Fleming's War Life Created 007

By Staff

Saturday, April 19, 2008, 12:09

London: He may not have fooled death, chased and killed many a villain besides loving gorgeous women but Ian Fleming's experiences during the Second World War led him to create James Bond's character.

The similarities between Fleming and Bond are explored in the first major exhibition on the life and work of the secret agent's creator at the Imperial War Museum here.

It has on view the rare material such as the author's desk and chair from his Jamaican home Goldeneye, where he wrote all the Bond novels, the Telegraph reported.

The author's annotated manuscripts, correspondence, clothes and photographs are displayed alongside exhibits from the Bond films including Daniel Craig's bloodied shirt from 'Casino Royale' and the bikini worn by Halle Berry in 'Die Another Day'.

The exhibition has been mounted to mark the centenary of Fleming's birth and is accompanied by a book For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond by Ben Macintyre. The book looks at Fleming's experiences and examines how they influenced 007.