Connery's career is stuck in reverse

Moonraker 5

OK, OK...so the headline might be a little misleading, as it's a sarcastic swipe at the actor from the 'Restless Native' column in the Ecosse section of The Sunday Times by Scottish journalist Allan Brown. Not averse to having a humourous swipe at Connery when the situation arises, this one is based on the former Bond star's appearance in a new Citroën advert.

For some reason, this particular column doesn't appear on the online version of Restless Native, but it is in the paper, honest - I didn't make it up!

And the ad itself can be seen here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q7edm5fkD1E

The same ad also airs in France, but substitutes the C5 for the C6 and is slightly longer. (Have you changed? "It's the car!" ) )

Connery's career is stuck in reverse

The Sunday Times November 05, 2006
Allan Brown

A new television ad for the Citroën C6 uses computer generated effects to send our very own Sean Connery 44 years back in time over the length of a car journey, to deposit him as he was in his James Bond debut, Dr No. Starting off as his 76-year old self, Connery guns the Citroën down a mountain road, with the memory of The Rock falling away with every yard travelled. A light corner brings him closer than strictly comfortable to the days of Robin and Marian, but Connery gathers speed and pulls away as though Murder on the Orient Express never happened. Disaster is looming, however: Shalako, his 1968 attempt to play a hero of the old west. The hydraulic suspension and 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel engine, though, carry Connery past that grisly horror. From there on in, the dark and brooding Connery has a trouble-free ride ahead of him, from his work with Hitchcock on Marnie, through Goldfinger and into the safe destination of Dr No. Forgetting to apply the handbrake could take him back to his 1959 Disney flick, Darby O’Gill and the Little People – but that’s another advert entirely.

Lady Rose

I thought he had retired ! ) Obviously the script and director where offering something new (or shed loads of cash)

Joking aside, I saw an article about this in another mag yesterday. Its a shame its not shown in the UK ( apparently we don't buy a lot of C6's). You can never get too much Bond.

Loeffelholz

Very cool!

Barbel

I think the middle-aged Connery in the ad is based on his appearance in the film Cuba. Very funny ad!

Moore Not Less

If I ever left home and drove to work in a Citroen C6 then I wouldn't make it. By the time I was half way there I would be too young to hold a license. By three quarters distance I would be too small to drive any car.

Moonraker 5

Lady Rose wrote:

( apparently we don't buy a lot of C6's).

Which is a real shame. I've always been a fan of the quirky big Citroëns and the C6 is a stunning looking car - and a great drive if The Clarkson* is to be believed. Far more charm (albeit typically Gallic temperamental, most likely! ) and originality than the German execs it competes with.

Actually, now that I remember, after test driving the C6 on Top Gear Clarkson commented "Drive round in this, and people will think you're a spy or an assassin." I wonder if Citroën were listening?!?

(Also, is it just me, or is his "C'est la voiture!" in the French version as camp as a row of tents?? ) )

Sir Miles

Great adverts and a great find - thanks M5.

Lady Rose

Moonraker 5 wrote:

I've always been a fan of the quirky big Citroëns and the C6 is a stunning looking car - and a great drive if The Clarkson* is to be believed.

If The Clarkson is to be believed, (and I believe everything he says) it knocked the spots of a Range Rover.

Predator

Very nice find M5 ... a rather endearing ad. Just a shame they can't lipsync him better.

It won't sell a Citroen to me though