Everything or Nothing (Eon)

Eon of course was the overtly grand name of Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman’s production company when they took the gamble of bringing James Bond to the cinema screen.

And in many ways, it is an apt moniker for Stevan Riley’s documentary which looks back at the creation of the 007 franchise from author Ian Fleming right through to the current cinematic instalment.

But the problem that Riley or anyone else undertaking a study of the Bond phenomenon has to contend with is that retrospectives of the Bond canon have already been done (usually around the time of the latest release).

Riley however achieves more than most, letting his interview subjects tell the story. Typically, it is supposed to be the untold story of 007, but sadly for Riley the chronological narrative reveals little that most Bond fans would not already know.

But where Riley’s documentary does score is by opening up the odd little personal window which throws a new light on much we thought we knew.

Most previous Bond documentaries have been little more than cheerleading sessions forever polishing the Bond legend, albeit under the control of Eon.

And while Eon would doubtless have had input into this ‘independent’ production, Riley still has the leeway to show Pierce Brosnan in fits over the ridiculous “kite-surfing tsunami” scene from Die Another Day.

Plus you get to see Barbara Brocolli, who has always portrayed the image of a hard-nosed businesswoman, showing true emotion when she recounts the telephone reconciliation between Connery and her father in the final days of his life.

Everything or Nothing is having a limited cinema release so it’ll be a pity if Bond fans miss it. But on DVD, it’ll be worth catching since it is in a class way above the usual retrospectives.