Trigger Warnings Issued for James Bond Films due to Offensive Content
James Bond movies now come with trigger warnings for potentially offensive content The British Film Institute has added disclaimers to several films in the John Barry season
Exhibitors are now including trigger warnings on James Bond movies due to their "offensive and outdated" content that may cause offense to modern audiences. The first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953, followed by the release of the first 007 movie, Dr. No, in 1962.
The world has undergone dramatic changes since then, and the Bond movies have reflected these changes by incorporating more progressive stories and characters. Even M referred to 007 as "a sexist, misogynist dinosaur" and "relic of the Cold War" in 1995's Goldeneye.
However, the British Film Institute deems the outdated language and behaviors in the early movies as potentially offensive to modern audiences. As a result, they have implemented trigger warnings to properly forewarn viewers.
James Bond movies handed trigger warnings over “offensive” content
The BFI is mounting a season paying tribute to James Bond composer John Barry, during which the Institute is adding disclaimers to multiple 007 movies.
The season, titled ‘John Barry: Soundtracking Bond and Beyond,’ celebrates the unique and hauntingly beautiful sound of John Barry.
Audiences should be aware that many of the films included in the season contain language, images, or other content that may be offensive by today’s standards. The films are included for historical, cultural, or aesthetic reasons and do not reflect the views of the BFI or its partners.
Disclaimers added to more movies in John Barry season
Specific trigger warnings are now being applied to individual films, such as 1967’s You Only Live Twice, which includes a disclaimer about outdated racial stereotypes related to the character of Oddjob and a scene in which Sean Connery’s Bond tries to pass as Asian.
The John Barry season has brought scrutiny to more than just James Bond films. Midnight Cowboy has been criticized for its portrayal of homophobic language and sexual violence, while Never Let Me Go contains warnings regarding racist language and attitudes. Additionally, Petulia has been flagged for its depiction of domestic violence.
A BFI spokesperson explained, "We have issued warnings for several films in the season and included a general warning at the start, as many of these films are British titles from the 60s and 70s that may require contextualization."
Explore the John Barry season throughout February and find additional details and ticket information on the BFI website. Click here for more James Bond news and here for additional movie coverage.
Editor's P/S
As a long-time James Bond fan, I am torn about the decision to issue trigger warnings for the older films in the franchise. On the one hand, I understand that some of the content in these movies may be offensive to modern audiences. The portrayal of women and people of color in particular is often problematic by today's standards. On the other hand, I worry that trigger warnings could detract from the enjoyment of the films and sanitize history.
I believe that it is important to acknowledge the problematic aspects of these films without shying away from them. These movies are a product of their time, and they reflect the social attitudes of the era in which they were made. By issuing trigger warnings, we can allow viewers to make informed decisions about whether or not to watch these films. We can also use these warnings as an opportunity to discuss the historical context of the films and to reflect on how far we have come in terms of social progress.
