There have been a lot of Bond Girls, but everyone knows that Russian Bond Girls are the sexiest.
So, here, for your delight and delectation, is a brief rundown of every Russian Bond Girl, ever.
Plus a bonus Ukrainian Bond Girl – Camille from The Quantum of Solace (also known as Olga Kurylenko).
Tatiana Romanova – From Russia With Love (Daniela Bianchi)
A Corporal in the Soviet Army, Tatiana Romanova believes she is on a secret mission for her country to seduce James Bond. Instead, she is just a unwitting pawn of the evil SPECTRE, who want to get their evil mitts on LEKTOR, the Soviet encryption machine.
Although James Bond suspects a trap, he meets with Tatiana, who plans to defect with the LEKTOR machine.
After spending some quality time together, Bond and Romanova blow up the Soviet embassy in Istanbul and flee with the LEKTOR machine on the Orient Express. There, in the climactic scene, Romanova shoots Klebb, the assassin pursuing them, saving Bond’s life.
Top Quote:
Tatiana Romanova: The mechanism is… Oh James, James… Will you make love to me all the time in England?
James Bond: Day and night. Go on about the mechanism.
Anya Amasova – The Spy Who Loved Me (Barbara Bach)
In the intro to The Spy Who Loved Me, James Bond is attacked by a group of ski-ing KGB assassins. Before parachuting to freedom, he manages to kill one of his attackers – who just happens to be Amasova’s lover.
Amasova is also a KGB agent and throughout the film, she and Bond are on the trail of a stolen nuclear submarine. Competing with each other to fulfil their mission the pair, of course, fall in love.
Then Amasova finds out that James Bond killed her lover…
Amasova swears revenge but, ever the KGB professional, she refuses to kill him until they have completed their mission.
In the final scene, Amasova tells Bond “This mission is now over” and ominously points her gun at the British secret agent.
But, of course, Amasova discovers that her love for Bond is too strong for her to carry out her threat. Instead she shoots the cork off a bottle of champagne, and the two pop off into a luxury escape pod to catch up on old times…
Top Quote:
James Bond: Oh, by the way, thanks for deserting me back there.
Anya Amasova: Every woman for herself, remember?
James Bond: Still, you did save my life.
Anya Amasova: We all make mistakes, Mr. Bond.
Pola Ivanova – A View to a Kill (Fiona Fullerton)
Pola Ivanova has a short, but sweet, role in A View to a Kill.
Ivanova is, of course, another of those mysterious women from Bond’s past who just happens to also be a Soviet spy. Caught spying on billionaire villain Max Zorin, Ivanova fights with Bond until the pair fortunately recognise each other.
They then, of course, have to hop into the hot tub to wash off the sweat and blood.
Having done the not so dirty, Bond then steals a secret tape from Ivanova, swapping it for a less intersting tape of Japanese music, and goes back to fighting the evil Zorin.
Top Quote:
The bubbles tickle my… Tchaikovsky!
Xenia Onatopp – Goldeneye (Famke Janssen)
Lots of Bond girls were murderers, but Xenia Onatopp was the only Bond girl to get her sexual kicks from murdering people – preferably between her famously powerful thighs.
Early in the film, Onatopp murders a Canadian Admiral by crushing him between her thighs while loudly orgasming, and it’s not long before James Bond becomes her target. Twice during the film, Onatopp attempts to squeeze Bond to death between her legs, but is thwarted each time after an arousing contest.
When not trying to fulfil her murderous sexual desires, Xenia Onatopp is a crack helicopter pilot. After the fall of the Soviet Union she put her skills (both sexual and aviational) to good use for the JANUS crime syndicate, first stealing a prototype European helicopter from the unfortunate Canadian General, and then flying Russian General Arkady Ourumov across Siberia to steal the Goldeneye satellite weapon’s controller.
In their final confrontation, Bond as always finds himself in a tight squeeze. However, yet another sultry Russian is on hand to distract Onatopp and save Bond yet again. Having escaped Onatopp’s clutches, Bond kills her by shooting her helicopter pilot – Xenia Onatopp is appropriately crushed to death by her own safety harness.
Top Quote:
This time, Mr. Bond, the pleasure will be all mine.
