Top 5 Bond Performances
Agent Lee
Posts: 254MI6 Agent
What are your top 5 performances as James Bond? Wanted to ask this question (mostly to myself) because I think each actor who has played Bond, in addition to bringing something new to the character, inevitably adds touches of nuance and complexity to their own portrayals with each of their films. Thought this would be an interesting way to examine those, then compare, contrast and discuss.
Now, I did take the time to search the forum and found that this has been done before, but it seemed that it resulted largely in listing only with no real explanation or discussion. So I want to add the rule that, in order to post on this thread, you MUST ELABORATE on each of your pics, even if it's only a sentence or two. That way we can spark some stimulating discussion about the nuances and intricacies of each performance, and hopefully the character of James Bond at large.
Also, since 5 is a fairly limiting number, I think it should be ok to add some honorable mentions to your list if you so desire, but probably no more than two.
So, I guess I'll start:
1. Daniel Craig in Skyfall
The most brilliant portrait of the character yet put to film, rooted in the troubled, aging Bond of the later Fleming novels and executed with roguish charm and emotional daring. Not only does Daniel Craig up the ante in Connery-esque devlish humor (a notable contrast from CR and QoS), but he manages to strike the necessary balance between confidence and vulnerability that the screenplay demands. A less capable actor might not have been able to carry the material that covers Bond's past, but Craig OWNS it completely, without losing the edge that we need in Bond, no matter how personal the scope of the adventure. In CR, Daniel Craig broke new ground. In Skyfall, he eliminated any and all doubt that this legendary role is now his. Skyfall indeed proves that Daniel Craig IS James Bond 007.
2. Sean Connery in From Russia With Love
As I recently explained in another thread (http://www.ajb007.co.uk/post/778445/#p778445), From Russia With Love is my favorite Bond film primarily because of Sean Connery's performance. Before he had the weight of the "Bond formula" to contend with, Connery established the true nucleus of what sets the series apart, and created a benchmark for everything that the cinematic James Bond should be. In FRWL, Connery takes the Fleming blue print and infuses it with a steely, wholly cinematic charisma and postures himself with a devilish mix of cat-like elegance, brooding danger, and ferocious sexual potency. More than in any other film, Connery provides a character framework in FRWL that paved the way for all the best moments from the 5 other Bonds. In many ways, the legacy of Connery's Bond is what makes the entire series so unique in comparison to every other spy entertainment property, and his performance is the freshest and most inspired in FRWL
3. Daniel Craig in Casino Royale
It can be (and often is) argued that, of the 6 Bond's, only three of them have COMPLETELY made the role their own: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig. I'm not sure whether or not I agree with this sentiment, but there is something else I am sure of: Daniel Craig is the ONLY Bond to succeed Connery that also rose above the long cast shadow of the original cinematic 007. To call Craig's debut Bond performance revolutionary may be a bit hyperbolic, but there's no question that his approach to the character was truly innovative. I suppose it could be argued that CR's reboot premise may have done a good chunk of the work in re-inventing Bond from the ground up...IF another, less capable actor had landed the role. But Craig truly goes the extra mile; tapping into the danger, rage, and violence of Fleming to produce something truly special.
4. Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill
Dalton is now seen by many as the precursor to the Craig era. Watch him in LTK and you see why. In TLD, Dalton plays Bond tall, dark, handsome and moody, to great effect. In LTK, he builds upon the paradigm shift he created and adds a healthy does of rage and tragic Shakespearean intensity. Perhaps more than any other Bond performance, Dalton's in LTK has a special place in my heart because my whole perspective on Bond changed after watching it. It was THIS portrayal of the character that made me realize who Bond was and what it is about him that continues to fascinate me to this day.
5. Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me
In recent years I've become a pluralist Bond fan of sorts. Looking at the rest of my list, it's clear what side of the Bond spectrum my taste generally falls under. But despite my natural preference for the darker, moodier Bond, I've really come to love and appreciate the lighter side of Bond and the genius behind Roger Moore's approach to the material. In my opinion, Roger Moore's performance in TSWLM should be in everybody's top 5. It's the pinnacle performance of his tenure as Bond, the culmination of everything that makes him so unique and important to the series. Though I'm a huge fan of George Lazenby's performance in OHMSS (which I'll get to in my honorable mentions), Moore succeeded where Lazenby failed: he took the reigns from Connery and made the role undoubtedly his own. And no film makes this more apparent than TSWLM. LALD and TMWTGG distinguished Moore from Connery well enough, but TSWLM is where the world was assured that Roger Moore WAS James Bond.
Honorable Mentions:
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
He may not have been the most qualified for the job, but George Lazenby deserves a world of credit for being the first actor to replace Sean Connery, especially given the nature of the material (had I been in the position of replacing Connery in a film that saw Bond getting married and crying over his barely deceased wife's body, I would've been intimidated to say the least). But even if you don't take the challenge of the circumstance into account, Lazenby was a great Bond, and proved himself as such in only one film. And IMO he's the most physically qualified for the part, from the way he looks to the way he moves to the way he wears a suit (seriously, Lazenby wears a suit better than any other Bond, and that's saying something).
Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye
In light of the three latter Bond films staring Pierce Brosnan, Goldeneye stands as not only one of the best Bond films ever, but a sad reminder of what might have been had the other three followed suit. The same can be said of Brosnan's performance. In his other films, Brosnan's "greatest hits" approach to the character--taking the best of each of his predecessors and building upon the mixture--makes for an indistinct and slightly ill-defined 007 (though I'd say the weak material is more to blame for that than Brosnan). But in Goldeneye, the approach is somehow refreshing, and even inspired. In the coming years, I predict Brosnan will become more well-regarded again for his take on Bond, and his performance in Goldeneye will be the reason.
Now, I did take the time to search the forum and found that this has been done before, but it seemed that it resulted largely in listing only with no real explanation or discussion. So I want to add the rule that, in order to post on this thread, you MUST ELABORATE on each of your pics, even if it's only a sentence or two. That way we can spark some stimulating discussion about the nuances and intricacies of each performance, and hopefully the character of James Bond at large.
Also, since 5 is a fairly limiting number, I think it should be ok to add some honorable mentions to your list if you so desire, but probably no more than two.
So, I guess I'll start:
1. Daniel Craig in Skyfall
The most brilliant portrait of the character yet put to film, rooted in the troubled, aging Bond of the later Fleming novels and executed with roguish charm and emotional daring. Not only does Daniel Craig up the ante in Connery-esque devlish humor (a notable contrast from CR and QoS), but he manages to strike the necessary balance between confidence and vulnerability that the screenplay demands. A less capable actor might not have been able to carry the material that covers Bond's past, but Craig OWNS it completely, without losing the edge that we need in Bond, no matter how personal the scope of the adventure. In CR, Daniel Craig broke new ground. In Skyfall, he eliminated any and all doubt that this legendary role is now his. Skyfall indeed proves that Daniel Craig IS James Bond 007.
2. Sean Connery in From Russia With Love
As I recently explained in another thread (http://www.ajb007.co.uk/post/778445/#p778445), From Russia With Love is my favorite Bond film primarily because of Sean Connery's performance. Before he had the weight of the "Bond formula" to contend with, Connery established the true nucleus of what sets the series apart, and created a benchmark for everything that the cinematic James Bond should be. In FRWL, Connery takes the Fleming blue print and infuses it with a steely, wholly cinematic charisma and postures himself with a devilish mix of cat-like elegance, brooding danger, and ferocious sexual potency. More than in any other film, Connery provides a character framework in FRWL that paved the way for all the best moments from the 5 other Bonds. In many ways, the legacy of Connery's Bond is what makes the entire series so unique in comparison to every other spy entertainment property, and his performance is the freshest and most inspired in FRWL
3. Daniel Craig in Casino Royale
It can be (and often is) argued that, of the 6 Bond's, only three of them have COMPLETELY made the role their own: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig. I'm not sure whether or not I agree with this sentiment, but there is something else I am sure of: Daniel Craig is the ONLY Bond to succeed Connery that also rose above the long cast shadow of the original cinematic 007. To call Craig's debut Bond performance revolutionary may be a bit hyperbolic, but there's no question that his approach to the character was truly innovative. I suppose it could be argued that CR's reboot premise may have done a good chunk of the work in re-inventing Bond from the ground up...IF another, less capable actor had landed the role. But Craig truly goes the extra mile; tapping into the danger, rage, and violence of Fleming to produce something truly special.
4. Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill
Dalton is now seen by many as the precursor to the Craig era. Watch him in LTK and you see why. In TLD, Dalton plays Bond tall, dark, handsome and moody, to great effect. In LTK, he builds upon the paradigm shift he created and adds a healthy does of rage and tragic Shakespearean intensity. Perhaps more than any other Bond performance, Dalton's in LTK has a special place in my heart because my whole perspective on Bond changed after watching it. It was THIS portrayal of the character that made me realize who Bond was and what it is about him that continues to fascinate me to this day.
5. Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me
In recent years I've become a pluralist Bond fan of sorts. Looking at the rest of my list, it's clear what side of the Bond spectrum my taste generally falls under. But despite my natural preference for the darker, moodier Bond, I've really come to love and appreciate the lighter side of Bond and the genius behind Roger Moore's approach to the material. In my opinion, Roger Moore's performance in TSWLM should be in everybody's top 5. It's the pinnacle performance of his tenure as Bond, the culmination of everything that makes him so unique and important to the series. Though I'm a huge fan of George Lazenby's performance in OHMSS (which I'll get to in my honorable mentions), Moore succeeded where Lazenby failed: he took the reigns from Connery and made the role undoubtedly his own. And no film makes this more apparent than TSWLM. LALD and TMWTGG distinguished Moore from Connery well enough, but TSWLM is where the world was assured that Roger Moore WAS James Bond.
Honorable Mentions:
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
He may not have been the most qualified for the job, but George Lazenby deserves a world of credit for being the first actor to replace Sean Connery, especially given the nature of the material (had I been in the position of replacing Connery in a film that saw Bond getting married and crying over his barely deceased wife's body, I would've been intimidated to say the least). But even if you don't take the challenge of the circumstance into account, Lazenby was a great Bond, and proved himself as such in only one film. And IMO he's the most physically qualified for the part, from the way he looks to the way he moves to the way he wears a suit (seriously, Lazenby wears a suit better than any other Bond, and that's saying something).
Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye
In light of the three latter Bond films staring Pierce Brosnan, Goldeneye stands as not only one of the best Bond films ever, but a sad reminder of what might have been had the other three followed suit. The same can be said of Brosnan's performance. In his other films, Brosnan's "greatest hits" approach to the character--taking the best of each of his predecessors and building upon the mixture--makes for an indistinct and slightly ill-defined 007 (though I'd say the weak material is more to blame for that than Brosnan). But in Goldeneye, the approach is somehow refreshing, and even inspired. In the coming years, I predict Brosnan will become more well-regarded again for his take on Bond, and his performance in Goldeneye will be the reason.
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Comments
Wow! Was that ever said more effectively? I think not {[]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Connery, GF. He just oozes suave secret agent.
Dalton, LTK. Great hard edged Bond
Craig, CR. A brilliant portrayal of a contemporary 007
Moore FYEO, Roger gives a deeper version of his Bond
Craig, SF, a more rounded performance, Bond still has the hard edge
But a little more humour softens his character a little.
Although, All the actors have had their moments, infact in my opinion
No actor has given a bad performance -{
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/46609/nice-writeup-in-defense-of-sir-roger/
If you look at post #5, you'll notice I said the same thing yesterday
Craig.
Spot on with all of your pics, Thunderpussy. Connery's performance in GF (though not my favorite of his) deserves the praise it gets. Definitely oozes super spy.
