Cary Joji Fukunaga‘s No Time To Die (UA Releasing, 10.8.21), allegedly the most progressive, anti-sexist, #MeToo-supporting, diverse-minded Bond film in the 59-year history of the franchise, runs 163 minutes. That’s two hours plus 43 minutes. That’s long, man.

The next Bond film needs to run at least three hours, and it needs to include an overture, an intermission and exit music. And it needs to open with reserved seat engagements in New York, Los Angeles and London. Seriously — this would make it into something more than just another Bond flick.

The lengthiest Bond film before Die was Spectre (’15) at 2 hours and 28 minutes — 17 minutes shorter. Casino Royale (’06) was four minutes shorter than Spectre — 144 minutes. Skyfall (’12) was one minute shorter at 2 hours and 23 minutes. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (’69) was one minute shorter than Skyfall, and License to Kill (’89) was a whopping 2 hours and 13 minutes — ten minutes shorter than Skyfall.

Dr. No (’62), the first Bond film, ran 109 minutes, or 54 minutes shorter than No Time To Die. From Russia With Love (’63) ran six minutes longer — 115 minutes. Goldfinger (’64) ran 110 minutes. What were they thinking?

No Time To Die will have its grand Swiss premiere on Tuesday, 9.28 at the 17th Zurich Film Festival, concurrent with the Löndon premiere. The screening will begin on 9 pm at the Zurich Convention Center (1200 seats).