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Gadgets

From Double-Oh-Wiki

One popular element of the James Bond franchise is the exotic equipment and vehicles he is assigned on his missions, which often prove to be critically useful.

The original books and early adaptations had only relatively minimal pieces like the modified attache case in From Russia with Love. However, the gadgets took on a more spectacular profile in the film version of Goldfinger and its tremendous success encouraged the following films to have Bond supplied still more equipment. For instance, it became an expected scene in each film where Q would present and demonstrate Bond's assigned tools for the mission, and it was a near guarantee that each and every piece would be invaluable to Bond in the field. In this sense, Bond gadgets became a prime example of the literary technique of Chekhov's gun.

Fans eventually complained that the use of gadgets became excessive in the Roger Moore films, particularly in Moonraker, and subsequent productions struggled to find a balance in which gadgets could have a place without giving the impression that the character unduly depended on them or using stories that arbitrarily included situations that exactly fit the use of the gadgets assigned.

This article concerns the gadgets James Bond typically carried on his person, along with additional gadgets used by others. For his gadget vehicles, see List of James Bond vehicles.

Contents

[edit] Dr. No

  • Walther PPK - Technically the only notable "gadget" in the entire film is when M and Major Boothroyd (Q) force Bond to trade in his Beretta for the new standard issue, the Walther PPK. Bond has since used a Walther PPK in every movie up to Tomorrow Never Dies, in which he has a Walther P99.
  • Geiger counter - Bond has to request one from Britain before using it to determine the radioactivity of Crab Key, suggesting they were uncommon.
  • Luminous watch - Bond has a watch with a luminous, slightly radioactive face that glows in the dark. This is a holdover from Fleming's novels, in which Bond is described as having a similar watch.

[edit] From Russia with Love

  • Briefcase - This is Bond's first real film gadget. This briefcase given to Bond by Q-Branch contains a folding sniper rifle inside while ammunition, a knife and fifty gold sovereigns are contained in secret compartments accessible on the outside of the case. In addition, there is a safety mechanism that will detonate a gas bomb in the briefcase if opened improperly. This case is almost identical to the one described in Fleming's novel except the book added a cyanide capsule which Bond was to use to commit suicide upon capture (Bond immediately flushes it down a toilet).
  • Pager - Bond had one to notify him if he ever needed to contact MI6. It is worth noting that Bond also had a phone installed in his car as well.
  • Bug detector - A small device that is designed to detect the presence of a phone tap device in a regular telephone when placed against such a device.
  • Garotte watch - A wristwatch from which a wire garrote can be drawn. Used by Red Grant first to strangle a man dressed as Bond as part of A training excercise in the opening scene and later to attempt to strangle the actual Bond in the film's climax.
  • Tape recorder camera - A small reel-to-reel tape recorder hidden within a camera use to interrogate Tatiana.
  • Dagger shoes - Shoes with poisoned blades concealed in the shoes worn by Rosa Klebb. The blades would pop out of the front of the shoes, making kicks extremely dangerous. The poison killed within seven seconds.

[edit] Goldfinger

  • Homing beacon - Bond is given two homing beacons from Q-branch. The first is larger and used when Bond tracks the villain, Auric Goldfinger, to his base. The second is smaller and allows MI6 to know where Bond is. He hides it in a secret compartment in the heel of his shoe.
  • Reference is made to Bond having an attaché case that is damaged (presumed destroyed) when examined by Goldfinger's personnel. This may be a reference to the agent briefcase introduced in From Russia with Love, or it could have been another piece of luggage that had been rigged to self-destruct when tampered with.
  • Oddjob, Goldfinger's henchman, uses a special hat with a metal disc under the brim as a throwing weapon. The hat is capable of chopping stone and metal when thrown hard enough.

