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Well not quite naked. As plenty of stills and pausing of said scene will show.
Nice idea though. ;)
1. Casino Royale
2. Live and Let Die
3. Moonraker
4. Diamonds Are Forever
5. From Russia with Love
6. Dr. No
7. Goldfinger
8. A View to a Kill
9. For Your Eyes Only
10. Quantum of Solace
11. Thunderball
12. The Spy Who Loved Me
13. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
14. You Only Live Twice
15. The Man with the Golden Gun
16. Octopussy
17. The Living Daylights
Haven’t been watching the films as much as usual lately so I probably will kick into gear with these ones. Then perhaps a traditional chronological Bondathon next year going up to B25.
That is fair enough. There is the whole Felix injury subplot. Of all the non-Fleming titled films, LTK probably contains the most novel inspiration still. Had just a touch of Hildebrand Rarity as well in addition to LALD.
In my ranking tournament, that has been the only tie so far.
I know. I just find it interesting that it is tied down the middle as to how many prefer the one over the other. I vastly prefer LTK myself.
Just a suggestion -- but to get a fuller representation of LALD the novel when viewing the film adaptations, I'd suggest following LALD (the movie) and LTK (for the Leiter connection) with one particular scene from FYEO (for the reef-hauling.) It seems undeniable to me that LALD the novel is represented in more Bond films than is any other Bond book!
With that and outside Live and Let Die there's also the concept of the revenge trilogy. Across three Bonds linking that theme using SPECTRE and Tracy.
From Russia With Love
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
For Your Eyes Only
As far as a Fleming novel across the most films, how many times Moonraker was mined is probably debatable.
Yes, TB managed to end up in my top ten despite its flaws, but it was a real step down for Young.
- The Connery films are as good as ever. There's really not much to add here; classic Bonds films stays classic Bond films, but YOLT is still my least favourite of his. Always been that way. DAF however finds a spot inside the top ten. Why can't a guilty pleasure just be recognised as a good film? It does for me now, because I just love it.
- Lazenby's OHMSS is yet again a top three film (currently second). There's really not much to put my finger on here, as I've grown to like the film and Lazenby really much.
- The Moore films are – like the Connery films – an absolute joy to watch. The ranking of them stays about the same, but my enjoyment of them only grows. He played his kind of Bond perfectly, and he remains my favourite.
- My enjoyment of the Dalton films have also grown. I can't find a spot for them inside top ten, but that doesn't mean they're not great films. LTK always seems to grow more on me by each viewing.
- The Brosnan films – although slammed by many here - are still loads of fun and excitement to me. I've always been fond of his films, even though they are lesser ones in many aspects. I've always loved his portrayal, and I'm often left thinking about what his legacy as Bond could have been like with better films.
- The Craig era… well, where should I start?:
None of his films are inside my top ten. I just don't find them enjoyable enough. I can't deny that CR is a good film; it's based on the novel, we get a new Bond and a great cast, and although I find it a tad too long, it has great moments throughout. But there's something missing there, I feel. It might just be that it's a reboot and not a traditional Bond film, but there's something that puts me off it a bit, and that affects how often I find myself watching it.
I like QoS because it's fast, it's not allowing itself to be boring or stick around too long, and it's sort of an odd one – but a decent one. I guess what I liked about the first two Craig films initially is that they followed Bond getting his 00 status to wrapping up the whole Vesper Lynd saga – and my enjoyment of them were partly based on the promise or impression I got that now that Bond is done with the whole personal stuff, we would get mission based stories without the personal angles. But then we got the two Mendes films.
SF and SP I find little to no enjoyment with. Yet again we get the personal angles and drama, exploring Bond's past, M's death, Bond falling deeply in love again (however unbelievable that romance was), as well as bleak, dreary looking visuals. Looking back at the Craig era so far, I've yet to get that proper Bond experience (with the exception of a few moments), and with Madeleine Swann returning, I'm preparing myself that Bond 25 will be even more of the same.
Thank you @w2bond! It was a great read but I forgot to answer, sorry about that!
Now that I’ve returned from another trip abroad, I’ve finally found some time to continue my Bondathon with For Your Eyes Only.
FYEO is the perfect example of a decent film without too many flaws, though without ever really getting into gear either. Few highs, few lows.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
James Bond: 4
Sir Rog is a bit more ruthless here and although that’s not the way he likes to portray Bond, he still does it rather well.
Bond girls: 3
I like crossbow-wielding Melina quite a lot but Bibi gets on my nerves for the most part, though I must admit she fares better during the climax.
