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Many people agree that the Bond girl was born when Ursula Andress stepped from the ocean in Dr No in 1964, but actually it all began many years earlier when Vesper Lynd flowed from the pen of Ian Fleming.
A former Naval commander, stockbroker, writer and journalist, Fleming imagined his feminine archetype as a woman who ‘is as serious as you could wish and as cold as an icicle. She speaks French like a native and knows her job backwards.’ She is a woman of refinement and sophistication, but Fleming also takes pleasure in painting her as a sexual being whose ‘medium length dress was a grey ‘soie sauvage’ with a square-cut bodice, lasciviously tight across her fine breasts’.
So what are the essential qualities of the Bond girl? First and foremost she is beautiful, but not merely according to a physical stereotype. Bond girls have been variously fair or dark, tall or short, curvaceous or slender. They have come from all over the world including Africa, Japan, Poland, Russia, India, China, Yugoslavia, Malaysia, Ireland, America, Israel and more. The Bond girl is typically independent, resourceful, mysterious and very, very dangerous.
Over the years Bond girls have set hearts aflame the world over. Here are our ten favourites.
10. Grace Jones as May Day (A View To A Kill, 1985)
The diva to end all divas took a gloriously fatale turn in the mid-Eighties action fest A View To A Kill. Roger Moore’s Bond could only look on in horror as May Day blew herself up on a handcart, sacrificing her own life to save others.
May Day combined Jones’s forbidding, larger than life sex appeal with the humour of the film itself. She is one of a select few henchmen in the franchise to switch allegiance and join Bond. She commented subsequent to the film’s release that she had enjoyed working with Roger Moore, and that the love scene “was great”.
9. Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss and Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny
If there is one constant woman in Bond’s life it is M's secretary Miss Moneypenny. Over the years she has been played by different actresses, who each brought their own style to the role. Moneypenny’s affection for James is unwavering in the face of his philandering, murderous, mercenary cool. Plus she can hold her own in a battle of wits. Two gems from their years of sparring:
GoldenEye (1995)
Miss Moneypenny: You know, this sort of behaviour could qualify as sexual
harassment.
James Bond: Really. What's the penalty for that?
Miss Moneypenny: Someday, you'll have to make good on your innuendos.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
James Bond (in bed with his Scandinavian language tutor): I always enjoyed
learning a new tongue.
Moneypenny: You always were a cunning linguist, James.
8. Halle Berry as Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson (Die Another Day, 2002)
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How did Jane Seymour as Solitaire not make the list?
And Miss Moneypenny ?!?!?!
Will, Chicago, USA
I agree with Eva Green being the best. Jill St John, quite frankly, was the worst Bond girl
Alex Porell, Rochester NY, USA
Who threw together this list? Eva Green Number one? For starters, you missed one of the all-time greats, Daniela Bianchi, From Russia With Love, whom I would put at number two. Pussy Galore and Tracy make three and four, hands down, so to speak..Ursula number 1. She got there first.
phil, cambridge, usa
You've forgotten Jill St John (Diamonds are Forever)
Jerry Gilligan, Austin, Texas, USA
I'm sorry, but Grace Jones was a bit too masculine and physical to be considered a true "Bond girl". Yes, she was a great villain, she had the most menacing scowl that I've ever seen, and she definitely had a presence, but I would never put her on the same list with Ursula Andress. Moneypenny? No.
Tom, Seattle, USA
Eva Green, to me, almost spoiled the movie. Her presence was rather insipid and dull. She did not have the sexual energy, nor the mystery needed to be a bond girl. Her acting bordered on boring, and her wardrobe, apart from the 1 dress she wore for the shortest time was uninspiring to say the least.
jacqueline, Santiago, Chile
personally i dont think that ms. green who ranked 1 deserves it and hallie berry should be higher. also ursala andres should be 1.
dave randel, springfield, U.S.A.
No Sophie Marceau, Luciana Paluzzi, Karin Dor or Rosamund Pike (do villainesses count as Bond girls - they always seem a lot sexier).
