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Thomas Felix Creighton celebrates his 200th podcast episode by setting out his most controversial opinion on the James Bond franchise: that 2002's Pierce Brosnan adventure, 'Die Another Day', is a great film. Not one that starts decent and then goes off the rails, not one that is good in concept and but fails in execution - it is an out and out fun action romp of the early 2000s.

Thomas is fully aware that there are other opinions, and has taken much advice on this from the fan community. He has considered other these opinions, acknowledges them, and discusses them. Many thanks to those who have patiently (and kindly) explained *their* perspective. But, Thomas Felix Creighton likes Die Another Day, and that's what this episode is all about.

As Madonna sings in the title sequence, 'Sigmund Freud, analyse this... I'm gonna break the cycle' (the cycle of fans not liking this film).

Pierce Brosnan goes out with a bang.

Visit the podcast website: https://albionneverdies.com/

Message Thomas anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.com

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Thomas Felix Creighton examines the Britishness of Timothy Dalton's first outing as Ian Fleming's creation, James Bond, 007.

Part One: Brits in Afghanistan

Thomas touches on iconic imagery, such as the infamous painting, “The remnants of an army, Jellalabad [sic], January 13, 1842”, which is better known as just "Remnants of an Army". It was painted by Elizabeth Thompson, Lady Butler in 1878, and shows Dr. William Brydon, assistant surgeon in the Bengal Army, arriving at the gates of Jalalabad in January 1842. He was thought to be the only survivor of a massacre at The Khyber Pass. This is detailed in a book Thomas has recommended before, "The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia" by Peter Hopkirk, the chapter "Massacre in the Passes". For the sake of variety, Thomas reads from a book not previously covered in his episodes on the British Empire, namely, Jeremy Paxman's "Empire: What Ruling the World Did to the British".

If it wasn't clear in the episode (Thomas has been down with a cold and is still a tiny bit fuzzy), the 'British' were fighting in Afghanistan mainly to forestall any Russian influence there, as it was seen as the gateway to India. Not so different from James Bond's objectives in the movie, I suppose.

Part Two: A Potpourri of Britishness

Covering a shop with a dress code, British technology, Aston Martins, and country estates. Thomas can't resist referencing an American court case, Leonard v. Pepsico, Inc. Give me a harrier jump jet, or I'll sue...

Part Three: Fleming. Ian Fleming.

Again, seeking some measure of variety, Thomas reads two short sections from "The Life of Ian Fleming" by John Pearson, Fleming's friend and biographer. Two further biographies were consulted, especially the ones by Nicholas Shakespeare and Andrew Lycett, but Pearson's was better on this occasion. Thomas also refer to a collection of Fleming's writing recently released, named, "Talk of the Devil", possibly getting the title wrong. If he does get it wrong, he blames the cold.

Hungry for more?

Check out episodes 133 & 134, all about Gibraltar thanks to my friend Caine, who spent a weekend on The Rock purely to help out my podcast. Also, episode 189, an interview with the movie’s director, John Glen.

Visit the podcast website: https://albionneverdies.com/

Message Thomas anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.com

Check out Thomas' Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/britishculture

Check out the Red Bubble shop

Subscribe to the newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616

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Thomas Felix Creighton was asked by his friend, and listener to this podcast, David Webber, ‘If you could live in any fantasy universe, which one would it be?’ – this podcast first looks at the concept of 'escapism' and then answers that question in detail!

Thomas considers:

• The world of James Bond, 007
• A galaxy far, far away...
• The world of Harry Potter
• J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth

A couple of extras are touched on at the end, Star Trek Voyager and Dr. Who, and a final verdict *is* given. The assumption is that Thomas is not the hero (or villain) of these worlds, and that the visit could be anything from one day to one year.

Message Thomas anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.com

Check out Thomas' https://www.youtube.com/britishculture

Check out the Red Bubble shop

Subscribe to the newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616

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