15 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Certainly two of Connery's biggest films, and probably the biggest of the 60's.

Goldfinger boasts the title of probably the most well known Bond film, while Thunderball is the biggest money maker of the series.

Pussy Galore, Jill Masterson, Domino, Pat Fearing, Fiona Volpe and Paula are some of the best Bond girls there are. They are oozing with strong will and sexuality for sure. Some of the very best of the series, in my opinion.

Auric Goldfinger, Oddjob and Emilio Largo are very good villains in the series. Both are very ruthless and have some master plans with wide scopes. Some of the very best plots ever. Contaminating the gold in Fort Knox and holding the world for ransom. I won't go on and on, you all know everything about these films.

Excellent musical scores, title songs with sensational singers, and both films have very nice main title sequences to accompany them.

Now, which film or element from each film is better, in your opinion? Do they really live up to the idea of 'the biggest Bond' or 'epic'?

I'm very interested to hear your input on two of the very best Bond films ever!

[Tarl_Cabot]

Thunderball is the bigger, more spectacular. Goldfinger is the more classic film. I love them both but I lean towards Thunderball. The tropical setting always gets me. :cool:

[[dark]]

Thunderball is definitely the bigger of the two, but I'd take Goldfinger over Thunderball anyday.

Of course, You Only Live Twice, is far more epic than its predecessors.

[Qwerty]

Indeed [dark]. Yes, I just wondered between the two Connery blockbusters. You Only Live Twice is certainly much more epic in scale, with much influence from Lewis Gilbert, I believe.

[Sensualist]

I agree with YOLT having the most epic feel of the three.

Thunderball, however, is more epic than Goldfinger.

Thunderball benifits from being the first James Bond in Widescreen. THAT alone gives it a one-up in the "epic feel" department vis-a-vis its predecessor.

Chronological order of Bonds with that epic quality:

Thunderball
YOLT
OHMSS
TSWLM
Moonraker
Die Another Day

[Qwerty]

Yes, that's a very interesting ranking Sensualist. There is just something about the directing of Lewis Gilbert, I just love what he did with those three films!

[Johnboy007]

Thunderball in 5.1 Surround:D

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by johnboy007
Thunderball in 5.1 Surround:D

LOL! Having watched it last night, along with FYEO, I've realized that no other Bond title song slams onto the screen like that one!

The moral: Loud, louder and loudest!

[Sensualist]

Originally posted by Qwerty
Yes, that's a very interesting ranking Sensualist. There is just something about the directing of Lewis Gilbert, I just love what he did with those three films!

There is a very surreal quality about YOLT and even Moonraker. 'Spy less so.

At the opposite end of the spectrum one could say that Guy Hamilton played-up the humour/gag side of the Bonds. After the pretty serious Terrence Young-helmed DN and FRWL we get Goldfinger. Then the 'action comedy Bond' really takes off with the likes of DAF and the first two Moores.

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by Sensualist


There is a very surreal quality about YOLT and even Moonraker. 'Spy less so.

At the opposite end of the spectrum one could say that Guy Hamilton played-up the humour/gag side of the Bonds. After the pretty serious Terrence Young-helmed DN and FRWL we get Goldfinger. Then the 'action comedy Bond' really takes off with the likes of DAF and the first two Moores.

Exactly! Although, I love both directors and I think they were both integral parts of the Bond community. Hamilton was just always having fun, but he definitely knew what he wanted. Lewis Gilbert, teamed with his writer of choice: Christopher Wood, came up with the epic and 'beyond all other Bond films' TSWLM and MR.

[Sensualist]

Originally posted by Qwerty
Lewis Gilbert, teamed with his writer of choice: Christopher Wood, came up with the epic and 'beyond all other Bond films' TSWLM and MR.

You can't get much "Beyond" Moonraker, an EPIC in the truest sense. I saw it as a kid. I'd love to see it on the big screen again (taking out Jaws flapping his arms as well as the double-taking pigeon)

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by Sensualist


You can't get much "Beyond" Moonraker, an EPIC in the truest sense. I saw it as a kid. I'd love to see it on the big screen again (taking out Jaws flapping his arms as well as the double-taking pigeon)

I'd have loved to see that one in a theatre! Well, I really don't mind Jaws flapping around, that pigeon on the other hand.....

Well, you just have to have those lame things once in a while.

[Sensualist]

Originally posted by Qwerty

Well, you just have to have those lame things once in a while.

Tarzan yell. anyone?

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by Sensualist


Tarzan yell. anyone?

Now there ya go!

Yes, Roger's films were full of those gags, but I love 'em, even though the slight cringe sometimes appears.

Roger Moore swinging from tree to tree....very cool. :cool:

[Sensualist]

Originally posted by Qwerty

Roger Moore swinging from tree to tree....very cool. :cool:

Actually, Roger was sitting on a lounge chair beside Cubby smoking a big fat cigar while his stunt double (or triple) was up on the vines.

His era really takes the cake for "cringe-worthy" moments:

Exploding Kananga, Slide-whistle/kazoo sound effect on a great car stunt, talking parot that saves the planet, very obvious stunt doubles in AVTAK.

All in jolly good fun!

[Qwerty]

Originally posted by Sensualist


Actually, Roger was sitting on a lounge chair beside Cubby smoking a big fat cigar while his stunt double (or triple) was up on the vines.

His era really takes the cake for "cringe-worthy" moments:

Exploding Kananga, Slide-whistle/kazoo sound effect on a great car stunt, talking parot that saves the planet, very obvious stunt doubles in AVTAK.

All in jolly good fun!

Don't forget pulling his pants down in Egypt in TSWLM. Very classy.