322 replies to this topic

[HH007]

Thunderball was crap. They got it right with Never Say Never Again.

Personally, I think the one thing Thunderball has got going for it - the fabulous Fiona notwithstanding - is that at least it isn't its ghastly, inept, grave-dancing remake.

Just kidding.

[Mr. Blofeld]

NSNA, I think, was the best out of the three Connery-Bond swan songs; partly because it didn't stink out loud, but also because it stuck to the original Fleming novel a bit closer than its predecessors.

[dee-bee-five]

Thunderball was crap. They got it right with Never Say Never Again.

Personally, I think the one thing Thunderball has got going for it - the fabulous Fiona notwithstanding - is that at least it isn't its ghastly, inept, grave-dancing remake.

Just kidding.

I thought so...

[HH007]

NSNA, I think, was the best out of the three Connery-Bond swan songs; partly because it didn't stink out loud, but also because it stuck to the original Fleming novel a bit closer than its predecessors.

It also had a happy, grandfatherly Blofeld.

[dee-bee-five]

NSNA, I think, was the best out of the three Connery-Bond swan songs; partly because it didn't stink out loud, but also because it stuck to the original Fleming novel a bit closer than its predecessors.

It also had a happy, grandfatherly Blofeld.

I thought it was Santa in his quiet period. He made TB's Largo seem menacing (quite an achievement, when you think about it). Mind you, NSNA's Domino made TB's bland incarnation seem mildly sexy (an achievement of global-warming-solving proportions)

But I'm being a bit of a Devil's Advocate. TB is my least-favourite Eon Bond film. But, hell, it is a Bond film.

[sark]

Except that the use of the word "alligator" makes no sense, but using the phrase with the word "irrigator" is a play on words of the original phrase.

Do you mean you've never heard the phrase "see you later, alligator"?!?

[RJJB]

Except that the use of the word "alligator" makes no sense, but using the phrase with the word "irrigator" is a play on words of the original phrase.

Do you mean you've never heard the phrase "see you later, alligator"?!?

Of course I've heard that phrase. That's where the humor for "see you later..irrigator" originates. Seeing the sign for the irrigation room prompts Bond to make the play on words by using the word "irrigator" instead of "alligator".
Got it?

[Major Tallon]

When I first saw Thunderball, I didn't care for it much. Connery was too jokey, too irreverent, both with M and with Q, and I didn't like Bond's ridiculous looking aqualung or the 90 mph hydorfoil at the end. And the film's chronology is just about impossible to figure out, a topic that's been discussed before.

But over the years, I've become very fond of it. As the films became lighter during the Moore era, Connery's quips didn't jar so much, and I appreciate the degree to which it adhered to Fleming's novel. Claudine Auger's Domino is extraordinarily beautiful, and her scene with Bond at the Cafe Martinique is very well played. Both Blofeld and his headquarters are sinister, Fiona is a perfect femme fatale, and Celli brings Fleming's character to life. Finally, the use of the Bahamas is one of the best uses of location in the series. From the scenes in Nassau, to the beaches, to the aerial shots of water and shoals, the film conveys a wonderful sense of place.

It's still not my favorite Bond film, but I've come to enjoy it a lot.

[sark]

Except that the use of the word "alligator" makes no sense, but using the phrase with the word "irrigator" is a play on words of the original phrase.

Do you mean you've never heard the phrase "see you later, alligator"?!?

Of course I've heard that phrase. That's where the humor for "see you later..irrigator" originates. Seeing the sign for the irrigation room prompts Bond to make the play on words by using the word "irrigator" instead of "alligator".
Got it?

Oh I got what you mean. However, after seeing Thunderball a half dozen times, I'm still going to hear him say alligator

[Mr. Blofeld]

Any more fans?

[Pete]

Yep I enjoy Thunderball, at times I think it's better than Goldfinger. My only problem with the whole film is the awful hydrofoil sequence, just so poorly filmed.

[Double-0-Seven]

Thunderball is terrific. It is my favorite Sean Connery film.

The only flaw in it, for me, is the rediculous speed of Largo's boat during the final fight. I can't find many other flaws besides that. In the film, Connery shines as Bond, giving what I believe is his best and most confident performance. The women are beautiful, the villains are great, and the action scenes are very exciting. The locations are also some of the best out of all the Bond films.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Anyone else?

[DaveBond21]

Except that the use of the word "alligator" makes no sense, but using the phrase with the word "irrigator" is a play on words of the original phrase.

Do you mean you've never heard the phrase "see you later, alligator"?!?

Of course I've heard that phrase. That's where the humor for "see you later..irrigator" originates. Seeing the sign for the irrigation room prompts Bond to make the play on words by using the word "irrigator" instead of "alligator".
Got it?

Oh I got what you mean. However, after seeing Thunderball a half dozen times, I'm still going to hear him say alligator

I've always thought it was obvious that it was "irrigator" as it's a typical Bond play on words on the traditional phrase "see you later alligator".

[sark]

NSNA's Domino made TB's bland incarnation seem mildly sexy (an achievement of global-warming-solving proportions)

Really? I found TB's Domino (her name escapes me at the moment) infinitly sexier. Partially because I'm American, and thus found her much more exotic. Partially because I couldn't buy a blonde like her as Italian. Yes, I'm aware some northern Italians have blonde hair, but when I hear Italian Beauty I think Solange.

