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MI6: Best Bond Film Results

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Comments

  • SirHenryLeeChaChingSirHenryLeeChaChing
    Posts: 3,494
    Disagree with the MR placement. It should have been #21 just in front of DAD.
  • 00130013
    Posts: 1,817
    I like the results, not so different from my ranking. Although I've prefered that DAD would be the last. MR has very strong visual and musical qualities.
  • Rich_Altman007Rich_Altman007
    Posts: 2
    With all this love being tossed OHMSS' way (including rating it fourth all time in the series) I figured maybe it was time to watch it again. So I did. And while it is not as bad as I remembered it, it is pretty awful. Which is a shame because it could have been really good. Lazenby -- despite all attempts to show him as a rockin' fist fighter -- just came off as a bland, almost soft Bond. He was also not all that comfortable tossing off the quips that had already become a trademark of the character...with the possible exception of "this never happened to the other fellow." So what was wrong with OHMSS in my opinion? Glad you asked. First...no character chemistry development between Bond and Tracy, despite the fact that she was to be the love of his life. She was an attractive, spoiled brat socialite with suicidal instincts...what attracted an accomplished womanizer and confirmed bachelor like Bond to resign his single status and implicitly, his 00 status as well. Nothing in this movie bonds (pun intended) those two characters together. Now add in Telly Savalas as Blofeld...preposterous casting. He played it like a slightly demented, leering version of Kojak sans the lollipop and never, ever fooled the audience (or at least this audience member) into thinking he was watching Blofeld and not Savalas. And as far as continuity of the series goes, considering Blofeld and Bond came face-to-face in the previous installment (YOLT) and presuming that the head of SPECTRE would know what his chief nemesis looks like from their repeated run-ins in three of the four previous films, the premise that Bond would go unrecognized is ridiculous. A wink to the new actor is one thing (and that was accomplished in the already mentioned pre-title sequence quip). A major plot element is far from a wink. Finally, as if to galvanize this Bond's transition to family man, even the Aston Martin went from a sports car to a sedan. There were of course elements that were good...the action sequences...Gabrielle Ferzetti as Tracy's father, even Diana Rigg as Tracy...and Isle Steppat's Irma Bunt was suitably snarly if not quite up to the Rosa Klebb standard of unattractive female villainy established by Lotte Lenya. With a better script and direction, even George Lazenby would have made a more credible Bond than was evidenced in this film. Finally, I do not wish to deny Bond's humanity by keeping him the "the cold bastard" another M accuses him of being in another film with another Bond. Fleming's book version of OHMSS clearly sets the stage for that and the grief that ensued following Tracy's murder. The film, sadly, did not.
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    edited October 2012 Posts: 4,043
    Can't say I'm unhappy as my top 5 would be

    1. OHMSS
    2. CR
    3. FRWL
    4. TLD
    5. LTK

    It just go to show as much as I can't fathom others love for GE our friend above can't see what I see in OHMSS, us Bond fans make up a varied bunch and guess that's what has kept the series alive for so long there is a Bond for everyone.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Shardlake wrote:
    Can't say I'm unhappy as my top 5 would be

    1. OHMSS
    2. CR
    3. FRWL
    4. TLD
    5. LTK

    It just go to show as much as I can't fathom my love for GE our friend above can't see what I see in OHMSS, us Bond fans make up a varied bunch and guess that's what has kept the series alive for so long there is a Bond for everyone.

    Indeed. As the years go on all the bases are being covered. He have a slightly serious, yet fun Bond, then a hard edged romantic Bond, then an era of tongue in cheek Bond, then back to a mature Bond with dark undertones, then back to a mix of serious and tongue in cheek, and now back once again to a darker Bond. So many interpretations and you must assume Bond is like an ice cream shop. So many different flavors, everyone can pick one. And if that kind of variability keeps the series alive, that's great.
  • ChrisNolan4bond24ChrisNolan4bond24
    Posts: 3
    Good choice of top 5 which actually mirrors mine.

    I've been a bond fan since my parents took me to the cinema to see Moonraker in 1979. I will defend Casino Royale being number one, it's the bond film I always wanted to see.

    The book/story is really strong, the director is superb (Goldeneye also in the top 5), taking it back to basics was spot on (although I would have gone one further and re-booted the series as a period piece in the era they were written in) and Craig is (by far) the best actor there has been in the role.

    Such a shame QOS had no plot (due to writers strike as I understand it) but I'm very hopeful for Skyfall (the theme is fantastic which is a good start).

    Prior to CR my favorite was Goldfinger, great book/story, action, cast, pace, music and the blueprint for the rest of the series. Had Connery stared in OHMSS I think this would be most people's number one.

