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Rate the Bond directors!
OVERALL on a scale from 1-5 (in my opinion):
<b>Terence Young - 5/5</b>
There is so much class to all three of Young's Bond films. It also helps that Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Thunderball happen to be in my top 6 Bond films. His films emulate sophistication and hell, he even managed to make the low budgeted Dr. No the 'little film that could'. His films simply do not miss a beat; the classic 60s spy feel is in full effect.
<b>Peter Hunt - 4.5/5</b>
I have always been very impressed with the extremely unique Peter Hunt took with his direction of OHMSS. The fight scenes are quickly cut and exciting, and the cinematography is the best in a Bond film. There are some fairly high profile technical issues in OHMSS (dubbing, jump cuts), but his distinctive approach to Bond was truly superior.
<b>Martin Campbell - 4.25/5</b>
There's no doubt that Martin Campbell's strength was in his action scenes. Extended some of them may be, but many of the action scenes in GE and CR are the best of the series. Both films look great, also. I applaud for the consistency in introducing two different actors into the role, also. Though, Campbell was never was too good at subtle product placement was he?
<b>Guy Hamilton - 3.75/5</b>
A true mixed bag for me, Hamilton has directed my second all time favorite Bond film (GF) and my very least favorite (TMWTGG). Goldfinger was super classy, and I loved the tone of the whole picture. To me, camp was used more as a style in GF rather than a gimmick. On the other side of the spectrum, TMWTGG looks cheap, and it didn't help the rest of the film was inferior in every way. His work on LALD and DAF are fine, but his work on GF puts him higher than he would be.
<b>Lewis Gilbert - 3.25/5</b>
Despite being somewhat notorious for directing the most ridiculous scenarios and overusing his own plots, Gilbert did produce some impressive work on TSWLM. His YOLT ordeal was a little less solid, but the locations are phenomenal. It's MR that brings down on the list; Jaws falling in love, double taking pigeons, the list goes on. If only it wasn't for MR, Gilbert would be a little higher.
<b>Marc Forster - 3/5</b>
I think I know what Forster was trying to do with QOS, it is mixing GIANT budget filmmaking with some indie art-house touches. And QOS looks great in terms of cinematography and locations. A special nod goes to the inebriated Bond sequence also. But alas, that jump editing during the action and during other scenes is hard to get used to.
<b>Roger Spottiswoode - 2.75/5</b>
There are some good scenes within TND's two hour bullet fest; I think the first half of the film is very good. The action scenes are superior, an I've liked the camera movements in the Carver party scene. However, later in the film, the bullets get a little too extensive and are used as a fallback for drama (which doesn't really work too well). I think TND owes most of its issues to the script, but Spottiswoode did let some of them fly...
<b>Michael Apted - 2.5/5</b>
I've always liked the 'look' of TWINE, but it goes without saying the the action scenes sans the pre-titles sequence are very sloppy (the ski chase in particular). I've never been able to say much about Apted, his attempt was a here nor there affair for me.
<b>John Glen - 2/5</b>
The most bland direction in the franchise, Glen's cinematography in all of his films were instantly forgettable. He even managed to make some of his films look cheap, LTK in particular. As a matter of fact, LTK looks like the cheapest film in the series and his butchering of that film alone almost brings him down. Just bland. His only superior film was TLD and his technical efforts did not contribute a thing. (It was all Dalton, Barry and the script)
<b>Lee Tamahori - 1.5/5</b>
Clearly didn't know a damn thing about Bond. He tried to make a tribute film and failed miserably. He gets a half a point for some interesting things at the beginning of the film (Bond's imprisonment, sword fight) but loses all credibility with that CGI and just pitiful progression and pacing. Yuck.
<b>Terence Young - 5/5</b>
There is so much class to all three of Young's Bond films. It also helps that Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Thunderball happen to be in my top 6 Bond films. His films emulate sophistication and hell, he even managed to make the low budgeted Dr. No the 'little film that could'. His films simply do not miss a beat; the classic 60s spy feel is in full effect.
<b>Peter Hunt - 4.5/5</b>
I have always been very impressed with the extremely unique Peter Hunt took with his direction of OHMSS. The fight scenes are quickly cut and exciting, and the cinematography is the best in a Bond film. There are some fairly high profile technical issues in OHMSS (dubbing, jump cuts), but his distinctive approach to Bond was truly superior.