[Mr. Blofeld]

TB's Domino (her name escapes me at the moment)

Claudine Auger, mon ami; besides, Domino in the original film is not Italian, but French.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Hey, folks, no other fans of Thunderball?

[Scottlee]

Thunderball is terrific. It is my favorite Sean Connery film.

The only flaw in it, for me, is the rediculous speed of Largo's boat during the final fight.

Yeah that's the worst thing for me too. It would have been far better if Bond had stayed hidden until Largo thought he was out of sight and stopped the boat. A final confrontation on a completely stationary boat, perhaps even featuring some dialogue, would have been more effective for me.

[Safari Suit]

I found it quite tedious the first couple of times I saw it. Now I consider it one of the highlights of the series.

It was made at the height of Bond-mania and the resulting confidence shines through.

[DamnCoffee]

Thunderball is a brilliant Bond film. I found it very boring when I first saw it, It felt like it went on for ever!

I love it now though, It's really colourful. One of Connery's best I would say.

[DaveBond21]

And this is the thread that originally discussed the "See you later irrigator" line.

[Shadow Syndicate]

Bond sleeps with a Blonde, brunette, AND a redhead! Does that happen in anyother movie?

anyway, great PTS fight, got to see the DB5 again, Shrublands was hilarious seeing two grown men pulling pranks on eachother, the plot was solid, the location was great(how can u beat the Bahamas?), Great action, Gorgeous women and some great lines...It's one of the best...How can it be slow? It's going lightning fast compared to Goldfinger...and he was in the bahamas scuba diving, and avoiding sharks...instead of sitting in Kentucky having drinks
TB should be considered THE Bond movie...it's a shame Goldfinger is by the general public

[DR76]

A big favorite of mine. Although the underwater battle between Largo's men and the U.S. Navy divers were something of a bore. John Barry's score didn't help.

[deth]

A big favorite of mine. Although the underwater battle between Largo's men and the U.S. Navy divers were something of a bore. John Barry's score didn't help.

your musical taste continues to disappoint

[Eddie Burns]

Allow me to offer my...sincere...condolences WHACK!

Great movie and a classy fisticuffs pre-title sequence, my favorite pre-title sequence. After Goldfinger, you could tell Young was back. Connery gets it just right and the Bond girls and villians play their part.

Hated Leiter, and some scenes felt too rushed. I don't think Paula's death was handled well. But everything else worked. Bond's beach scene with Domino before he kills Vargas. Bond and Fiona's confrontation. Especially the gun underneath the pillow reference(Which leads me to wonder...will we ever have an origin story for that? I thought it would have been mentioned or demonstrated in CR, but no. I think its a crucial character trait for Bond). The dialogue was top of the line. Bond at the shrublands gave us an insight of an off duty Bond. His conversation with moneypenny over the phone. All the little things add up and really create a different dimension of the character. People that don't enjoy this movie really don't understand that we learn a lot about Bond more than any other Connery Bond movie with the exception of DN.

9.5/10

Edited by Eddie Burns, 14 July 2008 - 02:47 AM.

[DaveBond21]

Especially the gun underneath the pillow reference(Which leads me to wonder...will we ever have an origin story for that? I thought it would have been mentioned or demonstrated in CR, but no. I think its a crucial character trait for Bond).

Is this purely unique to Bond though? Most people with notorious enemies have done this. The Kray twins were an example of gangsters who slept with guns under their pillows.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Do you mean you've never heard the phrase "see you later, alligator"?!?
[/quote]


I've always thought it was obvious that it was "irrigator" as it's a typical Bond play on words on the traditional phrase "see you later alligator".
[/quote]

It is also "Irrigator" in the book, though it is not Bond that uses the quip, but some reformed drunk.

[Bondesque]

TB is in my top 5! Connery was still at his peak. Claudine Auger was stunning. Love the scene where he fakes the boat malfunction in order to meet her. It has great action, suspense and good writing/direction. Visually it was beautiful.

Every member of the cast seemed to enjoy themselves (even if Conery was faking).

[BoogieBond]

My favourite Connery film.
BTW, after having viewed it multiple times, I think he does mean Irrigator, but never noticed it till it was mentioned here.

[Melack]

90% of the time TB is my favourite Bond movie (Some days FRWL or CR is my favourite).

As someone else said it's a great film in it's own right not just because it's a Bond movie.

There's so much I like about this movie I could go on forever.

So I guess it's easier to begin with naming the only thing that I don't love about it.

The jetpack, I just think it's looks so silly when he takes off, sorry Q

Some say Moore was the king of one-liners.

This is easily the Bond film with the best written and delivered one-liners.

And the films keeps a perfect balance between them and the serious parts.

The plot is great and haven't dated a bit (Dr No is great but the plot is a bit silly today for an example)

The film got so many memoreable characters.

Fiona, Domino, Largo, Blofeld etc..

Sooo many scenes that are pure greatness, my favourite is probably the Casino one with Largo.

I think it was a positive thing that Connery had grew a bit tired of the role as Bond. He acts with more confidence and feels very relaxed in his acting.

Ok I should stop now