This is Ian Fleming as he would have so loved to be, produced in the style of his Bond character: women can't resist him, his bad behavior is indulged because he's just so bloody amazing, and a bomb that takes out the structure surrounding him as he seduces his prey leaves him not only unscathed but still dapper. From what I've read of and interviews I've seen with Fleming, he didn't possess the charm, charisma and confidence portrayed here. The piece is visually pleasing but not particularly accurate in historical details: style of speech, mannerisms and dress have a modern sensibility (Mu's leather outfit is one glaring example, and Fleming saying "nuclear" rather than "atomic" - if it's to be believed he would have discussed it with anyone - for another). There was also some artistic license with the Operation Mincemeat/Man Who Wasn't There bit. The cast is first rate and make the best of what they're working with. If you want to a bit of fun along the lines of a Bond movie, this should do the trick. If you're looking for information about the "real" Ian Fleming, keep looking.

"Fleming" this is unarguably a piece of fiction with a few bits of truth. "The Man Who Never Was" featured in this program is Non Fiction by author Ewen Montagu. "Fleming" is a brilliant mini-series with a stellar cast but please be advised that it is only very loosely based on his life story. How do we know this? Well here is the evidence for this statement. The last episode of the mini-series (which was probably the best one) features the true story of "The Man Who Never Was" a book famously written by The Hon. Ewen Montagu C.B.E. D.L. Q.C.) It is the true story about a dead man's body clothed in the uniform of a British senior officer with an attaché case handcuffed to it. In the attaché case were planted bogus secret documents outlining bogus plans for the 1944 Allied landings in Europe. This was left by a British submarine off the coast of Spain in a place where it was know it would be swept ashore and reported to a very active German spy network working in the area, based there to spy on the British naval dockyards at Gibraltar. The actress Lara Pulver who plays his then girlfriend is probably the most beautiful woman we have ever seen on the screen c 2014 and will probably look like she does in this film for ever.igw

The first time I heard they were making a show on Ian Fleming i was pretty excited. But i had some reservations too. Firstly because being a huge Bond fan i didn't want something similar to nor too remote from the Bond movies. It had to be a careful balance between the fantasy world of Bond and the real life of Ian Fleming. Next as it was going to be a mini series it had to be fast paced and concise. Not too brief leaving the spectators wanting more. And to say in all honest opinion i absolutely loved the show! Dominic Cooper and Laura Pulver had the perfect on screen chemistry. Both complemented each other perfectly. The storyline revolved around both the personal and professional life of Fleming. The atmosphere was very real. The war scenes weren't the best CGI has to offer these days but nonetheless excellent enough to keep me glued to the screen. I wouldn't go as far as to call the show perfect, but it's as much near perfection as i had wished it would be. Laura Pulver's character as a strong and composed woman and Fleming's character as the cold hearted playboy spy set ablaze the screen. The performances were brilliant. All in all, shaken not stirred!

Rarely TV serials adopt the idea of 'Art-house' production, and this is one of them. Another gem from the BBC production. Story of the creator of 007 who himself is a legend in thus arena, perhaps one of the most influential one. At first glance I thought it contains style over substance but in time everything worked out just fine ! This is not just another espionage story of WWII, rather the script mingled the personal and professional life of Fleming brilliantly. Dominic Cooper was an excellent choice, he can play the hard-boiled spoiled brat quite fascinatingly, we all have seen it in 'The Devil's Double'. Lara Pulver was naturally brilliant in the seductive dominatrix role as usual. Only if they could let the 'blond Muriel' stay a bit longer !Its not easy to bring-up the story of someone with so many 'issues' meticulously, but they tried and didn't fail ! Its no hardcore action flick like 007, rather vintage flavoured of WWII, the set decoration was quite believable. And most of all, this series is 'Hot', and hot means 'Haught' ! Waiting for the final instalment !