Villain: 2
Julian Glover isn’t a bad actor but he does make a rather forgettable villain here.
Henchmen/women: 4
Silent Belgian assassin Locque and East German agent Kriegler provide the film with two underrated but excellent henchmen.
Allies: 5
Topol’s Columbo is a highlight of the film and poor Ferrara makes a very likeable contact too. The scene where Bond discovers his murder always fills me with regret. Really liked that Luigi.
MI6: 2
Q gets a decent scene with the Identigraph. M’s replacement is a poor one though and even Moneypenny makes me cringe a little here.
Plot: 3
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
We get Moore’s best gunbarrel and Sheena Easton makes the title sequence worthwhile.
Sets & locations: 4
Southern Europe is always nice. St. Cyril’s is spectacular though underused. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the absolute highlight here.
Cinematography: 3
Not bad but sometimes the colours can be a bit vague at times.
Pre-title sequence: 4
”Delicatessen in stainless steel!”
Climax: 2
Very bland.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
Love the Lotus Esprit Turbo and the Citroën makes for a nice variation compared with the usual car chases.
Action: 4
Especially the ski chase is spectacular here.
Dialogue & humour: 3
Never liked the Moneypenny scene or the Thatcher imitation in this film, luckily Rog and Topol largely make up for those moments.
Music score: 4
Unusual but an incredibly fun disco score by Bill Conti.
Original song(s): 4
Costumes & attire: 2
I will never hold the fashion of the day against a film. Here, however, Rog gets some truly horrid outfits that make him look like an aging tourist.
Snobbery: 4
Great little moment when Roger refuses Kristatos’ suggested wine because it’s “too sentive for his taste”
Ian Fleming: 4
A return to Fleming is always welcomed, pity that doesn’t lead to anything particularly impressive this time.
Total: 69%
Current ranking
1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
2. Thunderball
3. The Man with the Golden Gun
4. Dr. No
5. From Russia with Love
6. Moonraker
7. The Spy Who Loved Me
8. Goldfinger
9. You Only Live Twice
10. Live and Let Die
11. For Your Eyes Only
12. Diamonds Are Forever
Another great watch through. Production values are great but Connery is the show here. The little details are what makes this an engaging ride. Using his hat to hide from the photographer at the airport, arranging Taro's house before Dent's arrive, switching to another bottle of vodka (and the fact he has a spare one!), etc. People don't have to rank it high but any who ranks this low doesn't get Bond. For me, this is a comfortable 7th.
After the build up to Dr No the man, his scheme is anti-climatic and barely registers on the threat scale. The finale (for budget reasons I imagine) does not live up to potential. Overall I don't hold this against the film but does prevent it from going higher on my list.
05. FRWL (this and Goldeneye are neck and neck here. More consistency and production values give FRWL the edge).
06. GE
07. DN
08. FYEO
09. TND
10. MR
11. GF
12. LALD
13. DAF
14. LTK
15. TMWTGG
16. TB
17. TSWLM
18. DAD
19. AVTAK
20. YOLT
21. QOS
22. SF
23. TWINE
24. SP
I agree wholeheartedly! I have seen Dr No commonly described as too "vanilla" before. These guys miss the point entirely if you ask me. Creating a great Bond film was never about splashing as many grandiose elements onto the screen as possible, just like making a great dessert was never about throwing an abundance of sweet flavours into a bole and assume it will taste delicious. The simple way in which Dr No presents the character of James Bond it does better than perhaps any other Bond film, and although Connery arguably would go on to make even better films, none of them made him shine more at the center stage than his first one. Mandatory top five inclusion at minimum if you ask me.
That's exactly it. It's really the benchmark for a Bond performance. I guess those who prefer spectacle over character won't appreciate it
A tough one to rate because there is a lot to like in this one, but some of the humour is just way too childish.
Nevertheless, I’ve always been fascinated by the Cold War and the division of Europe. That obviously sparks an interest in the Berlin Wall, the Inner German Border and the former East Germany. OP is the only Bond film that explores this territory, with 007 spying around Karl-Marx-Stadt and crossing Checkpoint Charlie. Speaks for itself it scores points on those accounts.
OCTOPUSSY
James Bond: 4
Bond girls: 5
As with TMWTGG I love Maud Adams and her co-Swedish colleague, portrayed by the stunning Kristina Wayborn this time out. With Maud, and her undeniable chemistry with Rog, taking centre stage this one improves on TMWTGG too. Top marks!
Villains: 4
Maybe not the uttermost memorable of villains, but Louis Jourdan does a fine job, sparking some brilliant oneliners. The completely berserk Steven Berkoff finds his way into my top favourite baddies though. Hilarious performance.
