Do you think all six of the Connery Bond films are worth owning???

JohnNintendoNerdJohnNintendoNerd Lake Elmo, MinnesotaPosts: 48MI6 Agent
Because personally I think You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever were Sean Connery's weakest Bond films. I don't know about you but I find YOLT: The Movie to be a bit bland and boring. Whenever I'm watching YOLT, I start to yawn and I begin to look as tired as Sean Connery did when he was on the set of YOLT in Japan.

DAF didn't fare much better with me. In YOLT, Sean Connery looked tired and it seemed like he was sleep walking through much of the film making process but in DAF, Connery looked like he was gonna drop dead from exhaustion. Also I haven't read the YOLT and DAF novels yet but the film versions were so bad that I'm not sure that I want to.

But DN, FRWL, GF, & TB were awesauce in my humble opinion.
"Your orders were to shoot that sniper!"

"Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That woman didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead, tell M. what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it."
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Comments

  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    I would agree that YOLT and DAF are weak films (YOLT is my personal least favourite in the Bond canon) but I couldn't imagine leaving any Bond film out of my collection. As a Bond fan I think you simply have to own them all! :))
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    I agree with Golrush. Some films are better than others, but I would want all in my collection without any question.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I'm agreeing too, Sure DAF & YOLT are the weakest of SC Bonds but they are still IMHO great movies.
    With YOLT the amazing Ken Adam sets, John Barrys Music and The introduction Of Blofeld which is now a movie Icon,everyone everywhere wanting to do a villian pretends to be stroking a cat, Dr Evil included. :)) sure it has its faults but a great way to pass a couple of hours.
    DAF, A great script full of LOL One-liners,Connery playing it like an old Professional,and once again those fantastic sets and Music.
    To a younger audiance the pacing may seem slower but if you compare them with the action/thriller movies of the time they were very fast paced.
    I don't watch them that often myself, but i couldn't imagine my collection without them -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • JADE66JADE66 Posts: 238MI6 Agent
    Because personally I think You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever were Sean Connery's weakest Bond films. I don't know about you but I find YOLT: The Movie to be a bit bland and boring. Whenever I'm watching YOLT, I start to yawn and I begin to look as tired as Sean Connery did when he was on the set of YOLT in Japan.

    DAF didn't fare much better with me. In YOLT, Sean Connery looked tired and it seemed like he was sleep walking through much of the film making process but in DAF, Connery looked like he was gonna drop dead from exhaustion. Also I haven't read the YOLT and DAF novels yet but the film versions were so bad that I'm not sure that I want to.

    But DN, FRWL, GF, & TB were awesauce in my humble opinion.

    YOLT and DAF are certainly weak films and I'm not a fan of either. That said, don't ignore the novels they are based on. While the novel Diamonds Are Forever was not one of Fleming's strongest it has some great scenes with Felix Leiter(a very different Felix from the movie version) some wonderful locations and tense action scenes. You Only Live Twice, the novel, is absolutely brilliant and one of Fleming's best.
    It is also the last novel Fleming would complete before his death. The Man With The Golden Gun was completed by his publishers.
    The novels and films are very different creatures. Don't rule out the one because you don't like the other.

    I have all the Bond films in my collection. The collection would not be complete without them. And weak or not, tired or not, I always enjoy Connery. ;)
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    I second JADE66's comment - definitely don't let the movie versions stop you from the reading the novels of DAF and YOLT. The latter could not be any more different in tone from the film version, and DAF is good even though I consider it one of the weaker Fleming efforts.
  • Q and MQ and M IrelandPosts: 171MI6 Agent
    dont forget never say never again!
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    If you don't own ALL of Connery's Bonds, then you don't have a James Bond film collection. Period! If you ask me, Connery's presence alone makes them all worth owning.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Barry NelsonBarry Nelson ChicagoPosts: 1,508MI6 Agent
    I have (VHS & DVD) and will own them all (BluRay), with the exception of NSNA, which in my world is not an offical , or very good, Bond film.
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    I do think that CR67 and NSNA are optional. I bought them for interest's sake. I never re-watch them though..
  • thesecretagentthesecretagent CornwallPosts: 2,151MI6 Agent
    It's not a collection if it's incomplete. I personally hate Moonraker, but it's in there with all the others...
    Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:

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  • JohnNintendoNerdJohnNintendoNerd Lake Elmo, MinnesotaPosts: 48MI6 Agent
    It's not a collection if it's incomplete. I personally hate Moonraker, but it's in there with all the others...

