Naomi – A Minor Character with a Major Impact
In the world of James Bond, few minor characters manage to leave a lasting impression quite like femme fatale, Naomi from the 1977 film, The Spy Who Loved Me.
As the skilled helicopter pilot and loyal assistant to the enigmatic shipping magnate Karl Stromberg, Naomi is a force to be reckoned with, and she easily secures her place as one of the most memorable characters in the film.
Brought to life by the talented British actress Caroline Munro, Naomi’s character adds a layer of complexity and allure to the already thrilling storyline. Seamlessly blending her piloting skills with a distinct elegance and a psychotic manner, she is certainly a villainess, you will never forget.
Naomi
Naomi serves as Karl Stromberg‘s beautiful and barbaric helicopter pilot, personal assistant, and trusted subordinate, stationed at Atlantis and ready to fulfill his every command.
The stunning brunette makes her first appearance escorting Dr. Bechmann and Professor Markovitz to the Atlantis dining room for a meeting with Stromberg, before making her exit to let the three men discuss business.
Later on, when James Bond and KGB agent Major Anya Amasova head to Sardinia undercover as marine biologists, Naomi makes a bold entrance at their hotel by boat, clad in just a bikini, high heels, a coat, and sunglasses.
Her outfit catches the attention of both Bond and Anya, each for their own reasons. After a friendly introduction, Naomi informs Bond and Anya, who are in disguise as man and wife, that she’ll escort them to Atlantis to personally meet Stromberg.
Although Bond invites Naomi for a drink, she politely declines, reminding them that Stromberg is a busy man and they should get going. As Naomi heads towards the boat, Bond can’t help but comment on her figure, sparking jealousy in Anya.
During the boat ride to Atlantis, Bond and Naomi flirt playfully, irritating Anya even more. When they arrive, Bond opts to meet Stromberg alone, asking Naomi to accompany his “wife” and show her around the base. Before parting ways, Naomi shares some information about Stromberg with Bond.
After Bond’s tense meeting with Stromberg, he meets up with Anya and Naomi again. Naomi attempts to impress Bond with her extensive knowledge, but Anya corrects her when she claims a wrong fact, much to Naomi’s frustration. Meanwhile, Stromberg, aware of Bond and Anya’s true identities, orders Jaws to kill them once ashore.
As Bond and Anya drive along the coastal roads of Sardinia, they face multiple assassination attempts, including a motorcycle assassin and Jaws with his henchmen.
After evading Jaws’ car, they are pursued by a helicopter. When the helicopter appears alongside their car, Bond is surprised to see Naomi as the pilot. Naomi exchanges a sultry wink and wave with Bond before resuming her attack.
In a high-stakes chase, Naomi follows Bond through Sardinia’s mountain roads until he reaches a port and drives straight into the water. Hovering above, Naomi smiles, thinking she has won.
However, unbeknownst to her, the Lotus Esprit is a submersible, rendering it invisible beneath the sea. Taking aim, Bond assures Anya it’s time to “bid farewell to an uninvited guest” before launching a surface-to-air missile that blasts Naomi and her helicopter to pieces.
Caroline Munro
English actress, model, and singer Caroline Munro gained recognition for her work in horror, science fiction, and action films during the 1970s and 1980s. Born in 1949, her career began with modeling for Vogue magazine at 17. After moving to London, she landed minor roles in films such as Casino Royale (1967) and eventually secured a one-year contract with Paramount.
Munro’s first significant film role came in the Hammer horror film Dracula AD 1972 (1972), acting alongside Christopher Lee. She went on to star in other Hammer films, including Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter (1974) and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973).
Arguably, her biggest impact came in James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), playing the deranged personal pilot to villain Karl Stromberg.
Besides acting, Munro dabbled in music, releasing singles and collaborating with Gary Numan in 1984. She also starred in music videos for Adam Ant’s Goody Two Shoes, and Meat Loaf’s If You Really Want To (1983).
