In fact, Connery's portrayal in YOLT is my least favourite by a Bond actor in the whole series.
Perhaps it's because I love Connery so much, but I think his performance in YOLT (his worst official performance by a long way IMO) was still terrific by the standards of many other actors. In fact, the reason YOLT is fifth on my list is mainly due to the presence of Connery.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
My favourite bond film, Lazenby looked good and would have been a great Bond, unlike the cardboard cut-out Moore. Diana Rigg was by far and away the best Bond girl intelligent and interesting instead of the norm of perfect capped teethed American non-actresses. Connery couldn't have pulled off the emotional scences in OHMSS. Anyway he was already getting too long in the tooth(Teeth again?).I liked Savalas as Blofeld he always had a deranged glint in his eye! As for Daniel Craig what was wrong with casting Clive Owen, Daniel should stick to his tramps clothes and roll-ups.
Said it before, I'll say it again. DAF - worst Connery appearence. He isnt even trying to act English in thish one.
Well, as I have said previously, I don't agree. I thought Connery was brilliant in DAF. And what do you mean not acting English? I think that Connery, a Scotsman, acted English just as much in DAF as he did in any of his previous five films.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Yesh, Dan Shame. I shee what you mean by that. Shome people may complain aboust Shean's accent becaushe he shtartsh to pronouce "s" shounds with a very noticable "h." Very Shcotish thing to do. Flash back to 1962 where he had an English accent.
Of course, he did a very bad accent in Hunt for Red October.
Yesh, Dan Shame. I shee what you mean by that. Shome people may complain aboust Shean's accent becaushe he shtartsh to pronouce "s" shounds with a very noticable "h." Very Shcotish thing to do. Flash back to 1962 where he had an English accent.
Of course, he did a very bad accent in Hunt for Red October.
Very funny. 8-) Except, the way I see it, his accent was just as Scottish in DN. But, then what do I know? I've only seen the Connery Bond films dozens of times. )
(Plus, even if it were true that Connery's accent was more English in DN, I stand by my contention that Connery's performance in DAF was brilliant and among the best in the series. I don't believe that great accents equal great performances and IMO his performance in DAF, regardless of accent, was a masterful Bond performance.)
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Wow kiddo, Id be impressed that you've seen so many Connery's movies. Except that we're on a forum talking about James Bond, and the majority of people would own all of the movies, not seen them dozens of times. For example, I have the new collection sitting in the very room as my computer. I also had the old movies on DVD too. SO whatever you know, chances are I know just as much.
Look, Dan - you like DAF. It isnt as if its the worst movie ever made. But stop holding it up as if it's cinematic gold whenever people point out some of it's weaker points.
For example, I have the new collection sitting in the very room as my computer. I also had the old movies on DVD too. SO whatever you know, chances are I know just as much.
First, I never said that you don't know alot. Second, wether you own all or none of the films is not really the point. I was actually talking about myself. Why do I need to comfort you and tell you that you know alot about Bond? Afterall you own all the films. 8-)
Look, Dan - you like DAF. It isnt as if its the worst movie ever made. But stop holding it up as if it's cinematic gold whenever people point out some of it's weaker points.
Perhaps I do think it's cinematic gold.* Why can't I have my own opinion? God forbid , I have a different opinion to you. 8-) Taity, you may not like Connery's performance, but I do, and I have just as much of a right to my opinion as you do to yours. And wether you like it or not, I will keep praising Connery's performance in DAF (and anything else that I think deserves praise.) I have just as much of a right to deliver praise as you do to deliver criticism. If you don't like it, then just don't respond. 8-)
*For the recond, I don't think that DAF is cinematic gold (although I think it is much better that alot of people give it credit for) but I do think that Connery's performance is cinematic gold, a view that I stand by.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Look, mate - think of it like this. I said that Connery's accent was more Scotish in DAF than DN. You then offered up your opinion followed by saying...
But, then what do I know? I've only seen the Connery Bond films dozens of times. )
Don't forget that lovely smily you put in. The way you phrased it it sounded as if you had a superior knowledge of the topic. Then when I responded saying that I owned the movies - you said it wasnt relevent. It was - I directly responded to the way you acted.