Henchmen/women: 4
Gobinda is an effective Oddjob clone. Mishka and Grishka deserve more praise for their twin knifethrowing killers.
Allies: 4
Vijay is one of the most likeable allies so far.
MI6: 5
More Q than usual! Also let it be time somebody writes down that Robert Brown is a great M. Replacing the great Bernard Lee was never going to be easy, but Robert does so effortlessly. Extra points for Penelope Smallbone and Jim Fanning too.
Plot: 4
Cold War-themed, jewelry smuggling and nuclear disaster.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
Funny how I love the “United Artists presents” text at the start. Just gives it that extra “of its time” feel. The title sequence might not be the most well-remembered, but I love the blue-purple colour patterns and the use of laser projections.
Sets & locations: 5
A fine mix of exotic adventure in colourful India and Cold War tension in divided Germany, which remains the ultimate spy décor for the ages. On top of that, I think Peter Lamont delivers his best work of his long Bond career in this film, with the Soviet council and Octopussy’s bedroom being especially Adamesque.
Cinematography: 4
Those who complain about the cinematography of the John Glen films should rewatch this one for sure. Alan Hume succeeds both in the exotic colours of India as well as the greys of the GDR.
Pre-title sequence: 4
Impressive stunt work gives this film a cracking start.
Climax: 4
Vehicles & gadgets: 5
Very nice gadgets with the fountain pen, the watch and the bug. The villains also get some fine toys with the yoyo-saws. But the Acrostar and, even more so, the gorgeous Alfa Romeo GTV pump this category up to the maximum score.
Action: 4
A lot of excellent stunt work, though personally I consider the Alfa chase, the pre-titles and the fisticuffs in Octopussy’s quarters to be the standouts.
Dialogue & humour: 3
The dialogue is actually rather good, but I have to take the moments of stupid humour attempts into consideration. It’s not even the clown suit that bothers me, it’s the ‘tennis crowd’ during the Tuk Tuk chase, the gorilla watch checking and the absolutely horrible and utterly stupid Tarzan yell that prevent this film from achieving true greatness.
Music score: 4
Original song: 3
Costumes & attire: 4
Rog sports some fine costumes and Maud wears a gorgeous red jumpsuit during the final circus countdown.
Snobbery: 3
Ian Fleming: 4
Bar the bizar attempts at humour, OP is basically a Cold War spy story with an unused Fleming title, The Property of a Lady, and the original short story where OP’s title comes from nicely woven into the script.
Total: 81%
Final thoughts are that OP is a great spy film with excellent performances, interesting locations, great sets, fantastic stunts, a fine score and regretfully some rather stupid humour attempts.
All in all, just a Tarzan yell away from brilliance.
(Much unlike CR67, where everyone is called James Bond, but the character of the other movies does not appear and is only mentioned. Also, you can’t judge that film on the same accounts, whereas you can in the case of NSNA.)
Nevertheless, NSNA turned out to be a lesser effort anyway. I miss that typical ‘Bond atmosphere’ and with a largely rehashed plot, the film was hardly engaging either. Still though, there are some positive aspects about it. Such as a fine cast, well-written dialogue and some nice locations.
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN
James Bond: 4
Sir Sean returns once again and this time it truly is his final hoorah in the role. In the end his collaborations with Terence Young are quite rightfully considered to be the gold standard for Bond performances. GF comes right behind that trio and his three swansongs, well, weren’t quite with as much gusto but Sean is charismatic even when he’s on autopilot. Still though, can’t help but think: “You’re too good for this, my dear fellow.”
Bond girls: 3
Villains: 4
Two giants of European cinema here: Klaus Maria Brandauer and Max von Sydow. Needless to say that they are excellent. Underused, but excellent.
Henchmen/women: 3
Barbara Carrera is good, but she’s no Luciana Paluzzi.
Allies: 3
Bernie Casey is a fantastic Felix, one of the best to be honest. Rowan Atkinson, on the other hand, is utterly misplaced.
MI6: 4
While Pamela Salem delivers the weakest Moneypenny, I rather like both Edward Fox and Alec McCowen.
Plot: 2
Rehashed and rather unengaging.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 1
The ‘war game’ isn’t quite the PTS as it functions as the background for the title sequence. Either way it’s pretty bad. Also I hate it when the gunbarrel isn’t used properly, but not being there is even worse.
Sets & locations: 4
Bahamas, South of France and North Africa, that’s not too chabby. I like the Tears of Allah set as well.
Cinematography: 3
Rather poor in places, though Ricou Browning provides the underwater scenes with enough beauty to safe this category.
