I'd say DN, as the first in the series, then FRWL and GF: FRWL as the movie which polished the more 'serious' Bond, and GF as the film which completed the formula for a more 'fantastic' Bond. Sean Connery is essential as the original 007, blending both these aspects.
More recently, CR makes a bid to get to the essence of Bond in the sense that it's all about the character 'becoming' 007. (QOS completes the arc which CR begins, and SF goes on to explore Bond's 'origins' at Skyfall by revealing and reflecting back on his defining childhood trauma - being orphaned - but I'm not going to include either of these two in my 7.)
I need three more, so I'll go for:
LTK, showing an 'essential' Bond in the sense that he's a man motivated to act outside his 00 license (and because it's more convincing than the movie to which it's similar in that respect, OHMSS);
YOLT, reflecting 60s Bondmania at its peak;
TSWLM, proclaiming itself, a decade later, to be "the biggest ... the best ... Bond... and beyond!"
Thus, in chronological order:
1. DN
2. FRWL
3. GF
4. YOLT
5. TSWLM
6. LTK
7. CR
Critics and material I don't need. I haven't changed my act in 53 years.
1. Dr No (So different to any other Bond film. Espionage)
2. You Only Live Twice (Great location, Blofeld, tremendous fun)
3. On Her Majesties Secret Service (Perfection)
4. Live and Let Die (Cartoon strip)
5. The Spy Who Loved Me (Adventure. Moore's best film)
6. The Living Daylights (Slightly darker. Great Plot. Dalton)
7. Skyfall (Great cinematic experience)
Really a mix of the best films, the most entertaining films and the most "different" films ie not having two that are too similar. Decided to be a bit of an oddball and leave off GF despite being very high in my rankings because it is maybe a bit too much of a definitive Bond while others go off in other more diverse angles (and I also don't think its Connery's best performance). Likewise CF which I also rate very highly but once they leave the Casino is just struggles to engage me. Pained me very much to leave OP off the list.
FRWL.- Connery at his best.
GF.- The music alone
OHMSS.- Great movie. In order to make up for the uncertainty of a new Bond, all the rest was as safe (good safe) as possible, and it shows.
MR.- Just very fun to watch. Possibly my favourite PTS.
FYEO.- Best Moore.
TLD.- Great spy thriller. Dalton is magnificent.
CR.- A total classic. Up there with the FRWL/GF in my book. Craig,best Bond since Connery.
Dalton's never relied on his looks or his sheer nature to portray Bond; he works at every scene.
He handles his gun like a tool, not an instrument of drama.
He never 'winks' at the audience, even when some one-liners come off weak.
Dalton was almost single-handedly responsible for ending Bond's silver age on the highest of notes. -{
Dalton's never relied on his looks or his sheer nature to portray Bond; he works at every scene.
He handles his gun like a tool, not an instrument of drama.
He never 'winks' at the audience, even when some one-liners come off weak.
Dalton was almost single-handedly responsible for ending Bond's silver age on the highest of notes. -{
Goldfinger (FRWL really was close)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
The Spy Who Loved Me
Licence to Kill
GoldenEye
Casino Royale
Don't confuse me with the other DutchBondFan, but be sure to follow his YouTube account. You can read my articles on James Bond Nederland: www.jamesbond.nl/author/gosse/
For Your Eyes Only (My favourite One)
Skyfall
Goldeneye
From Russia With Love
The LIving Daylights
OHMSS
Octopussy
One from each actor, then two Moore's cause he's probably my fav
“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited September 2014
FRWL - My favourite all-round
GF - Seed of the Precious Classic FormulaTM
OHMSS - First Bond novel read; changed my life
DAF - First one I saw on the big screen/guilty pleasure
TLD - Dalton gives the series CPR after Moore
CR - Craig takes it to the nuts and owns the part - Fleming's Bond suffers, and nobody has portrayed this as well, IMO.
SF - Fitting 50th anniversary
Picking only seven films is really quite excruciating. When I separated from my wife, the complete Bond canon (film and original Fleming literary) was one of the things I fled the house with. True story.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
DN- The first great Connery Bond.
YOLT- The last great Connery Bond
OHMSS- Important event in Bond's life.
TLD- First great Dalton Bond.
LTK- Last great Dalton Bond.
TND- Brosnan's finest (two)hour(s).
QOS- The 21st Century's LTK.
23 films is a lot, so I narrowed down 7 as the most essential picks. They're what I would recommend a newcomer who wants to get the very best out of the series, and a taste of each actor, without watching every single movie.
Connery: Dr. No, Goldfinger or From Russia with Love (pick 2 of them) Lazenby: On Her Majesty's Secret Service Moore: The Spy Who Loved Me Dalton: License to Kill Brosnan: Goldeneye Craig: Casino Royale
Skyfall - Modern Bond
Moonraker - Camp Bond at his best
Goldfinger - The classic
Licence To Kill - Dark 80's Bond
GoldenEye - Bond brought into a new decade in the perfect way
From Russia With Love - The Bond thriller
Live And Let Die - The Bond that showed he was ready for the seventies and that the series didn't need Connery.
