322 replies to this topic

[double o ego]

It always amazes me when people say Connery was bored in DAF. DAF imo is the film where he genuinely looks like he's having the time of his life.

Thunderball, I think, more than any other film, makes me want to be James Bond.

The film is just that damn good. That's why it's my favourite.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

I love the film, myself. But I have a quick question. What exactly was the controversy surrounding this film? I've heard several conflicting stories. If someone knows what the controversy about Thunderball is, please let me know. Thanks!!!

Edited by danielcraigisjamesbond007, 28 December 2008 - 01:45 AM.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I love the film, myself. But I have a quick question. What exactly was the controversy surrounding this film? I've heard several conflicting stories. If someone knows what the controversy about Thunderball is, please let me know. Thanks!!!

Check up on Wikipedia for the bare bones of it; to make a long story short, Fleming plagiarized a script from a planned film deal in making his novel, and so the producer of said film sued.

[SHUXTO]

Ogoo

[MajorB]

Interesting the ABC broadcasts are brought up. I remember them, but i didn't get to watch them much because of my age. Back then movies on tv were such a big deal. i can remember Goldfinger coming on, and it would start with the Title sequence. They'd run those movies ususally 9-11:30 on sunday night. I was shocked several years ago when i read all that they cut out.
As for Thunderball it's just a classy movie to me. Domino is gorgeous, Fiona Volpe is the best Villainous, the music is excellent. The card game is great, and i love Bond's dialogue with Domino afterwards. There's one little shot as Largo's boat pulls away, Bond watches intently, and there's Felix with his shades on . So cool.
I actually think the movie might be a little better than the novel. Domino seems a little more innocent in the movie too.

In those pre-home-video days, those ABC broadcasts were the only way to watch the Bonds after they'd been in the theater, so they were a huge deal for me. I actually used to audiotape them (reel-to-reel, an ancient technology I can explain to some of you youngsters if you're interested ) because that was the only possible way to preserve any part of them. I played those tapes over and over again. I even--unavoidably--memorized where the commercial breaks would come.

So while it was always great when they came on, the ridiculous censoring of the films always boiled my blood. And the cutting for time was even worse--an outrage. And of course the inexcusable butchering of OHMSS, widely discussed, is still hard for me to think about more than 30 years later.

But TB was the first Bond I ever saw, and is still the one I compare all the others to. I have a hard time picking favorites, but it's near the top of my list. I understand why some folks, these days, find it slow, and it's definitely got some careless elements, but for me it's absolutely A1 prime 007, and I'm glad to see so many others love it too.

[Major Tallon]

Interesting the ABC broadcasts are brought up. I remember them, but i didn't get to watch them much because of my age. Back then movies on tv were such a big deal. i can remember Goldfinger coming on, and it would start with the Title sequence. They'd run those movies ususally 9-11:30 on sunday night. I was shocked several years ago when i read all that they cut out.
As for Thunderball it's just a classy movie to me. Domino is gorgeous, Fiona Volpe is the best Villainous, the music is excellent. The card game is great, and i love Bond's dialogue with Domino afterwards. There's one little shot as Largo's boat pulls away, Bond watches intently, and there's Felix with his shades on . So cool.
I actually think the movie might be a little better than the novel. Domino seems a little more innocent in the movie too.

In those pre-home-video days, those ABC broadcasts were the only way to watch the Bonds after they'd been in the theater, so they were a huge deal for me. I actually used to audiotape them (reel-to-reel, an ancient technology I can explain to some of you youngsters if you're interested ) because that was the only possible way to preserve any part of them. I played those tapes over and over again. I even--unavoidably--memorized where the commercial breaks would come.

So while it was always great when they came on, the ridiculous censoring of the films always boiled my blood. And the cutting for time was even worse--an outrage. And of course the inexcusable butchering of OHMSS, widely discussed, is still hard for me to think about more than 30 years later.

Hey, Major B, that's exactly my story! I've still got those old reel-to-reel tapes stashed away somewhere.

As for me, my first theatrical experience was "Goldfinger," though I quickly saw "Doctor No" and FRWL in a re-release double feature. I wasn't all that taken with "Thunderball" on its initial release, but now it's one of the ones I watch most often.

Great to have heard your experience!

Happy New Year!

Major T

[HildebrandRarity]

LOL

I too used to take an audio tape recorder and tape the songs like Tom Jones's Thunderball and Shirley's Goldfinger off those ABC TV Sunday Night Movie broadcasts!



I remember watching YOLT on those broadcasts...and then picking a fight that following Monday morning at school pretending I was James Bond, still highly-strung off my joyous late night viewing.

Yes, I was a sick puppy.

But back on topic:

I rate Thunderball in my top 3 along with Quantum Of Solace and Casino Royale.

