587 replies to this topic

[S K Y F A L L]

This is a tough one,...

1. Dr. No / From Russia With Love / Goldfinger
4. You Only Live Twice / Diamonds Are Forever
6. Thunderball

[glidrose]

1. Goldfinger
2. Thunderball

distant 3. FRWL
4. Dr. No (although the parts of DN are better than FRWL as a whole; twenty minutes shorter and this would be up there with GF & TB)
5. YOLT
6. DAF
7. NSNA

DAF gets worse with each viewing.

[thecasinoroyale]

An easy one for me listing my favourite Connery films, but these are seperated by about 1% of factors, as said before, it's impossible to NOT like any of Sean's offering, and Bond films in general so here goes:

1) Dr.No - Simple and original. The blueprint of the Bond films and not filled with anything outrageous, just sheer espionage excitement, doses of thriller and drama in there as well. Great characters not playing up to any gone before them, they just are the templates for future incarnations and Connery looks at ease straight away as 007.

2) From Russia With Love - As nothing can outshine the original Connery film, this is a worthy second as once again it's a simply and exciting spy story, now with more added ingredients from classic villains, ingenius gadgets and some gritty, powerful fight scenes.

3) You Only Live Twice - A change of pace for Connery and I think the Japanese setting makes this fresh for his 5th film. It's more 'classic Bond' with the elements we love including Blofeld, Little Nellie and some great action sequences. Good fun for a Bond film, packed with action.

4) Diamonds Are Forever - The one Bond film that I often think isn't very good, but on watching it does grow on me each time. The plot is a little crazy and out there for Connery's usual offering in previous adventures, but he looks like he's just having good fun in this one. The locations are glamorous, we've got decent Bond girls and some fun villains. I think appreciating it at a later stage lends to my enjoyment of it again.

5) Goldfinger - The most watched Connery film for me at one point and probably the reason it's not my favourite and why I find others more fresh. I enjoy the introduction of the staple elements of Bond films, like the Aston Martin, the exposition of Q-Branch and the way Bond seems to enjoy his role as a secret agent in this one. Villains that are good... but not great, and a story that is decent but a little boring in places with certain sequences picking up the pace and then going back down again.

6) Thunderball - Some great sequences for Bond on land, but sadly the underwater sequences don't do it for me. Again, we've got more classic villains, women and gadgets, but it seems too long for me to get into, and when I do get into it, something occurs and it bores me again for a while. Sad to say, but still enjoyable, but my least favourite from Connery.

[bonds_walther]

Depends on what mood I am in! Sometimes it's Dr. No. Other times it's Thunderball or Goldfinger. The purist in me also loves FRWL. One thing I can say for sure, my favourite Connery Bond film will never be Diamonds are Forever.

[roger no more]

I picked You Only Live Twice because it's the closest Connery got to being in an epic, outrageous Moore-type Bond film.

x2!!

I am an outdated and old guy so I love YOLT and I think it is the best of Bond, the real Bond in my heart should be something like this...not that dark side of 007....this Bond has everything we need and we love...not a Bourne-like Bond...Bond is Bond, MI4 follows Bond, Johnny English follows Bond...but why Bond needs to follow Bourne..frankly..very disappointed for the era of DC...

[Iceskater101]

Goldfinger was by far my favorite. I loved it because of oddjob. I thought he was the coolest henchmen ever. I also thought the bond girls were super pretty. I really liked Tilly Masterson. Too bad she got killed right away.. :/

[kyvan]

I think the Top 3 Bond films of the whole series are:

1. Goldfinger
2. From Russia With Love
3. Dr. No

Funny that I have the first 3 films in reverse order from when they were made. Just shows how I think they got better with each one!

YOLT and DAF are also great films, just not better than these 3!

[Jarvio]

Dr No. I know it isn't exactly packed with action, but I thoroughly enjoy the film and think it flows perfectly. Plus Honey Rider is the best bond girl of all.

Second place goes to the underrated YOLT, which I've always found very entertaining.

[bey-columbo]

Goldfinger.

Every five minutes, the movie shows a cult scene. The style stands really wonderful, this one of Guy Hamilton is not like the three others DAF, LALD and TMWTGG (the less good of the saga for me).
In certain scenes, the camera shots are very successful. I think to the golf scene.
And then, the quotes, the bad guy and the action scenes are genius.
However, I find quite outmoded the Shirley Bassey's song. I prefer that of Tom Jones in Thunderball or that other of Shirley Bassey in DAF.

