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Met Roger Moore once at a party in London as a kid...That was when The Living Day Lights was just released a month ago and all the marketing was Timothy Dalton centric that he is the new Bond and all that...this might sound silly but as a kid I believed that James Bond was real and Roger Moore was him...I approached Roger with excitement saying " Mr. Bond, Mr. Bond...what are you doing here ? Do you know that a man named Timothy has been impersonating you for a month ?" To which he replied with this extraordinary charm " Pipe down kid !" Then he leaned forward and whispered in my ear " I know kid, I told him to do so." I was shocked but I whispered back in his ear "But why Mr. Bond ?"...He whispered back " To fool the bad guys my dear lad !" Then he winked at me and went back to mingle with the guests....I was over the moon...I met him a couple of times after that and we had a laugh about that encounter at the party...but till this day he remains my James Bond ❤️
I actually met Sir Rodger Moore a few years before he passed away, he was staying at the hotel I worked in, I kept my fanboying to a minimum but got a handshake. Lovely man, seemed very down to earth.
Everyone has their favorite Bond. Mine is Timothy Dalton. Living Daylights and License To Kill are two of my favorite movies. Also love the theory that Connery in The Rock is actually Bond who was finally caught and kept because his government denied that he was theirs. Makes that movie even better from that point of view.
Much like Ringo, Pierce is a guy who got to narrate Thonas the tank engine despite just for a one off 2008 special called The Great Discovery and to date, he is the only official film bond to go so!
I wasn't a fan of Moore, he just didn't have the physique for the role. Though he had some really good scripts to work with, unlike Dalton. It's really too bad that Brosnan wasn't able to get in sooner. And seriously, why Die Another Day? I guess Connery went out on a low note as well.
Brosnan is definitely the hardest, rough around the edges, badass, masculine Bond. Daniel Craig always seemed like too much of a pretty/party boy to me. Still great, but Connery just had too much of an old timer type feel to him.
The Living Daylights with Dalton is probably my most favorite Bond film. A complex plot with realistic villains and the backdrop of the Cold War. Hard to beat. I appreciated that Dalton actually read the Fleming books and strived to play the character as he was written. He also did a lot of his own stunts for TLD too.
and personally I like that it still manages to include many (if not most) of the classic Bond tropes; that's what I dislike about "Licence". unlike "Daylights"; it doesn't feel like a Bond film to me.
That's also one of my favorites- and one of my favorite 80s action movies in general. I love the clever opening of "Guess which one is the new Bond", and from there it's just a lot of fun. "I know a great restaurant in Karachi...we can just make dinner," is one of my top Bond lines.
Personally I think Timothy Dalton's Bond is, after Sean Connery's, the best portrayal of the iconic character. The clash between his calm and suave mannerisms in one situation vs his aggressive and raw behaviour in others makes for a very compelling character that rises above the standard cartboard cutout 'cool spy' that it could have been. It's a darn shame that Dalton only got two films, he really would have deserved at least a third. After 'You only live twice' I must say that 'The living daylights' is my favourite Bond-film in the series, especially due to the opening scene which is suspenseful and has the awesome soundtrack made by A-Ha that immediately puts you into the right mood.
He was actually scheduled for the third, 'Goldeneye'. But instead of production starting a few months after release of 'The Living Daylights' (previously, Bond movies had been released every 2 years since Dr No in '62) it was a full 4 years before cameras rolled. Dalton ran out of patience, and you can't blame him. Besides, the legal battles pretty much excluded him anyway. It's a damn shame, because even though Brosnan did a great job with 'Goldeneye', I think Dalton would have put the movie into the top three greatest.
Fun fact: One of Brosnan's reason for being Bond was that his wife, Cassandra Harris (Lisl in "For Your Eyes Only"), always wanted to see him play the role, but she died of cancer before "GoldenEye." Craig's reason for being Bond was that his drinking buddies would never let him live it down if he turned down the role. (Not a bad reason, really...) Still, suddenly it's not surprising which of those two seems more invested, huh?
@@anthonylopez5 if a Brocolli came to me and asked me to play Bond for millions of dollars, I wouldn't accept it. I've never trusted stalks of broccoli. Not even with cheese on them.
@@pitchforker3304 despite it being a Michael Bay movie, it was before Bay became insufferable and self-indulgent. Yeah it's an other the top 90s action movie, but it is fun. Plus, Connery and Nick Cage actually made a pretty fun pairing.
For me, Roger Moore in Spy Who Loved Me is probably my favorite Bond, tonally. Joking and quick witted, but also serious. Cold blooded but also vulnerable. Slick as ever. Just a joy to watch.
Brosnan is my Bond!!! I was born in the 90s so the only Bond films I've seen in theaters are Craigs, but I watched the entire film collection multiple times with my dad growing up, and Brosnan was always the one I gravitated most too. Goldeneye is my favorite as I've gotten older, but I loved the spectacle, cars, and stunts of Die Another Day (plus Berry is a smokeshow) when I was much younger. Either way, besides Casino Royale, Spy Who Loved Me, and Goldfinger, the Brosnan films have always been right at the top and usually occupying at least my favorite spot. Just love the dude - watched all his other action films before and after too which made it crazy when I found out that so many originally saw him as a rom-com star.
I love that Die Another Day is the panned Brosnan movie now because I absolutely loved it as a kid. Yes, Berry played a role in that. But the flashy (though so unrealistic and over the top) stunts were crazy and I loved both the Austin and the Jaguar in that movie. Way corny compared to the other 3 (and frankly, Tomorrow Never Dies is not that far off to how I see modern media corporations). But I just loved it and had so much fun watching that one over and over.
His demeanour was "Bond" before and also after he was cast but in his films... he was not funny like Moore but condescending or even cringe; and when his character was challenged by opposition, not cool but acting out ... to my taste anyways.
@@naldorgarnier same. I think most people felt the same way when they saw him in Remington Steel. But yea Pierce was really what we all think when we think of Bond. Dark hair, tall, charm, badass, ruthless, credible as a ladies' man. Can say the one liners without sounding corny like Moore.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 Allegedly, the execs thought Brosnan rocked the classic bond Tux look so well that they wrote into his contract that he wasn't allowed to wear a tux in any other role as long as he was making bond movies. That's why he never wears a straight up tux in Thomas Crown affair. They always had to do little modifications.
My favourite James Bond is Timothy Dalton. Not only did the guy read the books, but he knew what he wanted after finally being chosen to become 007. His Bond returns to being cold, dark and hardened while being self-loathing, wanting to quit his job, but always determined to do what must be done no matter what.
1. Best actor to ever play the role, and 2. did a lot of his own stunts, which was refreshing after years of watching Moore's stunt doubles do most of the work (I think they get more screen time than Moore himself in View to a Kill.)
I found him very disappointing as the no-sex Bond, not to mention his crying over Felix Lighter. I was in college at the time. His films have not grown on me.
@@kerrylawson7515 Time has been kind to Dalton’s movies though. Back in the late 80’s, he got vilified for daring to take Bond back to his roots via reading all the Fleming novels, while an egomaniac like Daniel Craig can get praised for doing the same thing. Dalton did the dark Bond first.
Sadly Cavill at this point is just too expensive. But from what we know about his nerdy personality (in a good way) there is possibility that he can agree on smaller paycheck just to play another iconic character. Will see.
I am not quite sure about that. Apparently his paycheck for Witcher s2 might have reached 8mil (1m per ep), but for season 1 it was 3-4mil (400k per ep) and Craig's debut (as the most recent Bond film beginning appearance) was 3-4mil. So I suppose if he agrees on just a slightly lower paycheck everything falls into place.
Nah, we all know Jodi Whittaker is the new James Bond. On a serious note, there's folks rooting for Benedict Cumberbatch. I don't question his acting chops. But man, I'd hate to see him get stuck here, and he'll be too old for the role within two movies.
I think he would treat the character with the respect it deserves and having read some of the comments about how he was able to influence the writer about the roach death scene to keep it somber and meaningful he might be a good choice.
What makes Connery doubly cool is the fact that as he got older, his charisma never faded. Every single role he's in, he makes it look like he's the perfect actor for it.
@Floyd1504 Fleming hated Connery at first, but, after he grew on him, Fleming made Bond Scottish in the next to last novel "You Only Live Twice" after the success of "Doctor No" which had just been released. In the previous novel "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", Bond's family history referenced is simply British.
No, no, no, no. Fleming didn't like Connery at all. He only ACCEPTED Connery after the Connery movies made Fleming sell more books! That's why he changed Bond's back story.
I've met two of the actors who portrayed Bond - George Lazenby and Roger Moore. Both were fantastic people. I was living in Thailand when they filmed Man With the Golden Gun and got to meet Roger Moore there. I met George a few years ago and he was very friendly. My wife loved George. Go figure. As a Bond fan, I have the autographs in binders highlighting each Bond, the Villain (s), and of course the Bond girls. My favorite Bond, though? Roger Moore. He was very kind to me when I met him as a lad in Bangkok. That goes along way with me.
I heard they offered Lazenby 4 more Bond Films but he turned it down because he thought it might hurt his acting career being typed cast as James Bond.
Interesting. I went on a nearly two-week trip across Portugal and Switzerland in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Lazenby was along for the entire trip. What started as excitement about him being there quickly melted into disappointment and disgust at him repeatedly revealing himself as an arrogant, crass, perpetually hammered drunk, and generally mean-spirited and unappreciative person. There are certainly other people I've had more misfortune in meeting, but he's pretty high on the list.
@@derekhanson1688did you know he was going to be there or did he just tag along? I went on a tour of the mosquito coast recently and Harrison Ford just would not leave us alone. Ugh, I was all like,"okay yeah I get it." Wouldn't even sign my temple of doom underpants. Fucking diva
Pierce Brosnan, he had the suaveness, the ability to be witty and quipped that felt very natural and he could also be very hard edged and cold when he had to be, he's the best Bond imo
@@jenniferbangs And since when the hell is the sexiest Bond automatically the best? There are certain other things like character, writing, action, story, etc.
Ian Fleming eventually admitted he was wrong about Connery and enjoyed his performances so much, he started adding backstory to the character that matched Connery - he made Bond part Scottish in a later book for example.
no. James Bond was described from the start of the first book. and is scottish, not part. i know every line from every book in original, not in my native language.
@@UmbraFulgur Nope...the first time a scottish father was mentioned was in YOLT which Fleming wrote in 1963...at least a couple of years after he met Connery. The OP is 100% right.
I think each actor brought something unique to the role - though I always had a soft spot for Dalton in License to Kill. A darker Bond that would foreshadow the Craig era, I love Dalton’s 007 as a haunted, older agent on the verge of PTSD. Wanting revenge, not so much for the attack on his friend, but for the memory of his wife being killed in the line of fire (nice call back to OHMSS). Telling his boss off in the most debonair of ways, “It’s a farewell to arms”. Then going rogue and playing Sanchez’s cartel against one another until it went up in flames. A shame Dalton never got to do more.
License to Kill really stands out as unique in the franchise, and holds up insanely well. Drinker rightly points out how dark and violent it is, but that's what makes it great - the stakes for Bond are not large-scale like so many of the over-the-top "save the world" gambits, but very, very personal - so much so that he's willing to sacrifice everything to get justice for a friend. At the same time, the villain Sanchez is not only more realistic, but also more all about the personal stakes of "loyalty" rather than money or power.
I feel the same way TBH, to me Brosnan was overrated as Bond he had Goldeneye, everything else was beyond ridiculousness and I could never take him seriously as a tough guy. While I liked Moore he treated the Bond role like a clown..wait he was 1 in Octapussy so there is that, don't get me wrong I like some of the ridiculousness it made for a fun film, but, the more serious Bonds were the better ones, the suave gentleman was overplayed and unconvincing in most movies, Connery was playful, but he did play a brutal bond that used women as a shield if he had to, and he didn't play fair.
@@Don-ol8ze I completely agree. As I said above, License to Kill remains my favorite Bond and I wholeheartedly agree with your analysis. It might reflect on me and my choices in film that of all the Craig movies, Skyfall is my favorite.
@@Don-ol8ze Definitely agree. Plus young Benicio del Doro as a Sanchez's henchman. Plus beautiful ladies. Plus three ultra gruesome deaths. And the final truck chase scene is absolutely awesome. Licence to kill is my favorite Bond. The 1980s introduced the druglord as a villain figure and I really like how Bond the Bond franchise recognized that Bond needs to confront him.
I do like that kinda "Bad boy" vibe he as in it, not as depressing and gloomy as Craig, if he could have a bit more of this Bri'ish sarcasm, he would have been perfect for it Pretty much like Brosnan, he was pretty much how Dalton was, but with that touch of Sarcastic wittyness and charm.
I wonder how many "It must've scared the living daylights out of her" takes they shot that they went with the one they did. Good Prince of Arboria though
Someone’s favorite Bond will usually be the first Bond they see. Then much much later, they’ll usually come around to Sean Connery. Thanks for being one of the only people to say that Ian Fleming’s vision for the character should always be respected.
I was introduced to the character with the Roger Moore movies, Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only. I still love those two. Since those younger days, I've come to appreciate the Brosnan and Dalton Bonds especially. I could never get into the Connery movies - they're just too cheesy for me. He's a great Bond, but the movies bring down the character in my opinion.
Not necessarily, i grew up in the Roger Moore era and love Roger as bond. But when i saw Golden eye at cinema in my late teens Brosnan stood out more ruthless and I enjoyed those films more. Brosnan was my bond the Moore.
@@andysteele5707 Sure but your favorite bond is still the one who you first grew up with during your formative years. I honestly agree; you always will come back to Sean Connery. Bros an was incredible, and I absolutely adored his first film. But I thought Sean Connery gave Bond a swagger that no one else has been able to touch.