Natalya Simonova – Goldeneye (Izabella Scorupco)
Computer programmer Natalya Simonova is the sole survivor of the attack in which General Arkady Ourumov and Xenia Onatopp’s steal the Goldeneye controller.
Simonova meets Bond while the two of them are tied up, captives of rogue MI6 agent Alex Trevelyan. Naturally, despite being trussed up in a helicopter programmed to self-destruct, the two escape together and become lovers.
Many adventures ensure before Simonova saves the day not once, but twice. After reprogramming the Goldeneye satellite to crash harmlessly into the ocean, she turns her attentions to femme fatale Xenia Onatopp, distracting her briefly from her mission to crush James Bond.
Top Quote:
Natalya Simonova: How can you be so cold?
James Bond: It’s what keeps me alive.
Natalya Simonova: No. It’s what keeps you alone.
Bonus Bond Girl: Camille – The Quantum of Solace (Olga Kurylenko)
Looking through the article, you might have noticed that Russian Bond Girls have always been portrayed by actors from the West – never a Russian girl, or a Soviet Bond Girl. Well, that’s about to change – almost – with the introduction of the first Ukrainian Bond Girl.
Ukrainian actress Olga Kurylenko has been announced as one of two Bond Girls who will star in the upcoming movie, the Quantum of Solace. She will play the role of Camille.
Not much has been announced about the fim yet, but judging by the sound of her name, and that Kurylenko is a big star in France, it sounds as though ironically, she may be the first Eastern European actress to play a Western Bond Girl.
Kurylenko , discovered by a talent scout on the Moscow metro when she was just 13, has been causing quite a storm in the media in recent weeks – not just because she is a beautiful pre-Bond girl, but because she appears in the recently released French film The Serpent, which contains quite a lot of nudity and some rather explicit Japanese rope bondage scenes.
About Andy Young
Good post Andy) Its funny how there’s never been a Russian Bond girl played by an actual russkaya!) Fiona Fullerton is from NI as far as I know. Bianchi is my favourite. Blonde AND Italian? What more could a guy want??!! FRWL is surely the best of those films too. The fight scene on the train from Trieste between Bond and Robert Shaw is a cracker.
Izabella Scorupco is pole. So, nearly…
Someone from the southern part of the land comprising Kievan Rus is close enough to the “actual Russkaya” category. OK’s career seems to have jump started in Moscow.
”Someone from the southern part of the land comprising Kievan Rus is close enough to the “actual Russkaya” category. OK’s career seems to have jump started in Moscow.”
But that girl is playing a WESTERNER, not a Russian! The irony. She’s incredible looking it has to be said. But women like her grow on trees in Moscow, and she’s a lucky girl.
Offhand, I’m not sure of Ivana Milicevic’s depicted ethnicity in Casino Royale:
http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/villains/valenka.php3?t=bond21&s=bond21
And there seems to be some confusion, apologies. For those who havent a word of Russian:
Russkaya = Russian (female)
Ukrainka= Ukrainian (female)
Contrary to what some believe, Ukraine is not in fact Russia.
Regarding Ukrainian actresses, Mila Jovovich is an ethnic Serb.
I understand that there’s a small, but representaive enough number of ethnic Serb Ukrainian citizens in Ukraine.
“And there seems to be some confusion, apologies. For those who havent a word of Russian:
Russkaya = Russian (female)
Ukrainka= Ukrainian (female)
Contrary to what some believe, Ukraine is not in fact Russia.”
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Contary to what some try to skirt away from, Kievan Rus wasn’t known as Kievan Uke.
A point relating to how MANY in Ukraine don’t view Russia as such a foreign country.
I’m not sure of Ivana Milicevic’s nationality either – she fails the Bond Girl test though, on the basis that she and Bond never slipped between the sheets.
Incidentally, Xenia Onatopp is credited in the film as being born in Georgia, while it was still a Soviet Republic. I figured that was good enough for me to give her the benefit of the doubt…
“Contary to what some try to skirt away from, Kievan Rus wasn’t known as Kievan Uke.”
Edit
“Contrary to what some try to skirt away from, Kievan Rus wasn’t and isn’t known as Kievan Uke.”