<b>Martin Campbell - 4.25/5</b>
There's no doubt that Martin Campbell's strength was in his action scenes. Extended some of them may be, but many of the action scenes in GE and CR are the best of the series. Both films look great, also. I applaud for the consistency in introducing two different actors into the role, also. Though, Campbell was never was too good at subtle product placement was he?
<b>Guy Hamilton - 3.75/5</b>
A true mixed bag for me, Hamilton has directed my second all time favorite Bond film (GF) and my very least favorite (TMWTGG). Goldfinger was super classy, and I loved the tone of the whole picture. To me, camp was used more as a style in GF rather than a gimmick. On the other side of the spectrum, TMWTGG looks cheap, and it didn't help the rest of the film was inferior in every way. His work on LALD and DAF are fine, but his work on GF puts him higher than he would be.
<b>Lewis Gilbert - 3.25/5</b>
Despite being somewhat notorious for directing the most ridiculous scenarios and overusing his own plots, Gilbert did produce some impressive work on TSWLM. His YOLT ordeal was a little less solid, but the locations are phenomenal. It's MR that brings down on the list; Jaws falling in love, double taking pigeons, the list goes on. If only it wasn't for MR, Gilbert would be a little higher.
<b>Marc Forster - 3/5</b>
I think I know what Forster was trying to do with QOS, it is mixing GIANT budget filmmaking with some indie art-house touches. And QOS looks great in terms of cinematography and locations. A special nod goes to the inebriated Bond sequence also. But alas, that jump editing during the action and during other scenes is hard to get used to.
<b>Roger Spottiswoode - 2.75/5</b>
There are some good scenes within TND's two hour bullet fest; I think the first half of the film is very good. The action scenes are superior, an I've liked the camera movements in the Carver party scene. However, later in the film, the bullets get a little too extensive and are used as a fallback for drama (which doesn't really work too well). I think TND owes most of its issues to the script, but Spottiswoode did let some of them fly...
<b>Michael Apted - 2.5/5</b>
I've always liked the 'look' of TWINE, but it goes without saying the the action scenes sans the pre-titles sequence are very sloppy (the ski chase in particular). I've never been able to say much about Apted, his attempt was a here nor there affair for me.
<b>John Glen - 2/5</b>
The most bland direction in the franchise, Glen's cinematography in all of his films were instantly forgettable. He even managed to make some of his films look cheap, LTK in particular. As a matter of fact, LTK looks like the cheapest film in the series and his butchering of that film alone almost brings him down. Just bland. His only superior film was TLD and his technical efforts did not contribute a thing. (It was all Dalton, Barry and the script)
<b>Lee Tamahori - 1.5/5</b>
Clearly didn't know a damn thing about Bond. He tried to make a tribute film and failed miserably. He gets a half a point for some interesting things at the beginning of the film (Bond's imprisonment, sword fight) but loses all credibility with that CGI and just pitiful progression and pacing. Yuck.
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Comments
Peter Hunt 4.75/5
Martin Campbell 4/5
And then there's everyone else...
terrance young
were the top 2 for me
Campbell
Hunt
Glen
Hamilton
Forster
Gilbert
Apted
Spottiswoode
Tamahori
Young
Gilbert
Spottiswoode
5. Hamilton
Campbell
Hunt
Apted
Tamawhori
10. Forster
2) Young
3) Campbell
4) Glenn
5) Hamilton
6) Gilbert
7) Spottiswoode
8) Apted
9) Forster
10) Tamahori
Anyway, I'll pick Young, then Hunt followed by Hamilton and Gilbert. The rest don't count. ;-)
Campbell
Glen
Gilbert
Hamilton
Hunt
Directors that did only one get little cred with me.
Terrence Young: Introduced the series with a bang
John Glen: FYEO, OP, and LTK speak volumes for themselves
Lewis Gilbert: TSWLM and YOLT are outstanding examples of classic over-the-top, action-man 007; MR was definitely a weaker point, however
Roger Spottiswoode: TND=amazing!
