The Sexism Inherent in James Bond Films

How the Hero Perpetuates Negative Female Stereotypes in Society

Jul 15, 2009

James Bond has emerged as one of the most recognizable names in the spy genre of film and books. Yet, this sexist attitude towards women is antiquated and in poor taste.

The twentieth century has witnessed the remarkable rise of popular culture and media. The evolution of the film industry has been particularly astonishing: movies, which were once a luxury for the very rich can now be accessed and enjoyed by people from all walks of life and from any economic or social standing.

One particular film, or more accurately one particular series of films, has generated unparalleled success worldwide and has created one of the world’s most recognizable characters in movie history: James Bond.

The Relationship Between James Bond and Women:

What is the relationship between men, women, and nature in these films? The spy genre and the associated characteristics of fast cars, hard liquor, and beautiful women, in particular the infamous “Bond Girl”, tend to depict women as sexual objects for domination and manipulation, and nature as easily controlled, conquered, and manipulated as well.

By generally referring to all the Bond films, but more specifically focusing on the recent James Bond film Casino Royale, the depiction of women as weak, amoral objects of desire perpetuates negative stereotypes of women and nature in society.

The term “Bond Girl”, used to describe the female co-stars, is perhaps the most sexist and belittling detail of the entire series. By referring to the women as “girls”, the term suggests their inferiority to the character of James Bond, and the man playing James Bond as well.

Their presence as mere “eye candy” throughout the films is also maintained by this term. In conjunction with this term, the names of the women in the films are equally degrading.

With classic examples such as Pussy Galore or Molly Goodhead just to name a few, the superiority of James Bond over these women implied by these degrading names can be linked to the symbolism of the women’s names is degrading to women, and is a form of patriarchy which is both socially and culturally destructive.

James Bond and His Sexual Exploits:

Throughout the series, James Bond has sexual relations with new women in every film. This is analogous to the dominance of man over nature suggested by Sir Francis Bacon; he believed that the purpose of science was for man to dominate and control nature.

The ways in which Bond uses women to appease his own desires, and the ways in which he uses women as a means to an end (such as in Casino Royale when he seduces the wife of a criminal to simply gain knowledge about that criminal) reflects the simultaneous domination of women and nature in society.

These actions by Bond can be equated to the ways in which men dominate nature and natural resources for their own gratification with little worry about the consequences.

James Bond's Dualistic Approach to Women:

Perhaps the most glaring example of how the Bond films perpetuate the concept of oppression of women and nature in society is inherent in the concept of dualism, first theorized by the Greek theologian Pythagoras. According to the theory of dualism, all components associated with men, such as culture, are deemed superior than components associated with women, such as nature.

James Bond perpetuates this dualism by seducing women at will (as discussed earlier) and through his depiction as a suave, virtually indestructible man. Bond, armed with a gun or a laser-watch, is more powerful than any Soviet soldier or mobster hit-man.

Likewise, Bond is calm and very rational in the face of danger. Juxtaposed to this are the women of James Bond films, who are depicted as emotional, constantly in need of rescue, and who are easily seduced by Bond.

In one particular scene of Casino Royale, Bond kills an African warlord with little hesitation or remorse. However, when “Bond Girl” Vesper Lynd bears witness to this she is overcome with emotion, which is shown when she sits in the shower fully clothed and crying.

Another example of this is seen in the film The World is Not Enough. In this film, Bond is told by a female doctor that he has a broken collarbone, and when she refuses to clear him for duty Bond seduces her by stripping off her shirt. She then clears him for duty, and even says “you have to promise to call me this time” (Apted, Purvis, & Wade, 1999).

These actions, especially by a woman with the high social rank of doctor, perpetuate the stereotype of women as weak, naive, and easily manipulated and this can then be extended to nature using the theoretical framework of dualism.

How Many People Have Actually Seen a James Bond Film?

The idea of “Bond Girls” as defenceless and easily manipulated, coupled with their inherent relationship to nature as demonstrated in the writings of Harding, is critical to understand. The negative perceptions of millions of women are being perpetuated by these, given the enormous success of the James Bond franchise worldwide; it has been estimated that over one-half of the world’s population has seen at least one Bond film (Lindner 2003, 1).

This statistic is awe-inspiring, but also troubling for those concerned with the message that these films are portraying about women. That is why it is critical to better understand these messages, and how they contribute to further gender socialization based on the superiority of men over women and nature.

For further reading on the nature of sexism in movies and female stereotypes, seek out the following resources:

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