In fairness it was good judgement call to include Famke Jannsen, Georgian character or otherwise! I read once that the makers of Goldeneye had wanted to use Moscow and not St Petes, but couldnt get permission to stop the traffic in Moscow for the inordinate time required to shoot the tank scene. I loved the battle in the library, with Bond battling the hapless Russian squadies)
Kievan Rus is mad ethnic determinism. I’ve seen elsewhere that you’ve tried to lump Ireland into the same boat as Britain using the same argument. Mike, please give it a rest and stop dragging politics and mad theories into everything.
Just found this link, handy for Russian speakers to get some listening practice: http://www.russianinternet.com/radio/
You can pick up Echo, Russkoe, Nashe and Evropa Plus, though sadly Maximum wont behave.
Second attempt. Please excuse if duplicated.
“Kievan Rus is mad ethnic determinism. I’ve seen elsewhere that you’ve tried to lump Ireland into the same boat as Britain using the same argument. Mike, please give it a rest and stop dragging politics and mad theories into everything.”
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Another troll ike comment from a usual suspect.
Kievan Rus is a valid historical term.
I never likened the Irish-British relationship to the Russian-Ukrainian one.
Hence, the above quoted can give it a rest with his ongoing misrepresentations of what was said.
Mikhail, chitaitye pazhalusta:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CE0DA163FF934A35754C0A962958260
Comparative politics Michael McFaul would be proud of.
Anyway, lets not ruin the post, which has NOTHING to do with Ukrainian staehood, which somehow you managed to bring in here, like a smelly fish into a house. Does anyone disagree with me that Bianchi is the hottest of those babes?
The latest critique of Mcfaul was a bit on the long winded side (a few known “Russia watchers” privately expressing that view). “Hack academic” would be used by some as as a pretext for muting them.
In any event, the 4:28 pm posted link supports my contention that I never likened the Irish-British relationship with the Russian-Ukrainian one.
I actually had a series of follow-up exchanges with Mr. Sydor, who was unable to support his contentions.
The record shows that I didn’t initiate troll like antics at this thread.
Rather, I factually replied to misrepresentative comments.
Yes. Whatever makes you happy. Now, can we drop it and not ruin this post? The post is about Russian Bond babes, not Ukrainians. Ukraine is not part of Russia at all. I dont see what the confusion is. Is the US part of Canada? No. Rossiya ne Ukraina. Rossiya eto Rossiya, Ukraina eto Ukraina.
“Does anyone disagree with me that Bianchi is the hottest of those babes?”
Why do you think I went with chronological order…?
Famke Janssen comes a pretty close second, though.
Here’s a rating of the top 10 Bond girls, regardless of whether or not they played the role of a Russian:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=avY_7QDXPxo
Do you have anything to say about Bianchi at all? You’re old enough to have seen FRWL in the cinema.
“Do you have anything to say about Bianchi at all? You’re old enough to have seen FRWL in the cinema.”
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If he can’t hit me one way, he comes back in another way. Can’t say that he doesn’t try.
I wasn’t old enough in 1963 and yeah I’ve to agree with what was stated.
about Bianchi (to finish off the last sentence).
Andy, thats a fine pick of Bianchi. In the film she’s unbelievably beautiful, just mesmerising. The character of Onatopp is cool too though, and she’s lovely and lively, with an evil smile. Scorupco looks like one of those Russkaya who end up eating tons of borsch from big bowls in her kvartira. Still hot though, and I like borsh.
Speaking of Russia v Ukraine, one of the funniest things is the (extremely low) Ukrainian regard for Russian cooking. Ukrainians are shocked by the (truely dire) Russian rendition of shci, made with saurkraut, whilst the Ukrainian one is very tasty, mae with fresh cabbage slices. They also think Russian borsch is a perversion of their invention!
“Yes. Whatever makes you happy. Now, can we drop it and not ruin this post? The post is about Russian Bond babes, not Ukrainians. Ukraine is not part of Russia at all. I dont see what the confusion is. Is the US part of Canada? No. Rossiya ne Ukraina. Rossiya eto Rossiya, Ukraina eto Ukraina.”
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More like what’s right versus wrong. Russia and Ukraine are very close for a variety of reasons, which either an ignorant or dishonest dishonest person wouldn’t acknowledge. For much of history, Russia and a good part of Ukraine were together as one, in a way not similar to the Canadian-American relationship.
I don’t see what the confusion is and I’m not the one ruining this thread.
