Domino Vitali
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Domino | |
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James Bond character | |
First appearance | Thunderball |
Last appearance | Never Say Never Again |
Created by | Ian Fleming |
Portrayed by | Claudine Auger (1965) Kim Basinger (1983) |
In-universe information | |
Gender | Female |
Affiliation | Mistress of Largo |
Classification | Bond girl |
Dominetta Vitali, known simply as Domino, is a fictional character and the main Bond girl in the James Bond novel Thunderball. For the 1965 film adaptation of the same name, her name was changed to Dominique Derval, nicknamed Domino, and she was portrayed by French actress Claudine Auger. In the 1983 film adaptation Never Say Never Again, her character was renamed Domino Petachi and she was portrayed by American actress Kim Basinger.
Biography
The novel
Born Dominetta Petacchi, she is an Italian beauty from
Bond meets Domino while in Nassau. She is staying on Largo's yacht, the Disco Volante, and believes Largo is in the area on a treasure hunt. For reasons she does not understand Largo makes her stay on land while he and his partners (whom she describes as shareholders) go prospecting for the hidden treasure. She also tells Bond that she has never been able to see the map that they use. Although Bond is successful in engaging Domino in conversation, she snubs him, but later agrees to meet with him again when she returns to land. She also becomes testy when Bond uses her given name, Dominetta, and bluntly tells him to call her 'Domino'.
When Bond and Domino meet again at the casino later, she has entirely changed. She tells Bond that she is tired of watching Largo show off and letting him use her. She explains to Bond that she is trapped like a bird in a gilded cage. Domino later reveals that Giuseppe Petacchi is her brother whom she has not seen for some time. Bond finds out that Largo had Petacchi killed after Petacchi had hijacked a bomber on
Domino ultimately escapes as Largo attempts to carry out his plan. Before he can kill a weakened James Bond, she appears behind him and shoots him through the neck with a harpoon from a spear gun, avenging her brother.
The films
Thunderball
In early drafts of the film's screenplay, the character's name was Dominetta Palazzi. When Claudine Auger was cast as Domino, the character's surname was changed to Derval to reflect her nationality.
Dominique Derval is seen when Bond is swimming in Nassau, her foot gets stuck in coral on the ocean floor but Bond sets her free. She swims up to her boat and thanks Bond. Bond swims back to his boat with his Nassau contact, Paula Caplan. Paula takes care of their boat, as Bond is about to learn more about Domino. Domino and Bond have lunch on the beach, but Quist spies on the two, a sign that Domino had to go back to the yacht Disco Volante. At the hotel Bond stayed in, Bond sees Domino with Largo, Domino smoking a cigar, as Bond bids in the game against Largo. Domino tells Largo that Bond has pressed her to a drink. Domino and Bond slow-dance outside but Largo collects her.
Upon arriving at Largo's home in Palmyra, Domino is swimming when Bond visits. After leaving to make lunch, Largo invites Bond to the Nassau
Domino then aids Bond by helping him kill
Never Say Never Again
Domino Petachi (played by Kim Basinger) is structured after Domino Derval.[citation needed] The character is called Domino, it is no longer just a nickname, but her last name has changed to Petachi, similar to the novel's original Petacchi.[citation needed] Unlike in the first film version where she refers to Largo as her "guardian," there is no disguising the fact they are involved romantically.
She meets Bond at a spa in Monte Carlo, where he poses as a masseur and massages her for information. This gives her immense pleasure, though she later realizes he is not who he appears to be. She encounters him again at a casino where Bond introduces himself to her. They have drinks before being interrupted by Largo. The two dance briefly, where Bond informs her about the death of her brother Jack. Bond is then invited to Largo's yacht, where Largo spies on them kissing in her cabin. He leaves Bond manacled near Palmyra, while Domino is auctioned off as a slave to some unsavory Arabs. Bond eventually escapes and rescues her. They are then chased by the Arabs on horseback until the horse jumps off a cliff into the ocean. They are rescued from the water by Felix Leiter and a team from MI6. After their rescue, Domino and Bond track Largo to a location known as "The Tears of Allah". The two take a shower together, and Bond kisses her before heading off to stop Largo. The circumstances of her spearing Largo as he and Bond fight are altered from the original film – here it takes place underwater, with all the characters in scuba gear. The film ends with Bond indicating his intention to retire from MI6 and settle down with Domino.
Reception
Robert Caplen argues that Auger's Domino is part of a "successful formula" in the first decade of the franchise of "portraying submissive and obedient women" who "willingly allow Bond's masculinity to subdue them".[3]
References
- ^ "Top 10 Bond Girls – The Best Bond Girls in James Bond Movies". Movies.about.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Best Bond Girls". The Moviefone Blog. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
- ISBN 9781453512821. Retrieved 17 September 2022.