Definitive best 5 bond films and worst5 in no particular order

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  • Posts: 12,473
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Bumped mine to stay in the game. Minor changes since mid-Jan.
    For many years I had TSWLM in the 5 spot, but it has slipped behind both DN and LALD.
    21- 23 are essentially tied.

    1. GF
    2. FRWL
    3. OHMSS
    4. CR
    5. DN

    21. AVTAK
    22. TND
    23. MR
    24. TWINE
    25. SP

    Good choices. For me the Top 4 and Bottom 4 come easily, while thinking of the 5th spot and beyond for either side is where the ranking begins to get tough.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,138
    There are far to many votes of OP in the worst 5.
    :(( :-L
  • Posts: 12,473
    My opinion of it goes up and down, but it's definitely not Top 15 material on any day for me. There are a lot of seriously over-the-top silly bits and pacing issues IMO, but a lot of good stuff too of course. I had one of my weakest watches of it recently though so that's why it occupies the spot on my list for now. As I mentioned it's tough for me to decide on a 5th worst (and best) film. Also, just because I have OP that low doesn't mean I don't like it - just that I like most of the other films more.
  • edited March 2020 Posts: 11,425
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. It often gets overlooked for the more glamorous FRWL and fantastical GF, but I really think DN is just a good. Love it.
  • Posts: 12,473
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. Love it.

    Beyond being the most important for being the first, it is a seriously awesome entry and hovers very close to my Top 5 (I think right now it would probably be 7). I think the rewatchability is incredible, the characters are some of the best and most memorable across all the films, and Connery never bettered his portrayal from what he accomplished in DN.
  • JeremyBondonJeremyBondon Seeking out odd jobs with Oddjob @Tangier
    edited March 2020 Posts: 1,318
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. Love it.

    Beyond being the most important for being the first, it is a seriously awesome entry and hovers very close to my Top 5 (I think right now it would probably be 7). I think the rewatchability is incredible, the characters are some of the best and most memorable across all the films, and Connery never bettered his portrayal from what he accomplished in DN.

    I reckon quite a few people would tend to disagree with you ;)
  • Posts: 11,425
    His DN performance is incredible though. He nails it from the first film.
  • Posts: 12,473
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. Love it.

    Beyond being the most important for being the first, it is a seriously awesome entry and hovers very close to my Top 5 (I think right now it would probably be 7). I think the rewatchability is incredible, the characters are some of the best and most memorable across all the films, and Connery never bettered his portrayal from what he accomplished in DN.

    I reckon quite a few people would tend to disagree with you ;)

    That's fine; anyone is welcome to - I don't mind! Makes for good discussion after all! For me all of Connery's first four performances are fantastic, though DN saw him get it all right in the very first take. His effortless seductions of Trench and Taro, cold kill of Strangways, tenderness with Honey, vulnerability in Dr. No's lair, and nonstop determination in the face of danger help make Connery's DN performance the best for me.
  • FatherValentineFatherValentine England
    Posts: 737


    That's fine; anyone is welcome to - I don't mind! Makes for good discussion after all! For me all of Connery's first four performances are fantastic, though DN saw him get it all right in the very first take. His effortless seductions of Trench and Taro, cold kill of Strangways, tenderness with Honey, vulnerability in Dr. No's lair, and nonstop determination in the face of danger help make Connery's DN performance the best for me.[/quote]

    Absolutely. You've nailed it here.
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    Connery was fantastic in Dr No but I preferred it when he mellowed and became the cool, laconic character of FRWL onwards. Sometimes his abrasive and tough guy persona in Dr No now seems a little out of step with the character he became
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    edited March 2020 Posts: 814
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. It often gets overlooked for the more glamorous FRWL and fantastical GF, but I really think DN is just a good. Love it.

    I adore DN and I hated leaving it out. Honestly I should replace GF with DN. No matter how much I love it (and I really, really do), GF is a little overrated anyway.

    As for Connery’s strongest performance as Bond, I vote Thunderball (big surprise). He’s having a lot of fun here and he’s at his most swaggering. If that makes sense.
  • OctopussyOctopussy Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland.
    edited March 2020 Posts: 1,081
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. It often gets overlooked for the more glamorous FRWL and fantastical GF, but I really think DN is just a good. Love it.

    I adore DN and I hated leaving it out. Honestly I should replace GF with DN. No matter how much I love it (and I really, really do), GF is a little overrated anyway.

    As for Connery’s strongest performance as Bond, I vote Thunderball (big surprise). He’s having a lot of fun here and he’s at his most swaggering. If that makes sense.

    Agreed with these statements. Dr. No is only second to Thunderball, IMO. The latter offering the most self-assured and definitive portrayal of the cinematic James Bond. While Goldfinger is undeniably a great film, it does receive a lot more praise then it deserves in comparison to other films of Connery's tenure.
  • OctopussyOctopussy Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland.
    Posts: 1,081
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Not on here it doesn't.

    I was speaking more generally.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,136
    As things tend to change between my top 3 and bottom 3, it's safer to do it like this for me:

    TOP 3
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Living Daylights
    Licence to Kill

    BOTTOM 3
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    Skyfall
    Spectre
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,008
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Getafix wrote: »
    One positive for me is seeing so many people putting Dr NO in their top 5. This feels like a new thing to me and great to see.

    It's amazing how this little film encapsulates pretty much everything we love about the Bond films. And it's pacy and tense and just highly entertaining. Love it.

    Beyond being the most important for being the first, it is a seriously awesome entry and hovers very close to my Top 5 (I think right now it would probably be 7). I think the rewatchability is incredible, the characters are some of the best and most memorable across all the films, and Connery never bettered his portrayal from what he accomplished in DN.