Pre-title sequence: /
Climax: 4
Rather controversially, I quite like the finale here.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
The fountain pen (two in one year!) and especially the motorcycle deliver the goods properly.
Action: 3
The motorcycle chase and the finale are good, but for the rest it’s a bit too much so-so.
Dialogue & humour: 4
If there is one field at which this film does well, it’s this one: Connery, Brandauer, Fox, Carrera, McCowen and von Sydow interacting with wit.
Music score: 2
It puzzles me how a talented musician like Michel Legrand manages to deliver such an inappropriate score.
Original songs: 2
The title song is rather poor, and while I applaud the inclusion of foreign language songs, just be sure you make a good one.
Costumes & attire: 4
Snobbery: 4
Ian Fleming: 3
Can’t say it doesn’t follow the book, even though Fleming would never have approved of this version.
Total: 65%*
In @Thunderfinger ’s match-up thread, the later Brosnan films can’t seem to win against any of the others. I think their best chance would be against this film. Many don’t include it, while others just don’t like it. So far, it ends up at the bottom of my list, but I did enjoy certain aspects of it nevertheless.
I’m eager to know how TND, TWINE and DAD will fare against it. ;)
Personally, I rank TND and DAD above it.
Always quite liked this one for the villains, the Eiffel Tower stunt and the 80’s sound and vibe. Macnee and Moore have great chemistry too and I love the detective work at the château.
What I didn’t like: the abandoned mine scenes and the fire at city hall drag beyond belief. But nothing beats the embarrassing firetruck chase.
A VIEW TO A KILL
James Bond: 4
Not quite the most athletic performance but the man rocks the St. John Smythe cover, has a great chemistry with Tibbett and shows proper disdain for Zorin.
Bond girls: 3
With Mary Stavin, Fiona Fullerton and Tanya Roberts AVTAK features some stunning blondes. Let’s say those former two largely make up for the irritating screaming of the latter one.
Villain: 4
Deliciously bonkers, hilarious mannerisms and a chuckle in the face of his own demise. Could have done with more screentime though.
Henchmen/women: 4
May Day is a haunting character, though her shift to the good side is equally unforgettable, an impressive final scene that is. Always liked Mortner and Conley too. Controversially Scarpine might be my favourite of the bunch however. Great performance by my fellow Belgian Patrick Bauchau.
Allies: 4
Sir Godfrey has an amazing chemistry with Bond, they make for a hilarious duo. Aubergine is quite funny too, even though, or maybe because, he is an outrageous stereotype. Chuck Lee, on the other hand, is a bit vanilla.
MI6: 3
Fine but no-one really excels this time.
Plot: 3
Not great but I love the detective work in the château and at Zorin’s pumping station.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
My favourite title sequence so far! Love the 80’s vibe, the neon lights and the lasers! Every image also seems to flow on the beats of that great title song. Goosebumps!
Sets & locations: 4
Siberia, Eiffel Tower, a lovely château and the Golden Gate Bridge! That’s impressive. The abandoned mine isn’t though.
Cinematography: 3
Pre-title sequence: 4
Love the ski action in Siberia and actually quite like the Beach Boys track. Underrated pre-titles if you ask me.
Climax: 3
Great location, but a rather stiff fight.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
I, for one, love the iceberg sub. Zorin’s blimp and the Rolls are amazing too. Hate the fire truck though.
Action & stunts: 3
Excellent stunts, but terrible fisticuffs.
Dialogue & humour: 4
In general, the dialogue is great and on more than one occasion it’s very funny. Not so funny is the San Francisco police force, the humour attempts during the fire truck chase and that stupid moment when Bond hits a skyscraper antenna with his groin.
Music score: 4
Love the combination of the traditional orchestra and the electric guitar.
Original song: 5
Duran Duran delivers an absolute belter of a theme song. One of the very best!
Costumes & attire: 2
May Day wears some weird, but not very inspired, stuff and Rog sports some truly misplaced leather jackets which make him look older than when he just wears a dinner jacket. I did spot one great outfit however: Stacey’s elegant attire during the scene when she gets fired. At least she went in style.
Snobbery: 4
Wodka, rather shaken. Best Beluga. And later we get a fine champagne and ditto wine in the Eiffel Tower restaurant. Santé!
Ian Fleming: 3
The film is full of characters Fleming could have invented. The horse race cheating is very Flemingesque too. Knocking cowboy hats off when your hanging from a fire truck ladder isn’t unfortunately.