No, my favourite bond is Pierce Brosnan. Those films stood out more to me. Tomorrow never dies especially and Golden eye. Ive seen every bond film. I do love the originals Sean Connery too. Yes Sean is legendary and set the standard and tone for others. I cant get into the Daniel Craig films, they've lost the suave ness, essence and fun of what a Bond film is meant to be.
Pierce Brosnan once joked in an interview that when he heard about the new Bond movie coming out he was surprised because he thought they would've checked with him first to see if he was still interested in the role before announcing it. Even if it was just a joke, it really made me feel bad for him.
I like Brosnan's Bond quite a lot. I recorded his movies on VHS tapes and re-watched them hundreds of times as a kid :) And yes, I even like Die Another Day because I'd gladly take Bond surfing on a giant wave with a parachute away from a falling ice berg and orbital laser, over No Time To Die.
I agree with this list 100%. I never took Craig’s Bond serious. You’ve nailed it perfectly. He was a joke! For me, after Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan was the only other legitimate Bond.
I've always liked Timothy Dalton's portrayal of James Bond, he had good balance between Dapper British gentleman, and badass hero, and I think License to Kill was the best James Bond movie.
License to Kill is phukkin great! Love Dalton Bond, think he is the most true to the books. The action sequence in License to Kill, after he sees them kill Sharkey, is top 3 in all of Bond IMO.
Idk why but dalton just has this style as bond y'know? Book accurate, and most importantly acting like an actual person in The films instead of brooding jason bourne.
For me it will always be Pierce, he had everything charm, physicality, charisma, everything even the original Q (Desmond Llewelyn) said Pierce was the best and he would know since he worked with every Bond except Craig. Connery and Moore were also great, but Pierce is definitely how Bond should look like and act.
Agreed 100%. Brosnan seemed to employ the qualities of the all the other Bonds before and after him. It also helps, that I grew up on his films and I think Golden Eye was the first Bond-film I saw.
Brosnan is definitely my favorite Bond, followed by Connery. He could pass as a man of action while still being smooth as a devil. Pity his last movie had one of the worst scripts in the whole franchise.
One of the best moments in cinema history is when Connery introduces himself to a woman across the baccarat table. "Bond." Pause while he lights a cigarette. "James Bond." As smooth as Cary Grant at his best. And that is high praise.
Bond's introduction in Dr No is magnificent. The timing of the cut and Bond's line is something to show to film students. THIS is how you introduce a protagonist.
@@natebowman7593 Cary Grant was suave but didn't have the rawness. Bond as written is not a particularly handsome guy, he can just be very smooth when the situation requires it. But he's always cold inside, at least after Vesper. Grant was a true gentleman. Of course, he got his own spy thriller with North by Northwest. if you want to see what Grant might have looked like as bond, watch Dean Martin's Matt Helm films.
My Bond was always Brosnan and to me, he's always embodied what I love most about character. He's a capable and believable agent whilst remaining suave and charming and his movies were just FUN. They didn't try to be a look into the gritty realism of espionage, they just took the inherently campy idea of a 'super spy' and made it work. Others were great no doubt, but when I picture Bond, I picture Brosnan.
The Brosnan films get FUCK ALL airplay, unless its Goldeneye because that's the one film he made. Goldeneye - Take Sean Bean outta that film and its ain't all that, he is the one who makes the film. Tomorrow never dies was crap and world is not enough was the last straw for me, total joke, Brosnan made 1 good bond film, professional assassins don't drive around in invisible BMW's taking on Robert Carlyle... simple as. Please don't talk to me about ''Mr. Invisible cars'' Pierce Brosnan, because his films were laughable in my opinion and pretty far from being realistic.
@@andrewjames7438 I liked it too. Not as much as Golden Eye, the bit driving the Jag through the melting hotel seemed to go on toooooooo long but it was a fun movie. I really don't get the hate or why they would boot Brosnan because of it. He wasn't the problem! And while, like most, I think Connery is king of the Bonds if only for creating the role, Brosnan embodied what I always imagined Bond to be from the first moment he appeared on the screen!
I think a reason for that is because he always seems confident in his claims he never acts or sounds hesitant when hes bringing up an opinion that would potentially be unpopular or controversial to other people
Just rewatched The Living Daylights. Fantastic Bond movie and far better than the last two Daniel Craig movies. Dalton was ahead of his time and should have done at least another film. He’s the closest we have ever got to the Book version. Pity about that Lawsuit because it done us out of another Dalton film. Very underrated!
I grew up watching Connery and Moore. When Dalton came onto the scene, I was in the middle of reading the Fleming novels, and I immediately gravitated to the closer portrayal of Fleming’s iconic character. Wish we’d gotten to see more of him in the role.
I grew up with Connery and Moore also. I think which ones someone grew up with have a lot of do with which ones people prefer. Dalton, just seemed like an awkward fit. But my 'fan-ness' is only moderate. I have never read the books, and I have lost interest in anything out of Hollywood for the past 15 years. The last movie I saw in a theater was S.W. ep7, which I walked out of halfway through. So, my opinion may be biased. Still, Connery deserves respect because he was the first one.
It makes me happy hearing how much you like Brosnan. He seems to get a bit of grief from some corners. He was the Bond I grew up with and he'll forever be number one imo, unless somebody really impressive takes the role in future.... With the writers to back him up, which seems unlikely currently.
The Solaris would sooner implode then the Hollywood hacks allow a white suave gentleman be cast again. Bond is dead. If you believe otherwise then I applaud your misplaced faith in humanity.
I think that's the thing with Brosnan. For people who came of age at that time they love him but I grew up around Moore's Bond and I found Brosnan sterile who never carved out anything unique or different about the character. He seemed uncomfortable in the role. Connery is my favorite just for reference.
ArkhamWarden120 Brosman could pull off the coolest man in the room without trying and I always loved his range of emotions. Also tomorrow never dies is a personal favorite of mine. Especially Wai Lin. My favorite Bond girl.
@@Avarn388 Hell, Tomorrow Never Dies has aged a lot better than people think. A thriller with a deranged media mogul elite trying to start WW3 with fake news and cutting edge technology sounds more and more relevant today.
In Thunderball, he casually and cheerfully tells a SPECTRE assassin "Now don't you worry...I'll tell the chef" after he locks him into a steamer to get scalded to death.
I'd argue for Timothy Dalton. May have been the only one to thoroughly delve into the source material, and played Bond as both suave and gritty, even borderline psychotic at times, such as during his personal vendetta during "License to Kill." Both of his films hold up very well with great action and a minimum of campy humor, and it's a shame we didn't get more from him.
Dalton was Craig before Craig and honestly does not get the recognition he deserves. Both his films are two of my favourites and if he were to do Goldeneye as he was originally cast would have played for an epic trilogy.
Dalton is a much better attempt at what they were going for with Craig. Dalton could at least be a suave bastard, where as Craig came off as a thuggish domestic violence abuser...
I really like Timothy Dalton's Bond, other than Sean (who I think is sort of the definitive bond), Dalton's actual Assassin bond and raw savagery is exactly why I like his portrayal.
Definitely, Dalton, Brosnan (because of Goldeneye, the rest were mostly meh), Connery & Moore (joint third, totally different Bonds, awesome in their own way) then Daniel Craig. Craig is by far the most boring Bond. The next Bond has to be Brosnan-esque with a strong Daltonian bias. A harder edged Dalton style Brosnan would be epic.
Amen, fellow Dalton fan. Roger Moore was absurdly old, and the films were unintentional satire by the time _View_ came out. _The Living Daylights_ returned Bond to being a proper independent operator who was never out of his element.
You nailed it with Pierce's bond discription, Pierce himself mentioned in an interview that in his preformance he was aiming at a middle ground between Connery's and Moor's bond.
Bond is the man all men want to be and all women want to be with. Pierce Brosnan embodied that perfectly, and I cannot forget how buzzing I was all throughout and after seeing Goldeneye.
Personally, I grew up with Pierce Brosnan. I think he had it all, he was suave, cool, good sense of humor and did action very well. A bona fide badass who looked good doing it all.
The Brosnan films get FUCK ALL airplay, unless its Goldeneye because that's the one film he made. Goldeneye - Take Sean Bean outta that film and its ain't all that, he is the one who makes the film. Tomorrow never dies was crap and world is not enough was the last straw for me, total joke, Brosnan made 1 good bond film, professional assassins don't drive around in invisible BMW's taking on Robert Carlyle... simple as. Please don't talk to me about ''Mr. Invisible cars'' Pierce Brosnan, because his films were laughable in my opinion and pretty far from being realistic.
My wife had never seen all the Bond films. So we sat down over the course of a few weeks and binged the entire series in chronological order. With that fresh in my mind, this list is 100% accurate. I was actually surprised by the time we got to Brosnan. Maybe it had been so long since I saw him, or maybe back then I was still remembering the Bond I grew up with in the '70s. But Brosnan was definitely better than I had remembered. Dalton as well. And Craig? Yeah. Maybe we can consider him the first trans Bond. Have you ever seen "Remington Steele"? Brosnan had been playing the role for years.
First trans bond😂. Retrospectively Craig is the worst because of the writing, not his acting. He was decent throughout the first three, then specter and plenty of time to die went off the rails
@@marvinthemartian6788 As dreadful as I thought Craig was I actually thought the first half of Spectre was by far his best Bond performance and really enjoyed it up until that point
Y'know, there's been endless piles of psychoanalyzing of Bond, most of it negative. But, Drinker, when you said he was an archetype, I agree completely. I also wonder if he was a 20th century interpretation of a MUCH older archetype, one that has now almost been eradicated by 21st Century Soy-Culture- “The knight is a man of blood and iron, a man familiar with the sight of smashed faces and the ragged stumps of lopped-off limbs; he is also a demure, almost a maidenlike, guest in hall, a gentle, modest, unobtrusive man. He is not a compromise or happy mean between ferocity and meekness; he is fierce to the nth and meek to the nth.” - C.S. Lewis
I am a Dalton guy. I totally dug the serious, more dramatic take on 007. Dalton was initially chosen by Broccoli to become Bond way back for Live And Let Die, but he felt he was too young at the time and had too much respect for the character to take the part; they came back to him in 1986 when Roger Moore retired and he took it. I think he was always the one who was supposed to take the mantle from Connery because they wanted him to be more like the Bond from the books. Dark, gritty, fully capable of carrying that License to Kill with passion and style. It's too bad he wasn't able to make more Bond films.
@@BenNZ-j9n literally about to say this the character of Bond in the books would make him late 20's/early 30's at most. Dalton was about 21 at the time add that with taking the mantle from Connery was gonna be a career killer if they were going the route of "another Sean Connery" like director Peter Hunt said.
I have a massive nostalgia for Roger Moore's Bond, it was the Bond on TV in my childhood, and even in his worst, he is fun and charismatic. But Timothy Dalton's Bond stands even taller because it was such a departure and contrast to the Moore's take on the character. He just got so little time to prepare and was cut short after only 2 movies, so he never had a chance to fully grow into the Bond role like Connery or Moore before. And writing-wise, his 2 movies aren't the best, they are interesting but kinda middling. I would prefer his instead of Brosnan but for a more casual fan, he just cannot do funny very much, so maybe he would be as popular.
This is a non-question, because there is only one answer, the man that made 007 what he was and a success, Sean Connery. I might even like other actor's movies more, but he IS James Bond.
I think a lot of people are gonna say this. And I just don't agree with it. Maybe it's the writing or his accent or something like that but I've never been interested enough to even finish one of his Bond films.
So the true Deadpool is the one with sword arms and laser eyes? Is Reb Brown the true Captain America? Is that weird Asian spider man with the car, jet, and giant mech the true Peter Parker?
Dalton's portrayal is the best. The Bond novels are excellent and focus on the psychological toll of covert operations, with the finery and women being stale consolation for a life of destruction. He really nailed it and is the best Bond.
I don't think George Lazenby was very good for most of the movie however he definitely nailed the scene where he loses Tracy. He managed to convey the pain Bond was going through without getting too emotional because he knew Bond as an agent would mostly be stoic
I became a fan of Ian Fleming’s novels before starting the movies and Timothy Dalton was easily the closest portrayal to the literary character (he was a fan of the novels). He’s my favorite as the most authentic Ian Fleming’s James Bond. However the books are completely different from the films (more realistic spy thriller with comparatively little action), so it’s absolutely fair for people that started with the movies to prefer Brosnan, Connery, etc.. Unfortunately I think audiences at that time weren’t ready for a darker James Bond, and it made too stark a contrast coming after the goofiness of the late Roger Moore era. I wish we’d gotten at least a third Dalton movie. From what I’ve heard, Goldeneye’s more interesting take on the character (where a former friend challenges him to confront his blind loyalty to a government that commits its own atrocities) is a leftover from what was originally going to be Dalton’s third movie. Edit to add that I think Brosnan was very good for the role and would have been brilliant if the writers had taken him and the franchise more seriously. This is true for Moore as well. A great actor can only do so much with campy, cheesy material. Dalton could not have redeemed Die Another Day. Really, a good or bad Bond film comes down to the writers more than anything.
I was never a big fan of the Roger Moore version of Bond, but I later came to realize that it wasn't the fault of the actor but the scripts. This realization hit me when I watched Ffolkes, where Roger Moore is truly a bad ass.
Maybe it's because I'm American, but I get the feeling that Craig's Bond is a very American Bond, which is why he is so popular in the role (America representing a very large audience). Like you said, he's only very loosely a Bond and more of a Bourne-type character, which sells in the land of trucks and guns much better than a Roger Moore-type Bond. Also, I never realized that was Benicio Del Toro in Licence to Kill.