    Just missing my my top 5 was 'For Your Eyes Only'. Change the pre-titles sequence and the Maggie joke at he end and you have what I think was Roger Moore's best film.

    Worst is Die Another Day by a country mile.
  • ElipsisElipsis
    Posts: 62
    Moonraker would have made it into my top ten.
  • SirHenryLeeChaChingSirHenryLeeChaChing
    edited October 2012 Posts: 3,494
    No doubt OHMSS would be #1 with Connery in the role. That is, if he took it seriously.

    MR and DAD still the worst of the bunch by two country miles. The only two times I was thoroughly embarrassed to be a Bond fan.
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Have to say I find CR being at no.1 absurd. And GE at 5 is just offensive. These rankings don't really correllate with my views.
  • JamesPageJamesPage Administrator, Moderator, Director
    edited October 2012 Posts: 1,380
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    Just how are these results calculated exactly?

    Give the article a re-read, and let us know if you have any questions. There aren't too many words.
    Just because your personal opinions do not match the average of 15,000+ other fans does not mean the process is flawed.

  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,186
    I am very pleased with the results. Would have ranked GE higher myself, but it made the top 5 so that's okay for me. I'm slightly more upset over MR finishing last, behind the likes of TMWTGG and AVTAK, but hey, a large crowd voted and so I guess the poll came out fairly convincing.

    Excellent job, @JamesPage!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Getafix wrote:
    Have to say I find CR being at no.1 absurd. And GE at 5 is just offensive. These rankings don't really correllate with my views.

    Then they should be changed immediately, just so you are happy. Get on it MI6, @Getafix is not amused! 8-|
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,186
    Right guys, let's not throw away quality posts to settle matters that cannot be settled.

    O - P - I - N - I - O - N

    It spells 'opinion' and sounds a lot like onion. And like onions, opinions can be good and they can smell. They induce flatulence and bad breath as well, but the blood pressure benefits from them. So, when you feel flatulence coming up or when you're going to address the rest of us with a foul breath, please visit the bathroom, then go to sleep, brush your teeth in the morning, and then return all freshened up for a neutral, light response to the list of Bond films. And remember, no matter how much wood you throw on the fire, what's done is done. The votes are in.

    Wherever your favourite Bond film ended up in this list, it's your number 1, which means it's on the top of your list. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the only thing that counts?

    Why would we suddenly behave like kids debating over who's their favourite Power Ranger? We're better than that. Comment all you like, just play it nice, keep it fair, be grown-up and decent about it and learn to accept the truth: It's not your way or the highway.

    Thank you all for being such wonderful troopers! :-)
  • SmithersSmithers Bandit Country
    Posts: 48
    I wasn't suprised by this survey and on the whole agree with it. What is interesting is that the films that score higest are the ones with real story lines.
    I am of a generation that grew up with bond. He is only 3 screen years old than me and so it is natural for me to choose SC as the main man. However, even I have to admit that CR was a terrific film on all accounts and realistically made as much of an impact as Dr No made back in '62.
    The best thing about the results however, is it is a great discussion forum as you can never please everybody all of the time!
  • ChrisNolan4bond24ChrisNolan4bond24
    Posts: 3
    Darthdimi. If there was a like button I would have pressed it. When it comes to anything there are two categories, things that give you goose bumps and things that are techincally the best. So for bond Casino Royale is technically (for me) the best but when bond falls out of the the plane in Moonraker or when I hear space march I get goosebumps. At the end of the day it's about the diversity of our opinions and in some ways I was gutted that the masses shared my top five! One thing we all have in common is we all love Bond enough to comment on a forum, so I'll
    drink to that, shaken not stirred please.
  • EllipsisEllipsis
    Posts: 20
    Shardlake wrote:
    Can't say I'm unhappy as my top 5 would be

    1. OHMSS
    2. CR
    3. FRWL
    4. TLD
    5. LTK

    It just go to show as much as I can't fathom my love for GE our friend above can't see what I see in OHMSS, us Bond fans make up a varied bunch and guess that's what has kept the series alive for so long there is a Bond for everyone.

    Pretty much the same as me as my top 5 but the order varies from film to film....I'd put in LaLD in there as well, probably equal to TLD.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I hope we can all agree that the red power ranger is unequivocally the best.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,978
    The survey was obviously meant for fun, and to ease the curiousity of those who questioned what the average 'best Bond films' were. No need to get furious over it, it was all in good fun, and like @Dimi said: our lists are what matter most to us.
  • KerimKerim Istanbul Not Constantinople
    edited October 2012 Posts: 2,629
    Goldfinger and Spy are way too high and OP and LTK are way too low. Otherwise, the rankings seem good.

