Which Bond actor delivered their first line the best?

edited November 2011 in Actors Posts: 1,310
As the title suggests: which Bond actor do you think performed the best opening line? This could be based on the actual line itself, or the delivery...anything! As a refresher, here are each of the Bond's first lines.

Sean Connery: "I admire your courage, Miss....?"

George Lazenby: "Good morning. My name's Bond, James Bond! Miss uh....?"

Roger Moore: "Not married by any chance are you?" (Technically, Moore's first line was in Italian, but for English's sake, we'll go with this one!)

Timothy Dalton: "I need to use your phone!"

Pierce Brosnan: "Beg your pardon. Forgot to knock."

Daniel Craig: "M doesn't mind you earning a little money on the side, Dryden. She just preferred if it wasn't selling secrets."

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Comments

  • Has to be Connery, his first 3 films were very close to the Bond character written by Flemming and he performed very well.

    Lazenby although looked the part and played the character well, was too cheesy in places.

    Moore was too tongue in cheek.

    Dalton's part on the boat didn't come across too well for me, although Licence to Kill is one of my favourite films, and the Bond character was pretty much spot on.

    Brosnan was far too swarve and cheesy, and now seems very dated.

    And Craig, well, I think he did well in Casino Royale with the trouble maker and 'things Bond would laugh at' side, but what's with the put on posh accent in that openning scene? "I nneeewwwww where you keep your gun". What the hell is that all about, just speak like you do for the rest of the film!

  • Posts: 1,310
    Has to be Connery, his first 3 films were very close to the Bond character written by Flemming and he performed very well.

    Lazenby although looked the part and played the character well, was too cheesy in places.

    Moore was too tongue in cheek.

    Dalton's part on the boat didn't come across too well for me, although Licence to Kill is one of my favourite films, and the Bond character was pretty much spot on.

    Brosnan was far too swarve and cheesy, and now seems very dated.

    And Craig, well, I think he did well in Casino Royale with the trouble maker and 'things Bond would laugh at' side, but what's with the put on posh accent in that openning scene? "I nneeewwwww where you keep your gun". What the hell is that all about, just speak like you do for the rest of the film!

    Welcome to the Mi6 Community, @Geo_Bay!

    It seems that the only Bond you really enjoy is Sean Connery based on your descriptions! This particular thread is for who gave the best 'first line', as mentioned above, but its great to see your opinions!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Has to be Connery, his first 3 films were very close to the Bond character written by Flemming and he performed very well.

    Lazenby although looked the part and played the character well, was too cheesy in places.

    Moore was too tongue in cheek.

    Dalton's part on the boat didn't come across too well for me, although Licence to Kill is one of my favourite films, and the Bond character was pretty much spot on.

    Brosnan was far too swarve and cheesy, and now seems very dated.

    And Craig, well, I think he did well in Casino Royale with the trouble maker and 'things Bond would laugh at' side, but what's with the put on posh accent in that openning scene? "I nneeewwwww where you keep your gun". What the hell is that all about, just speak like you do for the rest of the film!

    Welcome to the Mi6 Community, @Geo_Bay!

    It seems that the only Bond you really enjoy is Sean Connery based on your descriptions! This particular thread is for who gave the best 'first line', as mentioned above, but its great to see your opinions!
    He is speaking the truth. Especially concerning Moore.
  • Posts: 1,310
    He is speaking the truth. Especially concerning Moore.
    Oh, I never disagreed Brady ;-)
  • KerimKerim Istanbul Not Constantinople
    Posts: 2,629
    1. Craig
    2. Connery
    3. Dalton
    4. Brosnan
    5. Moore
    6. Lazenby
  • I quite like PB's first line - now this is a surprise. All set for Connery...nah I'll stay with Connery. First film Bond, Best film Bond, Best Bond ever in the history of ever and ever.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited September 2011 Posts: 13,355
    Connery, Moore and Craig all did well in my opinion as did Lazenby. Not too keen on the other two.
  • Posts: 2,107
    1. Daniel Craig: "M doesn't mind you owing a little money on the side, Dryden. She just preferred if it wasn't selling secrets."

    2. Sean Connery: "I admire your courage, Miss....?"

    3. Pierce Brosnan: "Beg your pardon. Forgot to knock."

    4. George Lazenby: "Good morning. My name's Bond, James Bond! Miss uh....?"

    5. Timothy Dalton: "I need to use your phone!"

    6. Roger Moore: "Not married by any chance are you?"





  • What's interesting to me is how each actor's first line, and their delivery of it, is indicative of their characterization of Bond. So while there are actors whose version of Bond I don't rate at all, they all did a good job of putting their "stamp" on the character.

    I would probably have to give the edge to Connery's for it's effortlessness. Craig's was also good for his delivery but also for the fact that it delivers a key piece of information about the plot and setting as opposed to only identifying the actor as Bond.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited September 2011 Posts: 15,718
    This will surprise many here, but I always thought Craig made the best delivery of his first line. I'd put Connery 2nd, Moore 3rd, Brosnan 4th, Lazenby 5th, Dalton 6th.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Connery's was the best. The style, the setting and the effortless cool and dangerous charm. Connery is unmatched by a land slide.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,718
    Connery's was the best. The style, the setting and the effortless cool and dangerous charm. Connery is unmatched by a land slide.
    The iconic part of his first scene was his "Bond, James Bond" line, which isn't the thread's subject, as it wasn't his first line, but his 2nd. Which is why I put Craig at the top.
  • However I feel about his role as 007 personally I felt inclined to say Craig straight away, it seemed to me he wasn't even in Prague or anywhere near it, unless they've had some new buildings done but the way it was spoken just seemed Bond-like if that makes sense, that pre credits sequence was a real letdown but the subsequent film did (for the most part) componsate for any lacklustre starts

