322 replies to this topic

[BoogieBond]

Is it the all time best fourth entry in a movie franchise? I think so.

Good heavens, yes! Not that there's much competition out there.

Oops 4th film of any franchise, yes.
Thunderball is a fantastic Bond film. And yes, I would agree it is the best 4th film, Just.

I love the Jack Bouvar bit as well. Pure Sean style. With the jet pack escape as the coup de gras.
I think Thunderball feels so effortless and confident as a Bond film as any. Almost as though they knew they could not lose. And with Connery's performance they couldn't.

Bonds entrance into the Casino in Nassau(changing his money into gambling chips) on the way to duel with Largo is such a Bondian scene to me.

Edited by BoogieBond, 03 September 2008 - 09:58 PM.

[Turn]

I watched it today and a question came to my mind: "How the hell did Bond find out that Jack Bouvar was dressed like a widow?

Help, please!

To quote Connery from the movie " My Dear Colonel Bouvar, you shouldn't have opened that car door by yourself".

Yes, I watched the scene in slow motion, zoomed in, but couldn't see anything!

This may help. The set of Thunderball trading cards put out in the U.S. in 1966 had some interesting information. Several of the cards were devoted to the teaser sequence and the text said that Bond knew Boivard or Boitier or whatever he was called used to belong to a cabaret or theatrical troop and was a master of disguise, so that made him suspicious. I wonder if this is where Blofeld got the idea to use such a disguise in DAF.

I haven't read those cards in years as they belonged to my uncle, so if anybody owns them or has an earlier draft of the TB script I'd be curious to have that verified. Another thing I remember from the text of those cards was Fiona was still Fiona Kelly instead of Volpe as I think she was supposed to be an Irish woman before Luciana Paluzzi was cast.

[Safari Suit]

Is it the all time best fourth entry in a movie franchise? I think so.

Good heavens, yes! Not that there's much competition out there.

I think there is! Although my essays on the magnificence of Citizens on Patrol and The Crackdown will have to wait for another thread.

That said, the only "respectable" (critics, eh ) alternative would be Sudden Impact, which I don't really care for.

[Judo chop]

Is it the all time best fourth entry in a movie franchise? I think so.

Good heavens, yes! Not that there's much competition out there.

I think there is! Although my essays on the magnificence of Citizens on Patrol and The Crackdown will have to wait for another thread.

That said, the only "respectable" (critics, eh ) alternative would be Sudden Impact, which I don't really care for.

I'm not afraid to wear a critic's hat. That the beauty of these aliases!

No contest. Thunderball was a much more daring and influential film than Sudden Impact. I'd even put LW4 over Clint's film, though neither comes close. Nice try though.

[Safari Suit]

Is it the all time best fourth entry in a movie franchise? I think so.

Good heavens, yes! Not that there's much competition out there.

I think there is! Although my essays on the magnificence of Citizens on Patrol and The Crackdown will have to wait for another thread.

That said, the only "respectable" (critics, eh ) alternative would be Sudden Impact, which I don't really care for.

I'm not afraid to wear a critic's hat. That the beauty of these aliases!

No contest. Thunderball was a much more daring and influential film than Sudden Impact. I'd even put LW4 over Clint's film, though neither comes close. Nice try though.

Fair enough. I wonder though, given your well known fondness for YOLT, if you would say The Dead Pool is worse. Or, for that matter, Assignment: Miami Vice or The Face of Death.

[Judo chop]

Fair enough. I wonder though, given your well known fondness for YOLT, if you would say The Dead Pool is worse. Or, for that matter, Assignment: Miami Vice

Eh, I still like even the worst Bond more than any of those. Even YOLT. But what’s this one?

or The Face of Death.

Is that from the Faces of Death series? Gawd... no thanks.

Now, it gets very interesting when you go on to the 6th film in a series. Competition gets even slimmer, and there is only one worthy match:

OHMSS vs. my beloved ROCKY BALBOA.

Not an easy match to call… but I think we have a winner by decision. Even when he ‘loses’, Rocky is never beaten.

[Safari Suit]

or The Face of Death.

Is that from the Faces of Death series? Gawd... no thanks.

Nah, it's Death Wish 5. Even I'm not touching those Faces of Death things.

As for part 6s, really by this point you're only options are dwindling police departments or masked/burnt killers(though come to think of it, Jason Lives is the best of the FT13ths). (Off topic, moi?)

[double o ego]

Is it the all time best fourth entry in a movie franchise? I think so.

I'd rank it as the best entry of the entire series.

[rexster]

To continue my experience with Thunderball: The first real vacation my wife and I took in 1986 was to Nassau. Guess what? We spent half our time finding the backgrounds that were in the movie. Cafe Martinique, the shark pool at Largo's house (which wasn't in Lyford Cay)Front St. We got in the Coral Harbour area when a local friend on the Royal Bahamas Police Force got us in, at the time it was a Royal Defence Force base. (more like a coast guard station at the time)This same friend also told us the sharks in the swimming pool kept on dying, the film company had to go out every so often and capture fresh sharks. I swear I went to the same bathroom that Bond goes into to wash his ankle wound during Junkanoo. Anyways, lots of good memories

Rex

[Mister E]

To continue my experience with Thunderball: The first real vacation my wife and I took in 1986 was to Nassau. Guess what? We spent half our time finding the backgrounds that were in the movie. Cafe Martinique, the shark pool at Largo's house (which wasn't in Lyford Cay)Front St. We got in the Coral Harbour area when a local friend on the Royal Bahamas Police Force got us in, at the time it was a Royal Defence Force base. (more like a coast guard station at the time)This same friend also told us the sharks in the swimming pool kept on dying, the film company had to go out every so often and capture fresh sharks. I swear I went to the same bathroom that Bond goes into to wash his ankle wound during Junkanoo. Anyways, lots of good memories

Rex

Neat Rex !

[Aris007]

I watched it today and a question came to my mind: "How the hell did Bond find out that Jack Bouvar was dressed like a widow?

Help, please!

To quote Connery from the movie " My Dear Colonel Bouvar, you shouldn't have opened that car door by yourself".

Yes, I watched the scene in slow motion, zoomed in, but couldn't see anything!

LOL ! Sean Connery punched Bob Simmons, not an lady.

Can you say it in English for those who don't speak spy?

[Mr. Blofeld]

I watched it today and a question came to my mind: "How the hell did Bond find out that Jack Bouvar was dressed like a widow?
Help, please!

To quote Connery from the movie " My Dear Colonel Bouvar, you shouldn't have opened that car door by yourself".

Yes, I watched the scene in slow motion, zoomed in, but couldn't see anything!

LOL ! Sean Connery punched Bob Simmons, not an lady.

Can you say it in English for those who don't speak spy?

Que?

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Attention all Thunderball fans. The following is an excellent tribute to the 4th 007 film. Enjoy-


http://au.youtube.co...feature=related

[Cruiserweight]

A truely classic bond film. Connery's best bond in my opinion & the first of two Connery bond films that rank in my top ten(The other being FRWL)

[DaveBond21]

It's funny because when I first sat down properly to watch this for the first time in years, in 1999, I thought it was a little dull and long-winded, especially the underwater scenes.

But as time has passed I have gotten to like it more and more, and love the whole look and feel of the movie, the atmosphere. It's a great 007 movie.

[double o ego]

Marvellous movie. While the editing isn't as excellent as FRWL's, the movie overall really is magnificent and my favourite Bond film.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

It's funny because when I first sat down properly to watch this for the first time in years, in 1999, I thought it was a little dull and long-winded, especially the underwater scenes.

I've read that criticism of Thunderball's underwater scenes for years but I've never had a problem with them. They were quite innovative for their time. Also, I like M says to 007 in the film, have an enthusiasm for water sports. I would live in a place like the Bahamas, Hawaii or Cayman Islands if I could afford it and would be in the ocean every day. So the underwater sequences only add to my enjoyment of the film. It's also fascinating that Thunderball did for water scenes in the Bond series what On Her Majesty’s Secret Service did for snow scenes. You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, A View to a Kill, Licence to Kill, Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day and most obvious of all, Never Say Never Again owe a debt to Thunderball

But as time has passed I have gotten to like it more and more, and love the whole look and feel of the movie, the atmosphere. It's a great 007 movie.

Indeed. The Bahamas and the whole underwater atmosphere are a character in the film. Under the eye of Bond master director Terence Young, the stylish of TB really stands out among Bond films. It's a Bond film to "luxuriate" in.

A truely classic bond film. Connery's best bond in my opinion & the first of two Connery bond films that rank in my top ten(The other being FRWL)

Marvellous movie. While the editing isn't as excellent as FRWL's, the movie overall really is magnificent and my favourite Bond film.

Keep the Thunderball love coming.

Here's another great tribute-

http://au.youtube.co...feature=related

[Judo chop]

THUNDERBALL is the dew point of Bond. It represents the maximum capacity for which bigger is, in fact, better. You can't put anymore in, or you'll start leaking. (See YOLT.)

It's a vacation. An all-inclusive vacation. You're not here for hiking, or climbing, or roller coastering. People who find it boring need to remember where they are. Find a spot of shade, pour yourself a spot of fine sipping tequilla, sit back, still your mind and just BE for a couple of hours.

[DamnCoffee]

I might take up some advice and watch this one tonight. I havent seen it in ages. I could do with a good aquatic Bond film, since England is dreary.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I might take up some advice and watch this one tonight. I havent seen it in ages. I could do with a good aquatic Bond film, since England is dreary.