These aren't my favourite films, but they each represent different types of Bond, and if I had to show someone who had never see a Bond film seven films, these would be the ones.
(Goldfinger or The Spy Who Loved Me when it comes to the classic)
I think ultimately, it would be unwise to simply pick your top 7 "favorites". instead, I think the thing to consider is the importance of each film in the series, but tempered by personal taste. I also think, for whatever reason, it's important to include all six actors. With that in mind, here are mine (in order of release):
From Russia With Love - THE classic IMO
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Lazenby's one and only, and all around one of the absolute best of the series
The Spy Who Loved Me - the best of the Moore era all wrapped up in one film
Licence To Kill - Dark, Dangerous, Dalton.
Goldeneye - Best of the Brosnan era, and one of the best of the series
Casino Royale - the game changer. HUGE deal in Bond history.
Skyfall - Just brilliant execution of Bond on his 50th anniversary. Also historically significant in that regard.
I think ultimately, it would be unwise to simply pick your top 7 "favorites". instead, I think the thing to consider is the importance of each film in the series, but tempered by personal taste. I also think, for whatever reason, it's important to include all six actors. With that in mind, here are mine (in order of release):
From Russia With Love - THE classic IMO
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Lazenby's one and only, and all around one of the absolute best of the series
The Spy Who Loved Me - the best of the Moore era all wrapped up in one film
Licence To Kill - Dark, Dangerous, Dalton.
Goldeneye - Best of the Brosnan era, and one of the best of the series
Casino Royale - the game changer. HUGE deal in Bond history.
Remember how Scaramanga said every great artist strives for that one, undisputed masterpiece ?
Although nothing is undisputed here on AJB, I do feel that each Bond actor did get one masterpiece Bond film. These six films fulfilled their potential and remain the high-water marks of the series.
1. Connery - Goldfinger
2. Lazenby - OHMSS
3. Moore- The Spy Who Loved Me
4. Dalton - Licence to Kill
5. Brosnan - Goldeneye
6. Craig - Casino Royale
7. N/A
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Dr No
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
Thunderball
You Only Live Twice
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Live and Let Die
Yes, I love the sixties (the best Bond decade) although I'll add the superlative Moore debut (thanks to Baron Samedi). However, I'm still torn between this and The Spy Who Loved Me...
Comments
More recently, CR makes a bid to get to the essence of Bond in the sense that it's all about the character 'becoming' 007. (QOS completes the arc which CR begins, and SF goes on to explore Bond's 'origins' at Skyfall by revealing and reflecting back on his defining childhood trauma - being orphaned - but I'm not going to include either of these two in my 7.)
I need three more, so I'll go for:
LTK, showing an 'essential' Bond in the sense that he's a man motivated to act outside his 00 license (and because it's more convincing than the movie to which it's similar in that respect, OHMSS);
YOLT, reflecting 60s Bondmania at its peak;
TSWLM, proclaiming itself, a decade later, to be "the biggest ... the best ... Bond... and beyond!"
Thus, in chronological order:
1. DN
2. FRWL
3. GF
4. YOLT
5. TSWLM
6. LTK
7. CR
From the 1962-2002 era I would choose:
1. Dr. No
2. Goldfinger
3. OHMSS
4. TSWLM
5. Moonraker
6. Licence to Kill
7. Goldeneye
It's only fair that every Bond actor is represented and Connery & Moore get x2 each.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
2. You Only Live Twice (Great location, Blofeld, tremendous fun)
3. On Her Majesties Secret Service (Perfection)
4. Live and Let Die (Cartoon strip)
5. The Spy Who Loved Me (Adventure. Moore's best film)
6. The Living Daylights (Slightly darker. Great Plot. Dalton)
7. Skyfall (Great cinematic experience)
Really a mix of the best films, the most entertaining films and the most "different" films ie not having two that are too similar. Decided to be a bit of an oddball and leave off GF despite being very high in my rankings because it is maybe a bit too much of a definitive Bond while others go off in other more diverse angles (and I also don't think its Connery's best performance). Likewise CF which I also rate very highly but once they leave the Casino is just struggles to engage me. Pained me very much to leave OP off the list.
FRWL.- Connery at his best.
GF.- The music alone
OHMSS.- Great movie. In order to make up for the uncertainty of a new Bond, all the rest was as safe (good safe) as possible, and it shows.
MR.- Just very fun to watch. Possibly my favourite PTS.
FYEO.- Best Moore.
TLD.- Great spy thriller. Dalton is magnificent.
CR.- A total classic. Up there with the FRWL/GF in my book. Craig,best Bond since Connery.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Yes. Yes he is. -{
Let's drink to TLD and Dalton! -{
Dalton's never relied on his looks or his sheer nature to portray Bond; he works at every scene.
