Bond films you return to more than others?

Charmed & Dangerous

Do you find there are some entries in the series you return to again and again when you feel the need to watch a Bond film, despite that they may not be your favourite?

I find I return more frequently to Casino Royale and OHMSS than others, although I count Thunderball as my favourite.

Is it just me? Or does anyone else find this too? And if so, which ones and why?

Thunderpussy

I find I tend to watch the more light weight or fun Bonds a bit more than my
favourites. TND and Moonraker even AVTAK )
I think it's because you can pop in and out of the story, they look " big "
and are fun " popcorn " Bond films. Also you don't have to give them 100%
Attention.

Peppermill

For me this would be Octopussy and Live and Let Die. For the exact reasons TP describes.

DEFIANT 74205

Usually, when I feel like watching a Bond film, it's because I feel like watching a serious action thriller that's as violent as it is entertaining. I usually watch either of Dr No, From Russia With Love, The Living Daylights or Licence to Kill.

BunsenPPK

Mine tend to be Dr. No and Goldfinger, I don't know what it is about them, but I just love to watch them
Though I am always reminded of FRWL when I make a coffee, before I put the milk in I recall the line, "Green figs, yoghurt, coffee, very black". )

AirJordanFan93

LALD is probably the one I go back to the most

JayCobb1045

I am quite the indecisive type so I tend to pre-set an order that I will follow, so that whenever I want to watch a Bond movie I always know which one is next up. It's not always in order of release, either. Right now, for example, I've been into the James Bonding Podcast and those guys decided to go through the films from both sides meeting in the middle, so Dr. No, then Skyfall, then FRWL, and so on. So right now that is the order I've been watching the films in. Keeps it easy.

That being said, there are several Bond movies that I traditionally watch around certain occasions or events. I always watch DAF right before I go to Vegas, I watch LALD right before I go to New Orleans, OHMSS around Christmas, things like that.

NeverSayDie

Moonraker. It must be my most watched film. Love it.

Higgins

When I feel ilke seeing the main actor shedding a tear now and then and rudelessly popping a balloon with his bare hands, I usally watch TLD or LTK

For all other cases, I insert one of the Moore Bonds for the same reasons that TP mentioned.

Smiert-Spionam

TP nailed it. For that reason I always go back to LALD. Having said that I love FYEO and go back to that alot too. Perfect mix of action without being too silly.

Thunderpussy

The great thing about the Bond series is that there are so many with different strong points. So
If you want a serious / gritty Bond you have several to choose. Alternatively if you are in the mood
for some pure escapist adventure with some sillyness, they're there too. )

Mr Mallory

Not a big fan of the Moore Bond's, so if not the Craig films. I'd watch the Connery ones
Except DAF.

Blackleiter

Although GF is my favorite, the one I re-watch most is YOLT. It's such a ravishingly beautiful-looking and fun movie that never fails to entertain me no matter how many times I've seen it.

Higgins

I fail to disagree with you here, Blackleiter

Gassy Man

Anything Connery, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Casino Royale. I watch the others when I'm in the mood.

Blackleiter

Bondtoys wrote:

I fail to disagree with you here, Blackleiter

Ah ha, a breakthrough! )

Sherbrook

OHMSS, GoldenEye, Dr No

Harry Palmer

LTK, TLD, TND, QoS

But from time to time, other films make the cut.

DieAnotherDay

TWINE, it's my go to Bond when I'm bored.

Firemass

It's been said that the true mark of a film is how much you look forward to watching it again. For me it's definitely Octopussy which is odd because I don't usually include it in my Top 10 rankings.

It's the film that my friends always "catch" me watching and it's noticeable too. "You're watching Octopussy again? How many times have you seen this?"

I would have to say the main factors include:

* Favorite PTS in the series provides me with instant gratification and the quick Bond fix that I need. PTS are very important to me and a lackluster one (FYEO) makes me hesitant to rewatch.

*Love the John Barry score (not to bash FYEO, but again the music is very crucial)

*Colorful India locations are spectacular while the coldwar grimness of Berlin provide good contrast.

