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What Was the Last Grand Bond Film?

Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
edited June 2013 in Bond Movies Posts: 2,483
By grand, I mean a film that has a broad, expansive scope. A film that has majesty, romance, glory and grandeur, preferably with a sweeping, majestic score? Think Cecil B. DeMille.

I nominate TLD. It hits all the right notes for a truly grand Bond film. And I sincerely hope we see another grand Bond film very soon.
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Comments

  • timmertimmer
    edited June 2013 Posts: 4,622
    I am tempted to say DAD, as it did have broad scope (well kind of, maybe big scale as opposed to scope), however somehow I don't think you had such a film in mind.

    Thus I will retreat to Moonraker, although both TLD and GE I think are worthy of consideration.
  • PerdoggPerdogg
    Posts: 686

    I would say Moonraker.

    Forget about that for the future. Hollywood is in trouble and don't expect a Bond film before 2016. Scripts are going to be based on cost not creativity.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited June 2013 Posts: 18,281
    Licence to Kill - it had the great tanker chase finale set pieces.

    or

    GoldenEye or Tomorrow Never Dies - large set pieces make them epics.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    GoldenEye. Large scope, romantic relationship with the Bond girl. Everything that makes a Bond movie incredible.
  • Aziz_FekkeshAziz_Fekkesh Royale-les-Eaux
    Posts: 403
    There's a bunch of ways to look at this.

    TLD is a fine nomination considering it was the last film of the "classic" era to use a Fleming title, the old crew, etc.

    GE embraces the Bond traditions of old, but also regurgitates a lot of them.

    TND is an underrated retro homage to the YOLT-style film, chock full of big action, bit characters, a big story, etc.

    DAD is an OTT film, but is also very cheaply made and not "epic" per se.

    CR is an epic nearly on OHMSS level, re-imagining the Bond mythos within a modern context and is directed and shot with great aplomb by Campbell and Meheux. Also has what is is many ways the Bond romance of the series, book or film.

    SF covers a lot the same ground as CR, but Mendes direction of an actually small storyline and Deakins' cinematography is what makes the film "grand".
  • QsAssistantQsAssistant All those moments lost in time... like tears in rain
    Posts: 1,812
    I would say either GoldenEye or Casino Royale.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    CR without any doubt. The Bahamas, Montenegro, Italy, the luscious backdrops of said locations and the luxurious lavishness if the hotel/casino. Then we have Madagascar and Miami also at least 3 huge action set pieces with other sprinkles here and there. The film is exotic, has panache and ATMOSPHERE.
  • myworldisenoughmyworldisenough
    Posts: 1,143
    doubleoego wrote:
    CR without any doubt. The Bahamas, Montenegro, Italy, the luscious backdrops of said locations and the luxurious lavishness if the hotel/casino. Then we have Madagascar and Miami also at least 3 huge action set pieces with other sprinkles here and there. The film is exotic, has panache and ATMOSPHERE.

    Can't disagree with that. CR gets my vote for most recent outing to have the ingredients decribed.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    myworldisenough wrote:
    doubleoego wrote:
    CR without any doubt. The Bahamas, Montenegro, Italy, the luscious backdrops of said locations and the luxurious lavishness if the hotel/casino. Then we have Madagascar and Miami also at least 3 huge action set pieces with other sprinkles here and there. The film is exotic, has panache and ATMOSPHERE.

    Can't disagree with that. CR gets my vote for most recent outing to have the ingredients decribed.

    I concur.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,804
    TND, all the way.
  • jolearonjolearon
    Posts: 645
    I agree, TND
    chrisisall wrote:
    TND, all the way.

  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    The last grand Bond film? CR.
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Posts: 4,521
    Twine.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Tomorrow Never Dies
  • LicencedToKilt69007LicencedToKilt69007 Belgium, Wallonia
    Posts: 523
    Tomorrow Never Dies. And before it, GoldenEye.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,184
    Casino Royale, and if not CR, then GoldenEye, and if not GE, then OHMSS.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    I don't know about this one. It's all a matter of opinion. Skyfall ticks a number of the 'grand' boxes for me, it all comes down to taste.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Samuel001 wrote:
    I don't know about this one. It's all a matter of opinion. Skyfall ticks a number of the 'grand' boxes for me, it all comes down to taste.

    Yes, I was thinking of adding it myself as it too has an epic scale, much more than the other Craig Bond films IMHO.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.

    What about MR space marines battle or are you trying to forget about that one?!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,804
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.
    Okay, that's your definition of grand. Mine is lots of locations, pretty women, big action, the 007 theme as often as possible and cool gadgets.
    ;)
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.

    What about MR space marines battle or are you trying to forget about that one?!

    MR is the epitome of 'grand' film making. The scale of it is still impressive IMO.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    RC7 wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.

    What about MR space marines battle or are you trying to forget about that one?!

    MR is the epitome of 'grand' film making. The scale of it is still impressive IMO.

    Indeed, it surely delivers 'grandness' better than any other.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    edited June 2013 Posts: 15,125
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.

    What about MR space marines battle or are you trying to forget about that one?!

    I dislike MR, but yes, it may have been the last "grand" Bond movie. I don't think they will go back any time soon, for better or worse. I'd love a TB-like Bond movie again, however I don't miss sci-fi fest like MR or YOLT.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.

    What about MR space marines battle or are you trying to forget about that one?!

    MR would qualify were it not for a superabundance of silliness in the first half of the film. IMO, a grand film is one where the tone is quite serious throughout.

  • timmertimmer
    edited June 2013 Posts: 4,622
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    IMO, the only truly grand Bond films are TLD, Spy, TB, YOLT and maybe OHMSS.

    The others mentioned, IMO, don't feature a clash between large opposing military or paramilitary forces, they lack the sweeping score, or they contain too much whimsy/silliness.
    So the great grand Bond films in order are TB, YOLT, OHMSS, Spy and TLD.
    I can roll with that, although if MR is disqualified for silliness, how does Spy qualify?
    eg. I think the Rog and Anya van-hi-jinks with Jaws at the pyramids, is the ultimate in Rog-Bond groaner moments.

  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Spy has moments of silliness, no doubt, but I personally consider it an altogether more serious film than MR.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Excuse me but why is TLD 'grand'?

    If certainly does not belong with TB, YOLT and TSWLM which most people seem to be regarding as grand.

    If TLD is 'grand' then so is FRWL.

    Does grand mean big sets, epic scope and scale and massive set pieces? TLD hardly fits this model does it?

    I prefer to thing of 'grand' more in the David Lean sense ie storytelling on a large scale with moments of drama, intrigue, romance and excitement. By that definition TLD qualifies but CR does everything TLD does but more recently hence I would regard it as the last grand Bond film.

    There's a case to be made for SF I suppose (certainly in terms of scope and cinematography) but without a proper heroine it doesn't quite tick the right boxes for me to be considered in the grand category.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    The Afghanistan segment--no small portion of the film, mind you--is the single grandest segment in any Bond film. The vastness of an ancient landscape, the scene of many epic clashes throughout history, the battle between the Muhajadin and the Russians, Barry's soaring score, the heroism of Bond, Kamran Shah and Kara, the intrigue, it's all just perfect.
  • timmertimmer
    edited June 2013 Posts: 4,622
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    Spy has moments of silliness, no doubt, but I personally consider it an altogether more serious film than MR.
    Well no doubt, Spy is a grand sweeping Bond film, from the opening snowscape to the pyramids, beautifully shot underwater footage, the lush Mediterranean coastlines and open ocean, not to mention epic set pieces. And I do like the Marvin Hamlish score as well, especially during the Lotus-sub underwater battle.

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