Dench, Judi Dench

Actress Judi Dench celebrates a birthday on December 9th. It was in 1934 that Dench was born in Heworth, England. Her mother hailed from Dublin, Ireland and her father, a doctor, was from Dorset, England. Young Judi was exposed to acting through her parents' participation in local theatre. A bit older, she attended a Quaker secondary school, where she became a Quaker (the religious group, not the brand of oats).

In Britain, Dench has been recognized as one of the greatest actors of the post-war period. She performed in theatre, including an enormous number of roles in Shakespearean productions, before moving into film and television in the mid-60's. The nominations and awards continued to roll in for all of her endeavours. She was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Member of the Order of Companions of Honour, and a Fellow of the British Film Institute, among many other honours. 

It was in 1995 that I first saw Judi Dench.... in the role of M, head of MI6 of the British Secret Service, in the James Bond film Goldeneye. Dench impressed fans and critics alike with her solid female take on the traditionally male role in the Bond universe. She racked up an impressive seven film appearances as James Bond's superior. It was easy to warm to the woman; as M, she was tough and straightforward while also serving as a strong and decisive parent-figure for Bond, who was  orphaned at a young age. When James needed to be sorted out, old M was there to do it. A little brow-beating now and then kept him in line.

Whether Dench was behind a desk or in the field (a rare thing to see), she handled the role of M with a fiery sternness that sometimes startled others (in the film stories) but was usually delivered out of a protectiveness for her department - and Bond. But that was also tempered with a calm cool that, of course, made her an effective leader. 

I only really knew Dench from her work in the Bond films, but I could easily see her talent as an actor. Whether opposite Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig in the 007 part, she always held her own and did her bloody best to keep a rein on her best (if occasionally reckless) agent. 

Now aged 81, Dench is still active in film and theatre. It was a sad moment when I witnessed the death of Dench's "M" character in the second to last James Bond movie, Skyfall (2012). Hey, every casual and serious Bond fan felt that blow. Never had a such a significant character in the long-running series met their maker on-screen. But I suppose it was a fitting way - M died in the field, so to speak, rather stuck in an office - to usher out one MI6 head and to bring in a new face. 

But Judi Dench will always remain M to me. Happy Birthday!