'60 Minutes' Vanity Fair Poll

Moore Than · February 2012

A new '60 Minutes' Vanity Fair poll found Americans favourite James Bond to be Sean Connery with 56%, Pierce Brosnan 10% and Roger Moore 9%.

Questions remain unanswered such as the size and demographic of the poll. My main question is (especially to our American members) are you surprised at the lack of popularity of Daniel Craig given that he is the current Bond?

I don't care much for the opinion of Joe Neumaier but you can make your own judgement.

Shocker! Sean Connery voted best James Bond
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/shocker-sean-connery-voted-best-james-bond-60-minutes-vanity-fair-poll-article-1.1030234

Barry Nelson · February 2012

Nice fine Moore Than.

The question is, Who is your favorite Bond, not what do you think of the various Bond movies, something the author of the article doesn't seem to understand. I am not at all surprised Connery was the favorite, he was the first and set the standard. In addition, several of the early Bond films are classics, as such, the actor who played Bond in those films would be highly thought of.

I am also not surprised that Brosnan came in second, he had the right look for Bond and IMO portrayed him well.

As for Craig, my opinion has been stated previously, he simply doesn't look the part, which hurts his acceptance among the general public.

I want to add that I really didn't like the author's comment near the end of the article that Craig and Lazenby did real acting while the others didn't. IMO, every one of the actors that have played Bond, have played him well. Each actor was given a script to work with, in some cases the scripts were better than others. Some of the films were lighter, some had moments I wish the writers had not dreamed up. But, every one of the actors has performed well.

Moore Than · February 2012

Barry Nelson wrote:

Nice fine Moore Than.
The question is, Who is your favorite Bond, not what do you think of the various Bond movies, something the author of the article doesn't seem to understand. I am not at all surprised Connery was the favorite, he was the first and set the standard. In addition, several of the early Bond films are classics, as such, the actor who played Bond in those films would be highly thought of.

I am also not surprised that Brosnan came in second, he had the right look for Bond and IMO portrayed him well.

As for Craig, my opinion has been stated previously, he simply doesn't look the part, which hurts his acceptance among the general public.

I want to add that I really didn't like the author's comment near the end of the article that Craig and Lazenby did real acting while the others didn't. IMO, every one of the actors that have played Bond, have played him well. Each actor was given a script to work with, in some cases the scripts were better than others. Some of the films were lighter, some had moments I wish the writers had not dreamed up. But, every one of the actors has performed well.

Thanks for your reply, Barry.

You are right, the question is 'Who is your favourite Bond'. That does not mean Daniel Craig is unpopular in America. Having said that, I would have expected him to be more favoured given he is the current Bond. I would also have expected Pierce Brosnan to be more favoured given how popular he was in America during his tenure.

As for the author's comments. He can't even get basic facts right "Moore(six films)". That speaks volumes to me.

Blackleiter · March 2012

Although Connery is without question my favorite Bond by far, I am a bit shocked that there was such a distance between him and the others. I would have expected the more recent actors, i.e. Brosnan and Craig, to garner a few more points. However, I'll take the poll results as a testament to Connery's enduring stamp on the role of 007. And by the way, the article was pretty weak. That final snarky comment about Connery and the hairpiece just made the author seem silly.

Mr Beech · March 2012

I don't know. Craig doesn't fit the bill, but they made the bill fit him wonderfully. I assume the readers of that magazine are grown adults who know the franchise too well and long to not pick Connery, followed by some more established and generationally fitting Bonds. The young crowd might be trigger happy and just jump to Craig as best, but anyone who is into that magazine is likely old enough to have known times before Craig was around and thus more likely to know in the franchise that Connery was the bomb (still an acceptable word?).

I'd vote Connery. I bet my parents (who get that magazine) would vote Connery. I bet my 30-something teacher would pick her dazzling Pierce. I bet my college peers might say Craig, but the crap they read never asks about long-standing cinema greats, just Jackass 3 and Twilight.

So there. Vanity Fair readers would likely have plenty of reason to not vote Craig.

Moore Than · March 2012

Blackleiter wrote:

Although Connery is without question my favorite Bond by far, I am a bit shocked that there was such a distance between him and the others. I would have expected the more recent actors, i.e. Brosnan and Craig, to garner a few more points. However, I'll take the poll results as a testament to Connery's enduring stamp on the role of 007. And by the way, the article was pretty weak. That final snarky comment about Connery and the hairpiece just made the author seem silly.

Hello, Blackleiter.

I am certainly not disputing that Sean Connery is the clear favourite with both the fans and the media. He is my favourite after Roger Moore. Could the large distance between Connery and the others be partially explained like this? The first four films were mega successful. Connery was an integral part of that success therefore he is given a pass regarding his other three films. Whereas the other actors are judged on ALL of their films.

Blackleiter · March 2012

I think your theory has merit, Moore Than. But as far as comparing Connery's entire Bond film portfolio against those of the other actors, the comparison is only fair with respect to Moore and Brosnan since they are the only other actors to have portrayed 007 in more than two movies thus far. And in my view, Sir Sean still comes out clearly on top (sorry, but Moore's Bonds just don't rank very high with me.)

Moore Than wrote:

Blackleiter wrote:

Although Connery is without question my favorite Bond by far, I am a bit shocked that there was such a distance between him and the others. I would have expected the more recent actors, i.e. Brosnan and Craig, to garner a few more points. However, I'll take the poll results as a testament to Connery's enduring stamp on the role of 007. And by the way, the article was pretty weak. That final snarky comment about Connery and the hairpiece just made the author seem silly.