    I agree with CR being #1.
  • OHMSS69OHMSS69
    edited October 2012 Posts: 2,341
    I agree with most of the list. I always felt that GE is Brosnan's best Bond but I would not rank it higher than Dalton's films.
  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    Well now I've seen it all......ranking On Her Majesty's Secret Service above GoldenEye. Dear mercy....
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    I would never put Casino Royale as #1 Bond entry since movies began, I think From Russia With Love for one, is a better release, and there would be other names to add to that, even The Living Daylights or Dr No, so can't go along with that

    OHMSS at #4?, OK, it's a good time tested Bond film, and Lazenby did a good job, but the highest I could put it would be 7 or 8 at best

    and then I saw Moonraker bottom of the pile, and kind of lost interest. I think the more people unfairly berate it, the more it gives in to submission, and it's no way the worst Bond movie on that list, that is a load of.. chicken litter

    Lo and behold, it has Goldfinger at #2.. !

    Maybe not the most accurate rankings you could ever hope to see
  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    Oh I forgot! Having Goldfinger at the number 2 position is an utter disgrace. 22 is more like it!
  • Rich_Altman007Rich_Altman007
    Posts: 2
    OK...having had my long-winded say on why I do not like OHMSS and seeing how highly it is thought of by many of the posters here, I would like to know what you all find so appealing about the movie. Why do you rate it so highly amongst the others in the series?
  • SJK91SJK91
    edited October 2012 Posts: 1,310
    I've spooled through the whole list once again, this time looking for some truly blasphemous results and the best one I can think of is Dr. No being #9 (and thus being beaten by TSWLM). Other that that, I can live with all of the other minute differences this list has from my own.

    Overall a fair, and very accurate list me thinks.
  • ChrisNolan4bond24ChrisNolan4bond24
    Posts: 3
    In reply to Rich_Altman007. OHMSS makes my personal top 5 for a number of reasons;

    It has a great story adapted from one of (if not) the best books.
    Diana Rigg & Telly Savalas
    Soundtrack, John Barry it has best. Opening theme, We have all the time in the world etc..
    Ski chase and car chase sequences.
    Tragic Ending.

    As for Lazenby his performance is fairly flat but retains a certain edge and still seems like Bond (he looks like the 007 you imagine from the book).

    Whereas the Dalton' films suffer (in my view) because of his performance. Although a much better actor he had no edge to him and portrayed him completely wrong. Bond needs to be arrogant, a womaniser and a killer. Whenever I watch Dalton's films it's like watching a great bond story without bond in it.

    Still at least they never cast James Brolin that would have killed the franchise (until the next re-boot).

  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Remove CR and GE from the top five and it begins to make a lot more sense. MR at the bottom is surprising. John Barry, Ken Adam and Sir Rog's input mean it has to be higher IMO.
  • Gustav_GravesGustav_Graves
    Posts: 11,119
    Getafix wrote:
    Remove CR and GE from the top five and it begins to make a lot more sense. MR at the bottom is surprising. John Barry, Ken Adam and Sir Rog's input mean it has to be higher IMO.

    Please do not forget: Year after year new fans are added to the 'Big Bond Nerd Database' ;-). And usually these fans are young with a capital 'Y', probably aged 20 or less. I cannot blaim them for voting out the older and better Bond classics and exchanging them for the last three Bond flicks.

    And as Bond has become such a big institution with no clear end in sight, try to foresee the year 2062 by which then probably Bond 38 is in production, in which my son-in-law will be casted as the first Dutch Bond actor. It is at this stage that the first 10 Bond films probably started to look too bloody ancient for all these Bond newbies alive in 2062 :-).
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    I know. I'm justing stating my old crusty's view.

    But the old ones ARE better...
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Gustav_Graves wrote:
    Getafix wrote:
    Remove CR and GE from the top five and it begins to make a lot more sense. MR at the bottom is surprising. John Barry, Ken Adam and Sir Rog's input mean it has to be higher IMO.

    Please do not forget: Year after year new fans are added to the 'Big Bond Nerd Database' ;-). And usually these fans are young with a capital 'Y', probably aged 20 or less. I cannot blaim them for voting out the older and better Bond classics and exchanging them for the last three Bond flicks.

    And as Bond has become such a big institution with no clear end in sight, try to foresee the year 2062 by which then probably Bond 38 is in production, in which my son-in-law will be casted as the first Dutch Bond actor. It is at this stage that the first 10 Bond films probably started to look too bloody ancient for all these Bond newbies alive in 2062 :-).

    Please don't generalize here. I could probably outmatch you on film trivia from the 40s and 50s. Just because someone is young doesn't mean they don't know a classic film.
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