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

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  • JBFan626JBFan626
    Posts: 1,497
    Connery - DN, FRWL, GF, TB, YOLT, DAF (Pretty much all top tier Bond fare undeniable classics)
    Lazenby = OHMSS (Also in the league of Connery Classics)
    Moore - TSWLM, OP (Not <i>as</i> classic as the Connery/Laz run but still up there)
    Tim = TLD (a notch below below Rog)
    Brosnan = GE (a notch below Timbo)
    Craig = Maybe SF (we'll see)

    The obvious pattern is that the films get less and less 'classic' with each actor (though I would say Connery and Laz are about equal). DC has a shot to break that trend I feel with SF. But this could just be a matter of time, like an aged wine. Maybe in 50 years, DAD will be 'classic' but I doubt it.

  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    DaltonCraig007 wrote:
    @0Brady doesn't like Moore and Brosnan, which means he doesn't like 11 of the existing 22 films. That's half the franchise you don't like, Brady... :-/

    I got a friend who hates all of the franchise, yet loves each Bond actor.
  • DoubleOhhSevenDoubleOhhSeven
    edited January 2012 Posts: 1,778
    I'm gonna have to agree with Haphazardstuff's reviews (btw you guys should really check them out) and say Brosnan's the only one who didn't. As @licencetoforum said it's all opinion driven. Here's mine.

    Connery-Take your pick. DN, FRWL, GF, and TB all register as classics to me.

    Lazenby-OHMSS might not have been as well recieved at the time but has aged extreamly well. I think it's safe to say it's a classic.

    Moore-TSWLM is obviously his claim to fame. But I must admit LALD is pretty popular especially amongst casual fans.

    Dalton- As much as I love Dalton I'm not sure either of his films are classics in the public's eyes but TLD definatly is to me as it was the last "classicly made Bond film". Although I like LTK more I wouldn't rank that as a classic Bond film as it's too different.

    Brosnan- None. GE was medicore and the rest sucked.

    Craig- I think alot of people rank CR as the best Bond film since the 60s. I certainly do. A bonofide classic.

    So basically IMO Connery, Lazenby, Moore, and Craig all definatly starred in classic Bond films. Dalton may or may not have and Brosnan did not.
  • KerimKerim Istanbul Not Constantinople
    edited January 2012 Posts: 2,629
    I don't know about that Connery guy, but...

    GL: OHMSS
    RM: TSWLM (I would also argue FYEO & OP)
    TD: LTK (TLD can also be discussed)
    PB: GE
    DC: CR
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited January 2012 Posts: 28,694
    DoubleOhhSeven wrote:
    I'm gonna have to agree with Haphazardstuff's reviews (btw you guys should really check them out) and say Brosnan's the only one who didn't.

    I love Haphazardstuff. Especially his DAD critique.
  • licensetoforumlicensetoforum
    Posts: 371
    Haphazardstuff is great and my definition of classic means for more hardcore fans like ourselves then the general public.
  • DoubleOhhSevenDoubleOhhSeven
    Posts: 1,778
    licensetoforum wrote:
    Haphazardstuff is great and my definition of classic means for more hardcore fans like ourselves then the general public.

    In that case Dalton has done a classic film IMHO. In my eyes Brosnan's the only one who didn't.
  • VirageVirage
    Posts: 1,856
    Define classic: as in the "goldfinger" formula or a Damn good film.
  • licensetoforumlicensetoforum
    Posts: 371
    Virage wrote:
    Define classic: as in the "goldfinger" formula or a Damn good film.

    Damn good film is really subjective and people who are not fans could deem none of the Bond films are classic. I don't know if I would say Goldfinger formula either becuase Dr. No and FRWL really don't follow it and are classics imo, but yes more like that.
  • LiveAndEatPieLiveAndEatPie
    Posts: 101
    I think they all have except for Dalton. Despite my love of Tim, I would define "classic" as a film that stands the test of time and is memorable within the public-eye. GF, OHMSS, TSWLM, GE and CR all have charm, classic elements and timeless stories, unfortunately neither TLD or LTK can claim "classic" status.
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    OHMSS69 wrote:
    I
    Brosnan: Zilch. His films (not one of them) would ever stand out. They don't even stand out among themselves. Brosnan's period was a "safe", by the numbers and "lets cash in on large set pieces, explosions, machine guns, popular actresses of the day". (trends of the 1990's)

    Agree with this. He is the only Bond which doesnt have a classic. GE is formulaic and mediocre.

  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    In MY mind GE is a classic. True its not his best performance but there's a lot that stands out in my mind. Robbie Coltrane, Sean Bean, Isabella, Godfried, Martin Campbell, Joe Don Baker (properly cast), the bungee jump, Tina Turner and the tank chase.

    From a personal perspective its certainly a classic anyway.
  • ShorelineShoreline
    Posts: 251
    How anyone can rank OHMSS as a classic, and exclude the Brosnan era is beyond me.
    GE is most definatley a classic Bond film. TWINE might be too....
    I always find it hard to sit through OHMSS, it`s so dull. Lazenby stank.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Shoreline wrote:
    How anyone can rank OHMSS as a classic, and exclude the Brosnan era is beyond me.
    GE is most definatley a classic Bond film. TWINE might be too....
    I always find it hard to sit through OHMSS, it`s so dull. Lazenby stank.

