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Who dislikes Connery?


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#1 Golden Claw

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 07:16 AM

He is the first person that comes to mind for most people whenever James Bond is mentioned. He is the most famous James Bond of all time. But I feel he is very overrated & glorified.

Sure, he did a great job in DN & FRWL but he's ridiculously suave in Goldfinger & Thunderball. These are his only good Bond films. The other three are rubbish. why couldn't he shoot his own gunbarrel for his first three films? Is it that dangerous? And his own gunbarrel is stupid. he utters The Line only thrice in 7 films (okay, make that 6). In Dr. No, it's great, in Goldfinger, it's ok, while in DAF, it's crappy. In FRWL, Thunderball & YOLT, he doesn't utter it at all.

His abilities as an actor are also limited as can be seen by all. In YOLT, DAF & NSNA, he's simply awful as Bond. It's not that I dislike him but I feel he is grossly overrated & glorified. I just don't understand how everybody likes him so much. He himself probably wishes he had never heard of James Bond, judging from the fact that he looked so bored & fed up from Thunderball onwards.

Who dislikes Connie as Bond? Bash him up real good here. (My 12 year old cousin sister calls him a frog! :tup: )

#2 ACE

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 08:14 AM

Ribbit

#3 Tarl_Cabot

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 09:54 AM

His abilities as an actor are also limited as can be seen by all. In YOLT, DAF & NSNA, he's simply awful as Bond.

Awful as Bond? So, he had a soft body and bad hair in DAF but he wasn't ever awful as Bond.No one around here expects you to think he's El numero uno zero zero siete but saying he's awful is like a 49ers fan who thinks Joe Montana was an awful QB. Comon!

#4 baerrtt

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:10 PM

Connery (even when 'bored' in YOLT and DAF) displayed natural charisma and presence IMHO. Simple as. The general public never have, don't and (thankfully) never will have the hangups we fans have when it comes to Bond performances/films. They enjoy what they enjoy and sometimes (only sometimes :tup: ) I wish some fans would get some perspective.

#5 MarcAngeDraco

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:49 PM

What is it with these folks who always seem to come up with these negative attack threads?...

Rubbish.

#6 jaguar007

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 03:03 PM

To me Connery, in movies like From Russia With Love, is basically the perfect Bond. Ridiculously suave in Goldfinger & Thunderball??? No more ridiculously suave than Moore or Brosnan were at times.

#7 Single-O-Seven

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 04:38 PM

I rather like it that he only used "the lines" sparingly. I wish it would go back to that. After hearing them uttered time and again in the Brosnan films, some times more than once, it began to feel like they were just being crammed in for their own sake. The name line was used well in CR, and I won't miss those famous lines if they skip a film or two. In fact, it'll make them more appealing when they are used.
As for Connery's performance, I thought he was great in his first four films. If he's become more suave and relaxed by GF and TB it's because Bond has seen enough action to become a little cockier and confident.

#8 Jackanaples

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 04:43 PM

Hmmm. I have an alternate view. I believe that Connery was so crucial to the success of the Bond movies that if Richard Johnson or anyone else been cast in DR. NO --there wouldn't be a series for anyone to speculate about. His presence added something that made the mixture of elements volatile.

#9 Bryce (003)

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 04:48 PM

Ribbit


*cough*

*looks about for waitress*

"Check please."

#10 Righty007

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 05:38 PM

I too dislike Connie Chung.

#11 Qwerty

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 09:31 PM

Ribbit


Indeed.

#12 Major Tallon

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 10:38 PM

Reading this thread and some others around here, you'd never know that Goldfinger was the film that set the world afire for James Bond. Here, it's too slow, or Bond is too passive, or Bond is too reactive, or whatever. But for those of us who saw it on its initial release, it was (and for me it remains) a phenomenal movie.

There was the remarkable Aston Martin that was over the top, but not too silly; funny without being stupid. There was a suitably villainous plan, brought to life in Ken Adam's wonderful sets. The first time I saw the little flotilla of aircraft swooping down on the gold depository, it took my breath away. There were scenes that everyone was talking about endlssly, with the golden girl, the ejector seat, the laser table, the trash compacter, and Goldfinger being sucked out of the plane at the end. There was an excellent ensemble cast, with Honor Blackman hitting just the right notes as Pussy Galore, Harold Sakata as Oddjob (and his lethal hat!), and Gert Frobe as Goldfinger.

And there, foiling the perfect plot, was Sean Connery as James Bond. He could hold his own in a punch up, out-cheat a cheater at golf, out-drive a squad of madcap Koreans, survive Oddjob's hat and Goldfinger's gun, win his share of beautiful girls, and look great doing it.

So here's to Goldfinger and the man who starred in it and brought James Bond to life for millions of fans. For those of us who saw it first-run, he was the man with the magic touch.

