This is actually really hard for me... Thunderball and The Living Daylights both stand out in my mind with some amazing locations with some good camera work. But then The Spy Who Loved Me started with an amazingly gorgeous opening and kept it up throughout as well.
I think there is one thing we can say about Bond, even those we might not personally like... they know how to scout locations and make them look good on screen. I don't think I've been disappointed with any Bond in this respect.
Top Ten Bond - 10:Goldfinger 9:Thunderball 8:The Spy who Loved Me 7:For Your Eyes Only 6: Casino Royale 5:The Man with the Golden Gun 4:Quantum of Solace 3:Licence to Kill 2:Goldeneye 1:The Living Daylights
For my money nothing can touch Skyfall. The colors and shot composition of that film are stunning, and I think it's a thousand times ahead of every other Bond movie in terms of cinematography. You could take any shot in that movie and hang it on your wall.
I think FRWL and TSWLM look great, however. I'm not a fan of TND but I think the cinematography is quite good in that one too.
When it comes to this series, the producers have always put their money on the screen when it comes to categories like this. If one looks at the DP's that have worked in the series, it's not surprising why the standard is so high.
The Spy Who Loved Me - Lewis Gilbert pulls out all the stops in shooting alluring panoramas, unique Ken Adam sets and interesting locations that feel well-mined and authentic. Love the scenes shot in Egypt, particularly Cairo, Karnak & the outdoor theatre.
Moonraker - Of course most people would dismiss Moonraker as a Star Wars inspired excuse to stick Bond in outer space, but damned if the locations and special effects don't look absolutely gorgeous.
Skyfall - I have my reservations about Skyfall, but Roger Deakins definitely lent a hand in making it one of the best looking Bond films of all time. Nearly every location has personality and style, from Shanghai to Macau to the foggy Scottish highlands.
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
The 80s movies look great. In particular OP has some fantastically glossy looking scenes. Magda's escape hanging from the balcony for instance.
I would consider Octopussy, and most of the John Glen movies (save perhaps For Your Eyes Only and Licence to Kill) among the best-looking Bond films. Octopussy, in particular, makes me want to visit India.
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
I would consider Octopussy, and most of the John Glen movies (save perhaps For Your Eyes Only and Licence to Kill) among the best-looking Bond films.
FYEO & LTK do sort of look a bit 'TV movie' in a way. But still, they have a charm to them because of it IMHO.
They were just grittier movies. LTK has been compared to Miami Vice. It could be also the subliminal effect of music. Those two are the only 80s movies not scored by John Barry. Barry's music sounds lush.
Comments
I think there is one thing we can say about Bond, even those we might not personally like... they know how to scout locations and make them look good on screen. I don't think I've been disappointed with any Bond in this respect.
I think FRWL and TSWLM look great, however. I'm not a fan of TND but I think the cinematography is quite good in that one too.
Moonraker - Of course most people would dismiss Moonraker as a Star Wars inspired excuse to stick Bond in outer space, but damned if the locations and special effects don't look absolutely gorgeous.
Skyfall - I have my reservations about Skyfall, but Roger Deakins definitely lent a hand in making it one of the best looking Bond films of all time. Nearly every location has personality and style, from Shanghai to Macau to the foggy Scottish highlands.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
Worst?
Goldeneye? (too dark and poky) and TWINE where its endless fields of oil derricks
I second TWINE, as the locations are mostly unremarkable. Michael Apted is a really good director, though.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
Just seemed too sterile and clinical, made doubly worse when viewed in open matte 16:9 (as Sky are currently showing it) as opposed to 2.40.1.
Deakins' work on No Country For Old Men is far superior.
I would consider Octopussy, and most of the John Glen movies (save perhaps For Your Eyes Only and Licence to Kill) among the best-looking Bond films. Octopussy, in particular, makes me want to visit India.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It's true. And I mean, LTK does have a few attractive locations.
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
They were just grittier movies. LTK has been compared to Miami Vice. It could be also the subliminal effect of music. Those two are the only 80s movies not scored by John Barry. Barry's music sounds lush.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS