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MI6 traces the ghost of James Bond's ill-fated wife, Tracy de Vicenzo, through the on-screen references and allusions to the one and only Mrs. Bond...
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The Ghost of Tracy Bond
11th December 2009
Ever since 007 courted the fiery, resourceful
and desirable Comtesse Teresa "Tracy" de
Vicenzo in "On Her Majesty's
Secret Service",
her subsequent tragic death has haunted the British spy on many
a mission. Never has a woman had such an impact on James Bond,
nor has a character ever haunted the film series as frequently
as that portrayed by British actress Diana Rigg.
References to the late Mrs. Bond begin to haunt the James Bond film franchise from "O.H.M.S.S." to "GoldenEye". MI6 trawls the archives and plots the films and circumstances in which Tracy makes a subtle appearance.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Bond: George Lazenby
"We have all the time in the world..."
James Bond and Tracy de Vicenzo tie the
knot at a flower-filled romantic wedding - even Q is
in attendance. Mere hours later, on their way to their
honeymoon in sunny Portugal, Bond's life is shattered forever
with the assassination of his newlywed bride. The references
to this single moment in Bond iconography haunt the series
forever, but every time Tracy is referenced, Bond is often
quick to change the subject, attempting to leave his late
wife buried in the past.
Diamonds
Are Forever
Bond: Sean Connery |
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Above: George Lazenby as James Bond and Dianna Rigg as Tracy Bond in the wedding sequence... |
"...There's something
I'd like you to get off your chest."
After the tragic conclusion to the "O.H.M.S.S." mission,
007 is back in "Diamonds Are
Forever" in his previous, familiar Scottish guise. Bond
clocks up the miles in a global rampage to avenge his assassinated
bride, Tracy. Bond traces his arch-villain, Blofeld, from Cairo
to Tokyo in hopes of revenge. With Blofeld dispatched with -
albeit a lookalike - Bond returns to active duty.
"Commander James Bond, recruited to the British Secret Service from the Royal Navy. License to kill and has done so on numerous occasions. Many lady friends but married only once. Wife killed..."
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The Spy Who Loved Me
Bond: Roger Moore
Some 8 years later, on the "Spy
Who Loved Me" mission, 007 cuts short Anya's
summary of the 00-Agent's background when she
mentions the late Tracy Bond. This is another sign
of 007's true heartache and desire to forget the past
that will manifest in both Dalton and Brosnan's Bond
persona.
For Your Eyes Only
Bond: Roger Moore
Tracy's ghost crops up just two adventures
later in the pre-title sequence of "For
Your Eyes Only". Here we see Bond paying his respects
to the grave of his late wife. Bond's visit to the churchyard
is, in part, an attempt to tie Bond back down to earth post
the outlandish "Moonraker".
In this short sequence Bond seems somber but true to the
film presence thus far, never overly emotional. Bond's visit
is cut short by the arrival of a Universal
Exports chopper, ready to rush him to headquarters. |
Licence To Kill
Bond: Timothy Dalton
"The next one who catches this is
the next one who..."
After Bond attends Felix's
wedding to the lovely Della she tries to toss 007 her
garter. Bond reacts coldly and Felix later explains:"He
was married once - but that was a long time ago." Timothy
Dalton's James Bond seals the unavoidable fact that 007
will remain a bachelor and never again marry.
GoldenEye
Bond: Pierce Brosnan
"[Have you ever] found forgiveness in the arms of all those willing women for the dead ones you failed to protect?"
The jibe from Bond's once trusted companion Alec
Trevelyan sees fear in the eyes of Pierce
Brosnan's Bond. For a rare moment he show his weakness
and that those who know him best can
most
easily
challenge
him. 007's persona shows an emotionally damaged side
and a denial of his inability to
protect
Tracy.
Again,
20 years later, the memories of Tracy Bond still haunt
his adventures.
Right: The doomed Tracy
Bond works her way into 6 Bond outings..
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