Just agree to disagree and get back on topic - it was actually about OHMSS, not Connery in DAF. Have the last word if you must.
Don't forget that lovely smily you put in. The way you phrased it it sounded as if you had a superior knowledge of the topic.
My apologies. I meant no such thing.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
The reference to Bond being a Scot (ans Swiss) comes mainly from the novel of YOLT. The novel was however written after COnnery had done a couple of movies as Bond, so Fleming had tailored the description to fit him.
The earlier novels never said he was a Scot, they said that he was English. Fleming also wrote about Bond's appreciation of English values - primarily English, didnt ever really mention Britain. For example, in the book of Moonraker, I always got the impression that it was a reflection of English life to which Fleming made a point of saying that Bond fits very well into it.
Fleming also wrote about Bond's appreciation of English values - primarily English, didnt ever really mention Britain. For example, in the book of Moonraker, I always got the impression that it was a reflection of English life to which Fleming made a point of saying that Bond fits very well into it.
That is an interesting point about Moonraker taity, as I have always taken it as a suggestion to the contrary. I am thinking particularly of this quotation:
"Bond knew there was something alien and un-English about himself. He knew that he was a difficult man to cover up. Particularly in England. He shrugged his shoulders. Abroad was what mattered. He would never have a job to do in England."
Indeed, considering that quotation further I think it would be difficult to contend that Bond ever was a specifically English character, and I've always thought that Fleming gave Bond Scottish heritage due to his father Valentine: Connery was born in Edinburgh and Andrew Bond was 'of Glencoe', two places about as different from one another one is likely to find in Scotland.
As for the original question, I also cannot imagine Connery in OHMSS. That picture is perfect the way it is, with Lazenby as Bond.
"Bond knew there was something alien and un-English about himself. He knew that he was a difficult man to cover up. Particularly in England. He shrugged his shoulders. Abroad was what mattered. He would never have a job to do in England."
Being new to the books--just about to read MR (if college work permits me too X-( ), Fleming lurves the use of all his character shrugging their blasted shoulders!
Wonder what this film would have been like with TD as Bond. I believe he was approached ?:)
Being new to the books--just about to read MR (if college work permits me too X-( ), Fleming lurves the use of all his character shrugging their blasted shoulders!
You are in for a treat Mr Woodpigeon; in my view Moonraker is one of Fleming's best novels, certainly the best of the earler ones. If you are reading them in order look forward also to From Russia with Love and You Only Live Twice; two superlative thrillers that leave an indelible impression on the reader, even though they are both completely different from one another.
You will certainly notice some similar phrases in the Bond thrillers, one thing I remember distinctly is that Bond has 'fierce slits' for eyes all the time.
To relate to OHMSS again, I really do think George Lazenby acquitted himself very well in the role. There is a sense of trepidation in his Bond, an uneasiness with moments of despondency and self-reflection. One might argue that Peter Hunt can take credit for that, however I think Lazenby did an excellent job and brought to the fore a rather different and fascinating interpretation of the 007 character. The film would have been very different had Connery played Bond, and not a better one.
"Bond knew there was something alien and un-English about himself. He knew that he was a difficult man to cover up. Particularly in England. He shrugged his shoulders. Abroad was what mattered. He would never have a job to do in England."