    Majesty's is a great film. True Laz is a bit meh for the most part but there's John Barry, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Louis Armstrong and some of the best ski scenes in the series.
  • ShorelineShoreline
    Posts: 251
    There are some great things about OHMSS as you mention, but it is not enough to make it a classic. The whole thing is hampered by the terrible Lazenby. And, by the time we get to all the Hilary stuff, it just doesn`t seem to be a Bond film at all. More of a carry on film in places. For me, it`s a real mixed bag, all over the place, and really drags in the middle. Some Bond films do this, but you have lead actors who carry you through. Lazenby never possesed the skill, wit, looks or talent to do this.
    Even Moores lightest episodes where carried through with his natural charm, and knowing humour. I`m sure this has a lot to do with direction also.

    GE even if you don`t like Brosnans take on Bond, has to be considered a classic. It did so much for the franchise at the time. It`s a classic Bond story with classic villains, plenty of nods and aknowledgment to the past, but never afraid of contemporising Bond.
    Brosnan, also, looked like classic Bond.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    I'm not a huge Lazenby fan but I have to agree he was helped out ENORMOUSLY by things around him - something Brosnan wasn't for the most part.

    I think one thing that really gives Majestys heart is the background melody.

    I have to disagree that Majestys doesn't feel like a Bond film - it certainly does. It just scales back on some of the excess. True the pace is slower compared to other films of the series but it works well IMO.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    I'm not a huge Lazenby fan but I have to agree he was helped out ENORMOUSLY by things around him - something Brosnan wasn't for the most part.

    I think one thing that really gives Majestys heart is the background melody.

    I have to disagree that Majestys doesn't feel like a Bond film - it certainly does. It just scales back on some of the excess. True the pace is slower compared to other films of the series but it works well IMO.
  • ShorelineShoreline
    Posts: 251
    The classics for me are...
    Dr No
    FRWL
    GF
    TB
    TSWLM
    FYEO
    LTK
    GE
    TWINE
    CR....maybe. I love it, but I`m not convinced this is classic Bond.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,716
    Well if you look at the general audience, GE is definatly a classic in their mind, and no-one can argue with that.
  • ShorelineShoreline
    Posts: 251
    Never underestimate the general audience. =D>
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    BAIN123 wrote:
    In MY mind GE is a classic. .

    Well, in MY mind it isnt a classic. It has the depth of a puddle and is a series of Bondian tickboxes beloved of the generation who played it as a computer game. In fact, it IS a computer game.
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    actonsteve wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    In MY mind GE is a classic. .

    Well, in MY mind it isnt a classic. It has the depth of a puddle and is a series of Bondian tickboxes beloved of the generation who played it as a computer game. In fact, it IS a computer game.

    I loved GoldenEye 64, too, and granted I would probably call GoldenEye a classic, but don't knock @actonsteve down just because he doesn't agree with you. He and I have just as valid an opinion as you.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    I didn't mean to sound arrogant.
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    BAIN123 wrote:
    I didn't mean to sound arrogant.

    No, you wern't sunshine. We're all just expressing opinions here. I think our passion for our favourite and not so favourite Bond spills over.

    Its better to have an opinion. I have no opinion on Harry Potter because it doesnt enter my orbit.

  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Haha. I guess I'm defensive of that film because I belong to that generation that played on N64.

    I clocked up HUNDREDS of hours with that game over the years.


    Objectively, GE does have it's weaknesses but does have a strong set ofsupporting actors and a real slickness direction-wise.
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    I'll explain to you where I am coming from.

    I am from the generation long before computer games and we had a Roger Moore Bond at the cinema every two years regular as clockwork or you read the books. And when we didnt we had them slowly appear on the TV one by one. So Goldeneye was well after my first.

    I missed Bond for the six years but life had moved on. So when it did come back I was grateful it wasn't an embarassment. But the Dalton films for me had changed the game. It was the Bond of the books. It had an edge and maturity which was a welcome take after the Rog years. GE and those that followed seemed a step backwards to me in 1995. The Roger Moore years were pure entertainment but the Dalton years had set the bar for me.

    GE was likeable and when I left the cinema I thought it was alright but I cant understand the praise it gets. I thought what we had before was better.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    edited January 2012 Posts: 11,189
    I understand what you mean but for me, while I like it, LTK just lacked a certain sense of fantasy. Recently I watched OHMSS and LTK back to back and, while both are more "serious" Bond films, the latter just felt a bit generic a thriller to me. Odd because previously I'd always considered it one of the best. GE, while it's silly in parts, at least has a sense of fantasy Kill doesn't.

    I'd say the major step back was TND.
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    Posts: 12,837
    DaltonCraig007 wrote:
    Well if you look at the general audience, GE is definatly a classic in their mind, and no-one can argue with that.

    exactly. When you look at best bond film polls its always up there with goldfinger and TSWLM, I think it is a classic, and a truly great film.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    edited January 2012 Posts: 4,423
    Poor Tim, as much as I like him, he does not have the mass appeal, unfortunately. Here’s mine;

    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.



    Does anyone watch Pointless? It had a question about Moore Era Bond film, and I think this is what 100 people came up with, when asked to name Moore’s Bond movies, I think;

    LALD
    TMWTGG
    OP
    MR
    Spy
    FYEO
    AVTAK.

    Interesting.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    edited January 2012 Posts: 11,189
    I will say that Dalton certainly deserved a third film. I'm very fond of the film we have but I suspect that, had Dalton starred in it, GE wouldn't have been as successful as it was. Just my gut instinct. Sean and Roger were already quite well established which meant they didn't need to try as hard for their third film. Connery's previous 2 both did rather well at the box office and Russia earned even more than No. Likewise Moore was already well liked in The Saint so both had it relitively easy.

    Craig hit the ground running with CR so he again doesn't need to try as much to get accepted this time round.

    Then again I was too young to be there at the time so I'm no expert.
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