    I feel sorry for Brosnan being introduced to a watching world as James Bond making an impromptu appearance in a toilet block and offering a lame one liner

    Connery always seems the epitome of cool when you first see him in Dr No, but had less to say that Craig so I went with the most recent

    Dalton, mostly unspoken for The Living Daylights teaser, gets to say a few words on a yacht in Gibraltar but despite being my favorite 007 that entrance is nowhere near my best

    Moore, awaken by M at his home with a 'missing' Italian agent, and 'Not married by any chance', I thought that was well said, the subsequent arrival of Moneypenny and the magnetic watch demonstration are always good to watch

    Lazenby, for his one film, did OK, With his 'Good morning, I'm Bond etc', but probably falls last on his list, it just seemed a little pretentious the way he said his first lines. I would of liked to have seen him in at least another Bond feature.

  • Posts: 7,653
    Connery forever
  • Posts: 5,745
    Just throwing this out there, Brosnan's first (though unscripted) line was that terrible voice over for the heavy breathing on top of the Russian Dam. "HUH, HUH, HUH, HUH"
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited September 2011 Posts: 28,694
    Hmmmm...who would I choose...DUH!

    I love Connery's intro for what comes after his first line(you all know what I'm talking about) and the mystery of who Bond is. We only see small shots of Connery's hands, then BANG the best Bond ever right in front of us delivering the best line of the series FIRST(you all still know what I'm talking about). It cannot be beat in space or time. Connery's intro is unique. You won't see Lazenby's, Moore's, Dalton's, Brosnan's, or Craig's intros being played in celebration of film's best lines. But Connery's intro, that spectacular line that started it all will live on forever. And that's why Connery wins top spot for best intro. Not only for his opening line, but the famous line after(you still know what I'm talking about).
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Connery's was the best. The style, the setting and the effortless cool and dangerous charm. Connery is unmatched by a land slide.
    The iconic part of his first scene was his "Bond, James Bond" line, which isn't the thread's subject, as it wasn't his first line, but his 2nd. Which is why I put Craig at the top.
    I rate connery for the fact that we never saw his face and he was murdering Sylvia at CdF and in an almost patronising way says his first line of admiring her luck. The name introduction was just the cherry on a very icy cake.
  • PrinceKamalKhanPrinceKamalKhan Monsoon Palace, Udaipur
    edited September 2011 Posts: 3,262
    Definitely

    Sean Connery: "I admire your courage, Miss....?"

    but I'll give honorable mention to this

    George Lazenby: "Good morning. My name's Bond, James Bond! Miss uh....?"

    Dalton's and Moore's deliveries were fine enough but their first lines as the character weren't as iconic as the first two Bonds.
  • Definitely connery, but craig reminds me of connery so there both equal
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    1. Dalton
    2. Connery
    3. Moore
    4. Brosnan
    5. Lazenby
    6. Craig
  • Posts: 4,762
    Brosnan and Craig's first lines were just too epic for words! I love the delivery on those two; they're 100% Bond.
  • Posts: 1,492
    Dans lines were best - flippant, sarcastic and cruel. Pure Bond.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,266
    interesting topic. Must say though I prefer Conner's first line .The setting, the introduction, and line all fit in perfectly. Lazers was just concocted and therefore allready failed. Which had othing to do with his delivery, it was the line itself. As with Timothy's and Brosans.Too much 'thought up'. Only Craigs comes close. It makes sense, fits the situation and is well delivered. Pity SC's setting was just that bit better.
  • seans was by far well if i may say so, epic they show him for the first time the music as well was good and then theres sylvia.

  • Posts: 19,339
    1.Craig
    2.Connery
    3.Brosnan
    4.Moore
    5.Lazenby
    6.Dalton
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,304
    As the title suggests: which Bond actor do you think performed the best opening line? This could be based on the actual line itself, or the delivery...anything! As a refresher, here are each of the Bond's first lines.

    Sean Connery: "I admire your courage, Miss....?"

    George Lazenby: "Good morning. My name's Bond, James Bond! Miss uh....?"

    Roger Moore: "Not married by any chance are you?" (Technically, Moore's first line was in Italian, but for English's sake, we'll go with this one!)

    Timothy Dalton: "I need to use your phone!"

    Pierce Brosnan: "Beg your pardon. Forgot to knock."

    Daniel Craig: "M doesn't mind you owing a little money on the side, Dryden. She just preferred if it wasn't selling secrets."
    Connery, followed closely by Craig.

    But if we're talking about the last line of their first scene, I'd go with Moore or even Lazenby.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    Craig's i would say is the best for me... because it perfectly sets the tone of his portrayal of Bond..

    Brozzer's would be second.
  • Posts: 1,856
    Craig, I don't know why, I just do..
  • Connery by a mile, Brosnan a distant second with Lazenby not far behind.
  • Posts: 1,894
    Connery and Craig were the best.

    Dalton was okay, but it was a poor first line.

    The Brozzer was goofy, so he falls in around Moore.

    Lazenby was just horrible. Way too chipper for Bond - he comes across like that person who is waaaay too cheerful for 4am and wonders why you don't share his enthuisiasm.
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