theres loads of other passages where bond shows his disdain for English ways
particularly he doesnt like tea or baths
he likes coffee and showers
I think he a postwar, man-of-the-world, and often prefers the practical ways of americans to the hidebound traditions of his fellow Brits
(and other characters frequently mistake him for a yank, making comments like "I thought the english were supposed to be shy")
in Flemings Moonraker there is all that snobbery going on in the Blades Club, however
M and his friends cant deal with the gross manners of Hugo Drax, apparantly a selfmade millionaire born in the docks of Liverpool, and Bond shares their snobbery
Moonraker has an unusual ammount of Englishcontent cuz it all takes place on the homefront
but I think Fleming is getting into describing another one of his favourite landscapes: the County of Kent
he returns to it in Goldfinger, its one of these places he spends pages describing every turn in the road, every switchback, every roadside tavern
it seems to rank just behind Jamaica and the alps as a favoured place to write about
I'm sure I've read in more than one James Bond biography that if Sean had played 007 in OHMSS the film would have ended with the wedding and that the subsequent death of Tracy would have formed part of the pre-titles sequence to the next film - DAF. Had this occurred our whole perception of both films and indeed a big chunk of 007 cinema history would be totally different. Ultimately I believe that it is the fact that George Lazenby is a 'new' 007 in OHMSS which contributes much to the triumph of the film. I'm sure Sean COULD have done an admirable job - but only if he'd thrown off his much talked about weariness towards the franchise and rediscovered his earlier enthusiasm. Of course we'll never know.
OHMSS remains my favourite 007 film. George Lazenby and Diana Rigg captured the moment spectacularly well.
...if Sean had played 007 in OHMSS the film would have ended with the wedding and that the subsequent death of Tracy would have formed part of the pre-titles sequence to the next film - DAF.
sounds familiar, but I believe that was the plan if Lazenby had done more than one
I adore the ending to OHMSS but I think that the alternative (Tracey dies in the PTS to DAF which becomes a revenge thriller) could have been great. My only objection, however, is that I love DAF.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Don't get me wrong. I like DAF. But the movie's follow up to Tracy's murder seemed . . . I don't know. Lacking would be the best term, I think.
DAF was no masterpiece, but for what it was and set out to do, I think it was terrific. I don't think DAF is among the best of Bond films but I do think it is among the most fun.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
The only thing I could say was wrong with the film would be right at the very end- I find the triumphant strains of the Bond theme that follows the gorgeous, moving 'We Have All The Time In The World' to be all wrong.
I felt the same way when I heard that.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Don't get me wrong. I like DAF. But the movie's follow up to Tracy's murder seemed . . . I don't know. Lacking would be the best term, I think.
DAF was no masterpiece, but for what it was and set out to do, I think it was terrific. I don't think DAF is among the best of Bond films but I do think it is among the most fun.
I agree. It was a fun movie. I just hated the way they treated Bond's revenge for Tracey's death. It was so distant and cold. The movie couldn't even state why Bond was after Blofeld.
I've always been disappointed by this---I'm rather a fan of DAF as well; it's my favourite of the so-thought-of (by me) 'comedic' Bond films---but it would have been fascinating to have a more resonant, emotionally-engaging follow-up to Tracy's murder. I think this is true whether you do it with her murder in OHMSS (thus making DAF more revenge-oriented) or having OHMSS end happily and making Tracy's death the inciting incident of DAF...
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
I find the fact that Lazenby only played Bond once makes OHMSS all the more special. There’s something quite moving about it being the only time. Especially when you consider what happens in the film. I think Connery could have done it, but it would have a different feel to it. Connery’s Bond rarely showed fear and if he did it quickly turned to anger. He seems indestructible. It would have been interesting to see how Connery would have coped with the parts of the script that required him to act against that. Bond is on the run for much of the latter part of the movie. Lazenby’s Bond looks afraid when he’s trying to hide from Blofeld’s henchmen at the winter fairground. I’m not sure Connery’s would have. He might have ran, but he would have looked vengeful, like he was really looking forward to getting an opportunity to beat them to death. I also can’t imagine Connery reacting in the same way to the person in the menacing polar bear costume that Bond stumbles into. Lazenby Bond jumps back in shock. I can see Connery punching the polar bear’s face in. Now that I think of it, I can also see Roger Moore’s Bond stealing the costume and spending the rest of the movie dressed as a bear.
Then there’s my favourite ever moment in a Bond film, actually ANY film, when Bond is sitting alone at a table by the ice rink and a skater stops in front of him, the camera pans upward and its Tracy. It’s a scene that has Bond being rescued by a woman and I just can’t see Connery playing that. I suspect he would have taken control and been the dominating actor, while here it’s Diana Rigg who leads the scene and it’s much better that way. Tracy even drives the car when they make their getaway. I think Connery’s Bond would have picked her up and put her in the boot rather than let that happen. But then again I’m speculating, we’re never going to know, but I don’t mind. I like OHMSS just the way it is.