    Connery was so good in DN he made playing Bond look effortless which is something we all know it isn't.

    Possibly one of the best casting decisions ever made...?
  • Posts: 1,469
    Favorite:
    Dr. No
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    Casino Royale
    From Russia With Love
    The Spy Who Loved Me

    Least Favorite:
    Diamonds Are Forever
    Live And Let Die
    A View To A Kill
    Die Another Day
    License To Kill

    That said, I'll watch any Bond film if it's on TV, with varying degree of involvement.
  • Posts: 7,430
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    As things tend to change between my top 3 and bottom 3, it's safer to do it like this for me:

    TOP 3
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Living Daylights
    Licence to Kill

    BOTTOM 3
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    Skyfall
    Spectre

    That's my top 3 too!
    I would have DAD in that bottom 3 though in place of SP!
  • edited March 2020 Posts: 230
    Thunderball...

    With about 10-15 minutes of film editing, TB would have been the best film in the series.

    Just go get a snack when Spectre is burying the bombs and go potty during the final underwater fight scene and you have a masterpiece.
  • edited March 2020 Posts: 1,405
    Five Best:

    OHMSS
    CR
    The Living Daylights
    Octopussy
    FRWL

    Five Worst:

    Die Another Day
    The man with the Golden Gun
    QOS
    YOLT
    TND
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,585
    While it's good to see you, @JohnBarryFan, it's bad to see you put TND so low!

    "I never believe what I read in the press anyway." ;)

    Favourite 5 in loose order - a rather clichéd top 5, but for good reason:

    FRWL
    CR
    TLD
    TSWLM
    TB

    ^TB has snuck into the top 5 in recent years. Love Bond's adventure in this one.

    5 Least exciting in no particular order:

    TMWTGG
    AVTAK
    YOLT
    TWINE
    SP
  • DeerAtTheGatesDeerAtTheGates Belgium
    Posts: 524
    The films do switch positions often in my list, but there's certainly a top and a bottom. The top is usually made up of way more than just five films, but I've cut them down to 5 for this list.

    Top 5 (in no particular order):
    GoldenEye
    Casino Royale
    Skyfall
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Spy Who Loved Me

    Bottom 5 (in no particular order):
    Quantum Of Solace
    Die Another Day
    Licence To Kill
    Diamonds Are Forever
    For Your Eyes Only
  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    Posts: 2,730
    My updates list
    Best
    1. Casino Royale
    2. Quantum of solace
    3. From Russia with love
    4. On her majesty’s secret service
    5. Goldfinger



    Worst
    1. A view to a kill
    2. Die another day
    3. Diamonds are forever
    4. Moonraker
    5. The world is not enough
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    My updates list
    Best
    1. Casino Royale
    2. Quantum of solace
    3. From Russia with love
    4. On her majesty’s secret service
    5. Goldfinger



    Worst
    1. A view to a kill
    2. Die another day
    3. Diamonds are forever
    4. Moonraker
    5. The world is not enough

    Four of your top five are in my top five as well.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,136
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    As things tend to change between my top 3 and bottom 3, it's safer to do it like this for me:

    TOP 3
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Living Daylights
    Licence to Kill

    BOTTOM 3
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    Skyfall
    Spectre

    That's my top 3 too!
    I would have DAD in that bottom 3 though in place of SP!

    While other films are also right up there for me, these three are just my Bond films.

    Always when I see online rankings by magazines or websites, these 3 are the ones I look out for. I just feel stronger about them than about the others.
  • Posts: 7,430
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    As things tend to change between my top 3 and bottom 3, it's safer to do it like this for me:

    TOP 3
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Living Daylights
    Licence to Kill

    BOTTOM 3
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    Skyfall
    Spectre

    That's my top 3 too!
    I would have DAD in that bottom 3 though in place of SP!

    While other films are also right up there for me, these three are just my Bond films.

    Always when I see online rankings by magazines or websites, these 3 are the ones I look out for. I just feel stronger about them than about the others.

    +1
  • edited March 2020 Posts: 11,425
    A really quite well considered rankings in the Independent. Great to see the Mendes films way down the rankings where they belong and QOS getting a lot of love. Honest appraisals of SF and GE are few and far between but the comments here sum up both films pretty well for me.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/james-bond-films-list-best-worst-007-ranking-no-time-to-die-delay-a9377531.html

    My main quibble is LALD ranked so high but I can live with it.
  • edited March 2020 Posts: 1,596
    Lol, "honest appraisals of SF and GE are few and far between." There's a reason for that, I'd be willing to guess, and it's because they're damn good movies. "Honest appraisal" somehow suggests that the vast majority of presumably not-stupid film viewers and Bond fans are... being dishonest when they claim that they're two of the better entries? Eye roll.

    This list has some cracker lines though, I'll give it that. Spot on assessments here and there as well.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Top five in the ranking tournament thread:

    1 OHMSS
    2 FRWL
    3 CR
    4 DN/TSWLM

    Bottom five:

    21 DAF
    22 AVTAK
    23 TWINE
    24 DAD
    25 NSNA

    ( I know everyone can read these statistics into it themselves, I am just bumping some old threads for the enjoymemt of new members.)
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Newton-le-Willows, England
    Posts: 257
    Top five:

    1) Goldfinger
    2) Casino Royale
    3) GoldenEye
    4) From Russia with Love
    5) The Living Daylights

    Bottom five:

    20) Octopussy
    21) A View to a Kill
    22) Diamonds Are Forever
    23) Moonraker
    24) Die Another Day
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    My view
    Top 5:
    TSWLM
    OHMSS
    FRWL
    GE
    CR

    Bottom 5:
    DAF
    TWINE
    DAD
    QOS
    SP
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