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"For you? Of course. Vargas does not drink. Does not smoke. Does not make love. What do you do, Vargas?"
Emilio Largo introducing Vargas to James Bond.[src]

Mr. Vargas was a fictional criminal operative of the secretive criminal organisation, SPECTRE, who served as an enforcer to its second-in-command, Emilio Largo. A supporting antagonist portrayed by the late British actor, Philip Locke, he appeared in the 1965 James Bond film, Thunderball, and was based on the literary character who appeared in the 1961 Ian Fleming novel of the same name.

Biography[]

Vargas is a close henchman of Emilio Largo, a high-ranking member of the international criminal organisation SPECTRE. Along with Janni, another enforcer, accompanies Largo to Nassau, Bahamas, when SPECTRE steal a British fighter plane there and take possession of the stored nuclear warheads. During the operation, Vargas is first seen with Largo and other henchmen on his yacht, the Disco Volante, while other henchmen recover the two warheads. After successfully taking possession of the warheads, the group heads to Nassau, from where they blackmail the British government.

While waiting for feedback, the villains spend time in a club where they participate in a card game tournament where they spot British agent James Bond. Vargas is later properly introduced to the spy while visiting Largo's estate at Palmyra. The criminal operative offers Bond a Rum Collins, and illustratively prepares to hand Vargas one, before using the opportunity to mention Vargas' complete abstinence from alcohol, tobacco or sex. Unlike the novel, this characteristic is unique to Vargas and emphasizes his total devotion as a killer.

At Palmyra, Vargas hears that Quist was coming to make his report, then when they hear the failure, the henchman watches as Quist is executed by being thrown into the Swimming Pool and eaten by the sharks inside. He later kidnaps Bond's assistant Paula Caplan at their Nassau hotel with the help of Janni and Fiona Volpe, Largo's associate. While interrogating Caplan, Vargas goes too hard, which Ladislav Kutze protests, causing her to slip a cyanide pill into her mouth. Later, Volpe waits for Bond in his suite, keeping him occupied until her assistants arrive. Leaving for the Junkanoo, Bond opens the door to come face-to-face with Vargas and Janni. Slamming the door shut, he turns to find Volpe holding a gun on him. They take him captive. However, the carnival celebrations taking place in Nassau throw a spanner in the works of the villains. Bond is able to escape into the turmoil and go into hiding for the time being. In an attempt to retrieve him, Volpe is accidentally killed by a shot from one of her own men and Bond successfully escapes.

Thunderball - Vargas gets the point

Vargas "gets the point".

Later, as Bond reveals the fate of Domino's brother, François Derval, Vargas arrives and observes the pair from a distance. As Vargas senses his chance and sneaks up on the two with a silenced pistol, he is spotted by Domino, who calmly comments “Vargas is behind you”. Bond slowly but smoothly picks up her spear gun and impales Vargas on a palm tree.

"I think he got the point."
James Bond killing Vargas.[src]

Behind the scenes[]

Gallery[]

Vargas (Phillip Locke)/Gallery

References[]

See also[]

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