Who Do You Think is the Best James Bond

[Arfa2stroke]

Connery...goldfinger
Dalton ...living Daylights
Moore...Spy who loved me
Craig...skyfall
Brosnan..goldeneye

And just a nod to the very first Bond...Barry Nelson

Shame that Eon productions never made the book version of the spy who loved me, I really enjoyed it but apparently Ian Fleming hated it and sold the rights in name only under the proviso that the storyline was never adapted.

[Davey Dykes]

From Russia with love just starting on ITV now if you've bugger all better to do. Me, I'm fucking off to watch it for a couple of hours.

[Chorley]

Depends what you mean by "The best Bond?"
 If you mean the closest to Ian Fleming's literary depiction of him as a moody, detatched maverick and a cold, ruthless killer, then I'd say Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig.

[sadolddeejay]

If only they'd made Carry On Spying! Then again, Octopussy.

That was a joke, right?

External Link/Members Only

[sparkus]

That was a joke, right?

External Link/Members Only

I honestly didn't know! Only Carry On Columbus was made in my lifetime.

OK then, best and worst Bond theme? 'Live and Let Die' works as a song in its own right, most do not (eg. Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner).

Worst: Sam Smith

[sadolddeejay]

I honestly didn't know! Only Carry On Columbus was made in my lifetime.

OK then, best and worst Bond theme? 'Live and Let Die' works as a song in its own right, most do not (eg. Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner).

Worst: Sam Smith

Oh, you young 'uns! I saw Carry on Spying in the cinema when I was around 10 years old.

For me, the two best themes are Nobody Does It Better from The Spy Who Loved Me - terrific song sung by one of the best voices, Carly Simon, and For Your Eyes Only, Sheena Easton, the only singer with a face beautiful enough to appear in the opening credits of a Bond film.

I kinda like Live and Let Die, but ultimately it's a mish mash.

[tesla]

best Bond theme is the only one without any singing  O.H.M.S.S. ....John Barry at his best

[sparkus]

Oh, you young 'uns! I saw Carry on Spying in the cinema when I was around 10 years old.

For me, the two best themes are Nobody Does It Better from The Spy Who Loved Me - terrific song sung by one of the best voices, Carly Simon, and For Your Eyes Only, Sheena Easton, the only singer with a face beautiful enough to appear in the opening credits of a Bond film.

I kinda like Live and Let Die, but ultimately it's a mish mash.

I didn't even know it was from that!

'Beautiful Stranger' by Madonna?

[Xtro]

I honestly didn't know! Only Carry On Columbus was made in my lifetime.

OK then, best and worst Bond theme? 'Live and Let Die' works as a song in its own right, most do not (eg. Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner).

Worst: Sam Smith

Best themes....
You can't beat a bit of Matt Monro, and that isn't Marilyn's brother sparkus, it's spelt different for a start!

From Russia with Love - External Link/Members Only

Also, Shirley Bassey, both Goldfinger - External Link/Members Only
and Diamonds Are Forever (1987 Live in Berlin) - External Link/Members Only

[sadolddeejay]

I didn't even know it was from that!

'Beautiful Stranger' by Madonna?

Suspecting a wind up now. Beautiful Stranger was used in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

[sadolddeejay]

best Bond theme is the only one without any singing  O.H.M.S.S. ....John Barry at his best

I would have totally failed that in a pub quiz. I think only of We Have All the Time in the World when I think of OHMSS. But that was the closing credits of course.

I think the main theme has been reused as incidental music in other Bond films?

[sparkus]

Suspecting a wind up now. Beautiful Stranger was used in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

But better than her actual Bond song of 'Die Another Day'

[sparkus]

I would have totally failed that in a pub quiz. I think only of We Have All the Time in the World when I think of OHMSS. But that was the closing credits of course.

I think the main theme has been reused as incidental music in other Bond films?

It's an audio representation of the whole franchise really.

And clearly ripped off by the Milk Tray advert: External Link/Members Only

[Chorley]

I always get enjoyment listening to the old favourites like Goldfinger, Live and Let Die etc, and I love OHMSS, but one that I've always thought was underrated - much like the film itself -  is License to Kill by Gladys Knight. External Link/Members Only

[Xtro]

I always get enjoyment listening to the old favourites like Goldfinger, Live and Let Die etc, and I love OHMSS, but one that I've always thought was underrated - much like the film itself -  is License to Kill by Gladys Knight. External Link/Members Only

She's still going strong, aged 74 (2018) -
Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill (Proms in Hyde Park 2018) - External Link/Members Only

[sparkus]

I always get enjoyment listening to the old favourites like Goldfinger, Live and Let Die etc, and I love OHMSS, but one that I've always thought was underrated - much like the film itself -  is License to Kill by Gladys Knight. External Link/Members Only

Agreed, it still had an arresting quality to it, back when Bond themes still did.

Still going strong, even without The Pips.

[sadolddeejay]

Agreed, it still had an arresting quality to it, back when Bond themes still did.

If it's an arresting quality you're after, what about Dixon of Dock Green, The Sweeney, The Bill, Starsky and Hutch, Cagney and Lacey...

[sparkus]

If it's an arresting quality you're after, what about Dixon of Dock Green, The Sweeney, The Bill, Starsky and Hutch, Cagney and Lacey...

The Bill's was peerless: External Link/Members Only
Though beautifully satirised: External Link/Members Only

Classic law and order 80s style doesn't come anymore banging and hypnotic (it's like an unknown Orbital track) than The Equalizer though: External Link/Members Only

[Chorley]

The Bill's was peerless: External Link/Members Only
Though beautifully satirised: External Link/Members Only

Classic law and order 80s style doesn't come anymore banging and hypnotic (it's like an unknown Orbital track) than The Equalizer though: External Link/Members Only

Written by Stewart Copeland of The Police 

[mr.bluesky]

If it's an arresting quality you're after, what about Dixon of Dock Green, The Sweeney, The Bill, Starsky and Hutch, Cagney and Lacey...

Not as memorable as the original theme tune to Hawaii five O. A classic, or the theme tune to the tv series Mission Impossible.

[sparkus]

Not as memorable as the original theme tune to Hawaii five O. A classic, or the theme tune to the tv series Mission Impossible.

It's funny when DJs play it as the last song of the night to clear the dance floor and it has the opposite effect.

[mr.bluesky]

It's funny when DJs play it as the last song of the night to clear the dance floor and it has the opposite effect.

A recent poll by Radio Times readers put Sean Connery at no 1 (not surprisingly) and Timothy Dalton at no 2 which is a surprise considering he only made 2 James Bond films.

[Waterhouse]

I'll be in the tiny minority here, but Sir Roger was/still is my favourite 007.  Just love the one-liners and his super suave delivery.  Fave Bond film is probably Live And Let Die... fave quip from the Opening of Octopussy when he lands the micro BD-5J, rolls into the petrol station and says “Fill her up please.”  Priceless.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

I'll be in the tiny minority here, but Sir Roger was/still is my favourite 007.  Just love the one-liners and his super suave delivery.  Fave Bond film is probably Live And Let Die... fave quip from the Opening of Octopussy when he lands the micro BD-5J, rolls into the petrol station and says “Fill her up please.”  Priceless.

Hidden Image/Members Only

Nobody could raise an eyebrow like Roger  Moore 

[Xtro]

I also hear Durex are to make James Bond condoms..... and they should help you roger more!   

[Chorley]

I also hear Durex are to make James Bond condoms..... and they should help you roger more!   

FFS! 

[Waterhouse]

I also hear Durex are to make James Bond condoms..... and they should help you roger more!   

Hidden Image/Members Only

 

[Absolutman]

Sean Connery was the real deal and so far the best of the bunch. Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan were good but too sophisticated to believe the beauties would drop their knickers for them as easily as for Connery. Would have interesting to see Hugh Grant or Liam Neeson play Bond.

[mr.bluesky]

Sean Connery was the real deal and so far the best of the bunch. Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan were good but too sophisticated to believe the beauties would drop their knickers for them as easily as for Connery. Would have interesting to see Hugh Grant or Liam Neeson play Bond.