    Do you know anybody who goes through your collection film by film and picks Moonraker out of the line-up because he or she generally enjoys that film?
    "Your orders were to shoot that sniper!"

    "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That woman didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead, tell M. what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it."
  • mrbain007mrbain007 Posts: 393MI6 Agent
    I've never even seen NSNA 8-). I'd say if ur a Bond fan YOLT is good. Its enjoyable in a silly way, plus it has Donald Plesanence which is always good. I like the volcano set piece :p
  • Mike ZMike Z San Francisco, CAPosts: 43MI6 Agent
    mrbain007 wrote:
    I've never even seen NSNA

    funny how many people on this board claim that. I always thought it held its own against the Moore films of the era.
  • Le SamouraiLe Samourai Honolulu, HIPosts: 573MI6 Agent
    I used to own all the Bond films on VHS. Got rid of all of them when the DVDs were released. There are a handful of Bond films I didn't pick up on DVD for the simple reason I don't think they are particularly good films... and yes, YOLT and DAF are among the ones I never bothered to purchase.

    I'm not a collector or a completist. For me, there's no point in owning movies I will seldom if ever watch. I'd rather dedicate my money and shelf space to films I truly love.
    —Le Samourai

    A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
    Agent In Training
  • jeffchjeffch Posts: 163MI6 Agent
    The only Bond film I'd never buy is DAD. I just refuse, lol.

    YOLT certainly isnt Connery at his best, but its still an iconic bond movie and a must own.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I agree - NSNA is at least as good as practically any Roger Moore Bond, and better than most of them.
    Mike Z wrote:
    mrbain007 wrote:
    I've never even seen NSNA

    funny how many people on this board claim that. I always thought it held its own against the Moore films of the era.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • WadsyWadsy Auckland, New ZealandPosts: 412MI6 Agent
    1. From Russia With Love
    2. Dr No / Goldfinger
    3. You Only Live Twice
    5. Thunderball
    6. Diamonds Are Forever

    I love all Connery's films except TB and DAF. Both of them suck in my opinion. TB was bland, and DAF was not only bland but just crap on a plate.
    1. FYEO 2. OHMSS 3. LTK 4. FRWL 5. TLD 6. TSWLM 7. AVTAK 8. GF 9. MR 10. TB 11. OP 12. SF 13. DN 14. SP 15. LALD 16. GE 17. CR 18. YOLT 19. TWINE 20. TMWTGG 21. NTTD 22. TND 23. QOS 24. NSNA 25. DAD 26. DAF 27. CR '67

    1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Lazenby 5. Craig 6. Brosnan
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Erm, don't buy anything you don't want. Simple as that, surely.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    Erm, don't buy anything you don't want. Simple as that, surely.

    That is the most sensible bit of consumer advice I've seen on the internet in a long time. Nice one, Napoleon Plural! {[]
  • JohnNintendoNerdJohnNintendoNerd Lake Elmo, MinnesotaPosts: 48MI6 Agent
    Wadsy wrote:
    I love all Connery's films except TB and DAF. Both of them suck in my opinion. TB was bland, and DAF was not only bland but just crap on a plate.

    It's funny that is exactly how I feel about YOLT and DAF. Diamonds Are Forever was bland IMHO, and You Only Live Twice was not only bland but to quote you, Wadsy, it was "just crap on a plate."
    "Your orders were to shoot that sniper!"

    "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That woman didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead, tell M. what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it."
  • thesecretagentthesecretagent CornwallPosts: 2,151MI6 Agent
    It's not a collection if it's incomplete. I personally hate Moonraker, but it's in there with all the others...

    Do you know anybody who goes through your collection film by film and picks Moonraker out of the line-up because he or she generally enjoys that film?