*Truly superb casting. I really enjoy the characters in OP from Berkof and Jordan to Adams and Weyborn. Even the minor characters and extras are played to perfection. The German couple who picks up Bond, the German woman who hogs the phonebooth, the Indian woman who unpacks Bond luggage. Plus, No annoying comic relief characters. This is also big factor for re-watchability. I cringe at the thought of JW Pepper and Bibi Dahl but Octopussy is cast to perfection.

*Loaded with small details. Circus performers juggling cups on the train. Kamal's car not starting outside the tent. I always notice new things about this film. Like Bond hiding behind the big guy as he walks down the aisle at the circus.

*The original Fleming bits. Brilliant Sotheby's auction scene, cheating at Backgammon, and re-telling of Octopussy's father Dexter Smythe.

*General Orlov's briefing is hilarious. He would be my favorite villain except didn't get enough screen time!
Amazing set design by Peter Lamont

*Roger's performance as 007. Clever at the auction. Gracious dinner guest of Kamals. Frantic to find the bomb. Hard edged when interrogating Orlov. Showing no hesitation to kill when the young Russian guard interrupts. Looking a bit too old by this point, but still delivers one of his best.

* The action sequences are truly exciting. The train fight scenes, fighting on top of the airplane, the spandex raid on the palace, and my personal favorite 007 moment the Mercedes driving on the train tracks!


Those are the main reasons why I keep coming back to Octopussy. Definitely not a perfect Bond film however and the goofy gags prevent it from moving higher in my ranking. Also the scene where Maud gets mad and Roger like force kisses her doesn't go over well with me.

always shaken

For me ,has to be DR NO, love Bonds wardrobe, love Honey Rider, love the Qarrell character, love Jamaica,
my wife and I saved up all our pennies and we stayed at the Rose Hall Hilton, (MObay) we wanted to do the Dunns River falls bit ,
water was bloody freezing ,and theve put a banister up it for people to hang on to ,so kinda took the romance off of it , but would do it again for me Jamaica is Bond

chrisisall

For me, DN, YOLT, TLD, TND & QOS seem to get my most viewings...

hehadlotsofguts

For me it's OHMSS,GF and OP. OHMSS because it's my favourite bond film, GF as Connery is effortless here in terms of charm an he seemed to be really enjoying himself. Goldfinger is an iconic villain with the most memorable quote in the series ("NO MR BOND! I EXPECT YOU TO DIE!") I also enjoy the briefing at the stud farm. And finally OP for it's humour. The bomb disarming scene at the big top and the confrontation between Bond and Orlov on the train are the best scenes in the film and RM is deadly serious in both scenes,really tense.

chrisisall

I need to watch OP more often...

Higgins

What is outstanding in OP is the clown- killing sequence after the main titles.
Bond at his best!

Thunderpussy

One less Clown is always a good thing. )

Felix the Leitercat

Hello Thunderpussy, with your name in mind, I am completely drawn to Thunderball and it may be my most watched Bond ever. Goldfinger thought big, Thunderball's Spectre and Largo and No. 1 man of mystery Blofeld thought even bigger with world destruction on the table. The Cold War 60s were tense and Thunderball might be even hailed by those who first warned of the dangers of nuclear arms--essentially terrorist supergangsters acquire missiles and hold the world hostage for possible big time profit until Bond literally saves the world and not for the last time. It's not only a great Bond--the Domino actress is incredible looking, what an intro by the pool, great cars, gadgets, support actors, shark fights, lush tropics, luxury boats, etc.--but it ventures a small step into a powerful geopolitical issue of that era.

Also Maurice Binder hit an early peak with those girls and divers swimming around with great colors and bubbles for the title sequence, Tom Jones vocal power at the end of the title song about on par with Shirley Bassey in Goldfinger. Those 2 films, back to back, Goldfinger, Thunderball, really cemented the franchise IMHO. Think big, bigger, even bigger became the order of the day.

Thanks, regards,
Felix, Leiter Cat

Charmed & Dangerous

Good points Felix the Leitercat (and welcome to AJB, I'm sure 'Pussy also appreciates having another 'Cat around too) ) -{

Thunderpussy

I've got a Feline we're going to be good friends. )

Number24

Perhaps there'll be a catfight ...

chrisisall

Oh yes, please!

Wait. They're both guys.
Forget it.