Guy Hamilton: LALD is magnificent, DAF is pretty good, and TMWTGG and GF are just decent
Peter Hunt: OHMSS is definitely a classic, but poor Hunt didn't get to earn his badge with a few more
Michael Apted: TWINE is pretty good, but like Hunt, one isn't enough to find out what potential was in store
Lee Tamahori: DAD = ......................................................................
Peter Hunt - 4.5/5 - A visual experiment that paid off; great emotional content as well.
Marc Forster - 4.5/5 - High style, color; great touches of theme and character.
Lewis Gilbert - 4/5 - The 007 grand champion of the sweeping epic.
John Glen - 3.5/5 - A good grasp of the Bond character with a talent for time and action pieces; lacked style however.
Martin Campbell - 3.5/5 - GE suffers from inconsistency in flow & tone; CR is near flawless entertainment.
Guy Hamilton - 3/5 - An iconic start with GF that was followed up by a bunch of duds but ended well with TMWTGG.
Lee Tamahori - 2/5 - What gives him a pass over the rest of the lesser Bond directors is that he had the luck of working with a good D.O.P.
Michael Apted - 1.5/5 - How do you describe "beige"?
Roger Spottiswoode - 1/5 - How he managed to make the Bond world look like a neon bug zapper in Sprockets' Deiter's garage is really unforgivable.
2nd Tier - Peter Hunt, Lee Tamahori, Marc Forster
Bottom - Lewis Gilbert, Guy Hamilton
I've liked the different styles that each director brought to the table, but Gilbert was mediocre and Guy Hamilton failed miserably.
Guy Hamilton-3.5/5
Peter Hunt-5/5
Lewis Gilbert-5/5
John Glenn-4.5/5
Martin Campbell-5/5 (Without a doubt)
Roger Spottiswood-5/5
Michael Apted-4.5
Lee Tamahori-3.5
Marc Forster-3/5
Sam Mendas-5/5
I'd go with this, but I feel you were too nice to Mr. Tamahori. :))
I gave the Tamahori the benefit of the doubt, because DAD was not really he's fault. (In terms of the way the script was written)
Young clearly understood Bond. He brought a lot of class to the films, and really set the right tone for the franchise.
Guy Hamilton - 3/5
Hamilton had a good understanding of Bond, but I feel like he brought too much of an American perspective. Goldfinger was a resounding success at the box office, but it doesn't hold up in 2013. Furthermore, he delivered some of the lowest points in the franchise (Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die)
Peter Hunt - 5/5
We only had one film from Hunt, but it was a brilliant one. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was skillfully done. It holds up in 2013, and it did a lot to correct the franchise in 1969 (Diana Rigg with such an important role? Thank You). Fleming would be truly proud.
Lewis Gilbert - 4/5
Gilbert had a great understanding of time. He brought Bond up to speed with the year it was filmed - something that previous directors didn't do nearly as well. Although the films may feel a bit dated, they're good capsules of their generation. You Only Live Twice may not have been a hit, but I don't feel that Gilbert is to blame for that.
John Glen - 4.5/5
I really like what Glen did with the franchise. He definitely had a strong understanding of Bond, and a great love for Fleming's work. For Your Eyes Only didn't push the boundaries as much as I would have liked, and A View To A Kill was completely lacklustre. Despite this, The Living Daylights is (for me) the quintessential Bond film, and Licence To Kill took Bond in an innovative direction.
Martin Campbell - 5/5
Martin Campbell knows how to tell a good story, and then turn it into a good Bond story. GoldenEye and Casino Royale were both successes in every way. They brought new life in to the franchise, along with new fans, while still pleasing the vast majority of Bond fans. Once Craig's tenure is up, you know who to call.
Roger Spottiswoode - 2.5/5
Tomorrow Never Dies was my first Bond film. Spottiswoode is from my hometown, Ottawa, Canada. There's a lot that makes the film special to me, but ultimately, it wasn't a great Bond film. There's some great sequences, but it doesn't all tie together. Take Brosnan out, put Bruce Willis in, add a "yippee-kay-yay motherlover", and you've got yourself a replacement for Die Hard 4.
Michael Apted - 2/5
Apted, like Spottiswoode, didn't have a good grasp of what makes a Bond movie special. He probably wasn't the right choice as a director, and it shows. The World Is Not Enough is a passable entry, at best. It's cool seeing Brosnan acting all cool, but it failed to tell an interesting story. Bond even wears a beige blazer.
