Behind 007 is a darker truth. This definitive film uncovers the myth of the genius, Ian Fleming.
Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond explores the enduring appeal of the world Fleming created and how the books and the character of James Bond reflect his own life and the top-secret Naval Intelligence operations in which he played a leading part during World War II.
Fleming’s enormous success as a writer led him to the edge of a precipice. Like one of the duels to the death in his books he tried to rid himself of 007, only to find that Bond always struck back. Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond explores this paradox. The film establishes the importance of Jamaica in Fleming’s life; all the James Bond books were written at Goldeneye, his house on the island.
Connecting the books, the feature films and rare archive footage of Fleming and his era brings depth, glamour and excitement to the documentary - with contributions from Ralph Fiennes, Kate Mosse, Percival Everett, Marlon James, Alexis Albion, William Boyd, and Ian Fleming biographer Nicholas Shakespeare, with readings by Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter, Fight Club, Sweeney Todd).
PRESS ARTICLE
BROADCAST - Sky Arts to explore unseen life of James Bond creator
**** [Four Stars]
TV TIMES
**** [Four Stars]
IRISH INDEPENDENT
**** [Four Stars]
THE TIMES
"Informative, with an impressive roster of novelists and actors paying homage."
DAILY MAIL
"Punctuated with well-chosen clips from some of the Bond movies, which act as witty barbs."
IRISH INDEPENDENT
"Fascinating... boasts an impressive line-up of contributors."
IRISH INDEPENDENT
"A must-watch... alluring... intoxicating."
THE TIMES
"Excellent film."
THE GUARDIAN
"Fascinating contributions."
THE GUARDIAN
"Thoughtful."
THE TELEGRAPH
"Pick of the Day."
THE SUN
"Pick of the Day."
THE TELEGRAPH
"Pick of the Day."
THE INDEPENDENT
"Pick of the Day"
THE GUARDIAN
DURATION
1 x 91-minutes (2 x 45-minute version also available)
BROADCASTER
Sky Arts
YEAR OF PRODUCTION
2026
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION
UK
Director
Adam Low
Producers
Martin Rosenbaum, Nick Taussig
Contributors include
Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Barbara Blake-Hannah, Nicholas Shakespeare, Marlon James