He handles his gun like a tool, not an instrument of drama.
He never 'winks' at the audience, even when some one-liners come off weak.
Dalton was almost single-handedly responsible for ending Bond's silver age on the highest of notes. -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
+ -{
Very well said!
Quantum Of Solace
From Russia With Love
Thunderball
Goldeneye
The Spy Who Loved Me
A View To A Kill
Skyfall should be on there, but I've seen it too many times of late!
DN
TB
OHMSS
TLD
LTK
TND
QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Goldfinger
Thunderball
OHMSS
The Spy Who Loved Me
For Your Eyes Only
Casino Royale
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
The Spy Who Loved Me
Licence to Kill
GoldenEye
Casino Royale
Casino Royale
Quantum of Solace
Tomorrow Never Dies
From Russia with Love
Thunderball
Skyfall
Goldeneye
From Russia With Love
The LIving Daylights
OHMSS
Octopussy
One from each actor, then two Moore's cause he's probably my fav
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
GF - Seed of the Precious Classic FormulaTM
OHMSS - First Bond novel read; changed my life
DAF - First one I saw on the big screen/guilty pleasure
TLD - Dalton gives the series CPR after Moore
CR - Craig takes it to the nuts and owns the part - Fleming's Bond suffers, and nobody has portrayed this as well, IMO.
SF - Fitting 50th anniversary
Picking only seven films is really quite excruciating. When I separated from my wife, the complete Bond canon (film and original Fleming literary) was one of the things I fled the house with. True story.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The Living Daylights
From Russia with Love
OHMSS
Casino Royale
Goldfinger
Skyfall
With 'Spy' missing a place by a whisker
DN- The first great Connery Bond.
YOLT- The last great Connery Bond
OHMSS- Important event in Bond's life.
TLD- First great Dalton Bond.
LTK- Last great Dalton Bond.
TND- Brosnan's finest (two)hour(s).
QOS- The 21st Century's LTK.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Connery: Dr. No, Goldfinger or From Russia with Love (pick 2 of them)
Lazenby: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Moore: The Spy Who Loved Me
Dalton: License to Kill
Brosnan: Goldeneye
Craig: Casino Royale
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Skyfall - Modern Bond
Moonraker - Camp Bond at his best
Goldfinger - The classic
Licence To Kill - Dark 80's Bond
GoldenEye - Bond brought into a new decade in the perfect way
From Russia With Love - The Bond thriller
Live And Let Die - The Bond that showed he was ready for the seventies and that the series didn't need Connery.
These aren't my favourite films, but they each represent different types of Bond, and if I had to show someone who had never see a Bond film seven films, these would be the ones.
(Goldfinger or The Spy Who Loved Me when it comes to the classic)
I think ultimately, it would be unwise to simply pick your top 7 "favorites". instead, I think the thing to consider is the importance of each film in the series, but tempered by personal taste. I also think, for whatever reason, it's important to include all six actors. With that in mind, here are mine (in order of release):
From Russia With Love - THE classic IMO
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Lazenby's one and only, and all around one of the absolute best of the series
The Spy Who Loved Me - the best of the Moore era all wrapped up in one film
Licence To Kill - Dark, Dangerous, Dalton.
Goldeneye - Best of the Brosnan era, and one of the best of the series
Casino Royale - the game changer. HUGE deal in Bond history.
Skyfall - Just brilliant execution of Bond on his 50th anniversary. Also historically significant in that regard.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wish-i-was-at-disneyland/id1202780413?mt=2
Remember how Scaramanga said every great artist strives for that one, undisputed masterpiece ?
Although nothing is undisputed here on AJB, I do feel that each Bond actor did get one masterpiece Bond film. These six films fulfilled their potential and remain the high-water marks of the series.
1. Connery - Goldfinger
2. Lazenby - OHMSS
3. Moore- The Spy Who Loved Me
4. Dalton - Licence to Kill
5. Brosnan - Goldeneye
6. Craig - Casino Royale
7. N/A
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Well... or maybe TSWLM...
No! It was OP!! Definitely!
I think.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Goldfinger - The most iconic film in the series.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - A key story in the Bond mythos.
The Spy Who Loved Me - The best example of a Roger Moore Bond film.
Goldeneye - The rebirth of the series for the post Cold War era, although the film is still somewhat rooted in the Cold War.
Casino Royale - Another key story in the Bond canon, and another rebirth of the series.
Skyfall - I wasn't sure about this one, but I included it as the 50th anniversary celebration, and it is also a damn good film.
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
Thunderball
You Only Live Twice
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Live and Let Die
Yes, I love the sixties (the best Bond decade) although I'll add the superlative Moore debut (thanks to Baron Samedi). However, I'm still torn between this and The Spy Who Loved Me...
DN
FRWL
GF
TB
TLD
LTK
CR