Hugh Grant as James Bond  he can only play one part. That of a foppish upper class English twit. If you want to kill off the James Bond franchise Grant would be the ideal choice. You might as well pick Rowan Atkinson to play the part. ( I know he's already appeared in a Bond film)  You could just imagine Hugh Grant in the opening scene " mmmy names BBBBond JJJames BBBBond. 

[Waterhouse]

Would have interesting to see Hugh Grant or Liam Neeson play Bond.
[/quote]

 

[Chorley]

I've seen a few of the screen tests for actors who didn't get the part.
Sam Neil's I thought was very credible.
The James Brolin one was awful and he didn't even attempt to do a British accent. 

[mr.bluesky]

I've seen a few of the screen tests for actors who didn't get the part.
Sam Neil's I thought was very credible.
The James Brolin one was awful and he didn't even attempt to do a British accent. 

Have to agree about Sam Neil a very accomplished actor (Dead Calm, Event Horizon) etc   

[Chorley]

Have to agree about Sam Neil a very accomplished actor (Dead Calm, Event Horizon) etc   

Yeh, he would've been good. He was like a hybrid of Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan.

[Happylad]

The original James Bond as portrayed by Ian Fleming was a Scot, so it has to be Sean Connery just to get the accent right.  But I don`t think James Bond was ever a Scottish Nationalist.

[Waterhouse]

Yeh, he would've been good. He was like a hybrid of Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan.

Luke Evans could be a good replacement for Craig in my view.  Another Taff to join the ranks alongside Timothy Dalton, who I also thought was a decent Bond - his two outings were much edgier and lot more serious than his predecessor (still my fave though).

[scutty brown]

Joanna Lumley would have made a good Bond  (yes I know she's in one of the films)
Her stint in "New Avengers" showed she had what it took

Hot lesbian spy action would have been good - imagine her and Tatiana Onatopp together

[Chorley]

I watched For Your Eyes Only yesterday.

First time I've seen it since probably the late 80's and of course in parts it's dated and a bit silly but it stands up well TBH. Certainly better than Moonraker!

Good old Rog' looks pretty good for 54, there are some big stunts - the cliff one during the climax is epic-the Bond girl is beautiful, but also an actual competent person, and it's actually a proper, serious, gritty-for Roger Moore at least - spy story.

You could easily picture it being Timothy Dalton's debut film.

[mr.bluesky]

I watched For Your Eyes Only yesterday.

First time I've seen it since probably the late 80's and of course in parts it's dated and a bit silly but it stands up well TBH. Certainly better than Moonraker!

Good old Rog' looks pretty good for 54, there are some big stunts - the cliff one during the climax is epic-the Bond girl is beautiful, but also an actual competent person, and it's actually a proper, serious, gritty-for Roger Moore at least - spy story.

You could easily picture it being Timothy Dalton's debut film.

Moonraker  was easily the worst Bond film made. It was cashing in on the sci fi boom at that time when films like Star Wars was popular.

[Gordon Bennett]

I booked advance tickets for next Bond film on the day they pulled it. I booked tickets at 2pm-ish then blow me the producers pulled the film at 4-ish. Was first week of March and way before UK was taking Covid seriously - they were quite prescient in their actions really.
I just like the films, all the actors feel kind of right at that point in time and I honestly couldn't rank them. As for a woman or black bloke playing Bond, what a load of bollocks..... It'd be world war 3 if a bloke was cast as Mary Poppins or a white person was cast as Shaft so it should cut both ways.

[Chorley]

I booked advance tickets for next Bond film on the day they pulled it. I booked tickets at 2pm-ish then blow me the producers pulled the film at 4-ish. Was first week of March and way before UK was taking Covid seriously - they were quite prescient in their actions really.
I just like the films, all the actors feel kind of right at that point in time and I honestly couldn't rank them. As for a woman or black bloke playing Bond, what a load of bollocks..... It'd be world war 3 if a bloke was cast as Mary Poppins or a white person was cast as Shaft so it should cut both ways.

I'd agree. Ian Fleming created Bond based on his own experiences in Naval Intelligence and no doubt the character was a composite of him and his colleagues at the time. What it absolutely was not was a woman, or a black/mixed race person.