I really liked Dalton's darker, gritty, rogue 007. As much as I wanted Brosnan to be THE Bond, I found it was a little too late, and his Bond movies just felt like 2 hour episodes of Remington Steel. So yes, he was comfortable in the role because it was essentially the same character he had been playing. Connery being the first, makes him the benchmark for the character which is hard to match let alone beat.
Glad to see Brosnan getting the praise that he deserves. I feel like the 2005 game “Everything or Nothing” should’ve been a film instead. Having not only Brosnan in the lead but Willem Dafoe as the villain not become a film was a severely missed opportunity
Goldeneye is the definitive Bond film for me. It's the movie that made me a lifelong fan of the franchise. Pierce Brosnan at his best, Sean Bean at his best; what's not to love? "For England, James?" "No... for me."
Brosnan was awesome in Goldeneye and its my personal number 1. Its odd as I use to skip Brosnan when doing Bond marathons. And I dont actually know why after giving them a proper chance,
My favourite was Timothy Dalton. It's a shame he only got to play Bond for only two movies, but I feel like he nailed the dry wit yet steel calmness of the character that is bond. Other actors push it too much one way or another, but I feel Dalton got the perfect balance of the comedic side of bond coupled with the fact he is an agent trained to kill and complete the mission.
Although Brosnan played my favorite Bond, I have always thought that Timothy Dalton played Bond as the most believable MI6 agent. Plus, it didn't hurt that I first saw, 'The Living Daylights' on my 24th birthday while I was studying political science at Oxford University and on a date with a stunningly beautiful English major from the University of Georgia.
I feel the same way and Daniel Craig is my personal favorite for Bond. Of all the Bond films I’ve seen, those two films he’s been in remain the ones I have the fondest memories of.
Dalton to me had that intensity and you could feel that the guy could kill you at any time, there was an animal looking to come out like the character in the book. But I don't think his movies did him justice cause they were not "there yet" as far doing a proper killer Bond. Imagine him in his prime doing Casino Royale, that would have been special.
I think Pierce Brosnan was the perfect James Bond. He had the look, charm, class, wit, humor, and seriousness of what i imagine James Bond should be. His movies werent the best Bond movies but he was the best Bond as the character
I call him the hybrid bond. He kicked ass in action sequences and could be ice cold ala connery/dalton, but still had fun and could be cheeky like roger moore
I hated his era as it started the shift in bond Films IMO. When the female “M” insulted bond in the first film I immediately hated his era. I only rewatch up until the Bronson era then that’s it.
I agree and I'm sure that Brosnan hates the writers of Die Another Day for ending his Bond career. Because in my opinion, if Die Another Day wasn't such a crap movie then Brosnan would have been invited to make more Bond films
Yep, exactly right. Of all of them, Connery is the one who sold me that, if he had to, he could kill you without having to think about it, and still looked great in a tuxedo. I'm also convinced that the series ran for as long as it did because the character is now, and forever shall be, what Sean Connery made of it. Well done.
I said it a million times before, and I'll say it again: Brosnan had it all. Connery had the raw power, Moore had the suave funnies, Dalton had charisma in spades, and Craig had the acting chops. But Brosnan had it all. SHort-changed by some of the scripts, but Tomorrow Never Dies is a masterpiece. And Die Another Day just completely unashamedly celebrates its silliness in the best possible way. Plus that sword fight, come on. You have to applaud that. Brosnan is the man. Other than that, I completely agree with this ranking. And don't get me wrong, Connery is Fleming's Bond.
I've always liked Tomorrow Never Dies for Michelle Yeoh. Been a fan of hers since her Hong Kong action movies. But the movie as a whole - and Brosnan's work within it - has held up very well.
It might just be my age but the funny thing is, when I think of Bond, I think of Roger Moore and A View To A Kill is probably the film I’ve watched the most. It’s a load of silly fun and Christopher Walken is great. Plus the idea of drowning Silicon Valley seems more and more like a good idea as the years go by.
Pretty much the same, only switch A View To A Kill for For Your Eyes Only. Seriously, TV stations back in the day knew only that movie and Octopussy, no other Bond movies existed.
Yep, my number one for sure. Didn't grow up with Connery, so I guess he should get the top spot out of respect, but I never cared for Moore and even less for Brosnan.
@@chriswilkinson7636 If it wasn’t so lighthearted and whimsical with weird plot-holes I’d agree. Shame Campbell didn’t direct this one. Looks great and has good pacing though. Brosnan is def one of my favourites.
Without having seen this video yet, my favourite Bond is Pierce Brosnan. I think he perfectly embodies every quality that makes Bond *Bond* -- at least in the movies. Classically handsome, effortlessly charming, and cold-blooded in a fight. I also think he emotes better than some of the other Bonds who fill the previous criteria. (And that's not to say his movies are perfect. They have their flaws. But Brosnan himself is Bond personified, IMO.)
Connery - the classic Bond Lazenby - the young Bond. Moore - the charming Bond. Dalton - the assassin Bond. Brosnan - the balanced Bond. Craig - the emotional Bond.
Thank you for finally giving Brosnan the respect he deserves as Bond! I have been saying this for decades. I've had arguments with people regarding how good Brosnan was. I enjoyed Connery's Bond, but he was my parents Bond. I grew up on Bond and the new movies coming out when I was a kid were the cheesey Moore films. So when Brosnan showed up, I loved his portrayal.
@@ic8537 Pierce Brosnan is the best Bond actor of them all Opportunistic Womanizer Suave Sophisticated Charismatic Charming Playboy Spy Every Box Ticked.... Can turn on a dime into the most ruthless killing machine of them all with more individual kills per move than any other Bond including Daniel Craig, just like Timothy Dalton I never felt like Craig's movies were Bond movies though they were good action movies Brosnan managed to do all that despite some dodgy directors and scripts to say the least He was The Total Package.....
People forgot and tried to rewrite history. Dalton’s Bond may be reaccessed now but at the time his films dragged the series down and then came that lawsuit that had 007 disappeared for half a decade. His Bond films saved the series.
When you hear these words in your head, “Bond. James Bond,” I would wager the overwhelming majority of you hear those words spoken in Connery’s voice...
I loved when Connery accepted a lifetime achievement award and said the biggest break of his life came at the age of 5, because that’s when he learned to read.
Combination of Bronson and the absolute banger of videogames were what brought Bond back.For a good ten year period almost every Bond shooter were some of the best on the market. Bronson in the game Everything or Nothing is his last and final hoorah and it was a great story.
Pierce Brosnan slid into the role of Bond so well and naturally right from the start because of his years playing Remington Steel. It was not much of a transition for him. Like you, I was not initially impressed by him in the role (because I grew up as a fan of Roger Moore playing The Saint and then as James Bond so I did not "want" to like his replacement), but I have a much deeper appreciation for Pierce Brosnan's take on the role nowadays. And as you mentioned, Goldeneye was amazing in its time (so many hours spent playing the Nintendo game version of Goldeneye lol). Let's also give credit where credit is due - much of the reason why On Her Majesty's Secret Service drew people to the box office was thanks to Diana Rigg (RIP) who had just left The Avengers. I know she was the highlight of that movie for me being a big fan of The Avengers even though I hated the script she had been given.
I liked Daniel Craig's version, but I'm with you on the whole continuity thing. It's james Bond, not the MCU. Speaking of, I feel that while it has been an incredible success, the MCU has poisoned the waters of film making. If Iron Man hadn't been such a huge success, I wonder if the later sequels after Quantum would've been so deeply connected? It's very obvious the effect the success of the MCU has had on film making- everything needs to be a part of something bigger these days. Nothing can simply be a standalone story anymore. Even horror is doing this, with the Walking Dead and its spinoffs. It's getting ridiculous. More isn't always more. Take Star Wars for example. The first six films were so celebrated because they were so rare. For a very long while, the first three films were all that existed in the canon, and folks had to imagine what happened before or after. Now, Star Wars is just another franchise, watered down and mutilated into something that even die hard fans don't really care about anymore. I can only speak for myself, but as a kid I was mental for Star Wars. I saw the special editions in theater, first day, first showing. Every one. Even the prequels. Now? Han Solo is my hands down favorite character in Star Wars, yet I can barely remember the Solo film. Disney has killed Star Wars to the point that a lifelong fan like me now simply goes "meh" when something new comes down the pipe. I miss the old days, when there were sequels, but they could still stand on their own as films. terminator 2 doesn't REQUIRE you to have watched the first one, but having done so ENHANCES the experience. Same with Aliens. Ditto on the powerpoint comment. Couldn't have said it better.
If the continuity made more sense I'd have been all for it. But the first time I watched it I missed the significance of what was happening at the end of Casino. But then Quantum was a complete time waster, only the first and last 12 minutes of the movie were in any way relevant to the larger story. It was like John Wick 3, complete filler material. Having said that, Drinker had a really good point of how those sequels have the propensity to paint the writers into a corner.
I like Craigs version too. I imagine Bond as a stoic hero. Not a wise cracking buffoon. I can't blame him for the fact he was handed a couple stinkers. It's why I like Lazenby too. I agree the Connery is #1. The rest of the order though...
I think the plan was for something of a character arc: a beginning, middle and an end for Daniel Craig but, for Bond, it didn't work. Like those rumours that James Bond was a cover name and all James Bond's either retire at Skyfall (they tried to get Connery in the role as the groundskeeper) kicked out (Dalton/Brosnan) MIA (Moore) or quit (Lazenby), they seriously have got the wrong universe and they have got the wrong audience if they think you need to watch all the previous Bond's to understand teh current film. (Like Moore's films had callbacks to Lazenby's era (about Tracey) but it never affected the film he was in.)
timothy dalton is the closest to the character in the books but would welcome new bond who came even closer. the reason casino Royale was great was because it stuck pretty closely to the popular bestsellers. the bond in those books is brutally ruthless with a dry sardonic wit and a purple scar down the side of his face. the plots are really good and the villains are nasty
When RUclips released a bunch of free to watch Bond movies after the death of Sean Connery I rewatched most of them and I found myself enjoying Dalton's portrayal the most. He was refreshingly intimidating. When I learned Dalton had the most book accurate version it actually made me want to read them.
There were a couple of issues, that probably didn't help him. First, while there was a gradual transition from the cold blooded Bond of Doctor No to the more campy elements of the Moore era, Dalton was a major shift back so it didn't feel the same to fans coming off Moore. Suddenly Bond is a sniper and assassin, not someone who kills in the process of a mission. Also, the AIDs crisis hit and they severely limited Dalton's action in The Living Daylights.
@@johnnycab8986 Agreed. Brosnan's Bond was very simplistic, very one-dimensional, whereas Dalton's potrayal had many layers to it and more range. I stuggle to think of a single scene in any of the Brosnan outings where he showed great acting. To be fair to him he wasn't given good dialogue. Dalton hit it out of the park from the off with the sniper scene in TLD.
I've gone back and forth on this over the years. It depends on my mood, and on what aspects of the character I'm thinking about. On balance, my two favorites are Moore and Brosnan. Moore because the JB series is _not_ serious spy fiction, it's mostly light-hearted spoofs and fun, and Moore knew that and played to it (though it went too far in Moonraker, that wasn't his fault, it was the script). Moore was also fully _capable_ of playing the more serious moments, such as in _For Your Eyes Only_ when he warns the Bond girl about the old proverb about first digging two graves before setting out for revenge. My other is Brosnan, like the Drinker, I find that he balances all the different elements remarkably well. Part of his problem was that he became Bond right after the Cold War ended and the writers were not sure how to write Bond in the new world.
I always liked the Moore era. You have to remember when he came aboard there were already a half dozen or so Bond films and I think it got to the point where the films took themselves so seriously and replayed every cliche it invented that the public couldn't take them seriously anymore. Bond was already being spoofed and sent up in the late '60s! So the Moore era's take on the character brought some levity to the franchise and kept it alive from my point of view. I think the franchise needed some laughs at the risk of growing stale.
I think a lesser actor would have struggled to keep bond afloat as a box office draw in the 70s. Sir roger simply had a blast in the role and it came through on screen. He was dealt the campy hand but it worked for him like it wouldn't have anyone else. I'll always appreciate the guy
Dalton played him "more like an actual assassin". Yes, well, that's what the Bond of the novels is, and why Dalton's take on him is best. But you were right about Lazenby & Craig, anyway.
Yeah but being ”close to novels” doesn’t make something automatically the best. Dalton is just… dull. He is rough and simple, and lacks charisma. He is an alternative universe Bond, where Bond is a brutally effective agent, but everyone hates him.
Dalton is one of the more accurate depictions, yes. I would honestly say Craig is one of the better ones in some movies, and in others he absolutely bombs. He’s a hit or miss. Or rather, the movies were.
@@Box0rz Dalton is my personal favorite mainly because it looked like everything mattered to him and nothing was ever JUST pleasure or JUST the job (including Bond women who he either wanted to actively date or didn't even bother with generally). Mainly he was flawed in his approach at times since his anger would sometimes get the better of him. Not long enough to sink him, but enough to mildly disadvantage him. His directness and efficiency more than made up for it though. So he felt more like the type of person who would take the job based on experience, but less so the guy who does the job as intended. It gives him this sort of individualism that I really admire.
I grew up in the 90s so Brosnan was "my Bond" but Connery shows you why this character was so popular. I also appreciated the silliness of Moore, sometimes a break from the seriousness is good. Done right of course.
I like that each Bond has their own style and flavour. As a young teenager I was super into Bond and collected the 007 Spy Files at the newagency each week before I got into LOTR. Roger moores movies had the fun locations and iconic gadgets. Pierce had the best action for the time and was raised even higher due to the N64 game. And as I got older I then came to appreciate Dalton, Craig, and Connery.