Yes, Mharkin007. Show your enthusiasm for water sports and head to Nassau with its sunshine, blue water and lovely ladies in the form of Thunderball as soon as you can. You won't regret it.


I firmly believe the Nassau scenes in Casino Royale were very much a tribute to this great 1965 classic Bond film.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the score; it's so damned lush!

[DaveBond21]

I might take up some advice and watch this one tonight. I havent seen it in ages. I could do with a good aquatic Bond film, since England is dreary.

Yes, Mharkin007. Show your enthusiasm for water sports and head to Nassau with its sunshine, blue water and lovely ladies in the form of Thunderball as soon as you can. You won't regret it.


I firmly believe the Nassau scenes in Casino Royale were very much a tribute to this great 1965 classic Bond film.

Luckily, here in Sydney, we have some nice beaches to luxuriate next to. And summer is only just beginning. I might get in a Thunderball mood this weekend...

[Agent 76]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the score; it's so damned lush!

Here, here!

I totally agree with you my friend. The soundtrack is one of the strongest points for TB, altough it has many of course. I didn't like this one when I first saw it, but it has grown on me since, and has become one of my favourite.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the score; it's so damned lush!

Here, here!

I totally agree with you my friend. The soundtrack is one of the strongest points for TB, altough it has many of course. I didn't like this one when I first saw it, but it has grown on me since, and has become one of my favourites.

Indeed; I'd love to see any movie fight scene that doesn't feel a hell of a lot more exciting with Chateau Flight added to the soundtrack...

[Mr. Blofeld]

So I post...

BAH-DAH-BAH-DAH-BUM!

...on Thunderball!

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Just rewatched Thunderball last night...hadn't seen it on dvd for several years. It's hands down the best Connery Bond film. It's not merely just the best Connery film, it's actually light years ahead of NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN. In fact, I was struck by how entertained I was the entire viewing of THUNDERBALL, and how boring NSNA can be at times. What should have been an effortless remake of TB somehow became a plodding, sticky mess with few redemptive qualities.

Thunderball's plot isn't as complicated as FRWL, but it does boast the most beautiful one-two punch of Bond women in the Connery era: Paluzzi and Auger are a sight to behold. No other Bond Girls come close. Why Auger or Paluzzi didn't become more well known outside of Europe like Sophia Loren or Catherine Denueve is a mystery.

Even though the voice was dubbed, Celi was still fantastic as Largo. The look...the body mannerisms..."They know when it is time for them to be fed"...I love it all.

Connery looked great in his tux and seemed to be really enjoying himself. I thought Van Nutter was a very good interpretation of Felix Leiter, and maybe the closest thing to Fleming's version we've seen yet.

The locations were breathtaking and gorgeous. In every department, in every way, this film is vastly superior to NSNA.

Great review, Gravity's Silhouette. ITA. I also like the fact that Largo is no armchair general villain and fights alongside his men.

Thunderball represents first generation EON in its prime.

[Sir James Moloney]

Thunderball is actually my second favorite Bond film, right after FRWL, then comes Goldfinger and Dr No, then OHMSS, CR, The Living Daylights and so on... but that list changes once in a while

[Mr. Somerset]

Thunderball is easily one of my favourites...










..........because of Claudine Auger.

[Mr. Blofeld]

The best thing about Thunderball is that it isn't YOLT.

[Turn]

Some of you all might be too young to remember when ABC started airing the Bond series back in the late 70's and early 80's. Back then The Sunday Night Movie was one of the most coveted spots on any network's lineup. It was an *event*, as most people had neither cable nor beta/vhs. For a long time I didn't really understand what was meant by "Edited for Television", so I never knew that there was a PTS before Goldfinger, or a scene in Thunderball where Bond uses mink gloves on Nurse Fearing. ABC would edit out the entire 'I feel like an animal in a cage' love scene between Bond and Volpe, not to mention half the fight sequence at the Chateau, where Bond takes the poker and tries to strangle Colonel Bouvard. It's great to have these films on DVD and Blue-Ray now and be able to see them in all their unedited glory. I was even a bit surprised at how violent some of Thunderball was, particularly with the underwater battle between SPECTRE and the American forces....I'm talking multiple spear guns into the gut, spear guns through the eye, spear guns through the elbow....ABC also used to edit out the part where Largo tortured Domino.

I also have fond memories of the ABC showings of Bond films. You're absolutely right, they were an event. It wasn't until I got a little older I noticed just how much they cut from these.

Thunderball was the first Blu-ray of the new set I watched and although many rave about how good Dr. No looks, I think TB benefits the most. It's almost like watching the films for the first time again there's so much to notice.