James Bond

[AndyLGR]

Seen this?

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IGTugvTcvEA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's 22 films. All the Bond pictures right up through Quantum of Solace. Set to hit retail locations everywhere on the 25th of September, it's a great way to get your fix before Skyfall hits theatres.

Drop in on Bond's official site for all the special features.

I got this for xmas, for a bargain as well, less than £40. Such a great set and on first glance it looks like they've taken the recent(ish) special edition 2 dvd releases and put all the extras from those on to 1 blu ray for each film.

Funnily enough we were having a Bond debate at work and OHMSS was discussed and I rank it highly, its a pity that Lazenby didn't return for another one. Its certainly better than a lot of those that came after it.

 

[Duaner]

Kudos to your ranking of George Lazenby, and his adventure OHMSS, on the higher end of the spectrum and not the bottom, and for recognizing an exciting installment and memorable performance therein.

I love everything about OHMSS! It is often an overlooked and underrated installment. It is one of the best Bond movies ever. I would also consider it to be the one that evokes the most emotion.

Curious where you would place the David Niven Bond vehicle Casino Royale, since you included the other non-EON theatrical release Never Say Never. Of course, NSNA does star Connery, so I suppose you're off the hook.

I have actually not seen the David Niven Casino Royale. It is on my to-watch list. NSNA, though not an official Bond movie, was actually the first Bond movie I ever saw and like you said, since it includes Connery, it's okay to include it on the list. It definitely pales in comparison to the official Connery films - except maybe Diamonds Are Forever.

In the end, I really do like all the Bond movies. I just always found the majority of Roger Moore's to be slightly weaker and far cheesier.

 

[jsarino]

I'll have to get around making a Bond film ranking. Here's something to chew on for you all, and think of more lists.

Ranking the Villains

Ranking the Henchmen

Ranking the Bond girls

Ready...set...go!

 

[AndyLGR]

Just watching Diamonds are Forever on TV. Many people credit Roger Moore with taking the series in a more light hearted direction, but I think Diamonds is the film that started taking Bond in that direction.

 

[Pale Horse]

Just watching Diamonds are Forever on TV. Many people credit Roger Moore with taking the series in a more light hearted direction, but I think Diamonds is the film that started taking Bond in that direction.

Somewhat related: does the actor set the tone or is it the screenwriter? Who are the Bond screenwriters?

 

[Finn]

It's also worth noting that Diamonds Are Forever was not written with Connery in mind. They had to do a bit of coaxing to get him to return to the role.

Another possible explanation: The ending of the previous film. Could be they wanted to contrast that with a more lighthearted tone overall.

 

[AndyLGR]

Somewhat related: does the actor set the tone or is it the screenwriter? Who are the Bond screenwriters?

The Roger moore era I should have said.

I've seen interviews where moore said something along the lines of he wasn't as physical or macho as Connery was, so he played it more for laughs. Whether he himself guided his era down the road of being more light hearted though I don't know. I found this quote on IMDB, although it's source is uncredited "My personality is entirely different than his. I can't play the cold-blooded killer that Sean can do so well, which is why I play it for laughs".

I believe Connery donated his salary to charity or to some cause he was involved in, which was a condition of him taking diamonds are forever. I may be in the minority but I would have really liked to have seen Lazenby in another bond film. It's a pity he either thought or was badly advised that he'd made it after just 1 film.

 

[featofstrength]

"Diamonds are Forever" might be my least favorite Bond.

 

[PaleFoxoftheBalkanBazaars]

Let there be James Bond discussion. . .Eon and Non-Eon.

 

[Finn]

Let there be James Bond discussion. . .

My name is Earch. Sam Earch.

 

[PaleFoxoftheBalkanBazaars]

Haha! Well played. My bad.

 

[SnakeSurprise]

Craig Bond Ranking (If you disagree, you are wrong):

1. Casino Royale
2. Spectre
3. Skyfall
4. Quantum of Solace
5. No Time to Die

 

[PaleFoxoftheBalkanBazaars]

That is mine as well. Though I will say that I think from a rewatchability standpoint, Spectre is my go to for the Craig series.

The opening of Quantum of Solace may be the best opening of the Craig era.

 

[T06J00]

I'd probably go
1. Casino Royale
2. Skyfall
3. No Time to Die
4. Spectre
5. Quantum of Solace

 

[Walecs]

I hadn't seen the Craig Bond films, so I marathon'd them prior to the release of No Time To Die.

Spectre was easily the worst, for me. The opening is awesome - the rest of it is contrived, forced, and too convenient.

I would argue that even the helicopter fight is dragged down by the editor temptracking the scene with Newman's score for the previous movie. It's a good track, but it's distracting, it takes me out of the movie and makes me think of Skyfall rather than the movie I'm watching.

My ranking:
1. Casino Royale
2. Quantum of Solace
3. No Time To Die
4. Skyfall
5. Spectre

 

[IndyBuff]

Woohoo, a Bond thread! I’m a huge fan and currently going through my annual summer-Bondathon. I like seeing how my rankings change from year to year.

I liked Craig’s tenure but felt it was too messy, trying too hard to make Bond human and gritty while forgetting to be fun. I hope they return to the tone of films like Thunderball, The Living Daylights, or GoldenEye for the next one. At the moment I’d rank the Craig films as:

1. Casino Royale
2. Skyfall
3. No Time to Die
4. Spectre
5. Quantum of Solace

 

[whipandfedora]

My exact ranking too.

 

[IndyBuff]

I know it's probably been mentioned before, but Octopussy and Temple of Doom have a lot of similarities. Whether it's influence or just bizarre coincidence, it's fun to compare the two, as they're both underrated entries in their respective franchises.

 

[PaleFoxoftheBalkanBazaars]

I had always read that Spielberg and Lucas had intended Indy to be a sort of James Bondy-style character, which is why Connery was such an important actor to play his father in LC. So I think there is probably some subtle (sometimes overt) influence throughout the series.

I actually struggle with the belief that Sean Connery is the best Bond, however. I don't know if it's just the era or what, but his characterization seems very dry and one-dimensional to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the Connery films and think they are iconic, but I don't know if I would put him at the top of the list for portraying Bond. I often think the best embodiment of Bond from the standpoint of Fleming's character is in the first-half of The Living Daylights with Dalton. I'm also a big fan of Lazenby in OHMSS.

 

[Cortez]

I know it's hugely controversial, but I think Daniel Craig was an awful Bond. He's a wonderful actor but never felt right in the role, in terms of charisma or presence. Dalton is Fleming's Bond. My fav without question.

The other huge issue I had with Craig was that he's not an athlete. Looks awful running or in fight scenes.