"What the fuck is it with Dalton and drugs?" *Blink blink* Allow ME as 50-year-old-man who lived through the events to explain for once. So, in the 80s, the worst thing that could have happened to the Bond franchise happened. An era of Glastnost was unveiled in 1985 which, among other things, removed the U.S.S.R. as a viable antagonist as the West and Russia tried to navigate a new era of diplomacy rather than Cold War brinkmanship. With Hollywood being unable/unwilling to continue pushing Russia as the Great Red Menace but Bond being too valuable a franchise to just bury, the studio had to find another new enemy. And they found it with another artifact of the 80s: The War on Drugs. Personally, I've always felt bad for Timothy Dalton and his Bond. He took the role at the absolute worst possible time when, instead of saving the world from SPECTRE/SMERSH, he was helping to make the world safe for Reagan-Era policies. I think he and the screenwriters did what they could with what they had but, honestly, I think any of the Bonds would have floundered at the time.
Same could be applied to brosnan. His first three films were very good and kept the franchise afloat. Then 9 / 11 happens and die another day was made which made bond look outdated in worst possible way. I think both brosnan and Dalton were at the wrong time at wrong place.
Good list. The top three are particularly hard to separate. Roger Moore had the best Bond films. “The Spy Who loved Me”. “For Your Eyes Only.” “Live and Let Die.” and even “View to a Kill” had spectacular scenes and a good plot. The cable car scene with Jaws in Moonraker was my favorite of all time, and his line delivery was better than Connery’s. That’s why he’s my favorite, but a solid third is fine too. Pierce Brosnan is indeed worthy of the praise.
As an 80s kid Roger Moore was the one who imprinted the Bond image in my mind (My first movie being Moonraker). I view Bonds like I view Doctor Who actors. Moore was the Tom Baker of the series. Longest running and always imparts their charm onto it. And this is my choice despite being an Aussie who isn't giving Lazenby a free pass. As for Henry Cavill taking up the mantle I believe you're onto something there Drinker my mate. I've been thinking of potential Bond british actors but I'm hard pressed to find anyone who can top Cavill. The guy just has it.
"For Your Eyes Only" was the first Bond movie I saw. This was the late 80's and it was on tv. I hadn't ever heard of Bond before that, but a whole world was now opened to me. I loved the Moore Bonds simply because I was an 11 year old kid and the campy nature was sort of over my head. Looking at them now, I still have a fond place for them in my heart despite how bad they can be. "The Man with the Golden Gun" would have been 10 times better without the weird sound effects and humor. It had a great villain (Come on, Christopher Lee was a legend), great locations, and an otherwise decent plot. Goldeneye was the first Bond film I saw in theaters. That and the N64 game of the same name really cemented Brosnan as the best Bond in my opinion. Yes, Connery was great and without him there is no Bond, but the Brosnan films were more complete Bond films. The villains were more realistic, Bond was more capable (let's face it, the Austin Powers parody singularly targets Connery's Bond for a lot of reasons). Craig ... Craig doesn't want to be Bond, he just wants the paycheck. If they hadn't tried to make Bond into Bourne, then Craig probably would have enjoyed it more. I didn't mind the rebooting idea, but the whole "everything is connected" went too far. They could have done a Blofeld trilogy or something and kept it at that. As for the future. Hollywood is woke. British cinema is even more so. I would be incredibly surprised if a white male plays Bond in the next film.
No one I know (except the younger generation) knocks Roger Moore: Roger Moore's Bond was the British Bond being a gentleman, cool under pressure and a ladies man. True, Roger Moore had been playing that sort of role before in the Persuader's but he was also the one where you watch for when the mask slips and he's not the "nice guy" anymore. Smiling at Jaws, comedy; kicking a Russian assassin asset off a cliff, ruthless. Also, roses for Tracey then dumps a guy down a chimney stack (though good reasons why). You know the strange thing about your Bourne comment was that EON/Brocoli hadn't learnt their lesson: Die Another Day - Brosnan's unfinest Bond film - was scripted and filmed because they thought XXX was a threat (especially when they had a Bond Proxy killed in XXX in the beginning).
Brosnan is my favorite Bond. As Drinker said, he could do anything the other Bonds did, and very well. To me, he looked the most natural in the role, like he wasn't even acting.
He was great but there's no escaping the fact his first film was amazing, his second was mediocre and the third and fourth were absolute dogshit. Die another day is an insult.
20:30 I literally cheered when you said that. Henry Cavill is really the obvious choice for me and his acting in the Witcher has shown that. He would be 150% invested if he is cast as Bond!
Brosnan. Brosnan all the way. Someone here mentioned how his eyes could go from jovial to deep killer ice cold in a second and i love that quality on his acting. Goldeneye is my favorite Bond movie.
Haven't seen goldeneye for a while but loved it at the time. However, everything after that was horrendous. He was great, the films weren't. Tried watching Tomorrow Never Dies a few months ago but it looks and feels like a straight to VHS poo-fest.
You know the trope about the hero cracking a smile when its life or death? Brosnan had that grin. Nowadays, it might come off as cringe because the quality of writing in general is in the gutter. Everything has to be self-aware and meta. But Brosnan had that down. And he had (maybe still has) the highest kill count. Charming and cold whenever it was called for. Shame his scripts became so cartoonish by the end. Casino Royale with Brosnan would've been something I'd pay twice the ticket price to see.
As someone who's never read a Bond book but grew up in the 80s and 90s with the movies; Roger Moore will always be the first person I think of when I think of James Bond. He was the perfect blend of charm and seriousness. That said Sean was of course utterly amazing too, and (from what some have told me) far more accurate to the books. Since they were both a part of my childhood I have a tremendous amount of nostalgia for both. The Bond film on Sunday afternoons or Christmas day etc - it felt like a treat back then. Sad that I can barely feel excited for the franchise anymore.
It's Roger Moore for me, too. Connery feels like the Boomer version of Bond, except that Connery himself was WWII generation. Moore was so much more FUN. Octopussy is my favorite Bond film.
Respect your opinion, but to me Moore was way too goofy. I wouldn't say he was a bad Bond, but he was cinema Bond only, completely disconnected from the book character.
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I started building a library few years ago. Which Ryan Drake book would you recommend I start with?
Idris Elba was the best Bond
No no no The Rock was his final appearance as Bond and it was awesome!!
Roger Moore 'Ol' Cardboard Eyebrows', Number Three??? - are you having a giggle?
i like the 007 black chick (yep i feel ok using that term) from the last Bond movie................(sarcastic sarcasm)!!!
Glad to see so much Brosnan praise in the comments. Seriously underrated, and the guy just *looks* like Bond should. Radiates suave coolness.
I agree. I thought he was a good Bond. A bit on the slight side, but he had the appearance and the suave manner.
Brosnan is a great actor. The terrible scripts often failed him
He had the looks and charm, but should have put on at least a little muscle.
He really looks like Bond, but his movies are probably the worst ones, aside Goldeneye
No more foreplay
Met Roger Moore once at a party in London as a kid...That was when The Living Day Lights was just released a month ago and all the marketing was Timothy Dalton centric that he is the new Bond and all that...this might sound silly but as a kid I believed that James Bond was real and Roger Moore was him...I approached Roger with excitement saying " Mr. Bond, Mr. Bond...what are you doing here ? Do you know that a man named Timothy has been impersonating you for a month ?" To which he replied with this extraordinary charm " Pipe down kid !" Then he leaned forward and whispered in my ear " I know kid, I told him to do so." I was shocked but I whispered back in his ear "But why Mr. Bond ?"...He whispered back " To fool the bad guys my dear lad !" Then he winked at me and went back to mingle with the guests....I was over the moon...I met him a couple of times after that and we had a laugh about that encounter at the party...but till this day he remains my James Bond ❤️
What a great story :).
That is so adorable. Moore always had such great humour.
What an amazing story man, thanks
thanks for sharing this story, it makes Roger even more charming which you would think would be imossible...and that's coming from a ''Connery' person
@@riccardocarcanocasali8603 Do you believe everything on the internet is real?
I actually met Sir Rodger Moore a few years before he passed away, he was staying at the hotel I worked in, I kept my fanboying to a minimum but got a handshake. Lovely man, seemed very down to earth.
My dad said he once walked in front of Moore at a pedestrian crossing. He was driving a Rolls Royce. Classic.
Moore had the best delivery, very droll.
That's always the impression I got as well. You're fortunate
Everyone has their favorite Bond. Mine is Timothy Dalton. Living Daylights and License To Kill are two of my favorite movies. Also love the theory that Connery in The Rock is actually Bond who was finally caught and kept because his government denied that he was theirs. Makes that movie even better from that point of view.
Preposterous theory
Didn't like Dalton
@@frankmachin5438why is that preposterous?
@@snelgrave101 Because that would make Bond a total failure
@@pr-tj5by why though? For getting caught?? He is human, spies get caught 🤷
Brosnan for me but I am absolutely a Connery enjoyer, to put it lightly.
Connery was easily the worst Bond.
I think Craig was the best, but Brosnan receives so much hate for scripting that wasn’t his fault.
I would also say Brosnan, but he only got one good movie.
This should be an Open Bar topic. Even that New Zealander Az should come on.
So, this is what you do while the fanclub desperately craves more Batwoman? :D
“For England, Drinker?”
“No, for me - go away now”
Can’t argue with Connery at top of the list, but Brosnan is my personal favourite.
Mine too, followed by Timothy Dalton. Drinker went a little too hard with Dalton slander I think.
Much like Ringo, Pierce is a guy who got to narrate Thonas the tank engine despite just for a one off 2008 special called The Great Discovery and to date, he is the only official film bond to go so!
I wasn't a fan of Moore, he just didn't have the physique for the role. Though he had some really good scripts to work with, unlike Dalton. It's really too bad that Brosnan wasn't able to get in sooner. And seriously, why Die Another Day? I guess Connery went out on a low note as well.
Brosnan is definitely the hardest, rough around the edges, badass, masculine Bond. Daniel Craig always seemed like too much of a pretty/party boy to me. Still great, but Connery just had too much of an old timer type feel to him.
Mine is definitely Moore, followed by Brosnan, Connery third.
The Living Daylights with Dalton is probably my most favorite Bond film. A complex plot with realistic villains and the backdrop of the Cold War. Hard to beat. I appreciated that Dalton actually read the Fleming books and strived to play the character as he was written. He also did a lot of his own stunts for TLD too.
and personally I like that it still manages to include many (if not most) of the classic Bond tropes; that's what I dislike about "Licence". unlike "Daylights"; it doesn't feel like a Bond film to me.
@@xxxaragon Thats because it was written for Roger Moore and not Dalton. License to kill was the first Bond film directly written for Dalton.
I do really like Living Daylights
That's also one of my favorites- and one of my favorite 80s action movies in general. I love the clever opening of "Guess which one is the new Bond", and from there it's just a lot of fun. "I know a great restaurant in Karachi...we can just make dinner," is one of my top Bond lines.
@@ghostviggen did not know that. makes this even more interesting.
Personally I think Timothy Dalton's Bond is, after Sean Connery's, the best portrayal of the iconic character. The clash between his calm and suave mannerisms in one situation vs his aggressive and raw behaviour in others makes for a very compelling character that rises above the standard cartboard cutout 'cool spy' that it could have been.
It's a darn shame that Dalton only got two films, he really would have deserved at least a third. After 'You only live twice' I must say that 'The living daylights' is my favourite Bond-film in the series, especially due to the opening scene which is suspenseful and has the awesome soundtrack made by A-Ha that immediately puts you into the right mood.
I agree with the drinker, he just couldn't do cool like Brosnan Moore and Connery, far too serious like Craig
He was actually scheduled for the third, 'Goldeneye'. But instead of production starting a few months after release of 'The Living Daylights' (previously, Bond movies had been released every 2 years since Dr No in '62) it was a full 4 years before cameras rolled. Dalton ran out of patience, and you can't blame him. Besides, the legal battles pretty much excluded him anyway.
It's a damn shame, because even though Brosnan did a great job with 'Goldeneye', I think Dalton would have put the movie into the top three greatest.
@@coolersmoke I think his lack of charisma would have seriously dented a Bond movie which many already consider one of the best ever
Fun fact: One of Brosnan's reason for being Bond was that his wife, Cassandra Harris (Lisl in "For Your Eyes Only"), always wanted to see him play the role, but she died of cancer before "GoldenEye." Craig's reason for being Bond was that his drinking buddies would never let him live it down if he turned down the role. (Not a bad reason, really...)
Still, suddenly it's not surprising which of those two seems more invested, huh?
@Fa Mulan true but Craig didn’t even wanna do it
@@anthonylopez5 if a Brocolli came to me and asked me to play Bond for millions of dollars, I wouldn't accept it. I've never trusted stalks of broccoli. Not even with cheese on them.
Yes, it was tragic that she passed away before her hubby Pierce finally got cast, but at least she was a Bond girl in the Roger Moore era.
@Fa Mulan WTF does fairness have to do with it?
@Ika Ayu Reported for spam
Sean Connery obviously. They even did an epilogue film of 007 called "The Rock" that ends it very nicely in my book.
Nice.
John, GREAT CALL ON, "THE ROCK"!👍
I've heard that before, I've got to check out The Rock one of these days.
@Greg Elchert Fleming was more inspired by his Scottish grandfather and the books of John Buchan.
@@pitchforker3304 despite it being a Michael Bay movie, it was before Bay became insufferable and self-indulgent. Yeah it's an other the top 90s action movie, but it is fun. Plus, Connery and Nick Cage actually made a pretty fun pairing.
For me, Roger Moore in Spy Who Loved Me is probably my favorite Bond, tonally. Joking and quick witted, but also serious. Cold blooded but also vulnerable. Slick as ever. Just a joy to watch.
