List of James Bond gadgets
One popular element of the James Bond franchise is the exotic equipment and vehicles he is assigned on his missions, which often prove to be critically useful.
The original books and early adaptations had only relatively minimal pieces like the modified attache case in From Russia With Love. However, the gadgets took on a more spectacular profile in the film version of Goldfinger and its tremendous success encouraged the following films to have Bond supplied still more equipment. For instance, it became an expected scene in each film where Q would present and demonstrate Bond's assigned tools for the mission, and it was a near guarantee that each and every piece would be invaluable to Bond in the field.
Fans eventually complained that the use of gadgets became excessive in the Roger Moore films, particularly in Moonraker, and subsequent productions struggled to find a balance in which gadgets could have a place without giving the impression that the character unduly depended on them or using stories that arbritraily included situations that exactly fit the use of the gadgets assigned.
This article concerns the gadgets James Bond typically carried on his person, along with additional gadgets used by others. For his gadget vehicles, see List of James Bond vehicles.
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Dr. No
- Walther PPK - Technically the only notable "gadget" in the entire film is when M and Major Boothroyd (Q) force Bond to trade in his Beretta for the new standard issue, the Walther PPK. Bond has since used a Walther PPK in every movie up to Tomorrow Never Dies, in which he takes a Walther P99 from a Chinese safehouse.
- Geiger counter - Bond has to request one from Britain before using it to determine the radioactivity of Crab Key, suggesting they were uncommon.
- Luminous watch - Bond has a watch with a luminous, slightly radioactive (!) face that glows in the dark. This is a holdover from Fleming's novels, in which Bond is described as having a similar watch which, for the time, was rather uncommon.
From Russia With Love
- Briefcase - This is Bond's first real film gadget. This briefcase given to Bond by Q-Branch contains a folding sniper rifle inside while ammunition, a knife, fifty gold sovereigns are contained in secret compartments accessible on the outside of the case. In addition, there is a safety mechanism that will detonate a gas bomb in the briefcase if opened improperly. This case is almost identical to the one described in Fleming's novel except the book added a cyanide capsule which Bond was to use to commit suicide upon capture (Bond immediately flushes it down a toilet).
- Pager - Even though From Russia With Love was made in the 60's and before one of these was actually invented, Bond had one to notify him if he ever needed to contact MI6. It is worth noting that Bond also had a phone installed in his car as well.
- Bug detector - A small device that is designed to detect the presence of a phone tap device in a regular telephone when placed against such a device.
- Tape recorder camera - A small reel-to-reel tape recorder hidden within a camera use to interrogate Tatiana.
Goldfinger
- Homing beacon - Bond is given two homing beacons from Q-branch. The first is larger and used when Bond tracks the villain, Auric Goldfinger, to his base. The second is smaller and allows MI6 to know where Bond is. He hides it in a secret compartment in the heel of his shoe.
- Reference is made to Bond having an attache case that is damaged (presumed destroyed) when examined by Goldfinger's personnel. This may be a reference to the agent briefcase introduced in From Russia with Love, or it could have been another piece of luggage that had been rigged to self-destruct when tampered with.
Thunderball
- Homer Pill - When Bond takes this pill it emits a signal that can be seen only by a certain receiver.
- Rebreather - A small device that can be carried on the person without notice and when in use, is held in the mouth to provide a few minutes of air in emergencies or when the user has to go underwater.
- Jet pack - Used to propel Bond into the air when escaping after killing Col. Bouviar.
- Missile-firing scuba tank - During the final undersea battle, Bond is equipped with a bulky scuba tank that not only propels him through the water faster than anyone can swim, it also shoots small missiles.
You Only Live Twice
- Shooting Cigarette - Tiger gives Bond a cigarette capable of shooting a jet powered projectile accurately up to 30 yards. Used in Blofeld's volcano to kill a technician standing by the entrance controls to enable his allies to storm the base.
- Safecracker - A small device that can easily be carried in a jacket pocket and works by attaching it to a safe the operator wants to open. With it properly positioned, the user needs only to turn the combination dial and the device would light up a series of lights as each correct number on the combination dial is found until the entire series is revealed to open the safe. However, Bond finds out the hard way that gadget is not designed to defeat a safe's other security functions, such as alarms.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
- Radioactive Lint - In the beginning of the movie, Q is showing M a homing device made out of regular lint. "Placed in an opponent's pocket, the location fix and anti-personnel uses should be obvious." M is more concerned with locating Bond, who is nowhere to be found.
- Safecracker - A small (for its time) device that consists of a flexible cable ending in a grapple that is meant to be fitted on a typical safe combination lock. The machine would then examine the lock, figure out its combination and open the safe. In addition, the device has a photocopier function that could allow for easy copying of secret documents to minimize the chance of the owner learning of the break in by missing the documents.
