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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.

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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

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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

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Host Thomas Felix Creighton and British novelist Roland Hulme talk about James Bond in the USA, particularly the three movies set there directed by Guy Hamilton; Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Live and Let Die (1973). Their talk ranges from Ian Fleming's original 007 novels to contemporary perspectives on American culture.

Roland Hulme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rolandhulme/

Roland Hulme on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/rolandhulme

Roland Hulme on Amazon: Check out the "Knuckleheads Motorcycle Club" books.

***

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Thomas Felix Creighton shares his parents’ letters, written from Kuwait in 1978, and reflects on their first experience as Brits in a non-Western country.

A huge part of this channel is drawing on Thomas' international experience, so he regularly gets messages asking, ‘why did you live abroad?’ – The usual reply is, ‘My parents started it!’. So, not unreasonably, some people ask, ‘Okay, so why did your parents live abroad?’.

One formative experience for the older Creighton generation was living in Kuwait 1978-1981. It was not Lee and Frank Creighton's first time overseas, they’d lived in Germany together already. But, Kuwait was a particularly impactful experience, and one they often both talked about. Germany was more familiar, they were with a much larger British Army contingent. Whereas in Kuwait, they were with the much smaller ‘Kuwait Liaison Team’ (KLT) team, and Kuwaiti culture very different from what Lee Creighton was familiar with. Frank had lived in Egypt and Aden (Yemen) as a child - again in British Army camps, but with ample opportunity to observe and interact with the local culture.

Thomas reads three letters from his parents. The first, an e-mail sent in 2012, is a reflection on their time in Kuwait, 30 years later. The second, is Lee Creighton’s first letter to her parents in England, from Kuwait (1978). The third reading is Frank’s letter to Lee’s parents, also 1978. Thomas gives further reflections on his time in Saudi Arabia (2012/13), and uses that to remark on his parent’s recollections.

For more, check out the 'podcast highlights' section of AlbionNeverDies.com

https://www.albionneverdies.com/podcast-highlights/brits-in-the-desert

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

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Thomas Felix Creighton examines the Britishness of ‘Live and Let Die’, both the 1954 novel by Ian Fleming, and the 1973 movie starring Roger Moore. Contributors include British author in the USA, Roland Hulme, New York based Youtuber Alex Lamas (Always say YES to Adventure), and blogger and writer Matt Spaiser (Bondsuits.com). The main interview at the end is with Peter Brooker, co-author of ‘From Tailors With Love’ (with Matt Spaiser) and ‘Boy Wanted on Saville Row’, a biography of Sir Timothy Everest. You can also find him at his podcast, ‘There Will Be Bond’, which is available from all great podcasting apps.

The podcast in in three main parts:

An examination of the 1954 novel, and what made it a best-seller in the UK. If JFK made 007 a household name in the USA, what made him a best-seller here in the UK years before? The Suez Canal Crisis, and the author’s high society connections, played a vital part.

Heading towards the 1973 movie features contributions from Roland Hulme examining ‘the race question’, Alex Lamas giving a take on authentic portrayals of New York, and Matt Spaiser, also in New York giving an overview of the menswear featured in the film.

Finally, we have the interview with Pete Brooker, recorded in 2022, now released for the first time. Yes, that is the speed of my podcast, it’s analysis not news. He talks about having a shirt made from the same bolt of fabric, by the same shirtmaker, as the one worn by 007 in the movie.

Books I reference include:

· Ian Fleming – the Complete Man, by Nicholas Shakespeare

· The Life of Ian Fleming, by John Pearson

· The Man with the Golden Typewriter, edited by Fergus Fleming

· Some Kind of Hero – The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films, by Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhry

· The 007 Diaries, by Roger Moore

Recommended Rabbit Hole: K. Hagen · The Spectre of “Bloody Morgan”: Ian Fleming’s Use of the Pirate Motif (available online): International Journal of James Bond Studies · Vol. 1, Issue 2 · Spring 2018

www.albionneverdies.com

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

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Thomas Felix Creighton talks to Alex (Sifu) Lamas about the trailer for the forthcoming James Bond video game, First Light.

Currently a martial arts instructor, Alex Lamas was in the film business for 25 years, working as storyboard artist, assistant art director, and weapons specialist. He’s not a gamer, he played Goldeneye N64 only *twice* in the 1990s. He gives Thomas (a strictly casual gamer) a cinephile’s view on the new video game trailer.

You can find Alex at:

https://www.youtube.com/@yestoadventure007

https://www.instagram.com/sifu_lamas/

Thomas had been playing Hitman 2 for a several hours before recording this game, relevant as these are the same people working on the new 007 game. Many more hours in, the statements in the podcast still hold true.

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Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the British perspective on 4th July – American Independence Day. This episode is perfect to listen to as you drive to a family barbeque on the day, giving you fun facts, and a unique perspective you can share!

• Why is there a triumphal arch close to where this episode was recorded in England, celebrating the American victory?
• Was 1776 the start of a new identity?
• What inspired the US constitution?
• Would slavery have ended sooner for the USA if the colonies had stayed with Britain?

All these questions are answered, with the following books and films recommended (listen in order of mention in the episode):

Books:

• Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens, by David Mitchell
• A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain by Marc Morris
• Cromwell, by Antonia Fraiser
• Origins of the American Revolution (2nd ed.) by John Chester Miller

Movies:

• 1973’s Robin Hood (Disney)
• 1968’s The Lion in Winter (with Timothy Dalton as Phillip II of France)
• 2010’s Robin Hood (the Russell Crowe one)
• 1970’s Cromwell

Released on the first of July, to give you time to listen in advance of the celebratory day, when many will be busy with family, or in case you have a really long drive to get to that barbeque!

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

Check out my https://www.youtube.com/britishculture

Check out my Red Bubble shop (...and thank you to the listener in Germany who ordered an 'A is for Albion' mug recently!)

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