Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
M's order is her ruthless arithmetic in four words: the certain loss of many agents weighed against the possible loss of one. The film spends the rest of its length making her answer for it, and Bond quotes it back to her when he returns. Fans use it for any boss's cold call, and its sting is that M is not simply wrong.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for SkyfallShow the scene
Skyfall (2012), the Istanbul pre-credits chase. Bond is fighting the mercenary Patrice on the roof of a moving train; Patrice has the drive that lists NATO agents working undercover. Back at MI6, Eve says she may have a shot but not a clean one, then that there is a tunnel ahead. Judi Dench's M tells her to take the shot, then insists, then orders her to take the bloody shot. Eve fires, Bond is hit and falls from the train into the river below, and Patrice escapes with the drive. MI6 posts Bond as missing, presumed killed.
Sources (4)
- Wikiquote: SkyfallNational Gallery and train-chase scenesReference checked
- Skyfall script transcript, Springfield! Springfield!Train chase; National Gallery; Silva's islandReference checked
- James Bond Wiki: Miss Moneypenny (Naomie Harris)BiographyReference checked
- James Bond Wiki: Skyfall (film)Plot and LocationsReference checked
Context reviewed
