Methodology

Bond, the well-dressed man

Time in a suit or tuxedo is the cumulative length of all film time in which Bond is in the scene and wearing any of the following: a suit with matching jacket and pants, a tuxedo, a white dinner jacket or a particularly formal military uniform. Also included: Time spent in a suit or tuxedo without the jacket (often the morning after an adventurous night), and time wearing other outfits or articles of clothing over a suit or tux. Timing begins from the moment it is clear to the audience that the character is Bond and that he is wearing any of the outfits in the category. Times are expressed as the average percentage of the actor’s films that depict him in the outfits in the category. Note: This is not the average percentage of Bond’s screen time that he is in a suit or tux; it’s the average percentage of the entire movie.

Bond, the sex symbol

Shirtless time is the cumulative length of all film time in which Bond is in the scene and not wearing a shirt. If Bond removes his shirt, timing begins the moment both sleeves are off. Times are expressed as the average percentage of the actor’s films that depict him shirtless.

Bond, the romantic

Romantic time is cumulative length of all film time in which Bond is in the scene and flirting, seducing, or being otherwise intimate. Examples include, but are not limited to, making eyes, making out, and making love. Times are expressed as the average percentage of the actor’s films that depict him engaging in the activities in the category.

Time spent flirting with Moneypenny is the cumulative length of all film time in which Bond is in the scene and making casual, flirtatious banter with Miss Moneypenny and/or touching her or putting himself in her personal space. Times are expressed as the average percentage of the actor’s films that depict him engaging in the activities in the category.

The number of women who die after Bond has expressed some interest in them is self-explanatory. Interest is defined as any of the activities that constitute romantic time.

Bond, the difficult employee

A scolding by M is a verbal reprimand or punishment for a particular transgression. Multiple reprimands for the same transgression are counted once.

A plea from Q to pay attention is self-explanatory.

A request from Q to treat equipment with care is an appeal to Bond to avoid damaging the item, not to handle it with safety.

Bond, the gadget enthusiast

Gadgets are pieces of equipment that incorporate some advanced technology (a jetpack, for example) and/or are fashioned within some disguise, like a gun hidden in a ski pole or a camera hidden inside a ring. Cars and most other vehicles are not gadgets, but they are often equipped with gadgets, such as missiles, an ejector seat, or a submarine setting. Weapons are not gadgets, unless they equip vehicles, are highly specialized, or are hidden within another device, like a bomb housed inside a watch. Only those gadgets that are used in the field and by Bond himself are counted here.

Bond, the man of vices

Martinis or other drinks ordered are verbal requests (or verbal acceptances) made by Bond or on his behalf for a martini or another drink. In some cases, the order is implied or explicitly referenced. A server bringing Bond a drink that he has not been seen ordering or does not remark upon when it arrives is not an ordered drink. A drink taken by or handed to Bond without prompting is not an ordered drink. A drink offered to Bond that he explicitly accepts is. Several martinis and many other drinks consumed by Bond are not represented here.

Gambling is defined as Bond’s participation in a game of chance, such as baccarat or poker.

Bond, the comedian

A Bond double entendre is a wry statement containing language that can be interpreted in two ways. Most capitalize on the literalization of idioms (e.g. “I got into some deep water”). A few are more straightforward (e.g. “Shocking,” following a death by electrocution).

“Bond, James Bond”

An introduction is an instance of Bond introducing himself with the words, “Bond, James Bond.”

Caveats

Data for every film except Spectre were recorded by watching, pausing, and re-watching digital downloads. This method allows two coders to crosscheck each variable. It also makes it possible to assess with certainty whether Bond has fully exited a scene or is just temporarily out of frame. Data for Spectre were recorded live in a movie theater, without the benefit of a pause button. As a result, the margin for error for every variable is higher. In particular, the timed variables may include aberrant, brief pauses at moments when the coders were unsure whether a scene with a suit or romantic moment had fully ended. The resulting time lost is probably minimal.