“Sitting here in this room opposite M was the symbol of normality [Bond] had longed for. He looked across through the smoke clouds into the shrewd grey eyes. They were watching him. What was coming?”
-Ian Fleming’sDoctor No
In the James Bond universe, M is the head of the British Secret Service(MI6) and James Bond’s commanding superior. M appeared in 13 of the 14 original books by Ian Fleming, as well as virtually every continuation novel published thereafter. Additionally, M has appeared in 23 of the 24 official Bond films and 2 of the 3 non-canonical films, although the M of the films has not always been the same person, but rather a title adopted by each successor.
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Origin and Background
John Godfrey - Ian Fleming’s boss during World War II
Ian Fleming largely based the character of M on his own commanding officer during World War II, Admiral John Godfrey, who served as director of Naval Intelligence before being abruptly and mysteriously fired. A variety of former heads of MI5 and MI6are also seen as inspirations for the character, many of whom would sign documents with the first initial of their name, such as MI5’s Maxwell Knight[M] and MI6’s Mansfield Smith-Cumming[C]. Additionally, biographer John Pearson noted that during his childhood, Fleming referred to his mother as “M.” This is quite fitting in that one of the most recent and iconic incarnations of the film series’ M was a woman, played by Judi Dench, who was referred to as “mum” briefly in Casino Royaleand constantly in Skyfall.
Admiral Sir Miles Messervy
Sir Miles Messervy briefs James Bond
The M of Ian Fleming’s novels (and many of the others), as well as the first 11 officially sanctioned films, was Vice Admiral Sir Miles Messervy, KCMG. His identity was left unexplained for virtually the entire original literary series, other than Moonraker revealing his initials, “M—— M———-,” as well as a later reference to his first name being Miles. It wasn’t until The Man with the Golden Gun that his full name was revealed while further explaining that his predecessor was assassinated while sitting at his desk, an important plot point related to the beginning of the novel. Sir Miles is a stern, gruff, no-nonsense boss whom Bond respects and admires. As a retired high ranking naval officer, M’s office and demeanor are filled with references to his time in and love for the Navy. Bond has even paid the occasional visit to his house, which is christened Quarterdeck. Sir Miles is a member of Blades, an exclusive gentlemen’s club he frequents for meals, drinks, and cards.
James Bond makes a rare visit to M’s home in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Sir Miles remained M in the 1968 continuation novel Colonel Sun, in which he is kidnapped from his home and taken to Greece, thus setting in motion the major plot point in the story. He also served as M in John Gardner’s Bond novels until his retirement in the 1996 novel Cold Fall and subsequent replacement by Barbara Mawdsley, who was meant to be the literary counterpart of Judi Dench’s M in the films. However, Sir Miles was restored as M in Devil May Care and Solo, since both are period novels taking place in Fleming’s timeline, as well asCarte Blanche in which his character and background was updated.
Bernard Lee portrayed M in the first 11 films of the series beginning with Dr. Noin 1962 and ending with Moonrakerin 1979. Little information is revealed in the films regarding Sir Miles’ history, although the Navy connection is apparent through his office décor and occasional uniformed attire. Lee’s portrayal was extremely faithful to Fleming’s M, and it is easy to picture him as the character when reading the books. Just like Sean Connery’s portrayal of 007, Bernard Lee defined the role and built on it as the years progressed. He had such an impact on the series that when he fell ill and eventually passed away during production of For Your Eyes Only,the producers chose to completely omit the character from the film out of respect for his contributions.
M makes a rare visit to James Bond’s home in Live and Let Die
Admiral Hargreaves (?)
M #2 briefs James Bond
Robert Brown portrayed M in four films beginning with Octopussyin 1983 and ending with Licence to Killin 1989. Literally nothing is said about his character’s background or whether or not he is portraying the same M (Sir Miles Messervy) or a different person altogether. However, one clue lies in the fact that Brown had previously appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977 as Admiral Hargreaves. I am of the opinion (which is in agreement with multiple James Bond scholars) that he played the same character as he did in that film, and Admiral Hargreaves was promoted to head of MI6 by the time Octopussy rolled around.
There is not much to be said about Robert Brown’s short tenure. The character hardly appears, usually showing up just long enough to brief Bond and send him on his way. He isn’t quite as gruff (nor as lovable) as Bernard Lee and really doesn’t showcase anything of value to the films he is in, although I do enjoy his brief but crucial role in Licence to Kill, which would be his final film in the series.
