Did you only see DAF because Connery came back?

GordoLeiter

Ive always assumed that Bond fans were excited that Sean Connery was returning as James Bond so id figure id ask you guys myself, or at least the ones who were around when DAF came out.

Barbel

There was a lot made in the media of his return, especially here in Conneryland, and a definite feeling of excitement (at least among the schoolkids). I would have seen it anyway, of course, but I know that many went just to see The Man one more time.

Bodie

When I saw DAF I was a schoolkid. I remember how exciting it was to have Connery back. Becasue I was young at the time I really enjoyed DAF and wasn't as bothered about OHMSS. Now I older, and hopefully wiser, I think OHMSS is a classic and DAF is one of the worst Bond movies ever made. Where the rot started to set in and what would form the template for the RM comedies to follow.

I would have gone to see DAF whether it had stared Connery, Lazenby, John Gavin or anyone else. It was a Biond movie so I would have gone to see it , but having Connery in it definitely nade it more exciting.

Blackleiter

Like others have stated, I saw DAF because it was Bond. But no doubt about it, my excitement and anticipation was heightened immensely by the fact that Sean Connery was back. As much as I enjoyed OHMSS, without Connery it didn't feel quite the same as my previous Bond film experiences. In many respects, OHMSS was the better film, but the Connery Factor alone made DAF a more thrilling moviegoing experience for me at the time.

Blood_Stone

I can only imagine some people's reaction back then.

*before movie

Guy: Sean Connery is back! Yeah, baby! This is going to be the best Bond movie EVER!

*after movie

Guy: WTF did I just watch?!!

Bleuville

GordoLeiter wrote:

Ive always assumed that Bond fans were excited that Sean Connery was returning as James Bond so id figure id ask you guys myself, or at least the ones who were around when DAF came out.

Having George Lazenby as the NEW James Bond (the first replacement actor) you could relate to him as a 30 yr old Bond like the book and the film story is faithful to the novel.

When Sean Connery came back in DAF (I was age 15) we saw it on holiday at April in a London cinema. (not from London). It was publicised that his fee was going to the Scottish Educational Trust and a strict timetable with penalties to complete the filming. It was good to have him back and Las Vegas was glitzy, but the camp villains and jokiness were new elements. The WW space Lunar Buggy connection was topical with the Apollo missions at the time.

Bleuville.

Bleuville

Bleuville wrote:

GordoLeiter wrote:

Ive always assumed that Bond fans were excited that Sean Connery was returning as James Bond so id figure id ask you guys myself, or at least the ones who were around when DAF came out.

Having George Lazenby as the NEW James Bond (the first replacement actor) you could relate to him as a 30 yr old Bond like the book and the film story is faithful to the novel.

When Sean Connery came back in DAF (I was age 15) we saw it on holiday at April in a London cinema. (not from London). It was publicised that his fee was going to the Scottish Educational Trust and a strict timetable with penalties to complete the filming. It was good to have him back and Las Vegas was glitzy, but the camp villains and jokiness were new elements. The WW space Lunar Buggy connection was topical with the Apollo missions at the time.

Bleuville.

I also heard Shirley Bassey singing the theme on Radio Luxembourg 208 FM at 10pm at night.
I'd been reading the books for 3 years since age 12 and got the film tie-in Pan paperback.

Bleuville.

Silhouette Man

Bodie wrote:

When I saw DAF I was a schoolkid. I remember how exciting it was to have Connery back. Becasue I was young at the time I really enjoyed DAF and wasn't as bothered about OHMSS. Now I older, and hopefully wiser, I think OHMSS is a classic and DAF is one of the worst Bond movies ever made. Where the rot started to set in and what would form the template for the RM comedies to follow.

I would have gone to see DAF whether it had stared Connery, Lazenby, John Gavin or anyone else. It was a Biond movie so I would have gone to see it , but having Connery in it definitely nade it more exciting.

Excellent post, Bodie, which neatly encapsulates my thoughts exactly. Good to see Connery back, but DAF is where the rot started to set in, not TSWLM.

Tobias

I wasnt around back in 1971 i was born 3 years later and l saw DAF for the 1st time back in 1984 when it came on tv here in the UK.The first Bond film i saw in the cinema was Goldeneye