Agreed. Toneally the perfect Cinema Bond.
Brosnan is my Bond!!! I was born in the 90s so the only Bond films I've seen in theaters are Craigs, but I watched the entire film collection multiple times with my dad growing up, and Brosnan was always the one I gravitated most too. Goldeneye is my favorite as I've gotten older, but I loved the spectacle, cars, and stunts of Die Another Day (plus Berry is a smokeshow) when I was much younger. Either way, besides Casino Royale, Spy Who Loved Me, and Goldfinger, the Brosnan films have always been right at the top and usually occupying at least my favorite spot. Just love the dude - watched all his other action films before and after too which made it crazy when I found out that so many originally saw him as a rom-com star.
I love that Die Another Day is the panned Brosnan movie now because I absolutely loved it as a kid. Yes, Berry played a role in that. But the flashy (though so unrealistic and over the top) stunts were crazy and I loved both the Austin and the Jaguar in that movie. Way corny compared to the other 3 (and frankly, Tomorrow Never Dies is not that far off to how I see modern media corporations). But I just loved it and had so much fun watching that one over and over.
Born in 90s as well. My first bond film in theaters was Die Another Day as well.
Pierce Brosnan, even after he doesn't play the character anymore, he still looks like a Perfect James Bond
His demeanour was "Bond" before and also after he was cast but in his films... he was not funny like Moore but condescending or even cringe; and when his character was challenged by opposition, not cool but acting out ... to my taste anyways.
From the first time I saw him as Rémington Steele way back in the 80s I thought he was born to play Bond.
@@naldorgarnier same. I think most people felt the same way when they saw him in Remington Steel. But yea Pierce was really what we all think when we think of Bond. Dark hair, tall, charm, badass, ruthless, credible as a ladies' man. Can say the one liners without sounding corny like Moore.
Couldn't agree more
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 Allegedly, the execs thought Brosnan rocked the classic bond Tux look so well that they wrote into his contract that he wasn't allowed to wear a tux in any other role as long as he was making bond movies. That's why he never wears a straight up tux in Thomas Crown affair. They always had to do little modifications.
My favourite James Bond is Timothy Dalton. Not only did the guy read the books, but he knew what he wanted after finally being chosen to become 007. His Bond returns to being cold, dark and hardened while being self-loathing, wanting to quit his job, but always determined to do what must be done no matter what.
1. Best actor to ever play the role, and 2. did a lot of his own stunts, which was refreshing after years of watching Moore's stunt doubles do most of the work (I think they get more screen time than Moore himself in View to a Kill.)
I found him very disappointing as the no-sex Bond, not to mention his crying over Felix Lighter. I was in college at the time. His films have not grown on me.
@@kerrylawson7515 Time has been kind to Dalton’s movies though. Back in the late 80’s, he got vilified for daring to take Bond back to his roots via reading all the Fleming novels, while an egomaniac like Daniel Craig can get praised for doing the same thing. Dalton did the dark Bond first.
Yes, yes! Dalton was the Bond from the books! Exactly as I feel!
@@kerrylawson7515 I totally agree, he was dreadful Bond, no charisma fun or escapism whatsoever
Sadly Cavill at this point is just too expensive. But from what we know about his nerdy personality (in a good way) there is possibility that he can agree on smaller paycheck just to play another iconic character. Will see.
I am not quite sure about that. Apparently his paycheck for Witcher s2 might have reached 8mil (1m per ep), but for season 1 it was 3-4mil (400k per ep) and Craig's debut (as the most recent Bond film beginning appearance) was 3-4mil. So I suppose if he agrees on just a slightly lower paycheck everything falls into place.
I would love to see Cavil. Christian Bale would also make an interesting bond
Nah, we all know Jodi Whittaker is the new James Bond.
On a serious note, there's folks rooting for Benedict Cumberbatch. I don't question his acting chops. But man, I'd hate to see him get stuck here, and he'll be too old for the role within two movies.
Haha I think he would be great as Q if he’s not Bond. He knows his gadgets. 🤓
I think he would treat the character with the respect it deserves and having read some of the comments about how he was able to influence the writer about the roach death scene to keep it somber and meaningful he might be a good choice.
Watching Pierce drive the BMW 7 series with an Ericson cellphone in "Tomorrow never dies" was one of the peaks of my childhood in film.
Ian Fleming was so impressed by Connery's performance as Bond, he wrote into the books that Bond was originally born in Scotland.
Absolutely. I was surprised after reading that in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Cool!
What makes Connery doubly cool is the fact that as he got older, his charisma never faded.
Every single role he's in, he makes it look like he's the perfect actor for it.
@@carljohan9265 Highlander a Spanish-Egyptian with a Scottish accent and a Japanese Sword who else but Connery?
@@lordomacron3719 Exactly. Also The Rock and Red October are great examples of older Connery's badassery.
The fact that Ian Fleming liked Sean Connery's version so much that he altered Bond's backstory to include Scottish heritage says it all.
@Floyd1504 no.
Well he was the first one and bond is a Scottish name
@Floyd1504 Fleming hated Connery at first, but, after he grew on him, Fleming made Bond Scottish in the next to last novel "You Only Live Twice" after the success of "Doctor No" which had just been released. In the previous novel "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", Bond's family history referenced is simply British.
No, no, no, no. Fleming didn't like Connery at all. He only ACCEPTED Connery after the Connery movies made Fleming sell more books! That's why he changed Bond's back story.
@Floyd1504 the first
I've met two of the actors who portrayed Bond - George Lazenby and Roger Moore. Both were fantastic people. I was living in Thailand when they filmed Man With the Golden Gun and got to meet Roger Moore there. I met George a few years ago and he was very friendly. My wife loved George. Go figure. As a Bond fan, I have the autographs in binders highlighting each Bond, the Villain (s), and of course the Bond girls. My favorite Bond, though? Roger Moore. He was very kind to me when I met him as a lad in Bangkok. That goes along way with me.
I heard they offered Lazenby 4 more Bond Films but he turned it down because he thought it might hurt his acting career being typed cast as James Bond.
Interesting. I went on a nearly two-week trip across Portugal and Switzerland in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Lazenby was along for the entire trip. What started as excitement about him being there quickly melted into disappointment and disgust at him repeatedly revealing himself as an arrogant, crass, perpetually hammered drunk, and generally mean-spirited and unappreciative person. There are certainly other people I've had more misfortune in meeting, but he's pretty high on the list.
@@derekhanson1688 I believe you. Perhaps, that is the reason why he never did another Bond film, him being such a person in real life.
He always struck me as being a decent bloke.
@@derekhanson1688did you know he was going to be there or did he just tag along?
I went on a tour of the mosquito coast recently and Harrison Ford just would not leave us alone.
Ugh, I was all like,"okay yeah I get it."
Wouldn't even sign my temple of doom underpants.
Fucking diva
Pierce Brosnan, he had the suaveness, the ability to be witty and quipped that felt very natural and he could also be very hard edged and cold when he had to be, he's the best Bond imo
Brosnan was always my personal favorite, but I know that Sean Connery will always be the gigachad of Bonds.
Brosnan always seemed too much like he was trying to be both Connery and Moore. Didn’t bring anything new to the table.
Brosnan is my favorite! He was the most believable with the women. He was sexy and totally into whatever woman he was with.
@@jenniferbangs And since when the hell is the sexiest Bond automatically the best? There are certain other things like character, writing, action, story, etc.
@@thomaskilroy4573 Why do you have to be a dick? let it go, bro. These are just opinions. Chill.
@@thomaskilroy4573 note the name
Ian Fleming eventually admitted he was wrong about Connery and enjoyed his performances so much, he started adding backstory to the character that matched Connery - he made Bond part Scottish in a later book for example.
Thanks no one has ever heard that before
no. James Bond was described from the start of the first book. and is scottish, not part. i know every line from every book in original, not in my native language.
False. You'd better check your books.
@@UmbraFulgur Nope...the first time a scottish father was mentioned was in YOLT which Fleming wrote in 1963...at least a couple of years after he met Connery. The OP is 100% right.
Connery rules!
I think each actor brought something unique to the role - though I always had a soft spot for Dalton in License to Kill. A darker Bond that would foreshadow the Craig era, I love Dalton’s 007 as a haunted, older agent on the verge of PTSD. Wanting revenge, not so much for the attack on his friend, but for the memory of his wife being killed in the line of fire (nice call back to OHMSS). Telling his boss off in the most debonair of ways, “It’s a farewell to arms”. Then going rogue and playing Sanchez’s cartel against one another until it went up in flames. A shame Dalton never got to do more.
License to Kill really stands out as unique in the franchise, and holds up insanely well. Drinker rightly points out how dark and violent it is, but that's what makes it great - the stakes for Bond are not large-scale like so many of the over-the-top "save the world" gambits, but very, very personal - so much so that he's willing to sacrifice everything to get justice for a friend. At the same time, the villain Sanchez is not only more realistic, but also more all about the personal stakes of "loyalty" rather than money or power.
I feel the same way TBH, to me Brosnan was overrated as Bond he had Goldeneye, everything else was beyond ridiculousness and I could never take him seriously as a tough guy. While I liked Moore he treated the Bond role like a clown..wait he was 1 in Octapussy so there is that, don't get me wrong I like some of the ridiculousness it made for a fun film, but, the more serious Bonds were the better ones, the suave gentleman was overplayed and unconvincing in most movies, Connery was playful, but he did play a brutal bond that used women as a shield if he had to, and he didn't play fair.
@@Don-ol8ze I completely agree. As I said above, License to Kill remains my favorite Bond and I wholeheartedly agree with your analysis. It might reflect on me and my choices in film that of all the Craig movies, Skyfall is my favorite.
@@Don-ol8ze Definitely agree. Plus young Benicio del Doro as a Sanchez's henchman. Plus beautiful ladies. Plus three ultra gruesome deaths. And the final truck chase scene is absolutely awesome. Licence to kill is my favorite Bond. The 1980s introduced the druglord as a villain figure and I really like how Bond the Bond franchise recognized that Bond needs to confront him.
Yes. Some Dalton fans!
Dalton, no contest. Went straight back to the books and played a genuine trained paid killer in his young years.
I believe that Dalton was criminally underrated and it's unfortunate that he didn't have a third film to properly finish his run.
Couldn't agree more.
Agreed.
I do like that kinda "Bad boy" vibe he as in it, not as depressing and gloomy as Craig, if he could have a bit more of this Bri'ish sarcasm, he would have been perfect for it
Pretty much like Brosnan, he was pretty much how Dalton was, but with that touch of Sarcastic wittyness and charm.
I wonder how many "It must've scared the living daylights out of her" takes they shot that they went with the one they did.
Good Prince of Arboria though
So true… Dalton was the Daniel at that time.
Someone’s favorite Bond will usually be the first Bond they see. Then much much later, they’ll usually come around to Sean Connery. Thanks for being one of the only people to say that Ian Fleming’s vision for the character should always be respected.
true
I was introduced to the character with the Roger Moore movies, Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only. I still love those two. Since those younger days, I've come to appreciate the Brosnan and Dalton Bonds especially. I could never get into the Connery movies - they're just too cheesy for me. He's a great Bond, but the movies bring down the character in my opinion.
Not necessarily, i grew up in the Roger Moore era and love Roger as bond. But when i saw Golden eye at cinema in my late teens Brosnan stood out more ruthless and I enjoyed those films more. Brosnan was my bond the Moore.
@@andysteele5707 Sure but your favorite bond is still the one who you first grew up with during your formative years.
I honestly agree; you always will come back to Sean Connery. Bros an was incredible, and I absolutely adored his first film. But I thought Sean Connery gave Bond a swagger that no one else has been able to touch.
No, my favourite bond is Pierce Brosnan. Those films stood out more to me. Tomorrow never dies especially and Golden eye. Ive seen every bond film. I do love the originals Sean Connery too. Yes Sean is legendary and set the standard and tone for others. I cant get into the Daniel Craig films, they've lost the suave ness, essence and fun of what a Bond film is meant to be.
Pierce Brosnan once joked in an interview that when he heard about the new Bond movie coming out he was surprised because he thought they would've checked with him first to see if he was still interested in the role before announcing it. Even if it was just a joke, it really made me feel bad for him.
I like Brosnan's Bond quite a lot. I recorded his movies on VHS tapes and re-watched them hundreds of times as a kid :)
And yes, I even like Die Another Day because I'd gladly take Bond surfing on a giant wave with a parachute away from a falling ice berg and orbital laser, over No Time To Die.
His films were crapola
@Patridge One good movie, three crappola movies.
No doubt they decided Die Another Day not doing so well was his fault and not because it was just an aggressively silly movie.
I agree with this list 100%. I never took Craig’s Bond serious. You’ve nailed it perfectly. He was a joke!
For me, after Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan was the only other legitimate Bond.
I've always liked Timothy Dalton's portrayal of James Bond, he had good balance between Dapper British gentleman, and badass hero, and I think License to Kill was the best James Bond movie.
License to Kill is phukkin great! Love Dalton Bond, think he is the most true to the books.
The action sequence in License to Kill, after he sees them kill Sharkey, is top 3 in all of Bond IMO.
Agreed
Yes! Timothy Dalton!!
Idk why but dalton just has this style as bond y'know? Book accurate, and most importantly acting like an actual person in The films instead of brooding jason bourne.
Timothy Dalton got flak cause people expected Pierce Brosnan which was so unfair.
For me it will always be Pierce, he had everything charm, physicality, charisma, everything even the original Q (Desmond Llewelyn) said Pierce was the best and he would know since he worked with every Bond except Craig. Connery and Moore were also great, but Pierce is definitely how Bond should look like and act.
Same for me. He's the bond I remember best and the one I went to see in the cinema. Connery would be second for me though.
