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Rank the actors

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  • TheSharkFromJawsTheSharkFromJaws Amity Island Waters
    Posts: 127
    I guess I should leave this here since I'm new:

    1) Dalton
    2) Connery
    3) Moore
    4) Craig
    5) Lazenby
    6) Brosnan
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,138
    I haven't done this for near on six years.

    As they rank as Bond

    1. Sean Connery
    2. Daniel Craig
    3. Timothy Dalton
    4. Roger Moore
    5. George Lazenby
    6. Pierce Brosnan

    Personal preference

    1. Roger Moore
    2. Sean Connery
    3. George Lazenby
    4. Timothy Dalton
    5. Daniel Craig
    6. Pierce Brosnan

    I should say, that I have often said I love all the actors who have played Bond, and feel each of them has brought something to the role. The likes of Lazenby and Dalton, who had a short tenure as OO7 in my opinion could've easily gone on to make the role their own, and given us some great films. I feel both of them were short changed. Pierce often gets the blunt end of the stick, however he steered the ship during a difficult decade and proved himself to be a more than worthy Bond. Given some slightly better scripts and co stars, then I believe he wouldn't receive half the flack he seems to get.

  • IncompetentHenchmanIncompetentHenchman
    Posts: 1,817
    I think Dalton is the best Bond, but I wouldn't want to be anyway near LTK Dalton!
  • Jazz007Jazz007 Minnesota
    Posts: 257
    Lucky for us, the Bond series offers a variety of films - if I want to see a very Flemingesque spy thriller, I'll grab From Russia With Love or Casino Royale off the shelf; if I want something light, I'll pop in Live and Let Die or Moonraker. That's one of the reasons we love these movies. So I find it hard to do one simple ranking - so, I'll give you 3: ranking based on their portrayal of Fleming's character, ranking based on their big screen presence and one that totals the two up....

    Best Bonds - Fleming Faithfulness
    1. Craig
    2. Dalton
    3. Lazenby
    4. Connery
    5. Moore
    6. Brosnan

    Best Bonds - Silver Screen Swagger
    1. Connery
    2. Moore
    3. Craig
    4. Brosnan
    5. Dalton
    6. Lazenby

    Best Bonds - Splitting the Difference
    1. Craig
    2. Connery
    3. Moore
    4. Dalton
    5. Lazenby
    6. Brosnan

    So this is how things shake up for me. I've probably made it more complicated than necessary....
  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    edited March 2017 Posts: 2,730
    Jazz007 wrote: »
    Lucky for us, the Bond series offers a variety of films - if I want to see a very Flemingesque spy thriller, I'll grab From Russia With Love or Casino Royale off the shelf; if I want something light, I'll pop in Live and Let Die or Moonraker. That's one of the reasons we love these movies. So I find it hard to do one simple ranking - so, I'll give you 3: ranking based on their portrayal of Fleming's character, ranking based on their big screen presence and one that totals the two up....

    Best Bonds - Fleming Faithfulness
    1. Craig
    2. Dalton
    3. Lazenby
    4. Connery
    5. Moore
    6. Brosnan

    Best Bonds - Silver Screen Swagger
    1. Connery
    2. Moore
    3. Craig
    4. Brosnan
    5. Dalton
    6. Lazenby

    Best Bonds - Splitting the Difference
    1. Craig
    2. Connery
    3. Moore
    4. Dalton
    5. Lazenby
    6. Brosnan

    So this is how things shake up for me. I've probably made it more complicated than necessary....

    Craig is the most faithful and he doesn't even look like bond?
  • Jazz007Jazz007 Minnesota
    Posts: 257
    I don't know - blond hair aside, Craig's the only one of the six who could pass as Hoagy Carmichael....

    ?ui=2&ik=d058055514&view=fimg&th=15aaf8576a255e34&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1561333272548474880-local0&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_LL4c_ZFNe8Ah6mlJp39CEW9FhG5evO0BlI79n_NdmQKPOd9QqqeVJKylUN-82Bnl63u8JzQ92MSakCq91abJKkx3u9-OfOyG4YmUOBIhTdAs20RxW-bW_jLA&ats=1489003493613&rm=15aaf8576a255e34&zw&sz=w1920-h941
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    IncompetentHenchman wrote: »
    I think Dalton is the best Bond, but I wouldn't want to be anyway near LTK Dalton!



