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Has Each Bond Actor Done a "Classic" Bond film?

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  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    Posts: 1,989
    Soundofthesinners wrote:
    Creasy47 wrote:
    Soundofthesinners wrote:
    I don't foresee anything beating Casino Royale for a long time, Craig or not. It took On Her Majesty's Secret Service 37 years to be topped by Casino Royale (I'm 19, I'm just doing that retroactively). I expect a similar gap between Casino Royale and the next film of its caliber. I'm not saying the movies won't be good, of course not, but it will take a lot to beat the (kind of) reboot and the last full adaptation of Ian Fleming.

    And with GE (typically) being the favorite of the Brosnan era for most fans and CR being one of the best in the series for most fans, I think they need to bring back Campbell - if he isn't too old - for the opening of the next Bond actor's film.

    If you figure it will be in about 2020, he'll be 77. That's certainly old, but I'd really hope he could do it. Being the first director since Glen (unless Mendes does Bond 25) to get a hat trick would be special. He's more than earned it, given how amazing GoldenEye and Casino Royale were.

    I hate saying this but I don't think there will be another actor to play Bond after Craig. I think after Craig is done the series will be done as well. Just a feeling, I hope im wrong tho
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @Samuel001, it's a wish of mine. I still say they freeze him and just wake him up every time a new Bond actor is announced.

    @fjdinardo, that won't happen, especially with how popular the series is now.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,835
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Samuel001, it's a wish of mine. I still say they freeze him and just wake him up every time a new Bond actor is announced.
    Press him into continuous service, says I.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    chrisisall wrote:
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Samuel001, it's a wish of mine. I still say they freeze him and just wake him up every time a new Bond actor is announced.
    Press him into continuous service, says I.

    It's the only option, and a definite must.

  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    Posts: 1,989
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Samuel001, it's a wish of mine. I still say they freeze him and just wake him up every time a new Bond actor is announced.

    @fjdinardo, that won't happen, especially with how popular the series is now.

    u never know
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @fjdinardo, technically, I don't, but tell me, why stop a series that has been going on for OVER 50 years during such a successful period of time? Where does it make sense?
  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    Posts: 1,989
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @fjdinardo, technically, I don't, but tell me, why stop a series that has been going on for OVER 50 years during such a successful period of time? Where does it make sense?

    producers get tired of making them and dont want to sell the franchise to someone else they end the series on a high note. All film series come to an end at some point.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @fjdinardo, but you're talking about a series that has been going on for 50 years. This isn't some trilogy that did really well but had to pack up eventually. This is James Bond, who has been around since the 60's in film form.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,835
    fjdinardo wrote:
    All film series come to an end at some point.
    Haha, you are clearly very young!
    :))
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Soundofthesinners wrote:
    RC7 wrote:
    LeChiffre wrote:
    2 out of 3 classics to date aint bad for Dan and QOS is filed under the drawer marked "underrated" imho.

    However you, I, or anyone else may feel about CR and SF, I do think bestowing 'classic' status on them is jumping the gun. They will always be lauded as great films, but in such a canon as Bond I think you have to give the best part of 10-20 years before you can retrospectively and objectively define one as a classic. The only films that are deemed 'classic' within a year or so of release are the ones that truly capture the zeitgeist. I would say CR didn't do this, despite it's success, and while SF performed well at the box-office, it's not held in the same regard as something like TDK, which has pretty much embedded itself as a modern classic, whether people agree with it or not.
    They're classic Bond films, and that's what counts. The Dark Knight is an unqualified classic because it was "of the time".

    In your opinion of course. If this is an exercise in subjectivity then count me in on AVTAK's newly confirmed 'Classic' status. I thought we were trying to determine what are objectively the 'classic' Bond films. There's a clear difference between what we as Bond fans consider a classic and the general public at large consider a classic. While I suspect at least one Craig entry will muscle it's way into the pantheon of fondly remembered Bond movies, I still think it's too early to consider it fact.


  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,356
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Samuel001, it's a wish of mine. I still say they freeze him and just wake him up every time a new Bond actor is announced.

    I know what you mean. I'd like that too and it may one day be one of the great 'what if' questions.
  • WillyGaloreWillyGalore
    edited November 2013 Posts: 6,396
    fjdinardo wrote:
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @fjdinardo, technically, I don't, but tell me, why stop a series that has been going on for OVER 50 years during such a successful period of time? Where does it make sense?

    producers get tired of making them and dont want to sell the franchise to someone else they end the series on a high note. All film series come to an end at some point.

    This has to be one of the most ludicrous posts I've read in a very long time. Where the hell is the evidence for this? It's already been going 50 years, profit margins of billions of dollars. If you really believe that EON and Sony are just gonna say "You know what, we're all kind of bored of this. Yes, yes we know that audiences are still turning up in droves to watch the latest film but it's all rather dull isn't it. Let's all do something different".

    Do you have the slightest clue as to how business works? Do you think the Board of Directors at McDonalds says "That's it, we're shutting down the business. We're all jolly well fed up of making burgers and a s*** load of money to boot".

    It is this simple: When audiences decide to stop going to watch Bond films at the cinema, then the series will end.
  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    Posts: 1,989
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @fjdinardo, but you're talking about a series that has been going on for 50 years. This isn't some trilogy that did really well but had to pack up eventually. This is James Bond, who has been around since the 60's in film form.

    I know and I love this film series but IMO I just don't see them continuing after Craig. Its just my feeling
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited November 2013 Posts: 41,011
    @fjdinardo, well, I'm heavily leaning on the fact that you're absolutely wrong. If they were going to end it on a high note, they would've ended it after Connery's first few films.