Agree
Agreed 100%. Brosnan seemed to employ the qualities of the all the other Bonds before and after him. It also helps, that I grew up on his films and I think Golden Eye was the first Bond-film I saw.
Brosnan is definitely my favorite Bond, followed by Connery. He could pass as a man of action while still being smooth as a devil. Pity his last movie had one of the worst scripts in the whole franchise.
My moms favorite bond.
It's such a shame that we never got to see a Sir Christopher Lee version of Bond, seeing how the character was inspired by Lee.
Whst some howling about some none existant desert god
Nope
He already played the man with the golden gun.
It’s a shame we never got Connery vs Lee. That would’ve been the top Bond movie
I love the guy, but no. :) I just noticed in the pictures of the Man with the golden gun how fucking tall Lee is.
Brosnan deserved at least one or two more films.
One of the best moments in cinema history is when Connery introduces himself to a woman across the baccarat table. "Bond." Pause while he lights a cigarette. "James Bond." As smooth as Cary Grant at his best. And that is high praise.
Bond's introduction in Dr No is magnificent. The timing of the cut and Bond's line is something to show to film students. THIS is how you introduce a protagonist.
for me it was when craig earned his double 0 in the opening credits of casino Royale.
Your comment just made me realize that Cary Grant would've made a good 007, too bad he was already middle age by the 1960's.
@@natebowman7593 Cary Grant was suave but didn't have the rawness. Bond as written is not a particularly handsome guy, he can just be very smooth when the situation requires it. But he's always cold inside, at least after Vesper. Grant was a true gentleman. Of course, he got his own spy thriller with North by Northwest. if you want to see what Grant might have looked like as bond, watch Dean Martin's Matt Helm films.
My Bond was always Brosnan and to me, he's always embodied what I love most about character. He's a capable and believable agent whilst remaining suave and charming and his movies were just FUN. They didn't try to be a look into the gritty realism of espionage, they just took the inherently campy idea of a 'super spy' and made it work.
Others were great no doubt, but when I picture Bond, I picture Brosnan.
I thought Die Another Day was pretty good. I don’t get the hate.
With Goldeneye being the first James Bond film I ever saw, that cemented Brosnan as “my” Bond.
You got it
The Brosnan films get FUCK ALL airplay,
unless its Goldeneye because that's the one film he made.
Goldeneye - Take Sean Bean outta that film and its ain't all that, he is the one who makes the film. Tomorrow never dies was crap and world is not enough was the last straw for me, total joke, Brosnan made 1 good bond film, professional assassins don't drive around in invisible BMW's taking on Robert Carlyle... simple as.
Please don't talk to me about ''Mr. Invisible cars'' Pierce Brosnan,
because his films were laughable in my opinion and pretty far from being realistic.
@@andrewjames7438 I liked it too. Not as much as Golden Eye, the bit driving the Jag through the melting hotel seemed to go on toooooooo long but it was a fun movie. I really don't get the hate or why they would boot Brosnan because of it. He wasn't the problem!
And while, like most, I think Connery is king of the Bonds if only for creating the role, Brosnan embodied what I always imagined Bond to be from the first moment he appeared on the screen!
Critical Drinker is probably the only person whom I can listen to speak for 20 straight minutes without getting bored. He's such a gifted commentator.
Aye.
👍
@@paulhitchens7180 Deal with your potty training issues with your Mom.
@@paulhitchens7180 This was the best response that popped in your head?
I think a reason for that is because he always seems confident in his claims he never acts or sounds hesitant when hes bringing up an opinion that would potentially be unpopular or controversial to other people
Just rewatched The Living Daylights. Fantastic Bond movie and far better than the last two Daniel Craig movies.
Dalton was ahead of his time and should have done at least another film. He’s the closest we have ever got to the Book version. Pity about that Lawsuit because it done us out of another Dalton film. Very underrated!
4 at best
Dalton my favorite Bond and Peter Davison my favorite Doctor
I grew up watching Connery and Moore. When Dalton came onto the scene, I was in the middle of reading the Fleming novels, and I immediately gravitated to the closer portrayal of Fleming’s iconic character. Wish we’d gotten to see more of him in the role.
Very underrated. Much better than Brosnan IMO
I grew up with Connery and Moore also. I think which ones someone grew up with have a lot of do with which ones people prefer.
Dalton, just seemed like an awkward fit.
But my 'fan-ness' is only moderate. I have never read the books, and I have lost interest in anything out of Hollywood for the past 15 years.
The last movie I saw in a theater was S.W. ep7, which I walked out of halfway through.
So, my opinion may be biased.
Still, Connery deserves respect because he was the first one.
It makes me happy hearing how much you like Brosnan. He seems to get a bit of grief from some corners. He was the Bond I grew up with and he'll forever be number one imo, unless somebody really impressive takes the role in future.... With the writers to back him up, which seems unlikely currently.
The Solaris would sooner implode then the Hollywood hacks allow a white suave gentleman be cast again. Bond is dead. If you believe otherwise then I applaud your misplaced faith in humanity.
I think that's the thing with Brosnan. For people who came of age at that time they love him but I grew up around Moore's Bond and I found Brosnan sterile who never carved out anything unique or different about the character. He seemed uncomfortable in the role. Connery is my favorite just for reference.
Bad writing let Brosnan down with all the after goldeneye
@@DukeJon1969 Didn't stop him being a brilliant Bond himself though
@@honuman39 Uncomfortable...He was pure Bond from the moment he stepped out effortlessly.....
Brosnan
Moore
Connery
The rest you can throw away
Craig might have been the Bond of my generation, as well as being the first I ever saw. But Brosnan is what comes to mind when I think of Bond.
You have good taste haha
Craig's Bond was too much of a product of the god-awful postmodernist, deconstructionist climate.
ArkhamWarden120 Brosman could pull off the coolest man in the room without trying and I always loved his range of emotions. Also tomorrow never dies is a personal favorite of mine. Especially Wai Lin. My favorite Bond girl.
@@Avarn388 Hell, Tomorrow Never Dies has aged a lot better than people think. A thriller with a deranged media mogul elite trying to start WW3 with fake news and cutting edge technology sounds more and more relevant today.
@@yrooxrksvi7142 He's great in the fight scenes, but that's about it. He doesn't have much charm and is the ugliest Bond actor
I'd say Connery with Brosnan as a very close second.
I really liked Timothy Dalton and the older those films get the more I think he deserved another film, he would have made it his own.
Connery's Bond is actually a really intimidating individual, a stone cold sociopath. I love it!
In Thunderball, he casually and cheerfully tells a SPECTRE assassin "Now don't you worry...I'll tell the chef" after he locks him into a steamer to get scalded to death.
@@robwalsh9843 lmfao damn
@@robwalsh9843 but baron Lippe didn't die, he was later killed by SPECTRE assassin Fiona Volpe.
I'd argue for Timothy Dalton. May have been the only one to thoroughly delve into the source material, and played Bond as both suave and gritty, even borderline psychotic at times, such as during his personal vendetta during "License to Kill." Both of his films hold up very well with great action and a minimum of campy humor, and it's a shame we didn't get more from him.
Dalton was Craig before Craig and honestly does not get the recognition he deserves. Both his films are two of my favourites and if he were to do Goldeneye as he was originally cast would have played for an epic trilogy.
@@michaelwright3044 a comparison to Craig is not a compliment. Loved Dalton, but craig made being james bond seem miserable
I liked Dalton, hated Licence to Kill though.
Dalton is a much better attempt at what they were going for with Craig. Dalton could at least be a suave bastard, where as Craig came off as a thuggish domestic violence abuser...
Completely agree with this comment loved Living Daylights and License
Daniel Craig would have made a hell of a Bond villain, with his demeanor and cavalier attitude to all things.
Agreed, much better than his Bond
And you’re so right I’m going against Timothy Dalton bond that would’ve been pure epic
I really like Timothy Dalton's Bond, other than Sean (who I think is sort of the definitive bond), Dalton's actual Assassin bond and raw savagery is exactly why I like his portrayal.
Definitely, Dalton, Brosnan (because of Goldeneye, the rest were mostly meh), Connery & Moore (joint third, totally different Bonds, awesome in their own way) then Daniel Craig. Craig is by far the most boring Bond. The next Bond has to be Brosnan-esque with a strong Daltonian bias. A harder edged Dalton style Brosnan would be epic.
Daltonian bias? That's deep brother
😕
Amen, fellow Dalton fan. Roger Moore was absurdly old, and the films were unintentional satire by the time _View_ came out. _The Living Daylights_ returned Bond to being a proper independent operator who was never out of his element.
Dalton is my favorite and the closest to Fleming. The ultimate cinematic Bond however is Connery.
@@pipeninja4741Lanzenby is my fav.
Said no one ever 😅
You nailed it with Pierce's bond discription, Pierce himself mentioned in an interview that in his preformance he was aiming at a middle ground between Connery's and Moor's bond.
Best ever
Bond is the man all men want to be and all women want to be with. Pierce Brosnan embodied that perfectly, and I cannot forget how buzzing I was all throughout and after seeing Goldeneye.
Personally, I grew up with Pierce Brosnan. I think he had it all, he was suave, cool, good sense of humor and did action very well. A bona fide badass who looked good doing it all.
He also seems like a really chill and nice guy in real life aswell
Agreed. Especially for Goldeneye Pierce Brosnan.
The Brosnan films get FUCK ALL airplay,
unless its Goldeneye because that's the one film he made.
Goldeneye - Take Sean Bean outta that film and its ain't all that, he is the one who makes the film. Tomorrow never dies was crap and world is not enough was the last straw for me, total joke, Brosnan made 1 good bond film, professional assassins don't drive around in invisible BMW's taking on Robert Carlyle... simple as.
Please don't talk to me about ''Mr. Invisible cars'' Pierce Brosnan, because his films were laughable in my opinion and pretty far from being realistic.
@@ernestoribeiro2226
Clueless....
Brosnan
Moore
Connery
You can forget the rest.....
My wife had never seen all the Bond films. So we sat down over the course of a few weeks and binged the entire series in chronological order. With that fresh in my mind, this list is 100% accurate. I was actually surprised by the time we got to Brosnan. Maybe it had been so long since I saw him, or maybe back then I was still remembering the Bond I grew up with in the '70s. But Brosnan was definitely better than I had remembered. Dalton as well. And Craig? Yeah. Maybe we can consider him the first trans Bond.
Have you ever seen "Remington Steele"? Brosnan had been playing the role for years.
I have also seen "The Saint". Moore had played Bond too. After Moore got the movies Broccoli started
turning Bond into Austin Powers.
First trans bond😂. Retrospectively Craig is the worst because of the writing, not his acting. He was decent throughout the first three, then specter and plenty of time to die went off the rails
When Brosnan played Remington Steele I told my ex he should be Bond. I said that for years and my ex laughed at me - lol
@@marvinthemartian6788 As dreadful as I thought Craig was I actually thought the first half of Spectre was by far his best Bond performance and really enjoyed it up until that point
Y'know, there's been endless piles of psychoanalyzing of Bond, most of it negative. But, Drinker, when you said he was an archetype, I agree completely. I also wonder if he was a 20th century interpretation of a MUCH older archetype, one that has now almost been eradicated by 21st Century Soy-Culture-
“The knight is a man of blood and iron, a man familiar with the sight of smashed faces and the ragged stumps of lopped-off limbs; he is also a demure, almost a maidenlike, guest in hall, a gentle, modest, unobtrusive man. He is not a compromise or happy mean between ferocity and meekness; he is fierce to the nth and meek to the nth.” - C.S. Lewis
I am a Dalton guy. I totally dug the serious, more dramatic take on 007. Dalton was initially chosen by Broccoli to become Bond way back for Live And Let Die, but he felt he was too young at the time and had too much respect for the character to take the part; they came back to him in 1986 when Roger Moore retired and he took it. I think he was always the one who was supposed to take the mantle from Connery because they wanted him to be more like the Bond from the books. Dark, gritty, fully capable of carrying that License to Kill with passion and style. It's too bad he wasn't able to make more Bond films.
He was asked to replace Sean Connery in 1969. But thought himself to young
I agree. As a fan of the novel series, I really appreciated Dalton's take on the character. I would put him as #2 and Brosnan as #3.
@@BenNZ-j9n literally about to say this the character of Bond in the books would make him late 20's/early 30's at most. Dalton was about 21 at the time add that with taking the mantle from Connery was gonna be a career killer if they were going the route of "another Sean Connery" like director Peter Hunt said.
I have a massive nostalgia for Roger Moore's Bond, it was the Bond on TV in my childhood, and even in his worst, he is fun and charismatic. But Timothy Dalton's Bond stands even taller because it was such a departure and contrast to the Moore's take on the character. He just got so little time to prepare and was cut short after only 2 movies, so he never had a chance to fully grow into the Bond role like Connery or Moore before. And writing-wise, his 2 movies aren't the best, they are interesting but kinda middling. I would prefer his instead of Brosnan but for a more casual fan, he just cannot do funny very much, so maybe he would be as popular.
Same here!
This is a non-question, because there is only one answer, the man that made 007 what he was and a success, Sean Connery. I might even like other actor's movies more, but he IS James Bond.
Pierce Brosnan was better, IMO.
Connery was good, but being the first doesn't make you the best.
That's the correct answer
I think a lot of people are gonna say this. And I just don't agree with it. Maybe it's the writing or his accent or something like that but I've never been interested enough to even finish one of his Bond films.
So the true Deadpool is the one with sword arms and laser eyes?
Is Reb Brown the true Captain America?
Is that weird Asian spider man with the car, jet, and giant mech the true Peter Parker?
Timothy Dalton was the only one that ever came close to Connery and he was 2nd by miles.
