This week sees the UK release of the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale. This is the first outing with actor Daniel Craig playing the spy with the 'licence to kill'.

In this programme we discover a little about the history of the famous secret agent and his creator, Ian Fleming. We also hear from writer and critic Kim Newman who spoke on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about how the Bond films have changed over the years to adapt to and reflect the world's changing political landscape.

Look at the following comprehension questions. You can hear the answers in the programme. You can also download the whole programme and the script from the 'Extras' section below.

1: Where did Ian Fleming get the name James Bond from?
2: When was the first Bond novel written?
3: When was the first Bond film released?

Listen
	Bond, James Bond

Vocabulary

to work in intelligence
to have a job in the secret services

an ornithologist
someone who watches and studies birds

trivia
a small and unimportant but interesting fact

inflated and exaggerated
larger than life, more dramatic and sensational than reality

technological maniacs
people with advanced technology and mad plans of world domination

arms dealers
people who sell weapons

mercenaries
soldiers who can be hired

to go up against
to confront, to challenge and fight

gadgets
clever tools and devices that have special functions

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Extras

Programme script (pdf - 19k)
Download this programme (mp3 - 1.6 mb)