“Speaking of Russia v Ukraine, one of the funniest things is the (extremely low) Ukrainian regard for Russian cooking. Ukrainians are shocked by the (truely dire) Russian rendition of shci, made with saurkraut, whilst the Ukrainian one is very tasty, mae with fresh cabbage slices. They also think Russian borsch is a perversion of their invention!”
*****
The last point is definitely bullshit.
Note how Ukrainian is collectively used in the above quoted.
Many Ukrainians don’t share that perception.
Second attempt. Pardon if duplicated.
He told me to crop it, only to carry on himself.
Classic trolling.
Mike, I’m glad you agree on Bianchi, and sorry for the age pun, it was unfair. Its one I use on my old man all the time and its bad form.
Mike, Russian schi made with saurkraut is a crime against food(and humanity). I cant change my view on that)
How about salo (which can be classified as Ukrainian)?
BTW, you can crack on my age all you want. I’m younger than the earlier referenced McFaul and I suspect the “beloved Michelle Berdy”.
A bit of a brag: but in point of fact, I physically blow away a good many folks half my age.
I’ve never had it. I’ve never been to Ukraine unfortunately. But I’ve heard salo is indeed atrocious. In fairness what I’m saying is highly subjective, but I find Ukrainian shchi, made with crispy cabbage, really tasty whilst the Rus version is like something given to squaddies along with cheap smokes. Dreadful. And I cant understand the Russian love of ruining perfectly tasty borsh with smetana. Fooo!
There’re several different versions of the latter which can be found in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, among some other parts of the FSU and FSU Diaspora communities.
The greater NY area has plenty of fine eateries having it.
Its fried pork fat, is it not? Ewww.
Michele Berdy is just great. Her language articles are cool. I believe you’re learning Russian, is it true? Surely you’d appreciate her articles then.
Salo is flavored fat.
I linked one of her language articles in QT.
Her comments about Srebrenica were wrong. They displayed a lack of knowledge on the subject, which is typical among many Anglo-American media elites. Yuila Latynina falls into that category as well.
Like it or not, I’ve my own fan base that includes academics and media folks, who have had it with some of the BS being uncritically peddled at some high profile venues.
I have no doubt you have your fans -Andrew Waller, Claus, Alexandra, Roobit, Zhana Klimova, to name but a few.
That’s Yulia. One of her MT articles uncritically cited the off the wall 200,000 casualty figure (offhand, I seem to recall her putting that figure even higher higher) and suggestion that Milosevic was the root of the whole former Yugo mess.
“I have no doubt you have your fans -Andrew Waller, Claus, Alexandra, Roobit, Zhana Klimova, to name but a few.”
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In all likelihood and with all due respect to the above mentioned folks, a good number of the others are much more significant in stature.
Meantime, there’s a stated Russian Academy of Sciences employee, who you don’t critique, thereby putting your own opinions on the subject in question.
“Global Voices Online » Russia, Ukraine: Bond Girls Says:
February 11th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
[…] Light posts “a brief rundown of every Russian Bond Girl, ever” – which includes at least one Ukrainian girl. Share […]”
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Yes Veronica.
When will GV stop its bias against blogs like:
http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/blog/
Instead, showing a preference for the diverse political opposites like Greater Surbiton and the Srebrenica Genocide Blog.
Boo!!!!
Some other blogs that seem to be getting the political shaft:
http://grayfalcon.blogspot.com/
http://serbblog.blogspot.com/
http://djurdjevich.blog.com/
http://www.juliagorin.com/wordpress/
http://serbianna.com/blogs/
http://eastern-european-forum.blogspot.com/
A similar Global Voices bias appears to exist with the coverage of the Moldova-Pridnestrovie (Trans-Dniester) dispute.
Here’s a pro-Pridnestrovie blog having a different view from those held by the Global Voices selected material of Lyndon Allin, Douglas Muir and an anonymous Georgian blogger who posts via the TOL Steady State: http://www.transdniestria.co.uk/. To date, I don’t think that Global Voices has ever posted this latter mentioned site. Meantime, Global Voices posts material by someone who others and myself consider as an-anti-Russian bigot.
This message is part of the Operation Kick Ass 2008 spirit of seeking vast improvement throughout media.
Quite what the above two posts have to do with Bond girls isnt exactly clear.