    [-X
  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    Posts: 2,730
    I think all the bond actors are incredible in their own ways except for Lazenby who I think has 0 redeeming qualities
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    MrKissKissBangBang wrote: »
    1. Connery
    2. Brosnan
    3. Lazenby
    4. Moore
    5. Dalton
    6. Craig

    Connery in DN is about as close to Fleming as we got. Then probably his performance in FRWL, Lazenby in OHMSS, Dalton in TLD, Brosnan in TWINE and Craig in SF. Each actor has their highlights and each actor who has done more than one film has different writing and direction in their respective films and hence, a different portrayal. Connery is great as Bond, and my personal favourite, but I still prefer Craig's performance (and the writing of his character) in SF than Connery in YOLT or DAF.

    So how come Craig is rock bottom then ? just curious .

  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    MrKissKissBangBang wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    MrKissKissBangBang wrote: »
    1. Connery
    2. Brosnan
    3. Lazenby
    4. Moore
    5. Dalton
    6. Craig

    Connery in DN is about as close to Fleming as we got. Then probably his performance in FRWL, Lazenby in OHMSS, Dalton in TLD, Brosnan in TWINE and Craig in SF. Each actor has their highlights and each actor who has done more than one film has different writing and direction in their respective films and hence, a different portrayal. Connery is great as Bond, and my personal favourite, but I still prefer Craig's performance (and the writing of his character) in SF than Connery in YOLT or DAF.

    So how come Craig is rock bottom then ? just curious .

    Because the James Bond he plays in CR and QOS doesn't agree with me, and he looks passed his prime in SP, and the "Look at me!" scene grates on me despite an otherwise fine performance. I still don't think he does charm as well as the first four on my list. Despite preferring Craig in SF to Connery in DAF, I prefer to watch a revived Connery in DAF spouting out the best one-liners in the series than a one-note Bond talking about his little finger or sucking someone else's in the same film.

    Fair enough...

  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @MrKiss Kiss, my number one fan, you really think DC is one note in CR? I mean really? I can understand not liking the film (although I can't agree), but I'm finding it hard to understand your perspective on the actual performance-- after DAD's tired story-telling and poor execution in the latter half of the film, most fans (myself included), and casual audiences, felt that DC gave the series an incredible kick to the nuts.

    If an actor is one note, I sincerely don't think the film, nor the performance, would stand for high praise. Yet both DC and CR, to this day, are highly celebrated.

    (and to your point re: DAF: I recently watched it and was floored at Connery's brilliance in delivering his one liners, my favorite being: I'm afraid you caught me with more than my hands up)
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Craig and CR was and still is a perfect 007 marriage.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I certainly agree, @barryt007, but I understand from MrKissKiss this is called "Craig hysteria" or something like that.

    Listen, in the end, good on MrKissKiss for having a very clear feeling for something, and articulate the dislike for the film and it's writing (although I can't agree), but, even then, calling Craig one-note, it's a bit of a stretch, no?
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    11 years is a long time to have 'Craig hysteria' @peter ,my friend...i think its called enjoyment and respect..
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Birdleson wrote: »
    By performance as Bond (not the same as ranking the films):

    1. Sean Connery in DR. NO (1962)
    2. Sean Connery in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
    3. Sean Connery in GOLDFINGER (1964)
    4. Sean Connery in THUNDERBALL (1964)
    5. Roger Moore in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)
    6. Roger Moore in LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)
    7. Daniel Craig in CASINO ROYALE (2006)
    8. Daniel Craig in SKYFALL (2012)
    9. Daniel Craig in QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008)
    10. Roger Moore in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
    11. Roger Moore in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981)
    12. Pierce Brosnan in DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002)
    13. Sean Connery in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
    14. Pierce Brosnan in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999)
    15. Timothy Dalton in LICENCE TO KILL (1989)
    16. Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987)
    17. Pierce Brosnan in TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997)
    18. Pierce Brosnan in GOLDENEYE (1995)
    19. Sean Connery in NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (1983)
    20. Roger Moore in OCTOPUSSY (1983)
    21. George Lazenby in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
    22. Sean Connery in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
    23. Roger Moore in MOONRAKER (1977)
    24. Roger Moore in A VIEW TO A KILL (1985)
    25. Daniel Craig in SPECTRE (2015)

    Wow..now THAT list is interesting and brave.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Birdleson and @barry.. yes very interesting list! I have lots and lots of issues with SP (and as an apologist-- I find it an arthouse film that fell off the rails, failing in execution of editing and storytelling; with scenes that were lush and beautiful to the eye, and, yes, well acted (apart from anything to do with"C"), but leading to nowhere... it's a film with no purpose and no stakes, and as I said on another thread, the filmmakers seemed not to know why it needed to be made other than to hit a release date).