    No. If they did I'd shoot them in the face...
    Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:

    http://apbateman.com
  • JohnNintendoNerdJohnNintendoNerd Lake Elmo, MinnesotaPosts: 48MI6 Agent
    Do you know anybody who goes through your collection film by film and picks Moonraker out of the line-up because he or she generally enjoys that film?

    No. If they did I'd shoot them in the face...


    Why? Isn't the entire Moonraker movie just as boring as the beginning of the Moonraker novel? (I'm talking about the daily routine that Bond has to go through after the training exercise.)
    "Your orders were to shoot that sniper!"

    "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That woman didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead, tell M. what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it."
  • WadsyWadsy Auckland, New ZealandPosts: 412MI6 Agent
    Lets see, regarding Connery's six.

    Dr No was very good. The film may be very bland compared to the two that came directly after it, but Connery was even amazing in his debut performance as Agent 007. Dr No is worth owning, it was the first James Bond movie, the locations were neat, nice Bond girl in Honey Ryder, nice one-liners from Connery and yes despite the plot being very low key, it worked. Dr No was a success and and earned positive critical acclaim which led to the sequel.

    From Russia With Love. Well what can I say, it is by far the best Sean Connery Bond film. It outdoes Dr No in every way possible, which is what you'd call a rare sequel that surpasses that of the original (who I am kidding, James Bond has many superior sequels, this is just one of many). This is one of my favourite Bond films, amazing Bond girl in the gorgeous Tanya, nice & unique locations in Istanbul, Yugoslavia and Venice. The plot was incredible, all action scenes were outstanding, the fight sequences superb, nice ending and a great theme song. Connery's performance was still at his best.

    Goldfinger is too, a great film and I have to point out that it is a bit overrated, but still a winner in my books. This would be my second favorite of the Connery Bond films, and although my reasons for it being less than FRWL due to the downgrade in the quality of locations, and a far less interesting Bond girl in Pussy Galore, it was very impressive. Yeah, I really did not like Bond in Kentucky, which is really Goldfinger's only visible flaw. I reckon they got a bit lazy here.. Moving on, GF features a fantastic car chase sequence, an excellent villain in Goldfinger and then there is of course the wicked Oddjob. I also disagreed with the gas being released near Fort Knox, and all those people just dropping as if they were dead.. Unrealistic much. That aside, it was a great film, and another wicked Connery performance.

    Thunderball is where it goes downhill, and I'd say as far as me hating the movie. I hate this film, honestly. Connery's performance was probably the best aspect, but I found the plot to be boring, Bond girls, villain in Largo and all the rest to be too bland. The action scenes were considerably weak compared to the previous two films, and yeah, it really seemed as if the audience was looking for another Goldfinger, having had this directly after. They would wound up disappointed, as I know I was. One other good thing to point out were the improvement in locations, OK that was a positive, but the positive aspects don't come out too well against the negatives. Thunderball in my opinion is one of only TWO Connery Bond films that I would not recommend anyone owning, unless you're a die hard fan and feel the need to have every Bond adventure.

    You Only Live Twice. OK, here it goes. I've seen all the opinions said about this film and frankly, I have to disagree. I thought YOLT was a lot of fun, and quite the impressive installment. It was a significant improvement over TB, but I found it to be weaker than the first three. A few flaws to point out are: Sean Connery - Yes, he was starting to get sick of the role, you could tell. That high quality Connery feel included in DN, FRWL and GF didn't exist so much here. At this point it was like he was making a normal performance, possibly bland and not putting in the effort. Other flaws include the death of Aki - replaced by one of the worst Bond girls in Kissy, film became boring once Blofeld appeared with a bland ending, weak beginning (took ages to become an interest) and a couple other minor issues. The fact is, YOLT is a good Bond film, and I believe it is worth owning, but it doesn't stand out whatsoever. It's just a Bond adventure of an above average rating.

