Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The SMERSH dossier on Bond


Although the Commies collapsed long ago, we still don't have the complete file on what they knew of Bond. This is from From Russia With Love:

First name: JAMES. Height: 183 centimeters; weight: 76 kilograms; slim build; eyes: blue; hair: black; scar down right cheek and on left shoulder; signs of plastic surgery on back of right hand (see Appendix A); all-round athlete; expert pistol shot, boxer, knife-thrower; does not use disguises. Languages: French and German. Smokes heavily (N.B.: special cigarettes with three gold bands); vices: drink, but not to excess, and women. Not thought to accept bribes.

This man is invariably armed with a .25 Beretta automatic carried in a holster under his left arm. Magazine holds eight rounds. Has been known to carry a knife strapped to his left forearm; has used steel capped shoes; knows the basic holds of judo. In general, fights with tenacity and has a high tolerance of pain (see Appendix B).


Although the appendices were not included in the novel, Appendix A would have been from Casino Royale when he ran into a SMERSH assassin (who was hunting someone else). The SMERSH agent carved the SMERSH emblem on Bond's hand. M later made Bond get a skin graft to cover it. Appendix B could have referenced the torture Bond endured in that same story, but also could've referenced his torture in Live & Let Die when Mr. Big had Bond's finger broken.

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