It’s a pity Lazenby had such bad advice back then. I got hold of an Italian horror film he starred in shortly after quitting Bond, called ‘Who Saw Her Die?’ and the special features included an interview with the producer, who claimed that Lazenby did this film for the simple reason that he was broke and wanted enough money to buy a boat and go sailing. The song that closed ‘TWINE,’ Scott Walker’s ‘Only Myself to Blame,’ always reminds me of Lazenby and I guess if there was change I would make I would put that over the closing titles of OHMSS.
I also can’t imagine Connery reacting in the same way to the person in the menacing polar bear costume that Bond stumbles into. Lazenby Bond jumps back in shock. I can see Connery punching the polar bear’s face in.
There is a very similar scene in Thunderball. At the mardi gras, Sean Connery's Bond has been shot in the leg, he's running away (as best he can) from Fiona Volpe, Vargas & Co. He stumbles into a man in the street. Connery's reaction is very similar to that of George Lazenby. And he does not punch the man's face in.
If Connery was sufficiently motivated then he would have been a much more convincing Bond in OHMSS than Lazenby was. However, if Connery was in YOLT mode, we're better off with Lazenby.
Sorry, haven't seen TB in a while. Been meaning to get the ultimate edition. That and YOLT are the only Connery Bonds I don't have. Note to self- Must complete collection.
Comments
Sorry, what makes it official? Did EON organise a special group to decide this?
Said it before, I'll say it again. DAF - worst Connery appearence. He isnt even trying to act English in thish one.
Well, as I have said previously, I don't agree. I thought Connery was brilliant in DAF. And what do you mean not acting English? I think that Connery, a Scotsman, acted English just as much in DAF as he did in any of his previous five films.
Of course, he did a very bad accent in Hunt for Red October.
but true
"Better make that two."
(Plus, even if it were true that Connery's accent was more English in DN, I stand by my contention that Connery's performance in DAF was brilliant and among the best in the series. I don't believe that great accents equal great performances and IMO his performance in DAF, regardless of accent, was a masterful Bond performance.)
Look, Dan - you like DAF. It isnt as if its the worst movie ever made. But stop holding it up as if it's cinematic gold whenever people point out some of it's weaker points.
So what if I don't own all of the movies and most of the people on this forum do? That means absolutely nothing.
First, I never said that you don't know alot. Second, wether you own all or none of the films is not really the point. I was actually talking about myself. Why do I need to comfort you and tell you that you know alot about Bond? Afterall you own all the films. 8-)
Perhaps I do think it's cinematic gold.* Why can't I have my own opinion? God forbid
*For the recond, I don't think that DAF is cinematic gold (although I think it is much better that alot of people give it credit for) but I do think that Connery's performance is cinematic gold, a view that I stand by.
Don't forget that lovely smily you put in. The way you phrased it it sounded as if you had a superior knowledge of the topic. Then when I responded saying that I owned the movies - you said it wasnt relevent. It was - I directly responded to the way you acted.
Just agree to disagree and get back on topic - it was actually about OHMSS, not Connery in DAF. Have the last word if you must.
Now that IS funny!
Connery has the right accent, its all these other wanabes who keep screwing it up
The reference to Bond being a Scot (ans Swiss) comes mainly from the novel of YOLT. The novel was however written after COnnery had done a couple of movies as Bond, so Fleming had tailored the description to fit him.
The earlier novels never said he was a Scot, they said that he was English. Fleming also wrote about Bond's appreciation of English values - primarily English, didnt ever really mention Britain. For example, in the book of Moonraker, I always got the impression that it was a reflection of English life to which Fleming made a point of saying that Bond fits very well into it.
"Bond knew there was something alien and un-English about himself. He knew that he was a difficult man to cover up. Particularly in England. He shrugged his shoulders. Abroad was what mattered. He would never have a job to do in England."