Lee Tamahori - 0.5/5
Lee Tamahori lacks any knowledge of what makes Bond entertaining, and shows complete disrespect for Ian Fleming's work. Die Another Day's direction was abysmal, and it showed Tamahori's deficiency of understanding of the franchise.
Marc Foster - 3.5/5
Quantum of Solace gets a lot of abuse for making no sense and not living up to Casino Royale. I don't feel that this is down to Foster's direction. He was trying something new with the franchise. The idea of adding drama/art house elements into Bond is really innovative. Provided there isn't a writers' strike or related issues, I would give Foster another chance.
Sam Mendes - 5/5
Skyfall was a brilliant film. Although it is still very fresh, I feel like it is going to age very well. It's a memorable entry in the franchise, and I think that a big part of that is due to Mendes. Mendes showed a complete understanding of Bond, and what makes him interesting. The quality he demands in his films translated to Skyfall.
The guvnor. Set the template, moulded Connery into a star and most of all understood the character and Flemings work. In fact he was from the same establishment stock as Ian and cut from the same cloth. In many ways he could have played Bond. The tale from filming FRWL when his helicopter crashed in a loch and he was back on set completely unruffled a few hours later or the behind the scenes photos I've seen of him handing round the Dom Perignon show that his was a guy who actually couldve played Bond.
Guy Hamilton - 3/5
Delivered in spades for GF and pretty much guaranteed the longevity of the series by slightly tweaking the formula established by Young and giving the auidence an irresistible mix of glamour, wit, action and girls.
We have a lot to grateful to him for as GF was very inlfuential to the success of the series but with DAF, LALD and TMWTGG he showed himself up to be a fairly uninspired journeyman director when all said and done so maybe GF was just a case of one hit wonder syndrome.
Lewis Gilbert - 3/5
I think he is probably the only director of more than one film not to have a single scene from Fleming amongst his work (OK the oubliette in YOLT but thats a 2 second shot not a scene). He essentially delivered the same film 3 times and to be fair each time it became more and more polished and deilvered superb entertainment but was it James Bond? If you want a big, over the top Bond film though Lewis is your man.
Peter Hunt - 5/5
Absolute class. Wanted nothing but Fleming up on the screen and did an admirable job of turning an Aussie bruiser into Bond. Such a tragedy he never did more. Was it the studio or EON who blamed him for OHMSS's perceived failure? Ditching Peter for Hamilton seems an insane decision now with 40 years hindsight.
John Glen - 4.5/5
Despite being a journeyman director with a rather dull eye for composition he had a solid grasp of the character and really delivered when it came to action. For innovative action sequences the 80s were a period yet to be topped - FYEO car and ski chase, OP Acrostar, train fight and plane finale, AVTAK taxi chase and finale, TLD PTS and cargo net fight, LTK waterskiing and tanker chase. Dramatically his films were not at all bad either. In terms of seriousness the 80s was Rogers best work after the buffoonery of the 70s and the Dalton films were way ahead of their time with audiences only now ready for such a serious take on Bond. Underrated and certainly a case of not being a great director perhaps but certainly being a great Bond director.
Martin Campbell - 4.5/5
A lot of the comments for Glen apply here. A journeyman who when handed a Bond film really stepped up to the plate. Showed he could handle cinematic Bond with GE and also Fleming Bond with CR. Also delivered the two best action sequences of the modern era with the tank chase and parkour chase. And lets not forget that with the survival of the series at stake for both his films he delivered handsomely when faced with enormous pressure.
Roger Spottiswoode - 2.5/5
Delivered solid enough action but you never get a sense he understood the character and definitely falls into the 'just another job' category of director. Still did a competent job under tight schedule pressure.
Michael Apted - 2/5
Totally unsuited to Bond and it showed. The second unit bailed him out in the PTS but the dramatic scenes (the reason he was brought in) are largely wide of the mark. Famous for his 7 up series its a mystery why he was even offeed the job as he was out of his depth on a film this size. I guess this was Babs first fledgling attempt to go for someone a bit arty after the likes of Glen, Campbell and Spottiswoode.