    Look at CoD: it should've ended years ago, but why doesn't it? Because it still manages to churn out billions of dollars. Look at Bond: it churns out millions (and sometimes billions) of dollars: the studio is happy, the fans are happy, there's absolutely no reason to stop whatsoever.
  • fjdinardofjdinardo
    Posts: 1,989
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @fjdinardo, well, I'm heavily leaning on the fact that you're absolutely wrong. If they were going to end it on a high note, they would've ended it after Connery's first few films.

    Look at CoD: it should've ended years ago, but why doesn't it? Because it still manages to churn out billions of dollars. Look at Bond: it churns out millions (and sometimes billions) of dollars even day: the studio is happy, the fans are happy, there's absolutely no reason to stop whatsoever.

    I never said I wanted it to end I just said I don't see them continuing after Craig. Just a feeling that I hope Im wrong about.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @fjdinardo, I didn't say you said that. I'm re-reading what I said to you, I don't think I hinted at that.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    Poor Tim, as much as I like him, he does not have the mass appeal, unfortunately. Here’s mine, trying to be objective;


    From Russia With Love
    Goldfinger
    You Only Live Twice
    Live and Let Die
    The Spy Who Loved Me
    GoldenEye

    And probably, Casino Royale, given time.
  • WalecsWalecs On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    Posts: 3,157
    Connery: From Russia With Love
    Lazenby: OHMSS
    Moore: For Your Eyes Only
    Dalton: Both his entries
    Brosnan: GoldenEye
    Craig: Casino Royale and Skyfall
  • SMERSHedSMERSHed
    edited February 2014 Posts: 38
    Connery- FRWL or GF. Both of these are classic films beyond the franchise.
    Lazenby- OHMSS. His film is a classic but not because of his him, I'm afraid. I'd chalk it up to the Piz Gloria plot, the love story and definitely the ending. It's a classic, to me, for how unique it is in the series.
    Moore- TSWLM. A memorable and iconic film for all the right reasons. Fantastic from the PTS onward.
    Dalton- TLD or LTK. Both are classic films and are as excellent as when they were first made. Dalton, obviously, took the series to new heights and it took the producers almost twenty years to catch up with what he did.
    Brosnan-GE. Whether you like Brosnan or not, this is a great Bond film. It's got a great theme song, beautiful Bond girls, a memorable Bond villain, and plenty of action. An entertaining and iconic film.
    Craig- SF. Beautifully made film that, like Connery's best, holds up outside the franchise. It's Craig best performance to date and the Bond film that I am sure will be the standard bearer for years to come.
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    Posts: 541
    There's a difference between a great film and a classic.

    A classic is not just a great movie. It a movie that has significant impact on the culture. It influences the film industry or is at least a pivotal moment for the franchise.

    You can enjoy a movie, but that doesn't mean it's a classic. Conversely, a movie could be a classic, even though you don't personally enjoy it.

    The classics:
    Dr. No
    From Russia with Love
    Goldfinger
    You Only Live Twice
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    The Spy Who Loved Me
    Goldeneye
    Casino Royale
    Skyfall
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    edited October 2021 Posts: 541
    While both of Dalton's films are above average imo, neither are classics.

    They're well-made and Bond fans enjoy them, but they sold poorly, nearly made the franchise irrelevant and had very little cultural impact.

    I know some people here want to include a Dalton film on the list to represent him, but be honest.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,624
    Be interesting to see who considers NTTD a classic, though its probably too early!

    For me
    Connery- FRWL/ GF
    Lazenby- OHMSS of course!!
    Moore- LALD
    Dalton- TLD/LTK (Yep, full house!)
    Brosnan- Nope, not a one!
    Craig- CR/QOS
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    Posts: 1,130
    I’d say yes

    Sean Connery-Goldfinger. I think all his EON bond tenure is considered a classic but Goldfinger it’s his most iconic bond film.
    George Lazenby -On her Madgesty secret service
    Roger Moore-The spy who loved me
    Timothy Dalton-License to Kill
    Pierce Brosnan -Goldeneye
    Daniel Craig Casino Royale
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,835
    If I were to be absolutely, brutally honest leaving out my personal preferences, I'd have to say only Connery made classics.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,525
    Unfortunately, neither of Dalton’s films are very much universal classics, even though they are very good. Otherwise, I’d say one could argue for sure that the others all did. Connery you could for any of the first few, Lazenby’s OHMSS obviously, for Moore TSWLM, Brosnan GE, and Craig’s CR and SF.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,835
    You *could* make the argument that movies most closely resembling the novels are classic. Then that would be DN, FRWL, GF, TB, TLD, LTK & CR....
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,171
    chrisisall wrote: »
    You *could* make the argument that movies most closely resembling the novels are classic. Then that would be DN, FRWL, GF, TB, TLD, LTK & CR....
    Then you could include OP too that list. The short stories, of OP and Property Of A Lady are both used as part of the story. ;)
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    chrisisall wrote: »
    You *could* make the argument that movies most closely resembling the novels are classic. Then that would be DN, FRWL, GF, TB, TLD, LTK & CR....

    You forget the most faithful of them all.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,171
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    You *could* make the argument that movies most closely resembling the novels are classic. Then that would be DN, FRWL, GF, TB, TLD, LTK & CR....

    You forget the most faithful of them all.

    OHMSS
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    edited October 2021 Posts: 14,691
    Every actor's first film, third film (except TWINE), FRWL and maybe a few others.
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