Indeed, considering that quotation further I think it would be difficult to contend that Bond ever was a specifically English character, and I've always thought that Fleming gave Bond Scottish heritage due to his father Valentine: Connery was born in Edinburgh and Andrew Bond was 'of Glencoe', two places about as different from one another one is likely to find in Scotland.
As for the original question, I also cannot imagine Connery in OHMSS. That picture is perfect the way it is, with Lazenby as Bond.
Being new to the books--just about to read MR (if college work permits me too X-( ), Fleming lurves the use of all his character shrugging their blasted shoulders!
Wonder what this film would have been like with TD as Bond. I believe he was approached ?:)
You will certainly notice some similar phrases in the Bond thrillers, one thing I remember distinctly is that Bond has 'fierce slits' for eyes all the time.
To relate to OHMSS again, I really do think George Lazenby acquitted himself very well in the role. There is a sense of trepidation in his Bond, an uneasiness with moments of despondency and self-reflection. One might argue that Peter Hunt can take credit for that, however I think Lazenby did an excellent job and brought to the fore a rather different and fascinating interpretation of the 007 character. The film would have been very different had Connery played Bond, and not a better one.
particularly he doesnt like tea or baths
he likes coffee and showers
I think he a postwar, man-of-the-world, and often prefers the practical ways of americans to the hidebound traditions of his fellow Brits
(and other characters frequently mistake him for a yank, making comments like "I thought the english were supposed to be shy")
in Flemings Moonraker there is all that snobbery going on in the Blades Club, however
M and his friends cant deal with the gross manners of Hugo Drax, apparantly a selfmade millionaire born in the docks of Liverpool, and Bond shares their snobbery
Moonraker has an unusual ammount of Englishcontent cuz it all takes place on the homefront
but I think Fleming is getting into describing another one of his favourite landscapes: the County of Kent
he returns to it in Goldfinger, its one of these places he spends pages describing every turn in the road, every switchback, every roadside tavern
it seems to rank just behind Jamaica and the alps as a favoured place to write about
OHMSS remains my favourite 007 film. George Lazenby and Diana Rigg captured the moment spectacularly well.
Regards,
Mark
I felt the same way when I heard that.
I've always been disappointed by this---I'm rather a fan of DAF as well; it's my favourite of the so-thought-of (by me) 'comedic' Bond films---but it would have been fascinating to have a more resonant, emotionally-engaging follow-up to Tracy's murder. I think this is true whether you do it with her murder in OHMSS (thus making DAF more revenge-oriented) or having OHMSS end happily and making Tracy's death the inciting incident of DAF...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Then there’s my favourite ever moment in a Bond film, actually ANY film, when Bond is sitting alone at a table by the ice rink and a skater stops in front of him, the camera pans upward and its Tracy. It’s a scene that has Bond being rescued by a woman and I just can’t see Connery playing that. I suspect he would have taken control and been the dominating actor, while here it’s Diana Rigg who leads the scene and it’s much better that way. Tracy even drives the car when they make their getaway. I think Connery’s Bond would have picked her up and put her in the boot rather than let that happen. But then again I’m speculating, we’re never going to know, but I don’t mind. I like OHMSS just the way it is.
It’s a pity Lazenby had such bad advice back then. I got hold of an Italian horror film he starred in shortly after quitting Bond, called ‘Who Saw Her Die?’ and the special features included an interview with the producer, who claimed that Lazenby did this film for the simple reason that he was broke and wanted enough money to buy a boat and go sailing. The song that closed ‘TWINE,’ Scott Walker’s ‘Only Myself to Blame,’ always reminds me of Lazenby and I guess if there was change I would make I would put that over the closing titles of OHMSS.
There is a very similar scene in Thunderball. At the mardi gras, Sean Connery's Bond has been shot in the leg, he's running away (as best he can) from Fiona Volpe, Vargas & Co. He stumbles into a man in the street. Connery's reaction is very similar to that of George Lazenby. And he does not punch the man's face in.
If Connery was sufficiently motivated then he would have been a much more convincing Bond in OHMSS than Lazenby was. However, if Connery was in YOLT mode, we're better off with Lazenby.