Also, very much appreciate your including Moore in FYEO. It's definitely a unique one for Sir Roger; working to his strengths while imbuing the performance with a sense of real-world groundedness and a touch of understatement.
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1. Dalton - TLD. He just encompasses Bond as I see him in the books.
2. Connery - GF - Connery had really settled into the role by now, he had fun with it too.
3. Connery - TB - Same as above really.
4. Craig - CR - Excellent re-boot and Craig really does well as a rough diamond on the way to being polished.
5. Connery - DN - The performance that started it all, Connery created the character for the screen and did a great job.
2 Connery - From Russia with Love - This one meant Bond had to act. My favourite part is when he spots Grant drop in stuff in Tanias drink
3 Craig - Casino Royale - you can actually see the gears change in Craigs performance. Particularly with the torture
4 Dalton - Licence to Kill - Dalton, to employ an American word is "bad ass"
5. Craig - Skyfall/Connery - Goldfinger - I particularly enjoyed the scene where the Aston Martin is taken out. Craigs face says "I get you for that!"
2: Moore - OP
3: Connery - GF
4: Brosnan - TWINE
5: Lazenby - OHMSS
"Better make that two."
2.Moore: MR moore was fully in with his famous one lines
3.Dalton: LTK great take on the novel character
1.Brosnan: DAD most confident one
5.Craig: CR simply the best
better?
2. Dalton in TLD
3. Moore in OP
4. Connery in FRWL
5. Moore in FYEO
These are five movies for me where the actors truly own the role they are playing and show that the character isn't just one-dimensional.
2. Moore FYEO
3. Dalton LTK
4. Connery GF
5. Craig CR
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2. Dalton in TLD: The scene where he meets Pushkin is the best. He's tough but not at all brutal. I also love his reaction to Kara having to get her cello, and him sitting in the car waiting. There's so much subtlety in his acting in this film that makes Bond seem more human. This is a subtlety that no other Bond actor has displayed.
3. Moore in OP: Shows how serious he can in the circus scene. He brings an intensity to Bond that nobody had ever done before when trying to save the innocent people at the circus. The tension in this scene is all his doing. He's also completely genuine when holding Orlov at gunpoint when expressing his concerns. The one-on-one scenes with Octopussy are also Moore's best of that type, and are some of the most believable of the series.
4. Connery in FRWL: The train scenes all show how great he is at Bond. The fight with Grant shows a physicality and apprehension. Also, the way he handles Kerim's death and his anger with Tatiana about it is one of his best scenes.
5. Moore in FYEO: He shows Bond's most sensitive side when comforting Melina, Bond's toughest side when killing Locque, and Bond's coolness in the car and ski chases. He just makes Bond seem like a real and relateable person with many different sides that all fit together.
Dr. No - Great introduction from Connery, showing him to be masculine, professional but also warm, charming and caring.
Goldfinger - Worked with Connery's sense of humor and allowed his Bond to be as clever and sly as possible
For Your Eyes Only - Moore shows that he can do a serious Fleming-Bond very well when he wants to
Octopussy - Establishes Moore in the role as the humorous debonair gentleman
The Living Daylights - Dalton's performance has an energy, believability and vitality to it
License to Kill - Dalton decides to be even more of a dangerous bad boy this time around
Goldeneye - Brosnan's strong debut as a handsome suave gentleman who can also be lethal.
The World Is Not Enough - Brosnan's darkest performance. I loved the PTS and everything in general
Casino Royale - Craig made Bond a rough tough lustful romantic, and shook the world by storm.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Your arguments have got me remembering what a great performance Moore gives in OP. It's one of the more mediocre Bind films IMO, but Moore's tempered performance really makes up for it, and his chemistry with Maude Adams in their scenes together is really great.
Also, I agree that Dalton's performance in TLD is one of the most unique in the series. The subtlety, as you put it, with which he carries the performance is really original.
And Connery's reaction to Kerim'a death would be one of the prime examples I would use as well to demonstrate that FRWL is his best performance.
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I thought Moore established himself as the humorous debonair gentleman long before Octopussy. That part of the role was present in all of his Bond films, though maybe not as much in TMWTGG where he played Bond tougher. Octopussy is unique for how serious Moore plays Bond in much of it.
Which would you rate as your top 5, as the thread requests?
2) Dalton in LTK – the ultimate hard-boiled Bond, and the script plays to his strengths perfectly. One-liners are mean instead of witty, but just as memorable. Also, who can forget his delivery when he asks Pam to get him a martini? “SHAKEN! …not stirred.” Classic.
3) Connery in GF – this is the one where Connery starts to wear the Bond persona like a second-skin, and his charisma is almost visible to the naked eye.
4) Dalton in TLD – His gutsy interpretation redefined the cinematic Bond into someone powerful and truly believable as a superspy, without going too far and still retains the necessary suaveness and charm.
5) Craig in SF –coming into his own, adding much needed humor and dry wit to the character. Finally he actually seems like James Bond, and a damn good one at that.
Bond: Pierce Brosnan Villain: Hugo Drax Girl: Pam Bouvier
2. Moore in TSWLM. Not super genius like MR and TMWTGG. More likable than in TMWTGG, but retains cold-blooded killer. Looks damn good in this one and not too old like FYEO, OP and AVTAK.
3. Craig in CR. Better dressed than CR. Not burnt out like Skyfall. Near perfect rendition of Fleming's Bond on screen.
4. Brosnan in TND. Better hair cut than GE. Right mix of handsome, but deadly. Knows when to be serious and knows when to have fun. TWINE he was a little too corporate looking.
5. Dalton in TLD or LTK. Rugged and athletic. Believable as a real James Bond with a harder edge.
Honorable Mention: Moore in AVTAK. This might actually be my favorite Moore performance, except he doesn't look near as dashing as in the first 4 films. I like his banter with Tippett, sensitivity with Stacy, and cold disdain for Zorin.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
2 - Craig in SF
3 - Dalton in LTK
4 - Connery in FRWL
5 - Moore in FYEO
6 - Moore in LALD
7 - Moore in TSWLM
8 - Moore in AVTAK
9 - Craig in CR
10 - Connery in DN
11 - Connery in DAF
12 - Dalton in TLD
13 - Craig in QOS
14 - Connery in TB
15 - Moore in MR
16 - Connery in GF
17 - Connery in YOLT
18 - Brosnan in GE
19 - Brosnan in TWINE
20 - Moore in TMWTGG
21 - Brosnan in TND
21 - Brosnan in DAD
23 - Lazenby in OHMSS
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
Agreed on all accounts. I've always felt that Connery's performance in TB was superior to GF. Other than FRWL, I'd say it's his best.
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I don't care too much for his treatment of Patricia Fearing. She wasn't even a villain combatant like Pussy Galore…
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
2: Moore - OP. Awesome mix of serious and fun - and Moore really is having fun and completely owning the role. He wants to be. His serious acting is the most believable out of all his films.
3: Connery - GF. The suaveness of how he plays the role is charming even to me. Yeah, he's prisoner for much of the film, but in comparison to TB, he doesn't look bored. Love the golf game, his talking around of GF under the laser and his chemistry with Pussy Galore.
4: Brosnan - TWINE. Bond in being played or playing others in this complex game. Brosnan plays this with intrigue and I think his performance in this is awesome, a few years on from TND he looks his best too.
5: Lazenby - OHMSS. Comes more down to how amazing it is Lazenby pulled this off so well as he wasn't an actor. Moved well, looks great and some of his acting was pretty damn good.
"Better make that two."
So, I'm taking Connery out of the mix and only focusing on those that remain. In order from best to worst in the five:
1) Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Though he limits his performance to only a few emotions -- mostly hurt and anger -- Craig's performance resuscitates what had become a cliched character. He simply owns Bond the way Connery did, just without the range and nuances. He is certainly the most interesting actor to portray the part in years. The shame is that the films that follow don't capitalize as much on his performances so much as rely on them to carry what are essentially middling to good scripts, including the vastly overrated Skyfall. In fact, his Bond so far evolves the least of any in terms of performances.
