Best single Bond acting moment?

i expect u2 diei expect u2 die LondonPosts: 583MI6 Agent
What would you say is the best single piece of acting from any of the Bond actors?

I've been watching Casino Royale on DVD, and Daniel Craig's performance still manages to amaze me.
I'm almost completely in favour of the notion that Craig is in a league of his own... beyond even Connery.


The moment I would pick is the anguish on Bond's face as he sits over Vesper's body, having pulled her out of the water. You can literally see a lump enter his throat and his lip quiver as he begins to cry, but doesn't quite let it out.
I find those few seconds incredibly powerful :)
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Comments

  • Krassno GranitskiKrassno Granitski USAPosts: 896MI6 Agent
    Dalton's reaction during Saunders death scene in TLD still stands out as a highlight to me. "I got the message"
  • JennyFlexFanJennyFlexFan Posts: 1,497MI6 Agent
    Roger Moore
    ---

    Drax: You missed Mr. Bond.
    Bond: Did I? As you said, such a good sport.

    The calm delivery of Moore's lines here are pretty amazing.
    ---

    Bond: You left this with Ferrara I believe.
    (throws in pin and kicks car down the cliff)

    There are so many moore but I can't think of any at the moment.
  • taitytaity Posts: 702MI6 Agent
    ---There are so many moore but I can't think of any at the moment.

    Now I can just picture Roger saying that.

    While on the topic of Moore, my vote would go in for the scene where Anya realises that Bond killed her b/f. I think Moore's monologue there was brilliant.

    I think I may agree that Craig does give a great performance as James Bond, and I'd believe he passes Sean Connery
  • Krassno GranitskiKrassno Granitski USAPosts: 896MI6 Agent
    taity wrote:
    I think I may agree that Craig does give a great performance as James Bond, and I'd believe he passes Sean Connery
    Well now I would have to say that he should do at least another Bond film or two before I would say that. I just saw Thunderball again today and Connery was just AWESOME, maybe his best performance as Bond.

    I would also mention Lazenby in the proposal and Tracey deaths scene as some of the finest acting in the series easily on par with what the other more experienced actors have brought to the table.
  • Harry PalmerHarry Palmer Somewhere in the past ...Posts: 325MI6 Agent
    I would agree that Dalton's angry expression after Saunders's death would at least have to make my top 3. There are many other Dalton moments I like but I'm gonna pick that one.

    I would also add Craig's half-smile as he's being handcuffed on the runway and the nameless terrorist is about to blow himself up.

    Finally, Craig getting into the shower to console Vesper, taking off his bow-tie
    1. Cr, 2. Ltk, 3. Tld, 4. Qs, 5. Ohmss, 6. Twine, 7. Tnd, 8. Tswlm, 9. Frwl, 10. Tb, 11. Ge, 12. Gf, 13. Dn, 14. Mr, 15. Op, 16. Yolt, 17. Sf, 18. Daf, 19. Avtak, 20. Sp, 21. Fyeo, 22. Dad, 23. Lald, 24. Tmwtgg
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Roger Moore
    ---

    Drax: You missed Mr. Bond.
    Bond: Did I? As you said, such a good sport.

    The calm delivery of Moore's lines here are pretty amazing.
    ---

    Bond: You left this with Ferrara I believe.
    (throws in pin and kicks car down the cliff)

    There are so many moore but I can't think of any at the moment.
    Moore had some amazing moments, and while I can't identify his best, I think those two moments were indeed fantastic! {[]
    "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
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Well now I would have to say that he should do at least another Bond film or two before I would say that. I just saw Thunderball again today and Connery was just AWESOME, maybe his best performance as Bond.
    I don't think Craig will ever surpass Connery (or Moore or Brosnan) as IMO he had only one really good acting moment; the final scene.
    I would also mention Lazenby in the proposal and Tracey deaths scene as some of the finest acting in the series easily on par with what the other more experienced actors have brought to the table.
    I thought that Lazenby's acting in the death scene was indeed one of the greatest acting moments of all time. However if I had to pick the best, I would pick Connery's acting in the conversation scene with Goldfinger (after Goldfinger revealed the plan) in GF. I think it was absoutely astonishing! :D -{
    "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
  • Tee HeeTee Hee CBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Roger Moore
    ---

    Drax: You missed Mr. Bond.
    Bond: Did I? As you said, such a good sport.

    The calm delivery of Moore's lines here are pretty amazing.
    ---

    Bond: You left this with Ferrara I believe.
    (throws in pin and kicks car down the cliff)

    There are so many moore but I can't think of any at the moment.

    Please forgive my obvious bias, but I think Roger Moore's most serious moments are among the best in the series. Aside from the two JFF has mentioned, I would also include Bond in the centrifuge trainer in MR, Bond's confrontation of Orlov in OP, and Bond's defusal of the bomb in OP. Roger Moore is a hell of an actor. As much as a love him as a comedic Bond, I believe that if he played Bond more seriously he could have ranked higher than Connery among fans.

    Ah well, he still has me standing beside him. :D
    "My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised..."

    -Roger Moore
  • actonsteveactonsteve Posts: 299MI6 Agent
    Each Bond

    Connery - confronation with Tania on train in FRWL
    Lazeny - final scene in OHMSS
    Moore - confrontation with Orlov on train in Octopussy. His anger is just stunning.
    Dalton - Saunders Death in TLD
    Pushkin at gunpoint
    discovery of Dellas body LTK
    Brosnan - finding Paris' body in TND
    Craig - Christ, all of it - from start to finish.
  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    Bond on the laser table in GF. Marvelous emotion from Connery.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    edited March 2007
    Picking a single one seems nearly impossible...but if I had to pick one...it would be the last one I've listed here:

    Sean Connery in FRWL...confronting Tatania when he suspects she's responsible for Kerim Bey's death.

    Lazenby in OHMSS...the final scene.

    Moore in MR...immediately after the centrifuge escape.

    Dalton in LTK, to Lupe..."You'd better find yourself a new lover."

    Brosnan in TND, just before Paris arrives in his room...vodka and regrets.

    Craig in CR...all of it, as has been said, but particularly in the torture sequence, where he laughs in Le Chiffre's face. Le Chiffre says, "You're really not going to tell me, are you?" Bond, still laughing in agony, shakes his head, 'no.'

    :007)
    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 expect u2 diei expect u2 die LondonPosts: 583MI6 Agent

    I would also mention Lazenby in the proposal and Tracey deaths scene as some of the finest acting in the series easily on par with what the other more experienced actors have brought to the table.

    I agree wholeheartedly here. However weak Lazenby's performance may be throughout the (fantastic) film, his acting here is certainly up there with the best.
  • scglrmtdpbdc007scglrmtdpbdc007 Posts: 9MI6 Agent
    I agree that Daniel Craig is the best actor. I think his best scene was when he was being tortured.
  • osrisosris Posts: 558MI6 Agent
    I don't think acting is all that important in a Bond movie. Connery played the part with just the right balance between acting and non-acting. Craig is over the top, and Moore was under the top.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    A bit of thread revival going on here.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • mrbain007mrbain007 Posts: 393MI6 Agent
    ooo...tricky one :):

    I'd certainly say Tracy's death is a contender for the best as its (arguably) the most devestating.

    Others could be:
    -The build up to the train fight between Bond and Grant in FRWL
    -The verbal square off between Bond and Scaramanga in MWTGG ("there's a certain four-letter word...and you're full of it")
    -Bond telling Anya about her lover's death in TSWLM
    -Bond's "two graves" speech in FYEO
    -"He was married once - but it was a long time ago"
    -The graveyard scene in GE
    -Beach scene in GE
    -Bond and Paris love scene TND
    -torture scene in TWINE
    -scene with Bond and M in hospital in DAD
    -shower scene in CR
    -First scene between M and Bond in QoS

    Those are a few I can think of that stand out
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Dalton's Expression after Saunders Death,along with the "I got the Message" Line are great.
    Moore in Spy, talking about skiing down a mountain with someone trying to put a Bullet in your back.
    Connery, FRWL the scene on the train with Grant. The build up to the fight.
    Lazenby, The final scene in OHMSS. Death of Tracy
    Brosnan, The killing of Dr Kaufman "I'm just a professional doing a job" "Me Too "
    Craig, CR opening scene his Killing in the Office.

    Hard to pin down a list as I keep thinking of others.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Ricardo C.Ricardo C. Posts: 916MI6 Agent
    No Bond actor will ever top Bond at the Casino in Doctor No.
  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    so many great ones, and a good deal of consensus emerging with predictably and understandably a strong showing for Connerry and Craig. Good to see Lazzer rightly commended for the Tracy death scene. What strikes me is how many DC rightly clocks up with only two films to date. Particularly when most of those cited seem to come from CR.

    Nice to see Brozzer getting some recognition for the Dr Kauffman scene and others. I always thought the Kauffman scene particularly when he is asking how he will make it look like Bond killed her as his best part in the role. He manages to stifle and supress his anger in a manner that Connerry or DC could be proud of had they done it.

    A great topic that I'm sure can run and run.

    What about when...(to be continued)
  • Dalton's reaction during Saunders death scene in TLD still stands out as a highlight to me. "I got the message"
    I will have to agree with this and also the moment where Dalton finds Della and Felix after Sanchez escape. That always haunts me.
    And George Lazenby at the very end of OHMSS. The death scene was brillant.
    I also really like the conversation Bond and Grant has on the train before the fight "Tell me, which lunatic asylum did they get you of...?" You remember that one.
    I For Roger Moore I would have to with the scene in TMWTGG where he talks to miss Anders in her room. He is so mean to her.
    "You're hurting my arm" - "I'll break unless you tell me where those bullets go..."
    and this one...
    "Who knows...? He might even use one of his little golden bullets on you. And that would be a pity because they are very expensive"
    For Brosnan I think it would be the chair scene at the end of TWINE.
    Daniel Craig I don't know. I think he is very angry all the time. In QOS he is overacting. One of the worst Bond performances ever. But the shower scene in CR was good. And also after the stairwell fight when Bond tells Vesper to tell Mathis where the bodies are... That scene was very strong.
    But I have to go back to Dalton.
    Remember the end of TLD when there is no more fuel on the plane and the motor stops. I think Daltons reaction is priceless. He looks like if he has given up and even manages to scare the **** out of Kara.
  • bigbychoicebigbychoice United StatesPosts: 27MI6 Agent
    Connery is the man!!! When Dr. No starts and it comes in on Connery lighting that cigarette? That set the series... Really anything that Connery did as Bond was great. He just had this delivery to lines that came out with such swagger and a tinge of smart ass-ness. Not as silly as RM, but with a playfulness. None of the other Bond actors match it. Im not saying that they werent good too, but Connery just had it. That was the best.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    You have captured my sentiments precisely, my friend!
    Connery is the man!!! When Dr. No starts and it comes in on Connery lighting that cigarette? That set the series... Really anything that Connery did as Bond was great. He just had this delivery to lines that came out with such swagger and a tinge of smart ass-ness. Not as silly as RM, but with a playfulness. None of the other Bond actors match it. Im not saying that they werent good too, but Connery just had it. That was the best.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    The scene on the beach when Bond attempts to tell Domino her brother's dead and puts on sunglasses to mask his emotions. Top awards to Connery and Auger.
  • Blood_StoneBlood_Stone Posts: 184MI6 Agent
    Connery - executing Professor Dent in Dr. No

    Lazenby - crying over Tracy's body

    Moore - kicking the car over the cliff in For Your Eyes Only.

    Dalton - when he discovers Leiter severely wounded in License To Kill.

    Brosnan - killing Elektra in The World Is Not Enough.

    Craig - beating the sh** out of that guy in the bathroom in Casino Royale!
  • Breaker deGodotBreaker deGodot Posts: 8MI6 Agent
    It's funny, I find that my favorite acting scenes are the ones where a characters life is threatened. I'm talking about Felix's shark attack, Vesper's death, and Tracy's murder. All of them are unbelievable to watch.

    Other than those, I really like the part in The World is Not Enough when Brosnan kills Elektra.
    Don't rush. We have all the time in the world.
  • SidewinderSidewinder HollandPosts: 14MI6 Agent
    A lot of great scenes are already mentioned

    But mine are:

    Dr. No Introduction for the first time by Connery, which is the introduction we all know... but the way he did it. Can't be exceeded.
    OHMSS After the fight in the intro when Tracy drives up the dune with Bond's car, running to hers and drives away. And Lazenby's line after picking up her shoes : This never happened to the other fellow. The new bond with new dash/elan.
    CR When Bond feels sick, and the scene with the automatic-defibrillator. that scene was thrilling. After it succeeded, he walks likes nothing happened back to the poker-room. And Le Chiffre's face, when he can't hide his shocked emotion.
    Dr. No When Bond slowly take a step towards the suspicious Honey, she immediately flashes her knife so rapidly.
    It's not something you expect at that moment. Just a cool scene.
    TSWLM The fight with Jaws in the train..especially when bond is pinned to the wall and jaws teeth are slowly coming closer.
    Moonraker The scene with the Brasilian girl in the alley, when Jaws disguised as some kind of dragon is entering very slowly and he removes the head. You see the fear on the girls face, very imaginable.
    GE Bond is chasing the car, the screen is focused on the wall a view seconds, Bond comes through it with a TANK. I got goose flesh when I saw it for the first time in cinema.
    LTK Leiter and the sharks -scene. Not that I liked it, but it's not something you expect in a Bond-movie. And the scene in the decompression-chamber... quite harsh for a Bond-movie, but also special. Also 007 loses his license to kill...
    GE Just the whole intro, especially the jump...
    FYEO In the sunken ship when time is running out and a vicious looking diver very slowly enters via an opening in the ship.
    TB When Bond involves in the underwater-battle he takes out the one after the other.
    OHMSS When Bond tries to hide for his pursuers, he looks down and the image of the skates stopping an entering him.. I saw that scene today and .... the end.. I got (again) a lump in my throat and....you guys understand this.. I'm glad I watched this alone. :'(
  • DanielCraig007DanielCraig007 Posts: 588MI6 Agent
    Bond giving mouth to mouth to Vesper and then the look on his face as he realizes that shes gone... :o
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Anytime Sir Roger raised his eyebrow -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • jbholstersjbholsters Posts: 179MI6 Agent
    I have to agree with Tee Hee. The scene in which Moore's Bond confronts Orlov in the train car is great. The defusing of the bomb at the circus was very well played as well. These 2 scenes always come to mind when I think about this topic.

    Some of Dalton's stuff that has been mentioned was good too, but in my opinion he seemed to be "acting". Most likely caused by the amount of stage work he had done. Some stage actors never get the idea that you can play a part much more subtle on film. I prefer a more natural delivery.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    The look on Connery's face when he discovers Jill Masterson's body covered in gold paint - priceless! Connery was so good as Bond that he made it look easy and in my opinion his skills as an actor have been underrated as a result. However, I think that many of his performances in non-Bond films provide ample proof of his skills as an actor (e.g. Marnie, The Man Who Would Be King, The Offence, The Anderson Tapes and, of course, The Untouchables, to name a few)
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
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