    So I find DC's performance in SP coming dead last a very interesting take. I found he elevated the script he was given (minus his shouting scenes, which I found bizarre for Craig). Loved him in the pre-title sequence (his performance behind the mask was electric), I did like his confrontation with M, and all of his scenes with Monica, especially taking out the henchmen and then seducing the "grieving widow".... on and on... I certainly found him more present than Waltz...

    If I was to rate the worst Bond performance... and I am ready to be tarred and feathered for this... RM... in... L&LD... Quite frankly I found Rog to be stiff, unlikeable, lacking in proper charm, and someone who I would never be intimidated of... Plus he had quite the set of Moobs... Rosie Carter could have kicked his ass...!
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Birdleson, do you think it was Craig being frustrated with a less than adequate script, since it sounded like they binned many drafts before the shooting script? or; all of a sudden a fine actor turned into a snarky and bored one?
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited March 2017 Posts: 23,883
    That's a good list @Birdleson. Wasn't this from another thread that we had going for a while? I must find it and update mine.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,591
    I seem to be in the minority that thought he pulled it off in flying colors.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Birdleson, I do agree with you, DC is NOT whimsical and found that more evident in his one-liners in SF... found him much more chill and natural in SP (yet find SF the better executed film).
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I'm watching TND as I type this. In my view, Brosnan in this film is far superior to Craig in SP.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @bondjames-- OUCH...!!! The seduction of Monica vs gnawing on Hatcher's shoulder like an extra from 28 DAYS/LATER??? What is sexier to you???
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    @peter, I'll admit that Brossa's escapades with the ladies were never convincing to me (I think he went for the Danish girl's shoulder at Oxford as well) whether they were dead or alive, but then again I wasn't impressed with Craig's seduction of Monica either. There is something discomforting about that scene to me. Neither is close to their long running illustrious forerunners in this regard I'm afraid.

    I may have spoken too soon about Brosnan in TND. He was great up to the end of Hamburg, but I'm now in the Asian section and he's beginning to show his acting tics. The bike chase, which I'm at now, is still a bloody impressive sequence even all these years later.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @bondjames, the motorcycle scene in TND is an academy award winning stunt for invention and creativity-- if they awarded that...
    I'm good friends with Mic Rodgers, who can break these action sequences down better than me, but that's a highlight of the second unit stunt team, and not Brozzer... They brought to life 007, not the actor...
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    bondjames wrote: »
    @peter, I'll admit that Brossa's escapades with the ladies were never convincing to me (I think he went for the Danish girl's shoulder at Oxford as well) whether they were dead or alive, but then again I wasn't impressed with Craig's seduction of Monica either. There is something discomforting about that scene to me. Neither is close to their long running illustrious forerunners in this regard I'm afraid.

    I may have spoken too soon about Brosnan in TND. He was great up to the end of Hamburg, but I'm now in the Asian section and he's beginning to show his acting tics. The bike chase, which I'm at now, is still a bloody impressive sequence even all these years later.

    Yes, @bondjames... there SHOULD be something discomforting, VERY discomforting, about the DC and Monica scene... it should not be, in any way, shape, or form, be comfortable to the viewer... It's the modern equivalent of SC and PG in the haystack.
    The SP seduction scene is wrong, BUT, ADULT, on so many levels...

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I get your point @peter. I realized afterwards that this was what they were going for, but when I first saw it in the theatre, it took me by surprise.
  • Jazz007Jazz007 Minnesota
    Posts: 257
    peter wrote: »
    @bondjames-- OUCH...!!! The seduction of Monica vs gnawing on Hatcher's shoulder like an extra from 28 DAYS/LATER??? What is sexier to you???

    :)) Truly a low moment for the series; there had to be other ways for Brosnan to sink his teeth into the role....
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    JamesBondKenya wrote: »
    I think all the bond actors are incredible in their own ways except for Lazenby who I think has 0 redeeming qualities

    Height, looks, arrogance, fighting ability, good in the emotional scenes.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    peter wrote: »
    @bondjames-- OUCH...!!! The seduction of Monica vs gnawing on Hatcher's shoulder like an extra from 28 DAYS/LATER??? What is sexier to you???

    Ha ha ha!
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    suavejmf wrote: »
    JamesBondKenya wrote: »
    I think all the bond actors are incredible in their own ways except for Lazenby who I think has 0 redeeming qualities

    Height, looks, arrogance, fighting ability, good in the emotional scenes.

    Lazenby did very well and could have done more imo....
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