2 Bond is Surprised That Dr. Goodhead is a Woman

Moonraker (1979)

Everything about Dr. Goodhead raises questions, including her name. Well, in Moonraker, Bond is initially aware of the existence of a scientist and astronaut named Dr. Goodhead. Because he has a chauvinist mindset, he assumes it’s a man. He is thus genuinely surprised when he meets the character in person. A part of him is disappointed. Another part is excited because he’ll be spending a lot of time with a woman, and that happens to be one of his favorite things to do.

An Obvious Gender Balance Issue

Moonraker strays a lot from its source material since Dr. Goodhead doesn’t even appear in the book, so author Ian Fleming cannot be blamed for this bizarre character introduction. Bond’s perspective reflects the general workplace gender balance issue of the 20th century. When Moonraker was filmed, there weren’t many women in top organizations, especially compared to now. Thankfully, the world has greatly evolved and so has the franchise.

1 Bond Rubbishes Pussy Galore’s Sexual Orientation and Kisses Her

Goldfinger (1964)

Pussy Galore starts as a Goldfinger sycophant, waxing lyrical about her gold-dealing until Bond seduces her. What‘s odd about this particular romance arc is that Miss Galore is lesbian. She informs Bond about her orientation, but he rubbishes it before wooing her and kissing her. It’s then implied that she has switched sides. She not only gets intimate with Bond but also turns against her boss.

‘Turning’ a Lesbian is Both Impossible and Unnecessary

Agent 007’s ability to seduce everyone is a common trope in Bond movies. However, it would have been logical for him to hit a cul-de-sac with Miss Galore because she isn’t attracted to men. Social media would be on fire if Daniel Craig’s Bond ever insisted on kissing a gay woman and then ‘turned her.’ Such a move implies that heterosexualism is superior to lesbianism. This is guaranteed to anger rights activists.