Hello, Blackleiter.

I am certainly not disputing that Sean Connery is the clear favourite with both the fans and the media. He is my favourite after Roger Moore. Could the large distance between Connery and the others be partially explained like this? The first four films were mega successful. Connery was an integral part of that success therefore he is given a pass regarding his other three films. Whereas the other actors are judged on ALL of their films.

Moore Than · March 2012

Blackleiter wrote:

I think your theory has merit, Moore Than. But as far as comparing Connery's entire Bond film portfolio against those of the other actors, the comparison is only fair with respect to Moore and Brosnan since they are the only other actors to have portrayed 007 in more than two movies thus far. And in my view, Sir Sean still comes out clearly on top (sorry, but Moore's Bonds just don't rank very high with me.)

Moore Than wrote:

Blackleiter wrote:

Although Connery is without question my favorite Bond by far, I am a bit shocked that there was such a distance between him and the others. I would have expected the more recent actors, i.e. Brosnan and Craig, to garner a few more points. However, I'll take the poll results as a testament to Connery's enduring stamp on the role of 007. And by the way, the article was pretty weak. That final snarky comment about Connery and the hairpiece just made the author seem silly.

Hello, Blackleiter.

I am certainly not disputing that Sean Connery is the clear favourite with both the fans and the media. He is my favourite after Roger Moore. Could the large distance between Connery and the others be partially explained like this? The first four films were mega successful. Connery was an integral part of that success therefore he is given a pass regarding his other three films. Whereas the other actors are judged on ALL of their films.

Thanks for the reply. There is absolutely no doubt regarding Sean Connery's status amongst both the fans and the media. I respect the fact that Roger Moore Bond is not for you. Obviously, I would like Roger to be more popular than he is but the reality is what it is. In terms of comparison. Quite often when reading articles in the media and reading posts in the forums I (maybe not you

) get the impression that Sean Connery Bond is all about coolness, toughness, DB5, Walther PPK, Laser Beam, Goldfinger, Pussy Galore, Red Grant etc, etc. Whereas Roger Moore Bond is all about eyebrows, silliness, double take pigeon's, Bondola's, Tarzan yells, Beach Boys, etc, etc. I think that is rather an unfair comparison.

RJJB · March 2012

The comparison may not be fair, but the characteristics listed for the Roger Moore comedies certainly define Uncle Roger's contribution to the series. Lightweight nothingness that no one wants to duplicate.

Moore Than · March 2012

RJJB wrote:

The comparison may not be fair, but the characteristics listed for the Roger Moore comedies certainly define Uncle Roger's contribution to the series. Lightweight nothingness that no one wants to duplicate.

They are certainly not comedies. Lighter in tone but not lightweight. I would be delighted to see the producers return to making Roger Moore style Bond films. If they could just avoid the silliness of double take pigeons and Tarzan yells etc.

Mrs.Bryce · March 2012

Moore Than wrote:

RJJB wrote:

The comparison may not be fair, but the characteristics listed for the Roger Moore comedies certainly define Uncle Roger's contribution to the series. Lightweight nothingness that no one wants to duplicate.

They are certainly not comedies. Lighter in tone but not lightweight. I would be delighted to see the producers return to making Roger Moore style Bond films. If they could just avoid the silliness of double take pigeons and Tarzan yells etc.

Agreed Moore Than!

I don't agree with you RJJB, but each to their own.

I wasn't particularly shocked that Connery came out on top, he was the original.
He's my second favourite, but he is number one for many.

I'm not really surprised about Danny boy having a lower amount, he's had two movies; one amazing but his first (so many would've been skeptical) and the second was a shocker. Even though he is the current Bond, he is too gritty for some, not suave enough for others and just not Bond for the rest.

That article was a fair find by the way, however I disagree with the author on multiple points!

)

Thunderpussy · March 2012

I also think Connery always comes out on top of Polls, not only because
he was a brilliant Bond and actor, -{ but of most parents of that generation are
telling their kids how good he was compared to, whoever they don't like. So in a way
it's almost mild brainwashing we all get.

)
As for duplicating the light/action/adventure type of Bond film, I think MI4 did a
very good job and at the moment is sitting at around $650mill before dvd sales etc,
So it's nice to know that type of fun movie still has its fans.

Blackleiter · March 2012

Indeed!

RJJB wrote:

The comparison may not be fair, but the characteristics listed for the Roger Moore comedies certainly define Uncle Roger's contribution to the series. Lightweight nothingness that no one wants to duplicate.

Thunderpussy · March 2012

On the Poll it's nice to see Brosnan coming second and Moore third. The two actors who seem to
take the most flack from some members, yet the public seem to like them.

)

Sir Miles · March 2012

Thunderpussy wrote:

On the Poll it's nice to see Brosnan coming second and Moore third. The two actors who seem to
take the most flack from some members, yet the public seem to like them. )

You mean as opposed to Dalton and Craig whom are loved by all ?:)

Thunderpussy · March 2012

I'm just happy to see them at the top, Not trying to get "called out"
or anything.

Sir Miles · March 2012

Thunderpussy wrote:

I'm just happy to see them at the top, Not trying to get "called out"
or anything.

Yeah....these polls are pretty pointless though....you always find Connery at the top, Lazenby and Dalton in the bottom two places...with the other three interchangable....

)

'60 Minutes' Vanity Fair Poll

Comments