Diamonds Are Forever
- Pocket snap trap - A small gadget hidden in a pocket to give a person performing an unwanted search on the wielder a painful surprise that would provide a critical distraction for the wielder to exploit for an attack.
- Fake Fingerprint - Bond uses a fake fingerprint that clings to his thumb to trick Tiffany Case into believing he is Peter Franks.
- Slot Machine Ring - Q created a ring that, when used, ensures a jackpot at the slot machines every time.
- Grappling suspenders - When Bond rides ontop of the elevator to the suite of Willard Whyte he uses for the last leg of this trip the rappelling cord built into the suspenders. (A similar gadget is the belt used in GoldenEye.)
Live and Let Die
- Magnetic Watch - Given to Bond by M when turned on it could snag any light weight metallic item. In theory, Bond claims it can even deflect a bullet. It also has a saw built into it.
- Bug Sweeper - Bond uses a handheld device that can sweep a room for electronic microphones. It can also be used to transmit messages in morse code.
- CO2 gun - Fires special pellets that expel highly-pressurized air to make the target explode. Designed for combating sharks, but Bond is able to activate a pellet manually before forcing Kananga to swallow it.
- Aftershave flamethrower - One of the few gadgets ever improvised by Bond in the field, this was created by Bond spraying an aerosol can of aftershave past the lit end of his cigar in order to kill a poisonous snake.
- Espresso machine - Not a traditional gadget per se, but Bond has one in his flat. M's reaction to the device suggests that, in 1973, they were somewhat uncommon for home use.
- The 'Felix Lighter' - Radio transmitter/receiver disguised as a car cigarette lighter installed in a CIA vehicle, which Bond uses to contact his friend, Felix Leiter.
- Sideview mirror dart gun - Installed in one of Kananga's sedans, this gun is used to kill Bond's driver upon his arrival in New York City.
The Man with the Golden Gun
- The Golden Gun - Scaramanga's weapon of choice, it could fire a 4.2 caliber golden bullet specially made for the gun. The gun also separated into a gold cigarette lighter, a gold cigarette case, a gold cuff link, and a gold pen as to evade security.
- Prosthetic nipple - Bond confesses that it's "a bit kinky" but he gets Q to create a false third nipple so that Bond can impersonate Scaramanga, who has the same physical anomaly. Bond, however, places the nipple in the wrong location and this might contribute to his cover being blown.
The Spy Who Loved Me
- Micro-Film Reader - Assembled from two components:
- A cigarette case
- A cigarette lighter
- Wet Bike - Personal watercraft
- NOTE: This was one of the first water bikes which are known today as Jet Skis.
- Ski Pole/Gun: A special designed ski pole which is modified to fire .30 caliber rounds from a four shot clip in the handle.
- Seiko Quartz watch - Basically working like a pager, it had a built-in telex that allowed MI6 to send important messages to Bond, printing them out like a miniature teletype. (It actually looked more like a labelmaker tape.)
- XXX's Cigarette - The cigarette used by Soviet agent Triple X, could unleash a knockout blow when lit.
Moonraker
- Wrist dart gun - Can fire both Cyanide-coated and Armor piercing darts
- Safe-cracking device - X-ray safe cracking device that is concealed within a normal looking cigarette case.
- Wristwatch - Contains a Remote detonator and Explosive charge and fuse contained inside the back compartment
- Camera - A mini camera imprinted with Bond's 00 number.
- Moonraker Laser - A laser gun that can be shot in space. The gun is also used in the video game, GoldenEye 007. A version of this gun is shown being tested to somewhat gruesome effect on a wax dummy during Bond's visit to the MI6 monastery.
- CIA Agent Holly Goodhead carries a number of gadgets of her own, including a perfume bottle that doubles as a flamethrower, a pen with a poison needle, and a transmitter hidden in her purse.
For Your Eyes Only
- Wristwatch - Receives digital message read-outs and contains a Two-way radio/transmitter for voice communications
- ATAC - Automatic Targeting Attack Communicator, the ATAC was lost when the British spy ship St. Georges was sunk. Later recovered by Bond, who at the end destroys it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
Octopussy
- Wristwatch - Contains a universal radio direction finder. This works in conjunction with listening device inside Bond's fountain pen.
- Monte Blanc fountain pen - Contains a mixture of Nitric and Hydrochloric acids.
Contains a earpiece listening device that works in conjunction with Bond's wristwatch.
- Attaché case - Contains a false bottom which conceals a high explosive bomb.
A View To A Kill
- Polarizing Sunglasses - Allows the ability of seeing clearly through tinted glass
- Ring - Contains a miniature camera
- Billfold/Checkbook - Uses ultra-violet light to read previously written material by picking up the indentations of pen marks on paper
- Electric Shaver - Contains an electronic eavesdropping detector
- Credit Card - Has an electronic ability to open locks
The Living Daylights
- Keychain:
- Contains capsule of stun gas (effective up to 5 feet) which is activated by a whistle combination.
