Radio Review: Thunderball

BBC Radio 4, drama

Starring Toby Stephens, Alfred Molina, Tom Conti, Janet Montgomery


The latest of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels to be brought to radio under the direction of Martin Jarvis who in the guise of Fleming himself narrates the action. Those who know Thunderball just through the film version may be disappointed that the embellishments that came with it, such as the femme fatale character of Fiona Volpe are gone as this is faithful to the novel. Toby Stephens as Bond shows us the the many facets of the character such as his determination to get one up on the enemy in whatever that may be, charming the ladies and despairing over M's obsession with his health. Alfred Molina as Blofled and Tom Conti as Largo mark for a pair of the most hissable villains as they plot nuclear blackmail. Janet Montgomery as Domino who despite speaking in a cut glass English accent is Italian makes for a tender love interest. The action is brought vividley to life through the combination of Jarvis as Fleming narration, Stephens conveying Bond thoughts and the use of sound effects. It is curious to think that Stephens as the bad guy Gustav Graves who modelled himself on Bond in Die Another Day has now become the definitive radio Bond.

Thunderball can heard on I-player until 10 January 2017