I never could buy into to the wooden Daniel Craig as Bond.
Dalton's portrayal is the best. The Bond novels are excellent and focus on the psychological toll of covert operations, with the finery and women being stale consolation for a life of destruction. He really nailed it and is the best Bond.
I don't think George Lazenby was very good for most of the movie however he definitely nailed the scene where he loses Tracy. He managed to convey the pain Bond was going through without getting too emotional because he knew Bond as an agent would mostly be stoic
I became a fan of Ian Fleming’s novels before starting the movies and Timothy Dalton was easily the closest portrayal to the literary character (he was a fan of the novels). He’s my favorite as the most authentic Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
However the books are completely different from the films (more realistic spy thriller with comparatively little action), so it’s absolutely fair for people that started with the movies to prefer Brosnan, Connery, etc..
Unfortunately I think audiences at that time weren’t ready for a darker James Bond, and it made too stark a contrast coming after the goofiness of the late Roger Moore era. I wish we’d gotten at least a third Dalton movie.
From what I’ve heard, Goldeneye’s more interesting take on the character (where a former friend challenges him to confront his blind loyalty to a government that commits its own atrocities) is a leftover from what was originally going to be Dalton’s third movie.
Edit to add that I think Brosnan was very good for the role and would have been brilliant if the writers had taken him and the franchise more seriously. This is true for Moore as well. A great actor can only do so much with campy, cheesy material. Dalton could not have redeemed Die Another Day. Really, a good or bad Bond film comes down to the writers more than anything.
I was never a big fan of the Roger Moore version of Bond, but I later came to realize that it wasn't the fault of the actor but the scripts. This realization hit me when I watched Ffolkes, where Roger Moore is truly a bad ass.
Michael K,
Brosnan
Moore
Connery
The rest you can forget imo
Sir, you’ve earned my respect for putting Brosnan in the top 3. He was practically perfect for the role.
No practically about it. He WAS perfect for the role.
Maybe it's because I'm American, but I get the feeling that Craig's Bond is a very American Bond, which is why he is so popular in the role (America representing a very large audience). Like you said, he's only very loosely a Bond and more of a Bourne-type character, which sells in the land of trucks and guns much better than a Roger Moore-type Bond.
Also, I never realized that was Benicio Del Toro in Licence to Kill.
Craig’s bond is sooo bland no emotion whats so ever. He got that same expression all the time. He made james bond boring af i doesnt bother to watched
@@BampissPreach.
@@eugenehavens you poor little peach,..does the truth hurt ?
I think The Glass Onion is the only Craig movie where I didn't fall asleep.
@@bbwphantom I liked him in Layer Cake but he was a dreadful Bond
I really liked Dalton's darker, gritty, rogue 007. As much as I wanted Brosnan to be THE Bond, I found it was a little too late, and his Bond movies just felt like 2 hour episodes of Remington Steel. So yes, he was comfortable in the role because it was essentially the same character he had been playing. Connery being the first, makes him the benchmark for the character which is hard to match let alone beat.
Actually, Connery transcended the Bond films as well. He fits an image of a Scottish Gentleman with flash!!!
Glad to see Brosnan getting the praise that he deserves. I feel like the 2005 game “Everything or Nothing” should’ve been a film instead. Having not only Brosnan in the lead but Willem Dafoe as the villain not become a film was a severely missed opportunity
Goldeneye is the definitive Bond film for me. It's the movie that made me a lifelong fan of the franchise. Pierce Brosnan at his best, Sean Bean at his best; what's not to love?
"For England, James?"
"No... for me."
Jaz, Agreed
And whats interesting is it was the first bond film not to be based on one of ian flemings novals
Sean Bean beat up Roger Craig in Sharpe's Rifles
GoldenEye is my favorite Bond film but TND probably my least favorite.
Brosnan was awesome in Goldeneye and its my personal number 1. Its odd as I use to skip Brosnan when doing Bond marathons. And I dont actually know why after giving them a proper chance,
Pierce Brosnan is my Bond. Growing up with GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies was the best.
Pierce Brosnan is the most perfect version of Bond imo. Goldeneye is still my favourite Bond movie.
My favourite was Timothy Dalton. It's a shame he only got to play Bond for only two movies, but I feel like he nailed the dry wit yet steel calmness of the character that is bond. Other actors push it too much one way or another, but I feel Dalton got the perfect balance of the comedic side of bond coupled with the fact he is an agent trained to kill and complete the mission.
Although Brosnan played my favorite Bond, I have always thought that Timothy Dalton played Bond as the most believable MI6 agent. Plus, it didn't hurt that I first saw, 'The Living Daylights' on my 24th birthday while I was studying political science at Oxford University and on a date with a stunningly beautiful English major from the University of Georgia.
I feel the same way and Daniel Craig is my personal favorite for Bond.
Of all the Bond films I’ve seen, those two films he’s been in remain the ones I have the fondest memories of.
Dalton to me had that intensity and you could feel that the guy could kill you at any time, there was an animal looking to come out like the character in the book. But I don't think his movies did him justice cause they were not "there yet" as far doing a proper killer Bond. Imagine him in his prime doing Casino Royale, that would have been special.
Same!! Timothy Dalton was my favorite and my second favorite was Pierce Bronson..
He was definitely the worst Bond. That's why he didn't last long.
I think Pierce Brosnan was the perfect James Bond. He had the look, charm, class, wit, humor, and seriousness of what i imagine James Bond should be. His movies werent the best Bond movies but he was the best Bond as the character
Absolutely.
I call him the hybrid bond. He kicked ass in action sequences and could be ice cold ala connery/dalton, but still had fun and could be cheeky like roger moore
C&M Punk Goldeneye is the best bond imo, the other 3 he did are terrible
I hated his era as it started the shift in bond Films IMO. When the female “M” insulted bond in the first film I immediately hated his era. I only rewatch up until the Bronson era then that’s it.
I agree and I'm sure that Brosnan hates the writers of Die Another Day for ending his Bond career. Because in my opinion, if Die Another Day wasn't such a crap movie then Brosnan would have been invited to make more Bond films
Yep, exactly right. Of all of them, Connery is the one who sold me that, if he had to, he could kill you without having to think about it, and still looked great in a tuxedo. I'm also convinced that the series ran for as long as it did because the character is now, and forever shall be, what Sean Connery made of it. Well done.
I said it a million times before, and I'll say it again: Brosnan had it all. Connery had the raw power, Moore had the suave funnies, Dalton had charisma in spades, and Craig had the acting chops. But Brosnan had it all. SHort-changed by some of the scripts, but Tomorrow Never Dies is a masterpiece. And Die Another Day just completely unashamedly celebrates its silliness in the best possible way. Plus that sword fight, come on. You have to applaud that. Brosnan is the man. Other than that, I completely agree with this ranking. And don't get me wrong, Connery is Fleming's Bond.
I've always liked Tomorrow Never Dies for Michelle Yeoh. Been a fan of hers since her Hong Kong action movies. But the movie as a whole - and Brosnan's work within it - has held up very well.
@@chrisnicholson3231 especially the character of Elliot
@@CodeNameCheese_ That was some very interesting foreshadowing. While his look clearly implies Steve Jobs, Apple was virtually worthless in the 90s.
@@CodeNameCheese_ That's a good point! He's like today's narrative media (and their Big Tech partners in crime).
It might just be my age but the funny thing is, when I think of Bond, I think of Roger Moore and A View To A Kill is probably the film I’ve watched the most. It’s a load of silly fun and Christopher Walken is great. Plus the idea of drowning Silicon Valley seems more and more like a good idea as the years go by.
Mines would be Octopussy!!
Roger Moore brought humor to Bond...View to a Kill and Octopussy are my favs!!
Pretty much the same, only switch A View To A Kill for For Your Eyes Only. Seriously, TV stations back in the day knew only that movie and Octopussy, no other Bond movies existed.
I actually kinda liked Dalton and wished he got more movies.
Yep, my number one for sure. Didn't grow up with Connery, so I guess he should get the top spot out of respect, but I never cared for Moore and even less for Brosnan.
Youre not alone in that.
Daylights was my first cinematic visit for Bond so he also will be close to my heart for that reason.
Agreed, he had a gravitas to his role
Agreed~ I think they should have kept him for at least 2 more films, and NOT made Never Say Never, aka "generic-brand Thunderball"
Dalton was amazing in the tv series Chuck. Reminded me how great an actor he is
The World is Not Enough is one of my favorites. Definitely underrated.
Pierce Brosnon was the most genuine Bond imo. He just seemed personally in love with playing the character.
Pierce Brosnan for me! He had some doo doo scripts to work with after Goldeneye... but he's my fave.
Tomorrow never dies was a good one though. I like it anyway.
@@chriswilkinson7636
If it wasn’t so lighthearted and whimsical with weird plot-holes I’d agree.
Shame Campbell didn’t direct this one.
Looks great and has good pacing though.
Brosnan is def one of my favourites.
One of the best Bond actors with the most consistently shite movies. A damn shame they wasted all that potential.
yeah Remington Steele is pretty good.
Like the guy starting WW3 to sell... newspapers... in 1999...
Without having seen this video yet, my favourite Bond is Pierce Brosnan. I think he perfectly embodies every quality that makes Bond *Bond* -- at least in the movies. Classically handsome, effortlessly charming, and cold-blooded in a fight. I also think he emotes better than some of the other Bonds who fill the previous criteria. (And that's not to say his movies are perfect. They have their flaws. But Brosnan himself is Bond personified, IMO.)
Connery - the classic Bond
Lazenby - the young Bond.
Moore - the charming Bond.
Dalton - the assassin Bond.
Brosnan - the balanced Bond.
Craig - the emotional Bond.
Craig - Boring Bond
After Connery, Craig is the most successful bond critically and financially. Brosnan was the worst, he was a model not an actor.
Craig is Dad Bond
@@heycidskyja4668Craig is the realistic bond
Thank you for finally giving Brosnan the respect he deserves as Bond! I have been saying this for decades. I've had arguments with people regarding how good Brosnan was. I enjoyed Connery's Bond, but he was my parents Bond. I grew up on Bond and the new movies coming out when I was a kid were the cheesey Moore films. So when Brosnan showed up, I loved his portrayal.
Bronson was a great Bond in bad Bond films.
@@MovieGuy666 The best Bond but poor movies
Yeah I never understood why he was my mom's favourite Bond but now it makes sense.
@@ic8537 Pierce Brosnan is the best Bond actor of them all
Opportunistic Womanizer
Suave
Sophisticated
Charismatic
Charming
Playboy Spy
Every Box Ticked....
Can turn on a dime into the most ruthless killing machine of them all with more individual kills per move than any other Bond including Daniel Craig, just like Timothy Dalton I never felt like Craig's movies were Bond movies though they were good action movies
Brosnan managed to do all that despite some dodgy directors and scripts to say the least
He was The Total Package.....
People forgot and tried to rewrite history. Dalton’s Bond may be reaccessed now but at the time his films dragged the series down and then came that lawsuit that had 007 disappeared for half a decade. His Bond films saved the series.
When you hear these words in your head, “Bond. James Bond,” I would wager the overwhelming majority of you hear those words spoken in Connery’s voice...
Get out my head! 😠
I do it in a Brick Top voice from Snatch “Bond... James Bond and don't you funkin' forget it''
I think Brosnan does it best
I loved when Connery accepted a lifetime achievement award and said the biggest break of his life came at the age of 5, because that’s when he learned to read.
Combination of Bronson and the absolute banger of videogames were what brought Bond back.For a good ten year period almost every Bond shooter were some of the best on the market. Bronson in the game Everything or Nothing is his last and final hoorah and it was a great story.
Pierce Brosnan slid into the role of Bond so well and naturally right from the start because of his years playing Remington Steel. It was not much of a transition for him. Like you, I was not initially impressed by him in the role (because I grew up as a fan of Roger Moore playing The Saint and then as James Bond so I did not "want" to like his replacement), but I have a much deeper appreciation for Pierce Brosnan's take on the role nowadays. And as you mentioned, Goldeneye was amazing in its time (so many hours spent playing the Nintendo game version of Goldeneye lol). Let's also give credit where credit is due - much of the reason why On Her Majesty's Secret Service drew people to the box office was thanks to Diana Rigg (RIP) who had just left The Avengers. I know she was the highlight of that movie for me being a big fan of The Avengers even though I hated the script she had been given.
Diana Rigg was THE best Bond Girl. The one Bond married.
@Someguy136 Fixed >.
Tomorrow never dies will always be one of my favorite bond movies. The concept the media provoking conflicts to increase their power is so relevant
I may not have liked most of Brosnan's films, but they always had good concepts. Much better than the last Bond's series of films.
That was an absolute shit movie LOL wtf you talking about?
Loved that movie. The driving scene in the garage where he drives with the remote control from the back seat. lol.
@@RoberttAvro yeah I just watched that scene last night!!
@@RoberttAvro and the motorcycle rooftop chase was so cool
I liked Daniel Craig's version, but I'm with you on the whole continuity thing. It's james Bond, not the MCU. Speaking of, I feel that while it has been an incredible success, the MCU has poisoned the waters of film making. If Iron Man hadn't been such a huge success, I wonder if the later sequels after Quantum would've been so deeply connected? It's very obvious the effect the success of the MCU has had on film making- everything needs to be a part of something bigger these days. Nothing can simply be a standalone story anymore. Even horror is doing this, with the Walking Dead and its spinoffs. It's getting ridiculous. More isn't always more. Take Star Wars for example. The first six films were so celebrated because they were so rare. For a very long while, the first three films were all that existed in the canon, and folks had to imagine what happened before or after. Now, Star Wars is just another franchise, watered down and mutilated into something that even die hard fans don't really care about anymore. I can only speak for myself, but as a kid I was mental for Star Wars. I saw the special editions in theater, first day, first showing. Every one. Even the prequels. Now? Han Solo is my hands down favorite character in Star Wars, yet I can barely remember the Solo film. Disney has killed Star Wars to the point that a lifelong fan like me now simply goes "meh" when something new comes down the pipe.