M revokes James Bond’s 00-status in Licence to Kill
Barbara Mawdsley / Olivia Mansfield
M #3 briefs James Bond
The M with the most confusing background is the one played by Judi Dench starting withGoldenEyein 1995 and ending with Skyfall in 2012. Judi Dench’s casting was revolutionary in that she was James Bond’s first female boss, something that is effectively touched upon on multiple occasions. The producers were inspired to change the role to a female thanks to Stella Remington, the head of MI5 at the time of production. A lot more insight is given regarding this M’s background as opposed to her predecessors, and we learn from her first appearance that she has children and a heavy reliance on doing her job based on facts and figures rather than Bond’s style of just winging it and going off instinct, which more or less changes by the time we hit the Daniel Craig era and she appears to be slightly more trusting of his judgment. In Casino Royale we see that she has a husband, but he has passed away by the time Skyfall occurs.
James Bond gets shut down by his new boss inGoldenEye
Due to the series reboot with Casino Royale, it is difficult to ascertain whether or not Judi Dench is playing the same M as she did during the Pierce Brosnan era or if she is a different character altogether. This is made more difficult by the discrepancy of her real name. In the GoldenEyescript as well asRaymond Benson’s continuation novels, it states that her real name is Barbara Mawdsley. However, at the conclusion of Skyfall it is strongly implied (in writing) that her name is Olivia Mansfield. Recent films also suggest that she had been acting as the head of MI6 for quite some time (as far back as the early 90’s when she sent Raoul Silva to Hong Kong), whereas she is brand new to the position in GoldenEye,which takes place in 1995. These factoids, along with her seemingly different demeanor in the respective eras she was in, does suggest that Judi Dench played two different M’s in alternate timelines. That’s how I see it, at least.
After 7 films spanning across 17 years, Judi Dench’s tenure came to an end after M is injured and eventually killed during the conclusion of Skyfall. She had been portrayed as a surrogate mother figure to Daniel Craig’s Bond and her death reduces him to tears.
M’s death in Skyfall
Judi Dench was extremely memorable in the role, and although her presence was much more prominent in the latter end of her run, I enjoyed her interaction with Pierce Brosnan as well. It was a much more professional relationship, laced with subtle undertones of her maternal role in his life. Whereas her character is placed far in the forefront of Skyfall and the film as a wholeseems like one big shout-out to Judi Dench’s M before she bows out. She would go on to make a brief cameo appearance inSPECTREin a pre-recorded video message that serves as the catalyst that sends Bond on the quest to discover the existence of the title organization.
Bond and M stare at stuff in Skyfall
Lieutenant Colonel Garreth Mallory
Garreth Mallory briefs James Bond
The current M, played by Ralph Fiennes, is reminiscent of Sir Miles Messervy in his look and demeanor. However, this is a completely original character never before seen or mentioned in the Bond series.
In the same vein as most of the previous incarnations of M, Mallory’s background is based in the military. He was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, having served in Northern Ireland where he was captured and held captive by the IRA.
Like Admiral Hargreaves (?), Mallory was introduced before being promoted to the position of M. He first appeared in Skyfall as the chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee sent to evaluate Judi Dench’s M and order her to appear before parliament. By the end of the film, he inherits the position of M following her death.
In the final scene of Skyfall, not only is his demeanor reminiscent of a classic Bond briefing, but all the visual elements are there, including the painting of old-timey Navy vessels and other Bernard Lee era memorabilia. His follow up performance inSPECTRE, however, evokes a much different M than we’ve seen before. Mallory’s M, presumably because of his extensive military background, is much more physical and involved in the action as he fights to save MI6 from becoming obsolete under the direction of Andrew Scott’s villainous character, Max Denbigh, also known as C.
Bond meets the new M in the kick-ass ending to Skyfall
The Other Fellas:
McTarry
McTarry looking as ridiculous as the film he’s in
One of the few remnants of an actual Bond film present in the 1967 spoof Casino Royale is M, played by John Huston (who is also one of the film’s five directors). M is portrayed as a Scotsman named McTarry and the film begins with him visiting Sir James Bond’s mansion to convince him to come out of retirement. However, his plan backfires when the mortar raid he orders on Bond’s house (in case he refuses) accidentally kills him. Bond subsequently goes to Scotland to deliver M’s remains (his toupee) before returning to MI6 as the new M.
Yeah…I’m not even gonna comment on this. The above explanation is cringe worthy enough, although it’s eerily reminiscent of M’s death inSkyfall.
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The series’ unofficial M
The nameless M, played by Edward Fox in Never Say Never Again, is easily the worst incarnation of the character (including McTarry in 1967’sCasino Royale). He looks younger than Sean Connery and acts like a pompous jerk rather than the gruff-yet-endearing respectable character we’ve come to expect. All we really ever learn about him is that he hates 00 agents, especially James Bond.
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Copyright©2014-2016 byPeter Nordgren