[Waterhouse]

I booked advance tickets for next Bond film on the day they pulled it. I booked tickets at 2pm-ish then blow me the producers pulled the film at 4-ish. Was first week of March and way before UK was taking Covid seriously - they were quite prescient in their actions really.
I just like the films, all the actors feel kind of right at that point in time and I honestly couldn't rank them. As for a woman or black bloke playing Bond, what a load of bollocks..... It'd be world war 3 if a bloke was cast as Mary Poppins or a white person was cast as Shaft so it should cut both ways.

Couldn't agree more.  I'm preparing for the woeful day when Bond is Jamelia Bond, a half muslim, half black lesbian woman with a partner and an adopted teenage kid who's also gay.

[mr.bluesky]

Couldn't agree more.  I'm preparing for the woeful day when Bond is Jamelia Bond, a half muslim, half black lesbian woman with a partner and an adopted teenage kid who's also gay.

A bit like doctor who played by a woman  It  just doesn't seem right.

[robsmith149]

Moonraker  was easily the worst Bond film made. It was cashing in on the sci fi boom at that time when films like Star Wars was popular.

Quantum of solace was much worse and so was Diamonds are forever.

[Marmalade]

Connery...goldfinger
Dalton ...living Daylights
Moore...Spy who loved me
Craig...skyfall
Brosnan..goldeneye

And just a nod to the very first Bond...Barry Nelson

Shame that Eon productions never made the book version of the spy who loved me, I really enjoyed it but apparently Ian Fleming hated it and sold the rights in name only under the proviso that the storyline was never adapted.

Connery was the closest to the books. The best James Bond was Ian Fleming’s character!

It’s a bit like Dr Who... they start messing with an established creation and forget the woke brigade are neither the majority or the paying customers. I find the prospect of the next Mission Impossible far more interesting that the ‘next’ 007. I think I’m well past caring whether ‘James Bond’ will be a black female transgender obese economic migrant with marks on his neck where a police officer asked to see his I.D. 

[sparkus]

Connery was the closest to the books. The best James Bond was Ian Fleming’s character!

It’s a bit like Dr Who... they start messing with an established creation and forget the woke brigade are neither the majority or the paying customers. I find the prospect of the next Mission Impossible far more interesting that the ‘next’ 007. I think I’m well past caring whether ‘James Bond’ will be a black female transgender obese economic migrant with marks on his neck where a police officer asked to see his I.D.

Be even better if this mythical woke entity was directed by Ken Loach

[Marmalade]

Be even better if this mythical woke entity was directed by Ken Loach

Absolutely! BAFTA bait!

It would be a hit like the Loch Ness Monster: everybody “thinks it’s great” (but nobody’s ever seen it). 

Just don’t ask Ricky Gervais for comment. 

[Animalbeast]

If you are going down that road of his description, James Bond was Scottish, so the only real James Bond was the
Sir Thomas Sean Connery

For me Sean Connery is the greatest James Bond... but the Scottish thing was added into the books after he Sean Connery stared as Bond.

[NIK]

Reckon I'd have been the best.  I did have a prossy say to me once,  'You are my James Bond.'
But then I discovered she said that to all the boys. 

[sparkus]

Reckon I'd have been the best.  I did have a prossy say to me once,  'You are my James Bond.'
But then I discovered she said that to all the boys. 

I actually don't get why men of a certain age harbour James Bond fantasies (I don't mean you here!), I mean outside of film releases there's a sizeable branded market of expensive watches and grooming products.

I'd be more into an espionage film franchise/concept if the lead went around not fighting and just shagging prostitutes.

[billybobsmith]

I like Timothy Dalton the best.  Though he had the right mix of seriousness and fun, and things seemed grittier with him.

Roger Moore, whilst suave, was there more for comic relief in places, but some good movies.

Sean Connery, not too bad, but his Bond movies seem dated now.

Pierce Brosnan.  Not a major fan as too stiff and pretty much playing Pierce Brosnan (the same character in all his movies).

Daniel Craig.  Can't stand him as Bond.  The movies have lost that certain something for me.

George Lazenby.  Never really seen his one movie.


Expecting Ruby Rose or Kristen Stewart as the next Bond