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If I had to do a write in, one moment I immediately think of is the opening of NTTD, with Safin's predatory hunt for a young Madeleine. How the moment begins with such a quiet and innocent moment with Madeleine and her mother but quickly develops into a disturbing cat and mouse game is just impeccable and I was stunned and struck by it from the first moment. The photography is on another level too, making Safin's presence mysterious and gradually revealed, amping up the suspense. For those that don't know the girl is Madeleine at first, there's the added suspense on not being sure the character will be protected from harm and survive the encounter, unlike her shot up mother. There's something so stirring and traumatic about it, and that mask...just sends shivers up my spine, along with Safin's labored breathing behind it.
I think the ending of the film is also worthy of inclusion, with Bond racing against time to make sure the blast doors are open to ensure Heracles is destroyed once and for all. I think this is worthy of inclusion not just because the film makes you think Bond is in danger, he truly is in the most danger he has ever been and the film plays out the worst case scenario before our very eyes. Part of what makes the sequence monumental and unforgettable is that Bond gives it all to get the job done, and fights to save the day with every last inch. Suspense, pain, heartbreak, sadness, it's all there.
Yeah I think that's a fair punt: it's extremely suspenseful basically because we know the worst is coming and we don't want it to.
I love OHMSS, but I dont believe that sequence is thst suspenseful, mainly because What's the threat?, a little bespectacled solicitor??
(Not a serious write-in, of course.)
Gumbold walking in to Bond reading the playboy magazine he set aside?
Although, Gumbold having to be dispatched one way or another wouldn't be too good for the mission... would arouse Blofeld's suspicion.
Gumbold could say "Sorry, I forgot to knock." LOL!
Yes Gumbold isn't the threat, the threat is Blofeld finding out his lawyer dead or the victim of a break in.
Love how OP harkens back to the beginning of the film with the clown suit and death of a 00. It also poses the largest immediate threat, so of the lot that'd be my choice. Side comment, I'd love this technique to be used again. LALD and TMWTGG are two other films that do this and even if not as effective, I love it every time. Ties the story together nicely.
That said, MR centrifuge and Corrine (another Barry credit) scenes get me every time and I really feel they are worthy of a nom. So for that sake, I'll pick MR centrifuge.
Ok, fair enough. But Bond being Bond, you can envisage him talking his way out of the situation if Gumbold walked in on him! There was no talking your way out of a bomb going off, so its still OP for the win!
If I had to nominate anything from CR, I'd probably select the torture scene. To this day, that scene just hits so many levels. Bond is just screwed, and as the scene plays out you can feel all his weariness, anxiety and pain about the situation he's in. You know he won't give any information up, so Le Chiffre has to keep stepping up his escalatory tactics, until finally White steps in to end it all. And if it wasn't for White, Bond would have been in a bigger living hell than before. I think that scene really delivers on everything a good suspense scene requires, where you fully believe for a second that your hero will pay the ultimate price, and where their safety isn't entirely assured.
That's what makes him inspirational. I know the idea of him dying still bothers people, and will probably be divisive forever, but if it ever had to be done, that was the perfect way to do it. He faces his fate with bravery, and fights till the end. Doesn't give up, doesn't complain, doesn't bargain. Just says goodbye to all his loved ones and finishes the mission, able to die with pride because he never compromised his duty. I hope we can all face our ends with as much humility, integrity and courage, though hopefully none of us have to die in a missile barrage to save the entire planet. But you know what I mean.
I think casual audiences think Bond has the most appeal to the ardent fans because he has cool clothes, cool cars, gets gorgeous women and uses cool gadgets and travels to exotic locations. And all that stuff is definitely cool, but what keeps me coming back to the series is just who Bond is. A force of nature that will do whatever it takes to complete his mission, with a surprising amount of principles, honor and heart than you'd expect from a trained killer. The wonderful, beautiful contradiction he is.
It's one of the main staples of James Bond, suspense, thrill, action and escapism.
Fleming wrote some of them in his books.
So, it's hard, there's a lot to choose from these films.
There's a lot to nominate.
And everyone also forgot here the scene in Dr. No, where Bond, Honey and Quarrel were hiding from the bad guys and even using a straw to hide under the swamp.
It's also a suspenseful scene as Bond was telling Honey Ryder to keep quiet because Dr. No's men might caught them.
So I would also nominate that one as well.
I also think of TB's sequence where Bond is chased by Volpe and her goons. He's shot, bleeding in a rare moment of us truly seeing Bond wounded, and you really feel the danger as he's closed in on more and more over time, before he's dancing with Fiona and watching a gun raised at him from afar. A real peak moment of danger for Bond, with seemingly no way out, till he creates one himself.
Someone brought up the NTTD opening. This is definitely one of the most suspenseful scenes. However, it is better to see Bond in real danger instead of other characters. Therefore, FYEO still gets my vote. It especially stands out for me because it is Moore who usually can simply push a button to solve the problem.
Oh, I don't think that's fair to Roger's Bond at all! And Sean did have the DB5 and Little Nellie.
I find a lot more satisfying suspense in Roger's films than I do in Sean's. Sean's Bond is frequently a passive beneficiary of other people's actions:
Oh, no, Klebb's gonna get him! Oh wait, Tatiana shot her.
How's Bond gonna get off the laser table? Oh, Goldfinger changed his mind.
How's Bond gonna diffuse the bomb? Oh, Pussy resolved the entire plot off screen and someone showed up to switch it off.
How's Bond gonna get off this crazy out-of-control back rack? Oh, Pat showed up and turned it off.
Oh no, Largo has the upper hand! Oh, Domino shot him.
Blofeld's about to shoot Bond! Oh no! Oh, Tiger threw a ninja star at him.
How's Bond gonna get out of the furnace? Oh, they switched it off.
There's really quite a lot of it. It feels like Roger's on his own most of the time to solve his problems. He may use a gadget, like the wrist dart on the centrifuge, but at least Holly doesn't just turn it off for him!
To rephrase it: The moment in FYEO stands out even more (imo) because Moore is usually seen in the movies and scenes with a lighter tone.
Honorable mentions: