‘The name’s Boozed, James Boozed . . .’
Academia has proven the blindingly obvious – James Bond has a drinking problem.
Researchers at the Otago University campus in Wellington analysed 24 movies featuring the British
MI6 secret agent and concluded – to prizewinning effect – that 007 drank ‘‘heavily and consistently over six decades’’.
According to an article to be published today in the Medical Journal of Australia’s Christmas issue, Bond had a severe alcohol use disorder.
Not only would Bond drink whatever alcohol was available, though famously preferred a martini, shaken not stirred, he also engaged in hazardous activities under the influence.
‘‘Chronic risks include frequently drinking prior to fights, driving vehicles [including in chases], high-stakes gambling, operating complex machinery or devices, contact with dangerous animals, extreme athletic performance and sex with enemies, sometimes with guns or knives in the bed,’’ lead author Professor Nick Wilson says.
Bond also tangled with a snake, a scorpion, and a komodo dragon after drinking, as well as operating heavy machinery under the influence.
One of Bond’s ‘‘bingedrinking episodes’’ involved six gin and vodka cocktails, which equated to 24 units of alcohol – enough to kill. In one Bond book, he drank 50 units of alcohol in a single day – enough to ‘‘kill nearly everyone’’, Wilson says.
‘‘Other notable features include a medical scan that showed his liver was ‘not too good’ and an MI6 report on Bond stated ‘alcohol and substance addiction indicated’.’’
Bond – who, it should be noted, is a fictitious character – should seek help or at least reduce risky behaviour if he’s had a few, Wilson says.