Who was Hannes Oberhauser?

Article by 007 Travelers

Hannes Oberhauser is a character mentioned in “SPECTRE” (2015), but he is never seen on screen. In the movie it is mentioned that he was the father of Franz Oberhauser (who later changed his name to Ernst Stavro Blofeld).

James Bond´s parents died when he was young and in “SPECTRE” it was revealed that Bond’s legal guardian after his parents’ death is Charmian Bond (she is Bond’s aunt in 007 books), but temporary guardian is Hannes Oberhauser. His temporary guardianship started on 21st of January 1983, when Bond was 12 years old. (So Bond is born either in 1970 or in 1971).

Franz Oberhauser was jealous of Bond, because his father loved his foster son so much and took care of him like he was his own child. Franz killed his father during an avalanche in Kitzbuhel, Austria, when Franz was 16 years old and his father’s age was 42 at the time of his death. Franz staged his own death at the same time. In “SPECTRE” it is said that this happened 20 years ago, which means that if “SPECTRE” happened in 2015 when it was premiered, Hannes Oberhauser died 1995 and if he was 42 years old then, he would have born in 1953. What makes this strange is that in “No Time to Die” (2021) Blofeld’s birth year is 1946, which makes Hannes Oberhauser’s son to be seven years older than his father…

In literature Hannes Oberhauser is mentioned first in Ian Fleming‘s short story “Octopussy” (1964). It has become clear that Hannes Oberhauser was killed by a man called Major Dexter Smythe years ago in Kitzbuhel, Austria and Bond comes to interrogate Dexter Smythe in Jamaica about Oberhauser’s death. Smythe admits that he is guilty and tells Bond what happened. Bond says that someone is coming to capture Smythe in a week and leaves. Smythe goes for a swim and is killed by an octopus.

(Sidenote: Major Dexter Smythe is a character in a movie “Octopussy” (1983). He is not seen on screen, but only in a photograph. He is the father of Octopussy, played by Maud Adams. The story says that Major Smythe killed his guide who was found dead several years later, and he was shot by the major. Bond was sent to investigate and he gave Smythe 24 hours to tidy up his affairs before returning for him; during which time Smythe committed suicide rather than face the disgrace of a court martial.)

“James Bond looked Major Smythe squarely in the eyes. “It just happened that Oberhauser was a friend of mine. He taught me to ski before the war, when I was in my teens. He was a wonderful man. He was something of a father to me at a time when I happened to need one.””

Ian Fleming: “Octopussy” (1964)

Years later Hannes Oberhauser is mentioned in Charlie Higson‘s Young Bond book “By Royal Command” (2008) when Bond first time meets Oberhauser in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Later Bond returns to Oberhauser’s and his wife’s Helga’s house and spends some time in there.

“At the first turn of the path he found Hannes Oberhauser waiting for him.

“I thought you would come this way”, he said, grinning.

“You know me too well”, said James.

Oberhauser put his arm across James’s shoulders and they walked together.

“I wanted to make sure that you were all right”.

“I’m all right”, said James, and he meant it.

“Helga is making Wiener schnitzel for dinner”, said Hannes.

“I know it is one of your favourites”.

“It is”. said James.

“Your aunt will be joining us. I have met her – she seems a lovely woman.”

“She is”, said James.

They walked on down the track, and were soon lost among the tall pine trees.

A chamois came out of hiding and looked carefully in the direction they had gone, then, with one bound, he, too, disappeared.

The mountain was quiet.”

Charlie Higson: “By Royal Command” (2008)

In books Blofeld or Franz Oberhauser is never mentioned as a relative of Hannes Oberhauser. What is common in films and books is that all that happens, related to Hannes Oberhauser, happens in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

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