3 replies to this topic

[Colossus]

It's obvious Connery portrayed his Bond a little differently throughout his movies as they went on and in time comparisons show up between how different they were.

Dr. No- He starts out here pretty rough around the edges, his face is usually either serious or intense. More brutish, and he's not really the alphamale womanizer yet, it's all business here for the mission.

FRWL- Pretty much the same as DN except for a few changes. He seems more smoothed out and suave, a bit more of a lady's man even though retaining his serious persona.

Goldfinger- A more noticeable change. He is more smug and suave here, becoming the alphamale bulldog, turning into the superhero type. He seems more laidback, the in-distress edge on his face is shown less from the previous two.

Thunderball- Basically he's at his most ultra-smug and suave here, ultimate alphamaleness, libido in full force. Very very relaxed. Yet his brutishness is also a bit more increased, and he seems more dangerous here. His performance also changes by the end he seems more subdued.

YOLT- He's a more world weary agent, someone who has seen it all and gone through the weeds. His alphamaleness is almost gone, the lowered libido is a refreshing change of pace from the previous movies. He remains just as dangerous but he doesn't get angry since it's routine for him.

DAF- Well let's just say they start him out as pretty brutish in the PTS... lol. The rest of the movie though he seems to pretty much enjoy the situation with many humorous lines.. As for his womanizing he's increased it a bit but remains pretty light-hearted about it all. He's wittingly amused.

NSNA- He's more straight-faced here, similar to his DAF self but less joking and more of his mind on the mission. But again pretty easy-going for the most part.

[Fiona Volpe lover]

Good observations! I've been watching through the films again [just got to OHMSS]and have been paying special attention to Connery's performances, and it is as you say. The increasing suaveness and relaxedness of Connery in From Russia With Love/Goldfinger /Thunderball shows an sctor settling down in the role in my opinion and his seeming weariness in You Only Live Twice could be due to Connery not really wanting to do the film and just going through the motions! He's put on a bit of weight since Thunderball too, not that it should matter but it fits with his approach to the role in the films.

I like his performance in Thunderball best, followed by From Russia With Love.

[Colossus]

The less machismo turn in YOLT is a good transition to Lazenby in OHMSS too.

Edited by Colossus, 28 July 2008 - 11:22 PM.

[BoogieBond]

Good Call Colossus Completely agree with you.
The Sean Peakometer, peaked at Thunderball, and there was a decline to DAF for me. I still like his suave YOLT performance, but I have to say his Suaveness was on autopilot.
I agree about Dr. No as well, the magnetism and charm was not there in Dr. No. Whereas in the next films even up to YOLT, you feel Bond could pull of the charm convincingly.
I would add I think the most noticeable change for me is in FRWL. This film is where Sean made the role his own. And luckily this continues through GF and TB. In Thunderball he is James Bond, no other actor comes close for me, not even Craig.
But "No ones indestructable". In DAF as you say very easy going and comedic, but he's lost his edge, dare I say it , lost his Mojo. He regains some ground with NSNA.
Because of the slight clunk, and dip in YOLT and DAF IMO, there is a chink for Craig and other actors, to stand alongside him.

Edited by BoogieBond, 28 July 2008 - 11:45 PM.