Total: 73%
Despite obvious flaws, AVTAK has quite a lot going for it. The section from the city hall fire to the flooding of the mine present the film’s weakest moments. All the rest is perfectly serviceable.
Right, three actors done and dusted, three more to go. Finally it’s Timmy time now!
But TLD has a lot more to offer. It’s a well-written atmospheric Cold War spy thriller that mixes both the “Flemingness” of the novel with the imaginative escapism of the EON series. One of the best, no doubt.
THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS
James Bond: 5
Timothy Dalton is James Bond. No-one has, or will, ever come this close to Ian Fleming’s literary character. General audiences might not be aware of such matters, but he’s the connaisseur’s Bond anyway.
Bond girls: 5
Kara Milovy might not be one of those attempts at a “female counterpart of 007”, but she’s not a spy and she doesn’t try to be and it makes her all the more human and likeable. Culturally educated, occassionally brave and naturally stunning.
Villains: 4
Brutish American arms’ dealer Whitaker is ok though not the greatest. Jeroen Krabbé’s Koskov, on the other hand, is one of my favourites. A slimy manipulator, whose rather funny too. An excellent performance and together with complete nutcase Orlov my top choice “most underrated Bond villain”.
Henchmen: 5
Competent and ruthless, Necros is a highlight. Given extra personality via The Pretenders and exploding milk bottles.
Allies: 5
Leonid Pushkin. My favourite ally so far. Add Saunders and Kamran Shah to the mix and you’ve got one of the strongest ally line-ups so far. Can’t say John Terry is the best of Leiters however, though I don’t mind him and think he gets the job done.
MI6: 4
Caroline Bliss is the new Moneypenny and I like her. She digs some Barry Manilow for crying out loud. Last time we get D.M. Freddy too. Thanks for the show, mate.
Plot: 5
A proper spy thriller, with Central European border crossings, Cold War tension and, dare I say, some character development.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
It’s no secret I like this title sequence despite it not being considered one of the best. Just love that revolver shooting Tim’s name into our memories, the girl floating in the water, the sunglasses and that final martini glass shot. Also, Dalton’s gunbarrel is brilliant: the walk and the pose alone tell you this will never happen to any other fellow.
Sets & locations: 5
Gibraltar is spectacular, Bratislava and Vienna ooze Cold War atmosphere, Tangier and the Afghan desert are exotic, with the latter one being beautiful in a Leanesque sort of way.
Cinematography: 5
Example #2, after OP, that the John Glen films do illustrate some stunning cinematography. Again the Central European locations are atmospherically lit, and again the exotic locations are colourful and in this case rather epic too.
Pre-title sequence: 5
How to introduce a new Bond properly. Like this.
Climax: 4
Not the highlight of the film but a good action scene nevertheless.
Vehicles & gadgets: 5
Surely only the DB5 can beat this beauty of an Aston Martin? Might even be my favourite, by virtue of being more unique, now that I think of it.
Action & stunts: 5
Brilliant throughout. Highlights are the PTS, Necros v. Green 4, the Aston chase and the cargo net fight.
Dialogue & humour: 5
Dalton conveys humour excellently by facial expression. I love the man’s subtlety. Furthermore we are treated to fabulous dialogue between Bond, Saunders, Pushkin, Koskov and everyone else really. Best scenes are the ‘stuff my orders’ comment and the Pushkin interrogation.
Music score: 5
John Barry goes out with a bang! One of his best, if not his absolute chef d’œuvre.
Original songs: 5
No less than three (!) great 80’s songs.
Costumes & attire: 5
Timmy sports some great suits throughout this film, with his sniper attire and his Bratislava tram outfit to be amongst the best looking garderobes of the 80’s films.
Snobbery: 5
Nobody will ever make Bond buy a champagne of a questionable brand. Not even for slimy double-crossing manipulators.
Ian Fleming: 5
The examples are legion here, but the most Flemingesque scene in any Bond film might be that phenomenal post-credits sequence of TLD.
Total: 97%
Wow. You're even more enthusiastic about TLD than me. And TLD has been my favourite 007 flick for the last few years.
On this watch-through I realise it's probably due to how committed and captivating Tim is in the role. Short of a few uncomfortable lines (he doesn't do humour well, and doesn't need to), he nails his interpretation and I can't take my eyes off him when he's on screen. Doesn't have the screen presence of Connery or Brosnan but the subtleties of his performance keeps me hooked.
The only parts that are jarring are the Rosika Miklos scene, and while I don't mind the Afghan jail scene it's out of place.
It's not the first time I noticed this but this time it's hit me hard how terrible the cinematography is. One of the worst looking to be brutally honest.