2) George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Let's be honest -- any actor succeeding Connery would have faced an enormous challenge inhabiting the role, and it's mostly the reason Timothy Dalton and others wisely chickened out. Lazenby is burdened, too, with a nontraditional director, who was determined to make the first "artsy" Bond film, with unusual editing techniques and lots of stylized shots that hide the actor's face. Considering his limited experience, Lazenby does, indeed, create his own version of Bond, and it in many ways is as successful -- but just not as popular -- as Connery's or Craig's.
3) Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me. While Roger Moore steps into the role well in Live and Let Die, he is essentially redoing Simon Templar. But by the time this third film comes around, he manages to ground the character in more Fleming-esque ways, and even more so than in For Your Eyes Only. Here, Moore is on par with the Connery performances, and he is very much James Bond.
4) Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights. In what might be considered a proto-Craig approach, Dalton tries to ground his Bond in the character from the novels, and for the most part, he succeeds. He is lean and mean, and he gives Bond a sense of palpable threat. At the same time, Dalton could be very cool and suave. The problem, though, was like Craig, taking Bond so much in one direction made the contrast with everything else stick out more, and Dalton was simply not very good with the romance and comedy. He seemed genuinely uncomfortable. And the films hadn't yet committed to going full out dark.
5) Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only. This is the seasoned Bond, similar to Connery's approach in Never Say Never Again. Though the skiing scenes might give one pause, here Moore more or less acts his age, something they would forget with the next two films. He seems flinty and amused, and a little out of his depth physically, such as in the hockey scene. He treats the barely adult girl as the child she is. The result is not only a more pleasant film, but a more enjoyable performance.
Some people might wonder why Craig doesn't show up on the list more. After all, I have trumpeted him since the beginning. The reason is the nature of the question. I do think these performances, following Connery's, are the best. The problem with Craig is he is the same in every Bond film he has been in. It worked brilliantly in Casino Royale because that was what was called for. Not so much in Quantum of Solace or Skyfall. Yes, he is excellent, but the performances don't eclipse anything else he already did. I'm hoping for more range in Spectre, and I think I will get it. But he's getting a little one note.
#2: Dalton in LTK. I only list this second because he had a wider range in TLD due the story.
#3: Connery in GF. At the absolute top of his game here.
#4: Brosnan in TND. Suave, mean, funny- the man could do it all.
#5: Craig in QOS. What intensity. The last scene with the two spies was Dan's best work IMHO.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Completely agree.
"Better make that two."
Not sure I totally agree, but you make a compelling argument here. And I think what you're getting at is the same thing about Craig'a performance that currently has me ready for a new Bond to take over. Craig is, and might always be my favorite Bond, but even if he did one or two more films, I don't think we'd see anything super new from him, despite the fact that he'd probably still be great. After SPECTRE I think I'll be more than ready to see what the next man can bring to the table.
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FRWL
TLD
LTK
CR
All the films have the tagline "as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007". In those five, it's true. In many others it should be "as EON's James Bond 007".
I like your style Virgil {[] . Any other performances in the series that you'd say fit the "as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007" moniker?
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Don't get me wrong, I love "EON's James Bond 007". Connery in GF, TB...It's another way of saying that the movies are different from the novels, which is not a bad thing per se. I'd say Craig's performances are very Fleming-esque. Brosnan did come close in TWINE ,his relationship with Elektra could have been written by Fleming. Moore had his moments too, normally when he didn't go for laughs. The moment Anya realises Bond killed her lover in TSWLM, and he admits he did, he conveys the essence of the character. Lazenby did his best, succeeding on and off.
Yeah I hear ya. It didn't come off as you saying you disliked Eon's 007. I actually think it's a very accurate distinction. I think each actor moves somewhere between Eon's 007 and Fleming's 007, as you have pretty much described.
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#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS