In Memoriam: Christopher Wood

Photo: Shatterhand007.com

007 Travelers is saddened to hear that Christopher Wood has passed away.

Who: Christopher Hovelle Wood
Born: 5 November 1935, London, England
Died: 17 October 2015


Christopher Hovelle Wood was an English screenwriter and novelist best known for the Confessions series of novels and films which he wrote as 'Timothy Lea'. Under his own name, he adapted two James Bond novels for the screen: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977 with Richard Maibaum) and Moonraker (1979).

Wood was the first author to write novelisations of Bond films. His novelisation of The Spy Who Loved Me, renamed James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me to avoid confusion with Ian Fleming's original novel, has nothing in common with the Fleming book. Similarly, the plot of Moonraker, renamed James Bond and Moonraker, is almost entirely written by Wood, although it does share some similarities with Fleming's original novel, in particular the villain Hugo Drax. Bond fans generally rate Wood's novelisations highly. Kingsley Amis wrote in The New Statesman that, despite several reservations, "Mr Wood has bravely tackled his formidable task, that of turning a typical late Bond film, which must be basically facetious, into a novel after Ian Fleming, which must be basically serious. ... the descriptions are adequate and the action writing excellent.


Christopher Wood´s 007 production as a writer (books):

• James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me: James Bond novelisation and screenplay (1977)
• James Bond and Moonraker: James Bond novelisation and screenplay (1979)

Christopher Wood's 007 production as a writer (movies):

• The Spy Who Loved Me: screenplay (1977)
• Moonraker: screenplay (1979)
• James Bond Jr. (TV series): character: Jaws, uncredited (1991)

Others:

• James Bond, the Spy I loved: Memoirs (2006)
• How to Write the Perfect Bond Film: Article in SFX magazine (2012)

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007 Drink: Four measures of Gordon's Gin with smidgin of dry martini

Drink: Four measures of Gordon's Gin and smidgin of dry martini
Bond book appearance: James Bond and Moonraker (1979)
Experience of 007 Travelers: @ home

Gordon's is a brand of London Dry gin first produced in 1769. The top markets for Gordon's are (in descending order) the United Kingdom, the United States and Greece. It is owned by the British spirits company Diageo and is made in Scotland (although flavourings may be added elsewhere). It is the world's best selling London Dry gin. Gordon's has been the UK's number one gin since the late 19th century.

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"The girl stood up with a bottle of Gordon's in her hand. 'That's all we have, I'm afraid. Unless you'd like whisky?'

' No, thank you. I'll take four measures of Gordon's with a smidgin of dry martini, shaken till it's ice cold. If you can lay your hands on a long shave of lemon peel, my happiness will be complete.'

The girl looked down at him approvingly. 'You know what you like.'

Christopher Wood: "James Bond and Moonraker"

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007 Book: James Bond and Moonraker (1979)

Bond book: James Bond and Moonraker

Author: Christopher Wood

Publication year: 1979

James Bond and Moonraker is a novelization by Christopher Wood of the James Bond film Moonraker. Its name was changed to avoid confusion with Fleming's novel. The screenplay of Moonraker differed so much from Ian Fleming's novel that Eon Productions authorized the film's screenwriter, Christopher Wood to write a novelization based upon the film, as he had done for The Spy Who Loved Me.

Unlike Wood's first novelization, which showed a significant difference to the actual film, in James Bond and Moonraker, Wood writes a virtually direct novelization of the screenplay. The only noticeable differences between the novelization and the screenplay for Moonraker is that there is no mention of Dolly, Jaws' girlfriend, and his characterization stays true to Wood's description as being a mute. In addition, at the conclusion of the Venetian canal chase sequence, Bond's gondola does not sprout a flotation device and ascend to St. Mark's square as it does in the film.

British Secret Service agent James Bond, codename 007, must prevent Sir Hugo Drax's plan to murder the entire human race and then restart humanity from outer space.

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007 Drink: Chivas Regal

Drink: Chivas Regal
Bond book appearance: James Bond and Moonraker
Experience of 007 Travelers: @ home

Chivas Regal /ˈʃɪvəs ˈriːɡəl/ is a blended Scotch whisky produced by Chivas Brothers, owned by Pernod Ricard. Chivas Brothers was first established in 1801. The Chivas Regal brand's home is Strathisla Distillery at Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland, the oldest operating Highland distillery which was founded in 1786.

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"Bond tossed the handbag on to the bed beside its contents. 'I've seen this equipment before, Holly, and it wasn't in Macy's.' He paused for a moment before he crossed to a drinks trolley. 'It was being developed by the C.I.A. An old friend of mine, Felix Leiter, gave me a sneak preview.' Bond turned his back to throw some ice cubes into a glass and top it up with Chivas Regal. 'I think you probably know him.' There was no reply from Holly. 'Because it occurs to me that the C.I.A. placed you with Drax. Correct?'

Christopher Wood: "James Bond and Moonraker"

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