Fleming’s Bond is quite different from what Bond has become on the big screen. The books are a bit darker, with no gadgets, less action and more espionage. They are straight-up Cold War-era spy tales. For instance, Bond probably draws his gun once or twice in the entire book of ‘Casino Royale’. But for better or for worse, it is the movies that really define Bond for most of us.
ABOVE: Bond's creator, author Ian Fleming
To be honest, Bond fans (such as myself) give the films quite a bit of leeway. Some are great, some are really bad, and some are ugly. But they are all a part of the greater canon. What I have done below is give you a brief guide. I have grouped the films by actor portraying the world’s most famous superspy. There have been six gentlemen so far who have portrayed Bond: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and now Daniel Craig.
I am leaving out two films, as they are not a part of the official United Artists/EON canon. In 1967, a bad slapstick spoof was made called Casino Royale starring David Niven as Bond, and also featuring Woody Allen and Peter Sellers. Also, 1983’s Never Say Never Again (essentially a remake of Thunderball) was released by Warner Bros. and starred Sean Connery in an ill-advised return to the character.
Each film is graded on a scale of * to *****.
SEAN CONNERY, 1962-67, 1971
For many Bondophiles, Connery is the one and only James Bond. Connery captured the danger of Fleming’s spy perfectly. You could believe that he was a physical threat, and being the 1960’s, Connery’s Bond was able to get away with a chauvinistic swagger that would not be acceptable today. I think back to the scene in Goldfinger where Bond has to talk business with his CIA buddy Felix Leiter, and he says to his female companion “say goodbye to Felix” as he sends her on her way with a nice slap on the ass. Ah, the good ‘ole days. It is funny in retrospect that Ian Fleming was initially opposed to Connery getting the role, as he thought Connery too “brutish and unrefined” to play the character.
Dr. No, 1962 ***
From Russia With Love, 1963 ****1/2
Goldfinger, 1964 ****
Thunderball, 1965 ***
You Only Live Twice, 1967 **
Diamonds Are Forever, 1971 **
BELOW: The key element to the continued success of the Bond films with young men. Below is Ursula Andress from Dr. No
BELOW: "Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!" (apologies for the garbled sound in the film clip)
Dr. No was an auspicious beginning, to be sure, but not all of the classic Bond elements were yet in place (no Q, for example). Jack Lord was probably the coolest Felix Leiter of the whole series. And Ursula Andress emerging like a goddess from the ocean…one of the iconic moments of cinema. Goldfinger is often considered the best Bond film, and it definitely has some great stuff in it. (See Roger Ebert’s famous essay on Goldfinger, where he outlines how it is the prototype for all future Bond adventures. Worth reading, an entertaining analysis.) The scene with Bond strapped to the table and the laser homing in on his nether regions may be the most famous Bond scene of all time. Goldfinger’s Pussy Galore has to be the best name for a Bond girl (Connery’s wonderful reaction when she introduces herself to him: “I must be dreaming”), although I am also a fan of Plenty O'Toole from Diamonds Are Forever. My money for the best Bond film ever is on From Russia With Love. The fight scene between Connery and villain Red Grant (played by Robert Shaw) is still exhilarating. Kind of downhill for Connery after his first three.
GEORGE LAZENBY, 1969
Poor Laze’. He had the impossible task of following Connery in the role, before it was accepted that multiple actors could play Bond. Ravaged by critics and fans alike at the time, Lazenby’s single outing as Bond has since been re-evaluated and is now considered one of the better ones. The film definitely has the trappings of the late 60’s, but Lazenby does a fine job. Telly Savalas makes for one of the more entertaining Bond villains as well. Had Connery been given this one to do, it may very well have been considered the best Bond film. Bond shows uncharacteristic emotion, even getting married (just to have his new bride murdered by Savalas’ Blofeld).
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969 ****
TO BE CONTINUED tomorrow…
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