Denise Richards in The World Is Not Enough was probably the worst Bond girl, just shading Tanya Roberts in View To A Kill and Halle Berry. Not to mention Madonna.
Phrederico Parmegianno, London, UK
I must disagree with the indication of Vesper Lynd as a first choice. Although Mrs. Green acting was above the average bond girl, she was not exactly an eye catcher *IMHO* as some other girls named. Btw, If a list such as Tom suggest is to be created, I would mention Denise Richards to start it.
Eduardo, Brasilia, Brazil
How about Jane Seymour as Solitaire? She still has the most bewitching eyes (apropo considering she played a virgin medium in the film until Bond tricked her into bed).
Steve, Carson City, USA
If it weren't for the inclusion of Ursula Andress, Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg, the casual observer might consider this list a rather late April fool's joke. Who voted for this? Judging by the result, this is like those "Best Ever BBC Comedy" polls where 'Men Behaving Badly' wins simply because it is the most recent thing that the mouth-breathers voting can remember. Where are Luciana Paluzzi (Thunderball), Jane Seymour (Live & Let Die), Lois Chiles (Moonraker) and Caroline Bouquet (For Your eyes Only), to name just a few?
Simon Witter, London, England
A good effort.
However, to garner any consensus, categories of Bond Women are needed, (e.g.) love interest, henchwomen, soundtrack singers, etc.
Also, best to keep the list limited to "top five" or the discussion could last years.
Tom, Lexington, KY, USA
Ridiculous list.
Sophie Marceau and Kurylenko should definitely make it.
Tim, Moscow, Russia
I am so in love with Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman)... still.
Cyril Williams, Penang, Malaysia
Holly Goodhead ! And she could drive a space shuttle too !
AndyM, Rotherham,
I must vote for Michelle Yeoh from "Tomorrow Never Dies." While not the love interest, she's nevertheless a refreshing Bond Girl; one that's as tough as he is. Finally, a Bond girl that can really kick butt.
Decca, San Francisco , USA
vesper lynd is good but derivative. the dark, sultry, clever thing was done earlier and better by judy havelock in 4 yours eyes only. jane seymour's solitaire is a must. as is britt ekland as mary goodnight in golden gun. diana rigg's inclusion is the only thing that gives this list any cred.
michael h, Crab Key, Jamaica
come on man....Eva Green number 1, are you for real?...
jack, los angeles,
Taking a quick step back, how does moneypenny count as a bond girl? Bond girls arent just females who appear in bond but females who appear in bond that bond has a sexual interest in (whether genuine or to aid his mission, doesnt matter which.) The odd flower/flirt does not make miss m a bond girl
michael h, Severnaya, Russia
Grace Jones? You're having a laugh, surely...
Alastair Johnson, Alicante, Spain
The best Bond girl?
The next one.
James, San Francisco, USA
Oh Please, Where is Jane Seymour as Solitare??
Grace Jones from one of the worst films and Halle Berry! Now if she had been with Lazenby at the end of OHMSS there would have been cheers. Simply shocking!
PS Love you Eva! Call me!
J xx
Jon, Canterbury,
Eva Green at number 1?
I'm surprised she made the list!
steve, weybridge,
agent XXX - there is simply no contest
ursula has the best entrance though
maud adams? great fun film and she has a good part - but number 4?
andrew, london,
re: the last paragraph ...Are we forgetting the tragedy at the end of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, when Bond's wife (whom he is clearly in love with) is murdered ? More of a case for setting Bond's manner in following movies I think. Not everything started with Casion Royale (2006)...
Andrew, London, UK
Robert Jarrett - that's an interesting point, although I don't agree. The famous Ursula Andress beach scene may be iconic, but Eva Green's Vesper is a more complex and interesting character, and is a less formulaic, but no less beautiful approach to the Bond girl concept!
Andy, Coventry, UK
To place Eva Green ahead of Ursula Andress just cannot be right. The aforementioned scene with her on the beach, and her bikini, will live longer in the memory than anything from Casino Royale. Will any Bond girl in 20 years time pay homage to Eva Green (as Halle does to Ursula) - I don't think so
Robert Jarrett, London, UK