I miss the old days, when there were sequels, but they could still stand on their own as films. terminator 2 doesn't REQUIRE you to have watched the first one, but having done so ENHANCES the experience. Same with Aliens. Ditto on the powerpoint comment. Couldn't have said it better.
If the continuity made more sense I'd have been all for it. But the first time I watched it I missed the significance of what was happening at the end of Casino. But then Quantum was a complete time waster, only the first and last 12 minutes of the movie were in any way relevant to the larger story. It was like John Wick 3, complete filler material.
Having said that, Drinker had a really good point of how those sequels have the propensity to paint the writers into a corner.
I like Craigs version too. I imagine Bond as a stoic hero. Not a wise cracking buffoon. I can't blame him for the fact he was handed a couple stinkers. It's why I like Lazenby too. I agree the Connery is #1. The rest of the order though...
I think the plan was for something of a character arc: a beginning, middle and an end for Daniel Craig but, for Bond, it didn't work. Like those rumours that James Bond was a cover name and all James Bond's either retire at Skyfall (they tried to get Connery in the role as the groundskeeper) kicked out (Dalton/Brosnan) MIA (Moore) or quit (Lazenby), they seriously have got the wrong universe and they have got the wrong audience if they think you need to watch all the previous Bond's to understand teh current film. (Like Moore's films had callbacks to Lazenby's era (about Tracey) but it never affected the film he was in.)
Pierce Brosnan will always be my favourite. He is my mother's and grandad's favourite too.
timothy dalton is the closest to the character in the books but would welcome new bond who came even closer. the reason casino Royale was great was because it stuck pretty closely to the popular bestsellers. the bond in those books is brutally ruthless with a dry sardonic wit and a purple scar down the side of his face. the plots are really good and the villains are nasty
When RUclips released a bunch of free to watch Bond movies after the death of Sean Connery I rewatched most of them and I found myself enjoying Dalton's portrayal the most. He was refreshingly intimidating. When I learned Dalton had the most book accurate version it actually made me want to read them.
Timothy Dalton is the most underrated Bond of them all as well as the most well-balanced. He was absolutely perfect as James Bond.
Dalton is definitely better than Brosnan. Brosnan had one good movie the rest crap. Dalton had 2 great ones.
There were a couple of issues, that probably didn't help him. First, while there was a gradual transition from the cold blooded Bond of Doctor No to the more campy elements of the Moore era, Dalton was a major shift back so it didn't feel the same to fans coming off Moore. Suddenly Bond is a sniper and assassin, not someone who kills in the process of a mission. Also, the AIDs crisis hit and they severely limited Dalton's action in The Living Daylights.
@@johnnycab8986 Agreed. Brosnan's Bond was very simplistic, very one-dimensional, whereas Dalton's potrayal had many layers to it and more range. I stuggle to think of a single scene in any of the Brosnan outings where he showed great acting. To be fair to him he wasn't given good dialogue. Dalton hit it out of the park from the off with the sniper scene in TLD.
I've gone back and forth on this over the years. It depends on my mood, and on what aspects of the character I'm thinking about. On balance, my two favorites are Moore and Brosnan. Moore because the JB series is _not_ serious spy fiction, it's mostly light-hearted spoofs and fun, and Moore knew that and played to it (though it went too far in Moonraker, that wasn't his fault, it was the script). Moore was also fully _capable_ of playing the more serious moments, such as in _For Your Eyes Only_ when he warns the Bond girl about the old proverb about first digging two graves before setting out for revenge.
My other is Brosnan, like the Drinker, I find that he balances all the different elements remarkably well. Part of his problem was that he became Bond right after the Cold War ended and the writers were not sure how to write Bond in the new world.
I always liked the Moore era. You have to remember when he came aboard there were already a half dozen or so Bond films and I think it got to the point where the films took themselves so seriously and replayed every cliche it invented that the public couldn't take them seriously anymore. Bond was already being spoofed and sent up in the late '60s! So the Moore era's take on the character brought some levity to the franchise and kept it alive from my point of view. I think the franchise needed some laughs at the risk of growing stale.
I think a lesser actor would have struggled to keep bond afloat as a box office draw in the 70s. Sir roger simply had a blast in the role and it came through on screen. He was dealt the campy hand but it worked for him like it wouldn't have anyone else. I'll always appreciate the guy
Dalton played him "more like an actual assassin". Yes, well, that's what the Bond of the novels is, and why Dalton's take on him is best. But you were right about Lazenby & Craig, anyway.
Yeah but being ”close to novels” doesn’t make something automatically the best. Dalton is just… dull. He is rough and simple, and lacks charisma. He is an alternative universe Bond, where Bond is a brutally effective agent, but everyone hates him.
Dalton is one of the more accurate depictions, yes. I would honestly say Craig is one of the better ones in some movies, and in others he absolutely bombs. He’s a hit or miss. Or rather, the movies were.
@@Box0rz Dalton is my personal favorite mainly because it looked like everything mattered to him and nothing was ever JUST pleasure or JUST the job (including Bond women who he either wanted to actively date or didn't even bother with generally). Mainly he was flawed in his approach at times since his anger would sometimes get the better of him. Not long enough to sink him, but enough to mildly disadvantage him. His directness and efficiency more than made up for it though. So he felt more like the type of person who would take the job based on experience, but less so the guy who does the job as intended. It gives him this sort of individualism that I really admire.
@@Box0rz And being "the same as Sean Connery portrayed him" doesn't make something automatically the best either.
The bond movies are the famous ones btw. Not the novels - for a reason
I grew up in the 90s so Brosnan was "my Bond" but Connery shows you why this character was so popular. I also appreciated the silliness of Moore, sometimes a break from the seriousness is good. Done right of course.
I like that each Bond has their own style and flavour. As a young teenager I was super into Bond and collected the 007 Spy Files at the newagency each week before I got into LOTR.
Roger moores movies had the fun locations and iconic gadgets. Pierce had the best action for the time and was raised even higher due to the N64 game. And as I got older I then came to appreciate Dalton, Craig, and Connery.
For me it is now and always Connery.
From Russia With Love is phenomenal.
My fave Bond film
"What the fuck is it with Dalton and drugs?"
*Blink blink*
Allow ME as 50-year-old-man who lived through the events to explain for once.
So, in the 80s, the worst thing that could have happened to the Bond franchise happened. An era of Glastnost was unveiled in 1985 which, among other things, removed the U.S.S.R. as a viable antagonist as the West and Russia tried to navigate a new era of diplomacy rather than Cold War brinkmanship. With Hollywood being unable/unwilling to continue pushing Russia as the Great Red Menace but Bond being too valuable a franchise to just bury, the studio had to find another new enemy.
And they found it with another artifact of the 80s: The War on Drugs.
Personally, I've always felt bad for Timothy Dalton and his Bond. He took the role at the absolute worst possible time when, instead of saving the world from SPECTRE/SMERSH, he was helping to make the world safe for Reagan-Era policies. I think he and the screenwriters did what they could with what they had but, honestly, I think any of the Bonds would have floundered at the time.
Same could be applied to brosnan.
His first three films were very good and kept the franchise afloat.
Then 9 / 11 happens and die another day was made which made bond look outdated in worst possible way.
I think both brosnan and Dalton were at the wrong time at wrong place.
"Fifty no's and yes is still a yes" Laughed out loud at that one.
I scrolled a lot to find you, here have my like.
It’s a family guy reference
Good list. The top three are particularly hard to separate. Roger Moore had the best Bond films. “The Spy Who loved Me”. “For Your Eyes Only.” “Live and Let Die.” and even “View to a Kill” had spectacular scenes and a good plot.
The cable car scene with Jaws in Moonraker was my favorite of all time, and his line delivery was better than Connery’s. That’s why he’s my favorite, but a solid third is fine too.
Pierce Brosnan is indeed worthy of the praise.
I'm the same ...Brosnan Moore Connery but very close between the 3 however then I have a big gap to Dalton Craig Lazenby
As an 80s kid Roger Moore was the one who imprinted the Bond image in my mind (My first movie being Moonraker).
I view Bonds like I view Doctor Who actors. Moore was the Tom Baker of the series. Longest running and always imparts their charm onto it. And this is my choice despite being an Aussie who isn't giving Lazenby a free pass.
As for Henry Cavill taking up the mantle I believe you're onto something there Drinker my mate. I've been thinking of potential Bond british actors but I'm hard pressed to find anyone who can top Cavill. The guy just has it.
cavill cant act!
Comparing Moore to Baker makes perfect sense even though I never thought about comparing the two before, also a late 70s-early 80s kid.
Cavil has also already played a spy in the movie "the man from uncle", and knocked it out of the park there. He would make a excellent Bond.
"For Your Eyes Only" was the first Bond movie I saw. This was the late 80's and it was on tv. I hadn't ever heard of Bond before that, but a whole world was now opened to me. I loved the Moore Bonds simply because I was an 11 year old kid and the campy nature was sort of over my head. Looking at them now, I still have a fond place for them in my heart despite how bad they can be. "The Man with the Golden Gun" would have been 10 times better without the weird sound effects and humor. It had a great villain (Come on, Christopher Lee was a legend), great locations, and an otherwise decent plot.
Goldeneye was the first Bond film I saw in theaters. That and the N64 game of the same name really cemented Brosnan as the best Bond in my opinion. Yes, Connery was great and without him there is no Bond, but the Brosnan films were more complete Bond films. The villains were more realistic, Bond was more capable (let's face it, the Austin Powers parody singularly targets Connery's Bond for a lot of reasons).
Craig ... Craig doesn't want to be Bond, he just wants the paycheck. If they hadn't tried to make Bond into Bourne, then Craig probably would have enjoyed it more. I didn't mind the rebooting idea, but the whole "everything is connected" went too far. They could have done a Blofeld trilogy or something and kept it at that.
As for the future. Hollywood is woke. British cinema is even more so. I would be incredibly surprised if a white male plays Bond in the next film.
No one I know (except the younger generation) knocks Roger Moore: Roger Moore's Bond was the British Bond being a gentleman, cool under pressure and a ladies man. True, Roger Moore had been playing that sort of role before in the Persuader's but he was also the one where you watch for when the mask slips and he's not the "nice guy" anymore. Smiling at Jaws, comedy; kicking a Russian assassin asset off a cliff, ruthless. Also, roses for Tracey then dumps a guy down a chimney stack (though good reasons why). You know the strange thing about your Bourne comment was that EON/Brocoli hadn't learnt their lesson: Die Another Day - Brosnan's unfinest Bond film - was scripted and filmed because they thought XXX was a threat (especially when they had a Bond Proxy killed in XXX in the beginning).
Brosnan is my favorite Bond. As Drinker said, he could do anything the other Bonds did, and very well. To me, he looked the most natural in the role, like he wasn't even acting.
He was great but there's no escaping the fact his first film was amazing, his second was mediocre and the third and fourth were absolute dogshit. Die another day is an insult.
@@PeakDennisReynolds A couple of dodgy movies but the best Bond imo
Agreed!
all he did was run around shooting guns and jumping from explosions for four films. Waiter in a tux.
@@johnjamele At least he behaved like James Bond unlike Bourne in a tux Craig
Brosnan in Casino Royale is definitely a mouth-watering what-if of Bond history.
20:30 I literally cheered when you said that. Henry Cavill is really the obvious choice for me and his acting in the Witcher has shown that. He would be 150% invested if he is cast as Bond!
So will it be James bond 007 or James bond: the man from u.n.c.l.e 😜
@@illegalfoodz8402 I mean he did do a good job with that movie.
Brosnan. Brosnan all the way. Someone here mentioned how his eyes could go from jovial to deep killer ice cold in a second and i love that quality on his acting. Goldeneye is my favorite Bond movie.
Goldeneye game on N64 is still 🔥 From Russia with Love on PS slim was quite good 👍.
Haven't seen goldeneye for a while but loved it at the time. However, everything after that was horrendous. He was great, the films weren't. Tried watching Tomorrow Never Dies a few months ago but it looks and feels like a straight to VHS poo-fest.
You know the trope about the hero cracking a smile when its life or death? Brosnan had that grin. Nowadays, it might come off as cringe because the quality of writing in general is in the gutter. Everything has to be self-aware and meta.
But Brosnan had that down. And he had (maybe still has) the highest kill count. Charming and cold whenever it was called for. Shame his scripts became so cartoonish by the end. Casino Royale with Brosnan would've been something I'd pay twice the ticket price to see.
As someone who's never read a Bond book but grew up in the 80s and 90s with the movies; Roger Moore will always be the first person I think of when I think of James Bond. He was the perfect blend of charm and seriousness. That said Sean was of course utterly amazing too, and (from what some have told me) far more accurate to the books. Since they were both a part of my childhood I have a tremendous amount of nostalgia for both. The Bond film on Sunday afternoons or Christmas day etc - it felt like a treat back then. Sad that I can barely feel excited for the franchise anymore.
Bank Holidays and Easter. Watching a Bond film with my dad.
It's Roger Moore for me, too. Connery feels like the Boomer version of Bond, except that Connery himself was WWII generation. Moore was so much more FUN. Octopussy is my favorite Bond film.
Respect your opinion, but to me Moore was way too goofy. I wouldn't say he was a bad Bond, but he was cinema Bond only, completely disconnected from the book character.
My dad loved Moore for the comedy so he was always Bond to me, but as I’ve gotten older I can’t deny Connery and Brosnan both overtook him.