I've chosen Nassau/The Bahamas as a vacation spot in the past precisely for my love (since childhood) of Thunderball.

Such atmosphere!

[Turn]

And here I thought I was the only oddball who used to set up a cassette tape recorder to capture Bond films before I ever had a VCR. And to find some actually used reel-to-reel technology makes me feel a lot better, like I have Bond brothers who were excited by the same thing and I wasn't so out there.

I too recall where the commercial breaks were and on some occasions I am watching one of the films I will reflect back on that or where some of the cuts were.

I really do look back on those days now with fond memories. It typifies what being a fan was at that point in time. Now it seems a bit too easy. You can watch the films in the best format available, which is nice, but it just seems too convenient. I saw Bond films back-to-back-to-back on Spike recently and just last night on one of the digital movie tiers. It's too much at once.

There was nothing like getting a new issue of TV Guide to find the ABC Sunday Night or Friday Night Movie would be a Bond film and the excitement that would build up to that broadcast. I guess you just had to be there.

[Dainshdude118]

Just picked up the new ultimate edition a few days ago, quality stuff and the extras are great.

[007karl007]

just watched it on newyears eve!

[HildebrandRarity]

There was nothing like getting a new issue of TV Guide to find the ABC Sunday Night or Friday Night Movie would be a Bond film and the excitement that would build up to that broadcast. I guess you just had to be there.

Totally!

It was too exciting for an 11 year old to see that the ABC Sunday Night Movie was going to be a Bond film.

And, of course, it also depend on which movie too...and what girl was in it. I always got a hard on for Pussy or Honey Rider and Thunderball had three hotties all with three different colours of hair: Redhead, Brunette and Blonde so you could pick your fantasy.

[MajorB]

Wow--what a kick to see the responses from other tape-recording geeks, er, die-hards like me! I was hoping I wasn't alone!

[Mr. Blofeld]

I always got a hard on for Pussy

Wow... didn't have to be so explicit.

[DaveBond21]

Here are some of my favourite scenes in Thunderball.

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[Brian Flagg]

Seven pages of this thread and I haven't raved (yet again) about my beloved THUNDERBALL??? There's so much I love about this film, but I'll begin with some random thoughts:

This has been my favorite Bond film ever since I first saw it at age 9 nearly 30 years ago. I enjoy everything about it, especially the Bondmania aspect. TB was 007 at his commercial peak, Connery having the most fun, and is it any wonder he bought a place in the Caribbean after making this film?

I had already been initiated into Bond beginning with TSWLM around 1979-80, so when HBO began airing a Bond film a month, I excitedly tuned in. My family were huge 007 fans, and these (and Clint Eastwood movies) were the only films my family would agree to sit in one room to watch.

With TB, the first thing that struck nine-year-old me was that main titles sequence taking place underwater. I was big on every kind of undersea adventure story, whether it be Jacques Cousteau documentaries, Captain Nemo, submarines, going to the beach, etc.

I'm always amazed at the color of TB, especially all of the Bahamian powder blue.It seems Connery's Bond is always wearing it. But the whole film has a sun-soaked, tropical feel that even seems fresh to me, and I live in South Florida! That's another part of TB that I enjoy so much, that it takes place near my neck of the woods. My friends and I would re-eanct the final underwater battle whenever we were in a pool or at the beach.

Finoa Volpe is my favorite henchwoman! She is so sexy, and deadly; she steals every scene she's in. The source music is fantastic as Bond is dancing with Fiona, and it really works up the tension as Bond must time his move with the gunshot. Great stuff! As a kid, I thought 007 was being brutal when he did that, but that's quintessential Fleming Bond, however, Connery's "She's just dead!" remark was classic, and I loved it.

Great clothes: Bond at Shrublands, the Grey suit (powder blue shirt) during the street chase. The women look splendid, Fiona in powder blue(!), Domino's b&w bathing suit and her beautiful attire during the gambling scene. My wife watches this one just to see Fiona and Domino's clothes. Even Q's tropical shirt is eye catching!

I decided that THNDERBALL was my favorite Bond film right after it ended. I remember telling my Bond-loving grandparents.

I thought Largo was striking with his cool demeanor, white hair and eyepatch and I'll always remember how calmly he sits during the SPECTRE meeting while someone dies nearby. Cold blooded.

I've always loved the underwater scenes, even the taking of the bomb. I enjoy the deliberate pacing of TB and the fast-paced action at the end. As a matter of fact, the underwater scenes are what got me liking this one when I was a kid. Everything about Thunderball is BIG and EPIC.

And of course, that ending; the greatest exit in Bond film history.

[DamnCoffee]

Sums the movie up perfectly, Brian!

