The most enduring and successful film franchise in motion picture history gives itself a pat on the back in the recent release of special editions of the James Bond film series and a documentary on the history of the character and the films.

Despite five actors playing Bond, continuity inconsistencies, and the paradox of a character who has remained relatively ageless for five decades, the Bond series has managed to grow more successful over the years, with the recent Pierce Brosnan films being the most lucrative for the franchise.

The James Bond Story, recently released on Fox Lorber, examines this phenomenon and the history of the series and of the Bond character's evolution, from the calculated coldness of Connery's first incarnation, through the sensitivity of George Lazenby's Bond (who only lasted one film), Roger Moore's lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek portrayal, Timothy Dalton's edgy, malevolent Bond, and finally, Brosnan's Bond, who takes these seemingly disparate personality traits from the earlier Bonds and mixes them in the just the right proportion.

Purists would argue that the Connery Bond is the best, having exemplified the screen personification of Ian Fleming's character to a "t"; and though he argument has merits, it's difficult to imagine his ruthlessness wearing well after thirty-eight years of films. At the time of its release, the series debut Dr. No was groundbreaking in that its action-hero character tread an extremely fine line between being sympathetic to the audience and alienating them with cold-hearted acts of violence and outright sexism. Several of the scenarios in the film depict Connery dispatching his enemies with the detachment of an exterminator, or treating the female characters as chattels.

The Bond characters in these films reflect the times that they live in, and Brosnan's Bond, with his fleeting moments of vulnerability, is a more human and modern Bond. Instead of a detached killing machine, he gives he impression of a professional who, at times, gets into into situations that might be over his head. In addition, female characters play a stronger role in the recent Brosnan films -- instead of voluptuous playthings, as exemplified by Ursula Andress' vapid sex-machine turn in Dr. No, recent female characters have proved to be Bond's near-equal in wit and ruthlessness. Sophie Marceau's Elektra King character in The World Is Not Enough manages to manipulate and outwit Bond for a good portion of the film, turning his fondness for women into a powerful weapon against him.

Of course, these films share common themes -- the impossible predicaments, lavish settings, and so forth -- but they also continue to innovate in terms of redefining the action genre through depicting a hero who realizes that intelligence and charm can be even more effective weapons than the esteemed Walther PPK and P99. Try to imagine Van Damme talking his way out of a situation and you get the idea.

Notes

Dr. No Special Edition features audio commentary from Terence Young, cast and crew, documentaries on Terence Young and the making of Dr. No; still gallery; original television ads, radio spots and theatrical trailer. Widescreen, 110 minutes, color, 1962. The World Is Not Enough features audio commentary from Michael Apted, 2nd audio commentary featuring production staff, "making of" documentary, music video by Garbage, and original theatrical trailer. Widescreen, 128 minutes, color, 1999. The James Bond Story features interactive trivia game, filmographies, and production credits. Letterbox, 52 minutes, color, 1999. All titles available now.