Connery is the Definitive James Bond in These '60s Spy Classics
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JUN
26
2008
The Bond films with Connery set the template for the series, and although Sean swore he was finished with the role after 1967's You Only Live Twice, he would return for Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, and one last time in 1983's Never Say Never Again.
Here are the best of the Bond films starring Sean Connery:
Dr. No (1962): The first big-screen adaptation of the Bond novels finds James travelling to Jamaica to do battle with the evil doctor of the title (Joseph Wiseman). Dr. No introduced Bernard Lee as M and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, as well as the charcter of 007's CIA buddy Felix Leiter (here played by Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O), and the staccato guitar theme by Monty Norman. Most famously, the film introduced the first (and one of the greatest) "Bond Girl," Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder, whose emergence from the sea is the stuff of movie legend.
From Russia, With Love (1963): Probably the most serious Bond film of the era, with an emphasis on espionage rather than gals n' gadgets, and most faithful to the book. Bond goes after an encryption device which has been stolen by SPECTRE, and goes up against some memorable foes, played by Robert Shaw and Lotte Lenya.
Goldfinger (1964): Probably the greatest Bond movie of them all, this one has plenty of gadetry, larger-than-life villains (Gert Frobe as the title character and his trusty henchman Odd Job, played by Harold Sakata), beautiful girls (Shirley Eaton and especially Honor Blackman as "Pussy Galore"), and a great title song, sung by Shirley Bassey. The first appearance of "Q," played by Desmond Llewellyn.
Thunderball (1965): After Goldfinger had put the 007 phenomenon into overdrive, the overlong and gimmick-laden Thunderball was the next Bond film, and for the most part, it's a worthy successor. Bond goes to The Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by SPECTRE agent Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celli). Title song sung by Tom Jones.
You Only Live Twice (1967): Set in Japan and concerning a stolen US spaceship, this is the film that led to Connery saying. "No mas!" to playing the Bond character. With Donald Pleasance as SPECTRE agent Ernst Stavro Blofeld, an inspiration for Mike Myers' "Dr. Evil" character in the Austin Powers movies. Great title song sung by Nancy Sinatra.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971): When it became clear that no amonunt of money would convince Connery to return to the role of 007, a number of well-known actors, including Oliver Reed and Ian McShane, were considered as the new James Bond. The producers decided to cast an unknown, Australian piece of wood George Lazenby, in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. After Lazenby's performance sabotaged an otherwise excellent Bond movie, Connery was persuaded to return for this film, which features locations in Europe and Las Vegas, and a cast including Jill St. John (as "Tiffany Case"), Charles Gray as Blofeld, not to mention Bruce Glover (father of Crispin) and Putter Smith as gay hit men Wint and Kidd. Shirley Bassey returned to sing the elegant title tune.
Never Say Never Again (1983): Basically a remake of Thunderball, with a grayer, paunchier Connery reprising the part one last time. Audiences were indifferent, as the Roger Moore Bond film Moonraker actually made a lot more money at the box office that year. With Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo, Max Von Sydow as Blofeld, and as James's love interests, Kim Basinger and Barbara Carrera.
All titles available on DVD from MGM Home Video.
Last edited on Nov 30, 2008
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