- Contains an explosive charge which is activated by a whistle combination.
- Claims to be able to "open 90% of the world's locks".
- Miniature Binoculars - Contained on normal looking eye-glass frames
- Ghetto Blaster - While never used by James Bond, we see this gadget tested in Q-Branch. The ghetto blaster is an 1980s stereo that can fire a rocket.
- Revolving Sofa - Q is also testing a sofa that swallows whoever sits on it.
Licence to Kill
- Dentonite Toothpaste - Plastic explosives disguised as ordinary toothpaste. The receiver that picks up the signal from Bond to blow the explosives is disguised as a packet of cigarettes.
- Signature Camera Gun - A camera that when put together became a sniper rifle that only worked for Bond, due to a scanner built into the grip.
- Laser Polaroid Camera - When the flash is used on this camera, it shoots a laser. The pictures it takes are X-rayed.
- Exploding Alarm Clock - Q carries it with him to Isthmus, but it is not used. Guaranteed never to wake up anyone who uses it.
GoldenEye
- Belt - A size 34 leather belt. It conceals a piton hidden behind the buckle. It can fire out up to 75 feet of high tensile wire designed to support the weight of an average person.
- Ballpoint Pen - Contains a class four grenade. A four second fuse is armed after three clicks in succession. Another three clicks disarms it.
- Wristwatch - Built-in laser cutter and a remote detonator.
- Piton Gun - Fires grappling hook (piton) and has a laser cutting attachment.
- Digital Binoculars - Auto focus / zoom, Digital camera, Satellite uplink to send visual data.
- X-Ray Document Scanner - Q has a document scanner disguised as a tea-tray.
- Phone Booth Trap - Q Branch is testing a BT telephone box with a large airbag inside which expands, crushing anyone inside against the wall of the box.
Tomorrow Never Dies
- Mobile Phone - The phone had a variety of features, including:
- a stun gun,
- a fingerprint scanner/analyzer,
- Security scanner for picking high-tech locks
- "Flip-open" remote control for operating his BMW 750iL (Directional steering pad, LCD monitor for the front and rear view, Controls to fire rocket launcher)
- NOTE: This was a concept phone designed by Ericsson. Much of the look of this phone including the "flip-open" design was eventually (a few years) incorporated into Ericsson's R380 "smartphone" which combined a fully functional mobile phone, PDA-like tools and WAP services.
- Omega watch - Taken by Bond from a Chinese safehouse, it was later used to remotely destroy a glass jar that had a grenade lodged inside.
- Walther P99 - A gun taken by Bond from the same Chinese safehouse. It replaced Bond's Walther PPK. Since Tomorrow Never Dies Bond has used the P99.
- Cigarette lighter - A disguised timed explosive / grenade.
The World is Not Enough
- Wristwatch - Contains: 1) Grappling hook with fifty feet of high-tensile micro-filament 2) A high intensity lighted bezel.
- Multifunction Lock Pick - Concealed in a normal looking credit card with a removable strip that activates a spring-loaded multifunction lock pick.
- Eye-glasses (#1) - Remotely detonates an explosive "flash-bang" charge.
- Eye-glasses (#2) - Enables X-ray vision for checking for concealed weapons
- Ski Jacket - Conceals a escape pod which inflates into a sealed sphere made of aluminum-coated plastic and kevlar reinforcement. This feature appears to be based on the Zorb.
- Bagpipe - Contains a flamethrower and a machine gun (was only in testing).
Die Another Day
- Ring - A "standard issue" ring for the finger which, is actually a "Ultra high frequency single digit sonic agitator unit". This can shatter bullet-proof glass.
- Surf Board - Contains a sliding panel with a hidden compartment containing communications equipment, explosives, detonators and a Walther P99 firearm.
- Wristwatch - Contains an explosive detonator and laser beam cutter.
- Mini Re-Breather - Similar device as used in Thunderball, which provides a few minutes of oxygen.
Because this film marks the 40th Anniversary of James Bond, observant followers of the 007 films are promised a treat with Die Another Day, which subtly, and at times not so subtly, self-references its own rich history. They have included dozens of references to the other 007 movies. Pay special attention to the Q-branch scene. Watch for gadgets old and new:
- Bell-Textron Jet Pack (Thunderball)
- Snorkel with false bird on top (Goldfinger)
- Piton gun Diamonds Are Forever
- Attache Case (From Russia With Love)
- Bede Acrostar Jet (Octopussy)
- One-person submarine (disguised as Crocodile) (Octopussy)
- Little Nellie (You Only Live Twice)
- Dagger-Toed Shoe (From Russia With Love).
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