Everyone has a favourite Bond film and, with such an incredible back catalogue that offers some of the greatest action scenes ever shown on the big screen, there is something for everyone.
Casino Royale
Among James Bond fans, Casino Royale is often mentioned as one of the best ever. One of the reasons for the brand’s success is the relationship it has with the viewers; it strays into the preposterous but takes the viewer along with it, suspending reality along the way.
One such example is in Casino Royale when Bond appears to suffer a heart attack, races back to his car, gets out the defibrillator and then, after restarting his heart, gets back to the tables to play more casino games. While that may seem ridiculous, Casino Royale as a whole was largely seen as a great return to form with Daniel Craig having taken over the lead role. It was regarded as having brought Bond back to basics by doing what it has done best in the past 50 years.
View to a Kill
This wasn’t one of the more critically acclaimed Bond films but was perfect for its time. Made in 1985 with a great theme tune performed by Duran Duran, Roger Moore returned to the lead role and, while seen by some as too old to do justice to the part, he was in great form in a high-action thriller that ticks many of the boxes for Bond fans.
It is, for me, an underrated Bond movie, having a gripping plot with the “baddie” aiming for world domination. Then there is the film’s settings; from Paris to San Francisco with Ascot along the way. It’s a lot of fun and, while not to everyone’s tastes, one of my favourites.
Goldfinger
Starring Sean Connery who is in top form in this classic, it again has an iconic theme tune belted out by Shirley Bassey. The villain is Auric Goldfinger, whose obsession with gold extends to devising a scheme that will affect the world’s gold reserves and ultimately the economies of the developed world.
Notable for the great humour that Connery brings to the part and the incredible gadgets typified by the Aston Martin car, it is, for many, the ultimate Bond film as it combines a terrific plot with great action scenes and some good humour too.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Some feel that this film, which features George Lazenby as Bond, is closest to the spirit of the Ian Fleming novels and it certainly has one of the best plots. It also marked a departure from the Connery years in being largely free of gadgets.
However, it again has great action scenes and, after Thunderball largely featured underwater scenes, this movie takes place in the snow. It was the first to show a ski-chase sequence and is certainly boosted by the stunning Alpine backdrop. It also features a truly heartbreaking ending when Bond cradles the body of his murdered wife, played by Diana Rigg. Lazenby perhaps slightly fails to convince the audience as Bond after the golden Connery years, but On Her Majesty’s Secret Service nevertheless stands comparison as one of the best ever Bond movies.
I went through a Bond phase a couple of years ago in anticipation for Skyfall where I saw a whole lot of Bond films. In fact, here is my list of all the James Bond films that I’ve seen from best to worst.
Great post
Spy Genre:
From Russia With Love
Action Hero Genre:
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
Casino Royale
Skyfall
Never was much of a Roger Moore as Bond fan. He lacked the cold, gritty bastard Fleming brought out so well on paper. And Connery brought to the screen. While Mr. Lazenby was a perfectly serviceable Bond in ‘OHMSS’.
I always enjoyed Roger Moore, sure he was quite cheesy but it had its charm.
Good list, all solid films.
Here is my list:
http://victorsmoviereviews.com/2012/01/17/5-best-james-bond-movies-and-some-other-things/
Thanks Victor
Great list! I’m a massive Bond fan and thought I knew my top film list inside out however recently I gave ‘The Living Daylights’ another go and it rocketed right to the top of my list. I really love that one now!
Great to hear that James
Brilliant list here 🙂 Casino Royale is definitely up there as one of my favourites because it did SUCH a good job of relaunching James Bond, the character, the film franchise, everything, while still being very loyal to its roots in the books and films.
I’m partial to The Living Daylights, yes Timothy Dalton is one of my favourite Bonds. He just got his two films very very right. I liked her version of James Bond.
Thanks Jaina. Casino Royale really managed to get people interested in the franchise again, it did an awesome job.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Casino Royale would be on my list. I also really like Goldfinger, but I’m more partial to From Russia with Love and Thunderball in Connery’s films. I’m thinking that I’ve seen Goldfinger too many times. I’d also include Licence to Kill and The Spy Who Loved Me in the mix.
A View to a Kill is great fun, but it’s also pretty terrible. While I like the way Walken hams it up and there are good sequences, Moore is just too old to be convincing. Also, Tanya Roberts is the worst. Still, I can see why you’d choose it.
They are broadcasting some Bond movies every week at the moment, so when there is one on I usually watch bits of them…these movies always manage to be enjoyable.
Goldfinger and From Russia with Love, followed by Skyfall and Casino Royale. Had a whole series of posts two years ago in preparation for Skyfall. One of the best three months on-line ever. Glad to find that Bond continues to fascinate.
🙂 Yeah, amazing how long one character can remain interesting over various generations. It has the classic elements though: women, cars and exciting action.
I would say Moore is my fav Bond, though I know his films are not that realistic. A View To A Kill gets a lot of hate, it’s one of my favorites as well(in terms of rewatching). Also, Tanya Roberts may not be the best actress in the world, but wow, she is stunning 😉
Moore had his own style which I also enjoyed.
I could sit through any of them. I grew up watching the Roger Moore ones so have always had a soft spot for his Bond and like the cheesy ones other people seem to hate, like Live And Let Die, Moonraker and Octopussy.
That said my top 5 would be (5) The Spy Who Loved Me, (4) On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, (3) Thunderball, (2) Goldfinger and (1) From Russia With Love
You Only Live Twice and Casino Royale just missing out – they’re both great too!
I feel like I really want to review a Bond film now.
Yeah, grew up with him as well and he had charm but something about him which also made it a lot of fun to watch. Great top 5.
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