56 replies to this topic

[Forward Look]

I'm not sure if this subject has been covered in the CBn forums, because I haven't seen it in here. With that in mind, what are your favorite non-Bond spy/action films that had nothing to do with either Ian Fleming or the Bond series? I personally nominate "Arabesque" (1966), which starred Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren, and directed by "Charade" director Stanley Donen. Although I haven't seen this movie in awhile, I remember a chase on horseback and a breathtaking climax scene in which Peck's character causes a steel girder to fall on a moving helicopter, thus killing the enemy. Several members of the Eon Productions crew were also used to make this film, from what I understand. Whatever the case, this is a very good non-Bond spy film that is somewhat forgotten and rarely noticed, even in the 007 community. But there are also other good non-Bond spy films, so, what are they?

[Arch Stanton]

The Looking Glass War and Firefox are a couple favorites of mine.

[DLibrasnow]

When Eight Bells Toll

[crheath]

I would say, Charade, if it qualifies. After all, Cary Grant was playing a Bond like character.

[red_grant]

without a doubt the george smiley series starring alec guiness.

the jack ryan films which starred harrison ford. for invested in the character to make him a cross between smiley and bond, and it works.

i always thought timothy dalton was a british harrison ford.

[A Kristatos]

North By Northwest starring Cary Grant, which of course provided the inspiration for the helicopter chase toward the end of From Russia With Love.

My favorite "non-Bond" Bond parody would be the first Austin Powers film.

[Lazenby880]

TORN CURTAIN (1966) is possibly the most underrated Hitchcock picture and a brilliantly tense spy film to boot. If THE EIGER SANCTION (1975) can be considered a spy film, based on Trevanian's spy novel of the same name, it is also worth a look; nothing compared to the novel but one of the more interesting CLint Eastwood films I have seen.

[Icephoenix]

I'm gonna have to go with The Bourne Supremacy.

[Jackanaples]

Off the top of my head I'd say THE IPCRESS FILE with Michael Caine.

[Agent005]

JOHNNY ENGLISH!!!!!!

[Solex Agitator]

THE IPCRESS FILE all the way.

[quiller]

bourne on film. smiley and i spy on tv. the "harry palmer" novels.

[Trident]

Not a film but a TV-show:

24 and here especially the second season which I regard as the best one of the four seasons I've seen up to now, a real roller-coaster of a thriller. Can't tell about season five as it was not yet shown in Germany.

Ok, it's not exactly about the typical spy genre, more a kind of terrorist/political/action/conspiracy thriller. Still a damn good show with a damn good federal agent Jack Bauer having one of these days. Strongly recommended to anybody not yet familiar with 24 (Are there such people around here? I doubt it.).

[quiller]

Not a film but a TV-show:

24 and here especially the second season which I regard as the best one of the four seasons I've seen up to now, a real roller-coaster of a thriller. Can't tell about season five as it was not yet shown in Germany.

Ok, it's not exactly about the typical spy genre, more a kind of terrorist/political/action/conspiracy thriller. Still a damn good show with a damn good federal agent Jack Bauer having one of these days. Strongly recommended to anybody not yet familiar with 24 (Are there such people around here? I doubt it.).

here here!!!

[Trident]

Not a film but a TV-show:

24 and here especially the second season which I regard as the best one of the four seasons I've seen up to now, a real roller-coaster of a thriller. Can't tell about season five as it was not yet shown in Germany.

Ok, it's not exactly about the typical spy genre, more a kind of terrorist/political/action/conspiracy thriller. Still a damn good show with a damn good federal agent Jack Bauer having one of these days. Strongly recommended to anybody not yet familiar with 24 (Are there such people around here? I doubt it.).

here here!!!

Are you serious? Never seen 24 before? Give it a try then. But you should watch a whole season, otherwise it doesn't make sense. It's hard to start with 24 in the mid of a season. And you should probably start with season one, as the show does sometimes refer to previous seasons.

[quiller]

Not a film but a TV-show:

24 and here especially the second season which I regard as the best one of the four seasons I've seen up to now, a real roller-coaster of a thriller. Can't tell about season five as it was not yet shown in Germany.

Ok, it's not exactly about the typical spy genre, more a kind of terrorist/political/action/conspiracy thriller. Still a damn good show with a damn good federal agent Jack Bauer having one of these days. Strongly recommended to anybody not yet familiar with 24 (Are there such people around here? I doubt it.).

here here!!!

Are you serious? Never seen 24 before? Give it a try then. But you should watch a whole season, otherwise it doesn't make sense. It's hard to start with 24 in the mid of a season. And you should probably start with season one, as the show does sometimes refer to previous seasons.

it's my sad duty to relate the i haven't seen the whole of series one yet.

[Trident]

You missed out on something then, really. Give it a try and take a look for yourself. Chances are you'll get hooked.

[Shadow Syndicate]

"Munich" with non-other than Daniel Craig. If Realism's your thing

[Leiter]

The 39 Steps

[tonymascia1]

The 39 Steps

Yes!

In another vein, "True Lies".

[FelixLeiterCIA]

"The Hunt for Red October"

[Number 6]

A movie that sort of grew on me years ago was this comic/spy thriller called GOTCHA starring Anthony Edwards. I haven't seen it in years but it really is a very good 80s flick.

[Double-Oh Agent]

The last two entries stole my thunder.

For serious spy films, I'd go with The Hunt For Red October with the definitive Jack Ryan--Alec Baldwin. It's taut and suspenseful and just a well-crafted film. North By Northwest is another great choice.

For a little more tongue-in-cheek spy film, I'd go with True Lies. Some great over-the-top stunts that would fit right in with any James Bond movie. The film also doffs its cap to 007 without spoofing the series and it's all the better for it. In short, it's one big thrill ride.

For television, I have to go with 24 and Mission: Impossible. Two very different shows that are both done very well and engross the viewer. They are two of my top 10 favorite shows of all time.

[Arch Stanton]

Shall I dare suggest xXx? Seems completely hated in the Bond internet community, but I loved it. Didn't bother with the sequel so I'm not sure about that one, but the first was pretty good, IMO.

[Thunderfinger]

Since tv shows have been mentioned:the original Mission Impossible series from the 60s.(The 80s show was pretty lame,a pale copy.)

[tigerheart]

Since tv shows have been mentioned:the original Mission Impossible series from the 60s.(The 80s show was pretty lame,a pale copy.)

Yes! Although I struggle not to think of Captain Oveur from Airplane! now when I see Peter Graves in the original M:I...

on the lighter side, I'd also throw in The Man from UNCLE, which was prime Saturday afternoon fare for me as a kid, and the Matt Helm/Derek Flint films - wonderful spoofy fun.

[dunmall]

North by Northwest

[dee-bee-five]

North By Northwest or Charade or Notorious. And Cary Grant's common to all three (not that there was anything remotely common about Cary...)

Edited by dee-bee-five, 16 August 2006 - 07:28 AM.

[drmedula]

The Derek Flint films are the best Bond spoofs- mostly because they AREN'T (Flint is closer to Doc Savage, and and the films are almost as "serious" as most of Roger Moore's films.And the action scenes are really pretty good!) As far as TV- how can you not mention THE AVENGERS?! Also WILD, WILD WEST, which at it's best was good stuff.

[krypt]

Shall I dare suggest xXx? Seems completely hated in the Bond internet community, but I loved it. Didn't bother with the sequel so I'm not sure about that one, but the first was pretty good, IMO.

I enjoyed xXx: State of the Union much more than xXx. But that's just me.