[edit] Thunderball

  • Homing Pill - When Bond takes this pill, it emits a signal that can be detected only by a certain receiver.
  • Rebreather - A small device that can be carried on the person without notice and when in use, is held in the mouth to provide a few minutes of air in emergencies or when the user has to go underwater.
  • Jet pack - Used to propel Bond into the air when escaping after killing Col. Bouvard.
  • Missile-firing scuba tank - During the final undersea battle, Bond is equipped with a bulky scuba tank that not only propels him through the water faster than anyone can swim, it also shoots small missiles.

[edit] You Only Live Twice

  • Shooting Cigarette - Tiger gives Bond a cigarette capable of shooting a jet powered projectile accurately up to 30 yards. Used in Blofeld's volcano to kill a technician standing by the entrance controls to enable his allies to storm the base.
  • Safecracker - A small device that can easily be carried in a jacket pocket and works by attaching it to a safe the operator wants to open. With it properly positioned, the user needs only to turn the combination dial and the device would light up a series of lights as each correct number on the combination dial is found until the entire series is revealed to open the safe. However, Bond finds out the hard way that gadget is not designed to defeat a safe's other security functions, such as alarms.
  • Explosive Bullets - Tiger's specially trained ninjas, as well as Tiger himself are armed with Gyrojet pistols that use rocket-propelled explosive bullets in lieu of standard ammunition

[edit] On Her Majesty's Secret Service

  • Radioactive lint - In the beginning of the movie, Q is showing M a homing device made out of regular lint. "Placed in an opponent's pocket, the location fix and anti-personnel uses should be obvious." M is more concerned with locating Bond, who is nowhere to be found.
  • Safecracker - A small (for its time) device that consists of a flexible cable ending in a grapple that is meant to be fitted on a typical safe combination lock. The machine would then examine the lock, figure out its combination and open the safe. In addition, the device has a photocopier function that could allow for easy copying of secret documents to minimize the chance of the owner learning of the break in by missing documents. Unlike the safecracker used in You Only Live Twice, this device was quite slow, taking close to an hour to open the safe (in the film, Bond uses the device while the safe's owner is on a lunch break and barely completes the job before the man returns).
  • Camera-Bond uses a small camera to take snap shots of a map that shows where the "Angels Of Death" are to release a biological agent.
  • After Bond resigns from MI6, we see him cleaning out his desk, and gadgets from past films are shown, including the rebreather from Thunderball and Red Grant's garotte watch from From Russia with Love.

[edit] Diamonds Are Forever

  • Pocket snap trap - A small gadget hidden in a pocket to give a person performing an unwanted search on the wielder a painful surprise that would provide a critical distraction for the wielder to exploit for an attack.
  • Fake Fingerprint - Bond uses a fake fingerprint that clings to his thumb to trick Tiffany Case into believing he is Peter Franks.
  • Slot Machine Ring - Q created a ring that, when used, ensures a jackpot at the slot machines every time.
  • Grappling suspenders - When Bond rides ontop of the elevator to the suite of Willard Whyte, he uses for the last leg of this trip the rappelling cord built into the suspenders. (A similar gadget is the belt used in GoldenEye.)

[edit] Live and Let Die

  • Magnetic Watch - Given to Bond by M. When turned on, it could snag any lightweight metallic item. In theory, Bond claims it can even deflect a bullet. It also has a circular saw built into it.
  • Bug Sweeper - Bond uses a handheld device that can sweep a room for electronic microphones. It can also be used to transmit messages in morse code.
  • CO2 gun - Fires special pellets that expel highly-pressurized air to make the target explode. Designed for combating sharks, but Bond is able to activate a pellet manually before forcing Kananga to swallow it.
  • The 'Felix Lighter' - Radio transmitter/receiver disguised as a car cigarette lighter installed in a CIA vehicle, which Bond uses to contact his friend, Felix Leiter.
  • Sideview mirror dart gun - Installed in one of Kananga's sedans, this gun is used to kill Bond's driver upon his arrival in New York City.

This movie is noteworthy in that the gadgets break their own stereotype several times.

