Bond girls as icons - the history.

Byline: ANNA GUENTER-MERRYWEATHER

The essence of glamour and independence, the Bond girls have come to define the films as much as 007 himself.

The roles have also provided some of the most iconic images in cinematic history.

The image of Ursula Andress, playing Honey Ryder, rising from the sea in a white bikini set the standard for Bond girls, although the racy scene caused controversy when 'Dr No' was released in 1962.

Future Bond girls followed Honey Ryder's example; beautiful, resourceful and very capable of defending themselves.

Halle Berry paid homage to the bikini scene in "Die Another Day". Bond watches through binoculars as she emerges from the waves in an orange bikini, showing off her toned body. Halle Berry said of her character: "She's the next step in the evolution of women in the Bond movies. She's more modern and not the classic villain."

The Bond girl roles have become increasingly complex over the years. In "Casino Royale", Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green) is very much a central character, the first woman Bond loves.

She makes her entrance during a high-stakes poker, quickly distracting 007 from his cards.

The tender moment when Bond kisses her hands in the shower is echoed when she kisses his hand as she drowns.

"The name is Bond, James Bond," may be one of the most famous introductions in cinematic history, but the provocatively named Pussy Galore is equally memorable.

Honor Blackman in "Goldfinger" is the oldest Bond girl to date, playing the role at the age of 37.

While Jill Masterson, played by Shirley Eaton in "Goldfinger", provided one of the most glamorous and enduring scenes from the series. She is murdered by being painted entirely with gold. It was a very brief part, but the image was so striking it was recreated for the front cover of "Life" magazine in 1964.

CAPTION(S):

FETED... Andress as Honey Ryder