My Top 6 of thoses of Sean Connery :

-Goldfinger
-From Russia with Love, really excellent. Realistic, tough and vintage. So class.
-Thunderball. Brillant scenes, excellent story.
-Dr No, very good beginning.
-You Only Live Twice, the visual effects are outmoded and there are some long scenes... but the Japan was an excellent place to turn the movie.
-Diamonds are Forever, the less good of Sean Connery for me.

[Ernst Stavro BIofeld]

1. Goldfinger

2. From Russia with Love

3. Dr. No

4. You Only Live Twice

5. Thunderball

6. Diamonds are Forever

7. Never Say Never

[QuantumOfRoyale]

1. From Russia With Love - The most complex, intriguing 007 spy story we've gotten yet, with a cast of colorful characters, spectacular action sequences, an awesome Q-branch gadget, and a quick, witty script. Set up the groundwork for a lot of the series to come.

2. Dr. No - Pure escapist fun. My first Bond movie, and I'm still never bored watching it.

3. Goldfinger - A memorable classic and one of the best of the series for the billion and one reasons that have been said before, but doesn't hold up to its predecessors, in my opinion.

4. Thunderball - Didn't care much for this one the first time, but appreciated it a lot more on a second viewing. It's got an epic, grandiose script with a real sense of scale, and a story that really unfolds as the movie progresses. Connery in particular is also in top form here, and after the previous movie's change in director, it's nice to see Terence Young's sensibilities back in Bond film. But this movie is far less escapism and far more something you have to pay attention to from beginning to end. The pacing is also terribly off, with the underwater sequences in the second to third act in particular dragging monotonously.

5. You Only Live Twice - One that's gotten worse with repeat viewings. The camp from Goldfinger is back and, although this movie is paced more evenly, the Japanese storyline isn't engaging or particularly interesting, simply coming across as the movie's schtick. There is enjoyment to be had here, but, for the most part I'm not really having all that much fun. Certainly not as much as I was with Connery's first 3 films. The best work here comes from composer John Barry and set-designer Ken Adams. And, despite others who may rave about him, Pleasence's Blofeld never really did anything for me.

6. Never Say Never Again - A waste of time. A poor rehash of Thunderball with a few good ideas and casting choices, and I dare say more engaging underwater sequences, but gives too little too late. This one is a stinker.

7. Diamonds are Forever - Abomidable. Everything about this movie is unpleasant, obnoxious, and cheap. One of the worst of the worst, and a painful film to sit through.

[Iceskater101]

I don't like Diamonds are Forever that much. That is definitely my least favorite Connery film.

[Colossus]

Same here.

[seawolfnyy]

From Russia With Love, it's not even close. It is one of the few true espionage films in the series. Also has the series' best villiain in Red Grant.
Dr. No- I love it, but it's more of a detective story than an action movie.
Goldfinger- Elevated Bond to global status. Great villain and great story.
Thunderball- First truly OTT Bond adventure. Great villain, but terrible underwater scenes. (Granted decent for 1965, but still).
You Only Live Twice- Unique location for Bond. Great climax and helicopter scene. However, Karin Dorr (shudders).
Diamonds Are Forever- Just a complete mess. Nice locale for 1971, weak villians, weak story and Jimmy Dean (again shudders).
Never Say Never Again- Why is this even included?

Edited by seawolfnyy, 21 October 2012 - 05:52 PM.

[Redneck007]

1. FRWL
2. GF
3. YOLT
4. TB
5. DR. NO
6. DAF
7. NSNA

[Iceskater101]

I don't think Never Say Never Again counts, it was a remake of a bond Sean already did.....

1. Goldfinger
2. Thunderball
3. Dr.No
4. From Russia with Love
5. You only Live Twice
6. Diamonds are Forever.

[Tony_OO_Black]

From Russia With Love, no question for me.

I like Goldfinger, but it's a bit too fluffy and shallow for me. Never Say Never Again is probably my second favourite - it's a dodgy film, but Connery is terrific throughout.

[kissarmy71]

1. Thunderball

2. Goldfinger

3. Diamonds are Forever

4. From Russia with Love

5. Dr.No

6. You Only Live Twice

 

Never Say Never Again was lame and really not part of the series...but it would be last.