  • Espresso machine. M, expecting it to be another agent gadget, finds it to be nothing more than a coffee maker thus triggering his surprised exclamaion: "Is that all it does?!"
  • The Magentic watch (see above). When threatened by alligators, this is one of the rare occations when a gadet actually fails to save Bond. He does escape the peril, but by using a non-gadget solution.
  • Aftershave flamethrower. One of the few gadgets ever improvised by Bond in the field, and thus not manufactured by Q branch. This was created by Bond spraying an aerosol can of aftershave past the lit end of his cigar in order to kill a venomous snake.

Another gadget-related exception is that Q does not make an appearance in this movie.

[edit] The Man with the Golden Gun

  • The Golden Gun - Scaramanga's titular weapon of choice, it could fire a 4.2 caliber golden bullet specially made for the gun. The gun also separated into a gold cigarette lighter, a gold cigarette case, a gold cuff link, and a gold pen as to evade security. The bullet is hidden on his belt
  • Prosthetic nipple - Bond confesses that it's "a bit kinky", but he gets Q to create a false third nipple so that Bond can impersonate Scaramanga, who has the same physical anomaly.

[edit] The Spy Who Loved Me

  • Micro-Film Reader - Assembled from two components:
    • A cigarette case
    • A cigarette lighter
  • Wet Bike - Personal watercraft
    • NOTE: This was one of the first water bikes which are known today as Jet Skis.
  • Ski Pole/Gun: A special designed ski pole which is modified to fire .30 caliber rounds from a four shot clip in the handle.
  • Seiko Quartz watch - Basically working like a pager, it had a built-in telex that allowed MI6 to send important messages to Bond, printing them out like a miniature teletype. (It actually looked more like a labelmaker tape.)
  • XXX's Cigarette - The cigarette used by Soviet agent Triple X, could unleash a knockout blow of stun gas when lit.
  • Sharp Tea Tray- Although never used, it is shown tested in Q's lab, cutting off a mannequin's head.

[edit] Moonraker

  • Wrist dart gun - Can fire both cyanide-coated and armor-piercing darts
  • Safe-cracking device - X-ray safe cracking device that is concealed within a normal looking cigarette case.
  • Wristwatch - Contains a remote detonator and explosive charge and fuse contained inside the back compartment.
  • Camera - A mini-camera imprinted with Bond's 00 number.
  • Moonraker Laser - A laser gun that can be shot in space. The gun is also used in the video game, GoldenEye 007. A version of this gun is shown being tested to somewhat gruesome effect on a wax dummy during Bond's visit to the MI6 monastery.
  • CIA Agent Holly Goodhead carries a number of gadgets of her own, including a perfume bottle that doubles as a flamethrower, a pen with a poison needle, and a transmitter hidden in her purse.
  • Exploding bolas (seen tested in the MI6 monastery). Designed to entrap an object, such as a human, and explode when the bola balls hit each other.

[edit] For Your Eyes Only

  • Wristwatch - Receives digital message read-outs and contains a 2-way radio/transmitter for voice communications.
  • ATAC - Automatic Targeting Attack Communicator, the ATAC was lost when the British spy ship St. Georges was sunk. Later recovered by Bond, who at the end destroys it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
  • Iconograph - An early computer-like device to assemble a phantom photo of a person by selecting characteristics from a variety of lists including hair color, hair style, nose form, style of eyeglasses etc. Located in MI6 headquarters and used by Bond and Q to put together an image of "the Dove".

[edit] Octopussy

  • Wristwatch - Contains a universal radio direction finder. This works in conjunction with listening device inside Bond's fountain pen.
  • Mont Blanc fountain pen - Contains a mixture of Nitric and Hydrochloric acids. Contains an earpiece listening device that works in conjunction with Bond's wristwatch.
  • Attaché case - Contains a false bottom which conceals a high explosive bomb.
  • TV Watch - Receives moving color images over the air [1].
  • Yo-yo saw - A rotating buzzsaw blade attached to a string so that it could be used in the same manner as a conventional yo-yo. Used by an assassin to kill MI6 agent Vijay, and later by the same assassin against Bond and Octopussy.