#13 Napoleon Solo

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 11:32 PM

why couldn't he shoot his own gunbarrel for his first three films? Is it that dangerous?


the proper question is why didn't he shoot his own gunbarrel for the first movie? Because with one in the can, there was no need to shoot another until the series went widescreen in Thunderball. As to the answer, I don't know, but I'm guessing it didn't seem that big a deal at the time so Maurice Binder didn't care if it was with the star or his stuntman stand-in

#14 Righty007

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Posted 18 May 2008 - 11:40 PM

Why couldn't he shoot his own gunbarrel for his first three films? Is it that dangerous? And his own gunbarrel is stupid.

You can't see Bob Simmons' face so why does it matter? Connery did the one from Thunderball on.

#15 Turn

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 01:09 AM

why couldn't he shoot his own gunbarrel for his first three films? Is it that dangerous? And his own gunbarrel is stupid. he utters The Line only thrice in 7 films (okay, make that 6). In Dr. No, it's great, in Goldfinger, it's ok, while in DAF, it's crappy. In FRWL, Thunderball & YOLT, he doesn't utter it at all.

So it's Connery's fault he didn't film the first gunbarrel and didn't use the line in every film? I didn't know he directed or wrote any of the films.

How come nobody brings up Moore having bellbottom tux pants in the gunbarrels of his '80s films long after those had gone out of style?

#16 Golden Claw

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 09:32 AM

I owe everybody an apology here. I'm going to stop calling Connery 'Connie' from now on. It's just that I've been calling him that for more than a year now, much before I joined CBn and I've gotten used to it. I didn't realize it would evoke such strong reactions.

I realize I have been very venomous towards Connery. I also admire him as Bond in his first four films and I also realize that without him, Bond would not have survived. What I don't like is the way he is glorified.

I apologize for my remarks and shall try to be less harsh and caustic.

#17 Mr. Blofeld

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 11:03 AM

Perfectly all right, old chap; everyone has an equal and unalienable right to their opinion, after all. :tup:

#18 Mister Asterix

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 01:14 PM

.

#19 craigbegins

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 01:37 PM

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm not a fan of Thunderball or Diamonds.. but I *am* a fan of the Connery Bond. We can't blame Connery for the gunbarrel/use of "the line" in his films, but I think both are irrelevant. As Righty007 mentioned you can't even see his face in the gunbarrel anyway.. and personally I like the sparing use of "the line". Neither points diminish what I believe to be a phenomenal performance even to this day. :tup:

Edited by craigbegins, 19 May 2008 - 01:39 PM.


#20 sharpshooter

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 01:54 PM

Neither points diminish what I believe to be a phenomenal performance even to this day. :tup:


Indeed, one could argue it is the definitive portrayal.

#21 Judo chop

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Posted 19 May 2008 - 05:04 PM

I dislike Connery

#22 Golden Claw

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Posted 28 May 2008 - 07:43 AM

I agree with Judo Chop.
In his second innings, YOLT, his expression says, "Groan! When will this damn thing get over? Wish I'd never heard of James Bond!" His performance is comparable to Rodge in AVTAK (but Con is physically fit in YOLT) and he's at his nadir.

For his third innings, DAF, he has one eye on the big fat check he was offered. It's clear he was doing DAF for the money. But the three year rest did a bit of good, and his performance is only somewhat better than YOLT. Comparable to Rodge in Octopussy.

He looks healthier and happier in NSNA than he does in the above 2. His fourth inning is better than his second and third. He is playing Rodge in this movie, and his performance is like Rodge in FYEO.

I wonder around when did he get fed up of Bond.

And btw, does anyone have a pic of a bald Connery from his Bond days, preferably from the early 60s when he was at his peak? Would love to see him like that! :tup:

#23 Golden Claw

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 06:53 PM

Wonder of wonders: I found two people who actually dislike Connery as Bond!

One is my 12-year old cousin sister who thinks Connery is 'not good looking' and calls him frog-face or 'Donk' (dunno what that means :tup: ). She's a big fan of Roger & Broz and calls Danny a 'monkey'.

Another is a friend who became a Bond fan recently, thanks to me. I gave him many Bond films to watch. He was familiar with only Broz & Danny. Now he really likes Roger Moore who is considers as the best Bond as he's 'handsome & stylish; any female would fall for him' :tup: . He considers Broz as weak but he doesn't like Connery as Bond because he's too 'rough & tough'. He doesn't have a 'favourite Bond film' as he says that they're all good in one way or another. But check his favourite films of each actor: the Connery ones will surprise you, I think. (He hasn't seen OHMSS, the Daltons, the Terence Youngs, & Rodge's first 2)
Rodge, from best to worst, for him: Octopussy, TSWLM, Moonraker, AVTAK, FYEO.

Brozza, from best to worst: TWINE, TND, DAD, GoldenEye

Connery, from best to worst: DAF, NSNA, YOLT, Goldfinger (!!). Shocking!