[Professor Pi]

1. Goldfinger

2. From Russia with Love

3. Thunderball

4. Doctor No

5. Diamonds Are Forever

6. Never Say Never Again

7. You Only Live Twice

 

I can't bring myself to put FRWL above GF, but will grant it's the most original.  DN might be better than TB, but it's effects and story are getting dated.  I find DAF really watchable and enjoyable, and am willing to excuse its many faults.  Just watched NSNA last week and rather enjoyed it (mmm...Barbara Carrera!) though the underwater finale is still boring.  Watched YOLT too and still don't like it.

[Iceskater101]

I want to switch my order

 

1. From Russia with Love

2. Goldfinger

3. Thunderball

4. Dr. No

5. You Only Live Twice

6. Diamonds are Forever

 

(still not counting Never say Never again)

[tdalton]

1. From Russia With Love
2. Dr. No
3. You Only Live Twice
4. Thunderball
5. Diamonds are Forever
6. Goldfinger

[AMC Hornet]

I thought I must have posted to this poll before, but apparently not.

 

Although I will defend DAF until the day I die (probably at the hands of one of the DAF bashers above), I have to consider Thunderball to be Connery's best entry. To me it's the one that exudes everything that Bond is about - Epic plot, sumptuous locations, gorgeous women, nasty yet urbane villains, frantic action, astounding climax...

 

Those who consider the underwater action "boring" need to take a trip in a time machine to a day before movies like Crank and Fast Five (and even TND) were the norm. It's called exposition, and very few seem to complain about it in Skyfall (and Mendes was deliberately trying to hearken back to the classic era).

 

TB and DAF makes a great double-feature IMCO - obviously not for similarity, but rather for the fun factor.

 

Loosen up! Enjoy!

[jmarks4life]

Goldfinger, then Thunderball for me

Edited by jmarks4life, 29 May 2013 - 02:59 AM.

[dtuba]

FRWL and GF. These two films are the Rubber Soul and Revolver of the Bond series for me. Neither one is flawless, but somewhere in between the two lies a peak of perfection that has rarely-if ever-been matched. The difference in my ranking of the films are so slight, that either one is capable of taking the top spot depending on my mood, whether it be the old-school, classical elegance of FRWL or the zippy, space-age GF.  

[WhoIsYourFloor?]

Not gonna say it's my favorite, but my most watched Connery Bond is Diamonds. I dunno why, but the 70s cheese and a pretty haggard Sean Connery are fun to watch. Lana Wood and Jill St. John definitely don't hurt. It just never fails to lighten me up with a bit of stupid entertainment. It is of course an abomination when watched directly after OHMSS, but in its own space, it's fun.
The favorite is Thunderball though. It can be a little slow at times I suppose, but it runs like a champ compared to FRWL, which used to be my objective favorite. But Thunderball has the first great casino scene, the best Connery Bond score, the best women, and a pretty cool villain in Largo. But for me Fiona Volpe steals the show every time.

[AMC Hornet]

You just named my two favorite ConBonds, and for all the same reasons.

[Sir Roger Moore]

1) Thunderball

 

2) You Only Live Twice

 

3) Goldfinger

 

4) From Russia With Love

 

5) Dr No

 

6) Diamonds Are Forever

 

While I know Goldfinger probably tops most lists in popular opinion for me it's Thunderball followed closely by YOLT all the way. Thunderball for it's great plot and utterly brilliant big underwater battle at the climax and YOLT for it's scope, action and the fact that it's directed by my favourite Bond director, Lewis Gilbert. He directed both of my favourite Bond films, TSWLM and MR and I just love his style of storytelling and control of big epic fight sequences. Oh and no question the best and most menacing portrayal of Ernst Stavro Blofeld was by Donald Pleasance in YOLT.

[Call Billy Bob]

1. Goldfinger

2. You Only Live Twice

3. From Russia with Love

4. Dr. No

5. Diamonds Are Forever

6. Thunderball

[Trip_Aces]

1. Thunderball
2. From Russia With Love
3. Dr. No
4. Goldfinger
5. Diamonds Are Forever
6. You Only Live Twice

[seawolfnyy]

Never Say Never Again...*crickets chirping*....  haha, sorry I tried to keep a straight face....