[edit] A View To A Kill

  • Polarizing Sunglasses - Allows the ability of seeing clearly through tinted glass.
  • Ring - Contains a miniature camera.
  • Billfold/Checkbook - Uses ultra-violet light to read previously written material by picking up the indentations of pen marks on paper.
  • Electric Shaver - Contains an electronic eavesdropping detector.
  • Credit Card - Has an electronic ability to open locks.

[edit] The Living Daylights

  • Keychain:
    • Contains capsule of stun gas (effective up to 5 feet) which is activated by a whistle combination. (Bond's was the first bars of "Rule Brittania". It's unclear if this is a standard setting.) The gas disorientates any normal person for up to 30 seconds.
    • Contains an explosive charge which is activated by a personalized whistle combination. (Bond's was a wolf whistle, something that Q commented was "most appropriate" for 007.)
    • Claims to be able to "open 90% of the world's locks".
  • Miniature Binoculars - Contained on normal looking eye-glass frames.
  • Ghetto Blaster - While never used by James Bond, we see this gadget tested in Q-Branch for the Americans. The ghetto blaster is an 1980s stereo that can fire a rocket.
  • Revolving Sofa - Q is also testing a sofa that swallows whoever sits on it.

[edit] Licence to Kill

  • Dentonite Toothpaste - Plastic explosives disguised as ordinary toothpaste. The receiver that picks up the signal from Bond to blow the explosives is disguised as a packet of cigarettes.
  • Signature Camera Gun - A camera that when put together became a sniper rifle that only worked for Bond, due to a scanner built into the grip.
  • Laser Polaroid Camera - When the flash is used on this camera, it shoots a laser. The pictures it takes are X-rayed.
  • Exploding Alarm Clock - Q carries it with him to Isthmus, but it is not used. Guaranteed never to wake up anyone who uses it.

[edit] GoldenEye

  • Belt - A size 34 leather belt. It conceals a piton hidden behind the buckle. It can fire out up to 75 feet of high tensile wire designed to support the weight of an average person.
  • Ballpoint Pen - Contains a class four grenade. A 4-second fuse is armed after three clicks in succession. Another three clicks disarms it.
  • Wristwatch - Built-in laser cutter and a remote detonator.
  • Piton Gun - Fires grappling hook (piton) and has a laser cutting attachment.
  • Digital Binoculars - Auto focus/zoom, digital camera, satellite uplink to send visual data.
  • X-Ray Document Scanner - Q has a document scanner disguised as a tea-tray.
  • Phone Booth Trap - Q Branch is testing a BT telephone box with a large airbag inside which expands, crushing anyone inside against the wall of the box.
  • Wheelchair and Leg Cast Missle - Tested by Q Branch, this gadget was made to look like someone had broken their leg, when in fact, the leg hid a missile, which could be fired from the seated position.