#24 double o ego

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 07:18 PM

I agree with Judo Chop.
In his second innings, YOLT, his expression says, "Groan! When will this damn thing get over? Wish I'd never heard of James Bond!" His performance is comparable to Rodge in AVTAK (but Con is physically fit in YOLT) and he's at his nadir.

For his third innings, DAF, he has one eye on the big fat check he was offered. It's clear he was doing DAF for the money. But the three year rest did a bit of good, and his performance is only somewhat better than YOLT. Comparable to Rodge in Octopussy.

He looks healthier and happier in NSNA than he does in the above 2. His fourth inning is better than his second and third. He is playing Rodge in this movie, and his performance is like Rodge in FYEO.

I wonder around when did he get fed up of Bond.

And btw, does anyone have a pic of a bald Connery from his Bond days, preferably from the early 60s when he was at his peak? Would love to see him like that! :tup:


I'm sorry but there's a huge lack of credibility when you use your 12 year old cousine sister who's only just started watching Bond films as a leitimate example to support your claim of Connery being a not so good Bond. First of all, James Bond is an institution, which your cousine probably isn't aware of. Secondly, Bond is a timeless character, whereas your cousine is a product of the cheap mtv generation, she'll have no concept of the traditional and social values that were upheld during certain decades, particularly the 60s era.

However, it does come down to a matter of taste.

Connery is the only James Bond actor that was able to carry a Bond movie by himself based on his screen presence alone and this was even when he was a relative unknown. More importantly, when watching Connery, you believed he was a spy/secret agent and this roughness people keep talking about is, a legitimate and credible characteristic when highlighting the attributes of a spy.

Lazenby was good for someone who had no real acting experience and although he excelled at the physical aspects of the role, he was able to bring an emotion of sensitivity that added a new layer of charcater to the character of Bond.

Roger Moore was quite frankly imo a clown. He had his moments as a good Bond but he was never great, never in the same league as Connery (no one is and probably never will be) and he just never sold to me or could convince me that he was a secret agent. Look at his fighting style, it was ridiculous, the Moore era is like, a carry-on version of the Bond series, I really have to be in the mood to actually watch it, let alone enjoy it.

Dalton was simply unfortunate. He was actually the closest to the character in the novels and imo did everything that Craig did in CR but went unappreciated. Worse yet, he was coming off the heels of Moore's clownish antics which audiences had become too used to. Thus, Dalton's interpretation was too drastic from the kiddified version and silliness of Moore's era.

Brosnan is simply overrated. Period. He brought nothing new to the character, had the worst and cheesiest dialogue and easily made the worst film of the series (DAD, yes, it's worse than DAF).

Ultimately, what Connery has over the other actors besides the obvious was, his sheer screen presense and charisma. His worst films, YOLT, DAF and NSNA are pretty much saved and more than tolerable primarily because of Connery's charisma.

#25 jaguar007

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 08:53 PM

Connery is the only James Bond actor that was able to carry a Bond movie by himself based on his screen presence alone and this was even when he was a relative unknown. More importantly, when watching Connery, you believed he was a spy/secret agent and this roughness people keep talking about is, a legitimate and credible characteristic when highlighting the attributes of a spy.


Not to mention that Connery is the only James Bond actor that was able to carry non-Bond international blockbusters by himself (time will tell for Craig).

#26 Publius

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 09:48 PM

Ribbit

Rubbish.

Ribbish.

#27 Bondian

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 10:00 PM

Connery was rubbish. The worst James Bond ever. Couldn't even find himself a part in 'Mamma Mia'. :tup: :tup: :)

Not sure that a "dislikes" thread is open for much discussion.

Now. my views on 'Mamma Mia'. :(

#28 agentjamesbond007

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Posted 19 July 2008 - 11:18 PM

Who dislikes Connie as Bond?

I don't. In the movie THE ROCK, he moved rather fast despite his age. At the time.

#29 Golden Claw

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Posted 20 July 2008 - 06:42 AM

I like Connery as Bond very much in his first inning as Bond (DN-Thunderball) but much less in his second (YOLT), third (DAF) and fourth (NSNA) innings.

In fact, most of the general public I know, who have no idea about the cultural setup of the 60s (or any other era) Britain still like Connery as Bond. These two people are the only ones I know who don't like him as Bond. My cousin isn't a Bond fan either. She's just an average kid. We don't have many Bond fans here. I was giving the views of two average people. Maybe there is lack of credibility, but I was amazed to find even two people who actually disliked Connery as Bond, whether they're Bond fans or not.

Since this thread is causing so much controversy, why not lock it?

Edited by Golden Claw, 20 July 2008 - 06:50 AM.


#30 honeyjes

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Posted 20 July 2008 - 10:49 AM

This shouldn't be locked. There are threads knocking Moore, Lazenby, Dalton, Brosnan & Craig, why should Connery be immune? I also don't see why someones views should be discounted because they don't know the history of a franchise, in fact we should take more notice as they have no baggage to sway them one way or the other.