Lee Tamahori -0/5
Is there anything I need to say here? In fairness to the bloke the Devils Double isnt half bad but if I had my way he would have one of those things like in a Clockwork Orange to hold his eyes open and be forced to watch an endless loop of Jinx, the invisble car and the CGI wave for all eternity and thats not a fate I would wish on my worst enemy.
Marc Forster - 2/5
I think theres a really good Bond film trying to get out of QOS but unfortunnately Marc hasnt got the ability to bring it out. For all Forsters critical acclaim and arty reputation I reckon plodder John Glen could have made a very decent Bond film out of the same QOS script. A lack of understanding of the character and the sense that hes not really that interested in what hes doing and that its beneath him shows though. And he hasnt the faintest idea how to edit an action sequence coherently.
Sam Mendes - 4/5
Understood the character very well but if only he had concentrated on the plot as much as he had character SF could have been up there with OHMSS and FRWL. Also he sacrificed action for character which in QOS I wouldve loved but in a film as long as SF, whichever way you cut it apart from the PTS where are the big stunts? A couple of fights and shootouts is all there is. I think the tube sequence is supposed to be the big second act action scene and whilst dramatically it works pretty well it needs to be more spectacular and innovative than merely a tube train crashing - we had that in Die Hard 3 15 years ago. Its as if he got all the irritating action that the public expects out of the way in one go in the PTS so that he could then sit down and make the film he wanted to. Still despite all that delivered a pretty cracking effort.
I don't know if you did that on purpose, but -0 is a very fitting score.
Good spot!
I could ammend it to minus infinity if you like?
Guy Hamilton 4/5
Peter Hunt 5/5
Lewis Gilbert 4/5
John Glen 3/5
Martin Campbell 4/5
Roger Spottiswoode 3/5
Michael Apted 3/5
Lee Tamahori 0/5
Marc Forster 3/5
Sam Mendes 5/5
My rankings:
Terence Young
Martin Campbell (mainly for CR)
Peter Hunt (would have been second had it not been for the decision to dub Laz)
Sam Mendes
Lewis Gilbert
Guy Hamilton (splendid job in GF but let down a bit by the other three)
John Glenn (did a perfectly adequate job and was particularly good with action but his choice of photography and style was often bland)
Roger Spottiswode
Michael Apted
Marc Foster
Lee Tamahori (CODE NAME THEORY!! ~X( )
Guy Hamilton 4/5
Peter Hunt 5/5
Lewis Gilbert 4/5
John Glen 3/5
Martin Campbell 4/5
Roger Spottiswoode 3/5
Michael Apted 3/5
Lee Tamahori 1/5
Marc Forster 3/5
Sam Mendes 4/5
wow... our rankings are almost identical... except i see no redeeming quality in Tamahori to even give him a 1 lol.
I know, you have great wisdom my friend. I gave Tamahori 1 because even though he is very culpable in Dire Absolutely Dire, there are a few brief moments of fun and entertainment which I can appreciate. I did say few however. Lol.
granted.. i can understand that... the fencing scene was pretty cool, and the hovercraft chase during the PTS was handled nicely (excluding pierce's slowmo jump away from the fire)... the bad just far outweighed the very very very little of good in that film... plus, his behind the scenes interview of "Bond needing/having to incorporate more CGI stunt sequences".. and him being a proponent of the "James Bond code name theory" makes me give him an easy zero lol.
Guy Hamilton 3 out of 5
Lewis Gilbert 3.5 out of 5
John Glen 2.5 out of 5
Martin Campbell 4 out of 5
Roger Spottiswoode 3 out of 5
Michael Aptad 3 out of 5
Lee Tamahori 1 out of 5
Marc Forester 0 out of 5
Sam Mendes 4.5 out of 5
2) Peter Hunt
3) Guy Hamilton
4)Martin Campbell
5) Sam Mendes
Apart from this lunacy.
Peter Hunt: 4/5
Guy Hamilton: 3.5/5
Lewis Gilbert: 3/5
John Glen: 2.5/5
Martin Campbell: 4/5
Roger Spotiswoode: 2/5
Michael Apted: 2.5/5
Lee Tamahori: 0.00000003389/5
Marc Forster: 3/5
Sam Mendes: 5/5
thats borderline blasphemous
Yes, it must be said.