A rheorical point that’s far more pertinent to some of your posts at this thread.
The last 3 posts of mine either respond to points you raise or address GV.
Note how you selectively said last two, instead of last three.
Saying the last three sets you up for being busted as a advocacy fraud.
make that: an advocacy fraud.
James Bond has been a box office success in depicting a suave Brit. intell agent.
Here’s something to ponder: the Soviets didn’t seem to have as successful a movie character depicting their version (if you may) of a James Bond.
James Bond lingers on in a post-Cold War world.
Relative to James Bond, post-Soviet Russia has NOTHING coming close to a movie character in the role of a sophisticated Russian intell. agent furthering the cause of Russian interests.
Propaganda takes many forms that a good number of folks don’t pick up on.
Having an on line discussion group, that’s closed from open viewing has a certain Soviet like quality to it, which runs counter to Russia presenting a better image of itself.
”Propaganda takes many forms that a good number of folks don’t pick up on.”
Mike that’s a crock of crap and you know it. The James Bond films came from books originally, which were entirely entertainment from intrigue/spycraft. Bond is British so by definition he’s going to fight Britain’s enemies. The only person who considers that propoganda is you. In fact MI6 in real life has had more fuck ups than the CIA/KGB/FSB put together. The films are just entertainment, get over it already. Stop looking for bias everywhere.
You contradict yourself in a way that supports what I said.
There’s the entertainment aspect, combined with the slant of the British superman successfully knocking off scores of bad guys.
Bond’s successs is global. Russian cinema hasn’t come close to matching such a character from a Russian perspective.
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan book series had a similar propaganda intent. Like the two Russian bad guys situated in Africa. Talk about paranoia! 19th century Russia didn’t need or really have Africa in mind for empire purposes.
You’re also wrong for believing that I’m the only one holding similar views.
Mike, Bond is just a bit of fun, its not like Rice Burroughs stuff at all. Its just entertainment. Next thing you’ll be telling is that Transformers cartoons and movies are propoganda againts the Decepticons!))
By the way Russia does have a famous superspy -the President, Vladimir Putin! Time Person of the Year! Bet Bond never won that!
As for closed from viewing groups, that may have something to do with participants getting spammed.
“As for closed from viewing groups, that may have something to do with participants getting spammed.”
Bullshit! It has to do with the apparent insecurity of the principle who prefers managed (censored) scenarios for cover purposes. Those accusing of “spam” have done the very same thing themselves.
I’m glad to say that some in that certain group are willing subscribers to my material. Those requesting off are taken off.
You really like fronting for the inept?
As a matter of fact, cartoons like Rockey and Bullwinkle as well as Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse had a Cold War spook aspect to them.
JB has been action entertainment mixed in with the political.
Does he really though? Is he really so frightened? The man has ten years done in Russia and speaks Russian. And he has a thankless job, defending Russia in the english language.
I seem to dimly recall the Soviet Union had a rival series to Bond, although it might have only managed a couple or three films. No idea what they were called though, so I might just be imagining it!
And what about Erast Fandorin? Didnt he have a spell as an agent in Turitskii Gambit?
Andy:
I’m aware of that one. However, it didn’t resonate like JB.
On another point, “he” (as per what was communicated to me) only recently became Russian language fluent. Where one is located doesn’t alone establish a dominance of perspective.
Like many others, I like intelligent discourse which isn’t manipulated in a way that mutes out interestingly informative input.
Intelligent individuals willing to face the firing line (if you may) should be welcomed in media.
Those wrongly claiming “abuse” against themselves as they use terms like “nuts” to describe some of their peers aren’t setting a good example.
“And he has a thankless job, defending Russia in the english language.”
Is that how his RAS (or RAN) employed (at least as claimed) friend and himself feel? At that now closed venue, he said that he was free to speak his mind and that the day this stopped was the day he would leave.
Mike,
I’m afraid I cant agree with you on that. First of all, he didnt wake up one morning fluent – doesnt work like that. During the course of his progress from basic to fluent, he’d have been learning all the time and picking up a myriad of information that I’m afraid is simply not available to you. Secondly, he’s in Moscow, heart of the empire. He couldnt possibly be better placed.
Did you ever think that perhaps you’ve antagonised these people so much that it may, in fact, have been counterproductive?