Ian Fleming and James Bond Exhibition

An Ian Fleming and James Bond exhibition is on at the Imperial War Museum to celebrate the centenary of the author's most famous creation. With artefacts from Ian Fleming's life and props from some of the many James Bond films on show, there is plenty for fans of the spy writer and his character to get excited about.

The first major Ian Fleming and James Bond exhibition to take place, the Imperial War Museum London is hosting this show full of spy and war memorabilia, James Bond film props and a whole host of other exciting artefacts. A sure fire hit with anyone who loves a spy movie or two, or who is interested in the fascinating life of Ian Fleming, the exhibition is set to be the hit of the year at the museum.

Anyone who has ever seen a James Bond film will know that he is the most sophisticated and clever of all the fictional spies in the world. Created by Ian Fleming back in the fifties after he had spent much of his time in the war gathering inspiration for what would become the James Bond novels. Much of the Ian Fleming and James Bond exhibition deals with the cross over between the fictional world of Bond, and the real wartime experiences of Fleming that influenced his writing, with exhibits like the desk and chair from his Jamaican home "Goldeneye" where he wrote all of the spy novels.

Many of the missions that Ian Fleming was involved in influenced the characters, plots and machinations of the James Bond novels. From the Second World War to the Cold War, the heroes and villains, the special equipment and the technology all had a starting point in Fleming's real life experiences. You can see much of the real life of Ian Fleming on display in this exhibition, and find out just how he translated it into his world famous spy novels.

Some of the most thrilling exhibits on display at the Imperial War Museum are the jacket that Ian Fleming wore on the Dieppe raid in 1942, the Colt Python revolver that was presented to him in 1964, a working model of the Aston Martin with working gadgets from Thunderball and Goldeneye, and a selection of the original James Bond novel manuscripts. Items from the James Bond films are also included in the exhibition with the blood splattered shirt worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, and Rosa Klebb's flick knife shoes from From Russia With Love amongst them.

Ian Fleming spawned a nation obsessed with spy culture and technology through both his books and the films. Children of two generations have now grown up watching the movies and wanting to emulate the spy hero with all of his hi tech equipment and unflinching bravery which has lead to a continued fascination with all things spy related. Parodies, games, toys, books and gadgets are still very much the evidence of the James Bond influence, and you can see the kinds items that can be attributed to this very special character on show in the exhibition.

On show at the Imperial War Museum London, the Ian Fleming and James Bond exhibition, For Your Eyes Only, runs until the 1st March 2009. For more information or to book tickets, phone 020 7416 5320.

For Your Eyes Only London

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