Original script for 'Moonraker' is revealed
Original screenplay by Lan Fleming , creator of James Bond, revealed a hitherto unpublished text, vastly different from the final film’s accomplishment.
In 1956, a year after the novel "Moonraker" was published, Fleming wrote a 150-page screenplay for the film. The head of the British Secret Service is not called "M" and is not a grumpy character portrayed in novels and movies, but a kind city agent. Also, his seductive secretary Moneypenny is not part of the story.
'This is the first screenplay Fleming wrote with Bond on the big screen in mind. It's his only screenwriting attempt, so its significance is great. It's a very Bond script - a megalomaniac who wants to destroy Britain,' claims Jon Gilbert' expert for Ian Fleming's opus.
That version of the script, however, never saw the light of day. At the time, Britain's largest film company did not recognize its potential, so the script remained in the Rank Organization's drawer for decades after it was created.
Fleming underwent an adaptation of one of his novels in 1962, two years before his death. Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman turned his 1958 novel into the legendary film "Dr. No" with Scottish actor Sean Connery in the main role and Swiss actress Ursula Andress who was the perfect embodiment of the first Bond girl.
The original screenplay was found while collecting material for Bond The screenplay was spotted at an auction in 2015 when it became part of someone’s private collection.' Fleming's script is fascinating,' Gilbert reveals, but 'the descriptions are too extensive.' A professional screenwriter would concentrate more on dialogues and minimize instructions:
'That's why his screenplay is 150 pages. Screenplays for Bond films usually have a hundred pages. But Fleming's screenplay is easy to read,' Gilbert added, explaining that the writer's screenplay is "much more serious" than the 1979 film.
'The danger of the Cold War and the serious threat of a nuclear catastrophe are mentioned. Films from the 1970s, on the other hand, describe an atmosphere that is not so fatal.' he added.
'It's exciting that this script was found. Fleming wanted his books to be staged. He worked hard to get the attention of American and British producers,' Andrew Lycett, author of Fleming's biography "The Man Who Created James Bond ," told.