    Diamonds Are Forever was and I quote "crap on a plate". TB and YOLT might have been on the weak side, but that's nothing compared to what we got here. A bored Sean Connery returned, replacing Lazenby who quit the role after OHMSS (which in my eyes could possibly be the best Bond film). Diamonds was supposed to be a direct sequel & revenge story following the death of Tracy Bond at the end of the last film, but instead we get ... "crap on a plate". Everything reeked about DAF, the acting, the direction by Guy Hamilton, the cast in which Blofeld was played abominably by Charles Gray, terrible Bond girl with awful lines, an over campy and ridiculous feel to it, an awful Felix Leiter, Connery looking old, and tired.. The plot was so tired and bland, and you get all these cringing moments. It sucked that Sean Connery had to go out on a 70's disgusting rehash of the 60's classics. This is Connery's worst Bond film, Bond performance and the second-worst Bond film overall, only succeeding DAD, while directly behind TMWTGG. This is the other Connery Bond should remain on the shelves, where it belongs.
    1. FYEO 2. OHMSS 3. LTK 4. FRWL 5. TLD 6. TSWLM 7. AVTAK 8. GF 9. MR 10. TB 11. OP 12. SF 13. DN 14. SP 15. LALD 16. GE 17. CR 18. YOLT 19. TWINE 20. TMWTGG 21. NTTD 22. TND 23. QOS 24. NSNA 25. DAD 26. DAF 27. CR '67

    1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Lazenby 5. Craig 6. Brosnan
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    YOLT the novel is nothing like the film. Read it, it's one of Fleming's best.

    And you can have whatever films you want in your set, it's your set is what counts. :007)
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Some other factors however; the first three are a different ratio and less panoramic. Good if you have the old standard shaped TV (though that's unlikely)... the cinematography improves from TB onwards. DAF and YOLT are great fun but more family viewing where you can have a laugh; DAF is only okay 'if you like laughing' as the old joke goes.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Blood_StoneBlood_Stone Posts: 184MI6 Agent
    You Only Live Twice was over the top and Diamonds Are Forever was the campfest that ruined the Bond franchise for years to come.

    The novel versions are a million times better!
  • WadsyWadsy Auckland, New ZealandPosts: 412MI6 Agent
    You Only Live Twice was over the top and Diamonds Are Forever was the campfest that ruined the Bond franchise for years to come.

    The novel versions are a million times better!

    It was Guy Hamilton's fault for directing the film. It was a useless Bond film that I would never go and see again, and it left a terrible impression on the 70's. Goldfinger and Live And Let Die were his good films, but Diamonds and Golden Gun were franchise breakers.
    1. FYEO 2. OHMSS 3. LTK 4. FRWL 5. TLD 6. TSWLM 7. AVTAK 8. GF 9. MR 10. TB 11. OP 12. SF 13. DN 14. SP 15. LALD 16. GE 17. CR 18. YOLT 19. TWINE 20. TMWTGG 21. NTTD 22. TND 23. QOS 24. NSNA 25. DAD 26. DAF 27. CR '67

    1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Lazenby 5. Craig 6. Brosnan
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    Diamonds Are Forever seems to be the current whipping boy on this forum. I don't remember it getting so much stick in the past! :# Granted it is a weak entry in the canon, but I find plenty to enjoy in the film. In fact maybe I'll rewatch it today...
  • jeffchjeffch Posts: 163MI6 Agent
    You Only Live Twice was over the top and Diamonds Are Forever was the campfest that ruined the Bond franchise for years to come.

    The novel versions are a million times better!

    True but the book YOLT wouldnt have translated well into a film on its own, very little action. Also wouldnt have been as dramatic since the films were made out of order. It was a revenge story, but there would have been no real need for Bond to get revenge on Blofeld in the movie, other than just him being the villian.
  • JohnNintendoNerdJohnNintendoNerd Lake Elmo, MinnesotaPosts: 48MI6 Agent
    jeffch wrote:
    You Only Live Twice was over the top and Diamonds Are Forever was the campfest that ruined the Bond franchise for years to come.

    The novel versions are a million times better!

    True but the book YOLT wouldnt have translated well into a film on its own, very little action. Also wouldnt have been as dramatic since the films were made out of order. It was a revenge story, but there would have been no real need for Bond to get revenge on Blofeld in the movie, other than just him being the villian.


    That's why they were supposed to hold off on filming You Only Live Twice until On Her Majesty's Secret Service was shot but they didn't do that did they?
    "Your orders were to shoot that sniper!"

    "Stuff my orders! I only kill professionals. That woman didn't know one end of a rifle from the other. Go ahead, tell M. what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for it."
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