Thunderball

Fleming had been working with Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham on a film project, and when it fell through Fleming turned the material he had into Thunderball. Once published he found himself in court and subsequently lost the case in favour of McClory and Whittington. The result of the case is that all copies of the book since state that "The story is based on a Screen Treatment by K. McClory, J. Whittingham, and the author" and McClory was left with the film rights.

This time Bond finds himself in the Bahamas on the tail of SPECTRE, the SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, who have kidnapped two nuclear warheads and are holding the west to ransom. As well as the West Indies setting, the book includes Bond's stay at a health farm and Fleming's love of the ocean. The book should be read in conjunction with On Her Majesty's Secret Service and You Only Live Twice.

The film remains one of the best and stars Sean Connery. Thunderball was made as part of "Cubby" Broccoli's official series with McClory as the producer. Strangely, it was decided to film You Only Live Twice and then On Her Majesty's Secret Service after Thunderball, when the books form a logical trilogy. As McClory retained the rights to Thunderball, he remade it as Never Say Never Again, a poor imitation of the original that at least benefits from having Connery in the role. McClory has been trying to remake the film again for some years.

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Thunderball  Ian Fleming

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