[Hotwinds]

I love Thunderball and always will. I dont know if I like it better than Goldfinger or not but it doesn't not really matter. There has never been a hero like Bond and there never will be. It is the film that peaked the whole phenomenon which can only happen once, but at least I was there to be a part of it. I am glad for all the younger fans that we still have quality films being produced and I can only wonder if the internet, cable TV and DVD's had been around when Thunderball was released, would it have been an even bigger deal?
One thing for sure. The true test of a succesfull Bond film is if it has a Bond girl worthy of answering yes to this question, "Would you drink her bath water"? This film certainly had at least one.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Well, at least the two main ones had personality; it's something I liked about this film, as opposed to the one immediately following it.

[Tybre]

Here are some of my favourite scenes in Thunderball.

I definitely agree with #3, though personally my favorite scenes in all of Thunderball are the underwater battle and Bond's first and second visits to Largo's estate.

[RazorBlade]

I love TB and am ready to go watch it again. So I won't sit here and post any more.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Thunderball was a great film with terrific underwater photography. As has been said, it represents the height of Bond-mania.

One thing I've noticed about the film is that it is the ONLY one of all the early Bond films to have ALL the major contributors to the series' success in the SAME film.

James Bond 007: Sean Connery
Producers: Harry Saltzman & Albert R. Broccoli
Director: Terence Young
Editor: Peter Hunt
Screenwriter: Richard Maibaum
Production Designer: Ken Adam
Music: John Barry
Main Titles: Maurice Binder
Special Effects: John Stears
Stunt Coordinator: Bob Simmons
Cinematography: Ted Moore
Dubbing Editor: Norman Wanstall

That's a lot of talent right there each of whom contributed a massive amount to the James Bond series/legacy. Is it any wonder that Thunderball was a runaway mega-hit?

[Mr. Blofeld]

I love TB and am ready to go watch it again. So I won't sit here and post any more.

Come back soon!

Wow; I'm really enthused at the out-turn in this thread. Thanks, everybody.

[Forward Look]

Sir Sean's best Bond. Period.

And considering the legal wrangling between McClory and Fleming, then between McClory and the Eon people, you might expect a less-than-perfect-film in the end. Not so in this case. McClory, Cubby, and Harry all put away their egos, and put together their best creative talent, and, well, need I say more? Okay, special effects coordinator John Stears won an Oscar for his SFX work on this film, which was the last time an Oscar was awarded to anything having to do with a James Bond film. It really is that good, and it is absolutely amazing that egos, agendas, and politics were cast aside to make one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful pictures ever. Seriously, how frequently does that occur in movie-making these days?

[Sigma7]

TB is fantastic, ppl say connery looked bored, i disagree, i think he was at his most comfortable and cool ( like a world weary agent, knowing what to expect). the one liners are superb, and the exchanges between largo and bond at palmyra classic.

The 1st 4 bond movies are definitly the best , and i dont ever get tired of watching them, although i would add CR and TLD to that list

[DaveBond21]

When I was younger, I used to think that Thunderball was a bit slow compared to some of the other Bond movies, but watching it these days, I find it one of the most enjoyable of the Bond adventures.

[Mr. Blofeld]

When I was younger, I used to think that Thunderball was a bit slow compared to some of the other Bond movies, but watching it these days, I find it one of the most enjoyable of the Bond adventures.

I agree; you see, I've grown accustomed to its face...

[blueman]

Watching it now, always great fun.

Yet, can't help but imagine the planned production of OHMSS following on the heels of GF, Connery looks so ready to take on that more heart-felt story, and Catherine Deneuve as Tracy! If there's one Bond film what never was that I sorely miss, it would be this one. TB makes for a nice consolation prize, but it's a buttinski in my mind that took the series down a different road... ah well.

[Mr. Blofeld]

TB makes for a nice consolation prize, but it's a buttinski in my mind that took the series down a different road... ah well.

You think so? If only they had kept on course after OHMSS, instead of going back down the GF-YOLT path; the series probably would have been better lauded critically over the years, rather than being dismissed as "oh, it's the formula; just another Bond movie".

[DaveBond21]

Watched it the other night and I really enjoyed it.

I love the scenes involving Fiona Volpe, night-time in the Bahamas looks as delightful as during the day, the great briefing of the 00s, creeping around at Shrublands, and the exciting underwater battle and fight on the Disco Volante at the end.

A really good 007 flick.

[bond 16.05.72]

Considering all the praise heaped on GF by the critics, I find TB allot more satisfying and having Terence Young back in the directors chair makes all the difference, it's not perfect but after FRWL it's my favourite Connery entry.

Barry score is sublime, although I think Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang would have made a better theme, not a huge fan of Tom Jones warbling and much prefer Barry's sultry instrumental.

Connery was at real ease in the role by then, a shame he resorted to sleep walking through the next one.

Edited by bond 16.05.72, 20 October 2009 - 07:05 AM.