[edit] Tomorrow Never Dies

  • Mobile Phone - The phone had a variety of features, including:
    • a stun gun,
    • a fingerprint scanner/analyzer/transmitter
    • Security scanner for picking high-tech locks
    • "Flip-open" remote control for operating his BMW 750iL (Directional steering pad, LCD monitor for the front and rear view, controls to fire rocket launcher)
      • NOTE: This was a concept phone designed by Ericsson. Much of the look of this phone including the "flip-open" design was eventually (a few years) incorporated into Ericsson's R380 "smartphone" which combined a fully functional mobile phone, PDA-like tools and WAP services.
  • Omega watch - Taken by Bond from a Chinese safehouse, the watch had a small, detachable charge that could be detonated by turning the watch's dial. It was later used to remotely destroy a glass jar that had a grenade lodged inside.
  • Walther P99 - A gun Bond has from the beginning of "Tomorrow Never Dies". It replaced Bond's Walther PPK. Since Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond has used the P99.
  • Cigarette lighter - A disguised timed explosive/grenade.
  • Restraint Fan - Weapon developed by Wai Lin's counterpart division to Q Branch. Appears to be a chinese fan, but when opened, various string-like restraints are emitted, possibly with the design of restraining an opponent.
  • Rickshaw Defense Mechanism - This was used to subdue an enemy that was though to be unconscious. A button is pressed, and an upper part of a bike-based rickshaw, which appears to be parked, ejects, knocking out the target.
  • Dragon Flamethrower- Bond commentd on the fact that this device was "very novel." Although this appears to be a sculpture of a dragon, pulling back one of the ears emits a high yield flamethrower, which makes the sculpture look like a fire-breathing dragon.

[edit] The World is Not Enough

  • Wristwatch - Contains: 1) Grappling hook with fifty feet of high-tensile micro-filament; 2) A high intensity lighted bezel.
  • Multifunction Lock Pick - Concealed in a normal looking credit card with a removable strip that activates a spring-loaded multifunction lock pick.
  • Eye-glasses (#1) - Remotely detonates an explosive "flash-bang" charge.
  • Eye-glasses (#2) - Enables X-ray vision for checking for concealed weapons.
  • Ski Jacket - Conceals an escape pod which inflates into a sealed sphere made of aluminum-coated plastic and kevlar reinforcement. This feature appears to be based on the Zorb.
  • Bagpipe - Contains a flamethrower and a machine gun (was only in testing).

This film marks the only one occation in the Bond film series (as of 2005) where Bond has expressed concern as to what Q will think when equipment is destroyed. This happens when Bond's BMW Z8 is sawed in half. In a twist of unforseeable irony, this happens after Desmond Llewelyn makes his final screen appearance as Q. Llewelyn was killed in a car accident shortly after the film premiered.

[edit] Die Another Day

  • Ring - A "standard issue" ring for the finger which, is actually an "Ultra high-frequency single digit sonic agitator unit", that can shatter bullet-proof glass.
  • Surfboard - Contains a sliding panel with a hidden compartment containing communications equipment, explosives, detonators and a Walther P99 firearm.
  • Wristwatch - Contains an explosive detonator and laser beam cutter. The new Q states that this watch is Bond's 20th, which is a reference to the fact that Die Another Day is the 20th James Bond film.
  • Mini Re-Breather - Similar device as used in Thunderball, which provides a few minutes of oxygen.
  • Virtual Combat Training Simulator - This device allows the user to enter a virtual environment with the assistance of four computerized columns, a special pair of sunglasses, and a special weapon, this training simulator is tested by 007. One such program contains a scenario in which MI6 Headquarters is attacked and the user must eliminate all threats as they see fit. Miss Moneypenny makes some recreational use of another version of the program.
  • Mobile phone/camera/PDA used by a villain to identify James Bond. It is a product placement of the Sony Ericsson P800.

Because this film marks the 40th Anniversary of James Bond films in addition to the film being the 20th in the franschise, there are multiple references to each previous official film. Some examples include:

[edit] Casino Royale

No Gadgets Are Used.

The James Bond films
Official films
Dr. No | From Russia with Love | Goldfinger | Thunderball | You Only Live Twice | On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Diamonds Are Forever | Live and Let Die | The Man with the Golden Gun | The Spy Who Loved Me | Moonraker | For Your Eyes Only | Octopussy | A View to a Kill | The Living Daylights | Licence to Kill | GoldenEye | Tomorrow Never Dies | The World Is Not Enough | Die Another Day | Casino Royale | Quantum of Solace | Bond 23
Unofficial films
Casino Royale (1954 TV) | Casino Royale (1967 spoof) | Never Say Never Again
fr:Liste des gadgets de James Bond
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