TOP 10 JAMES BOND MOVIES
If you’re like me, you’re a HUGE James Bond fan. When I was about 11 my baby teeth wouldn’t fall out (Keep brushing, kids!), so I had to have some of them pulled by a dentist—eight at the same time. Wow, that was a special treat!
Needless to say, that little procedure had me bed-ridden for a few days. Powering me through that tough time was heaping doses of ice cream and a consistent run to the video store by my loving sister.
She was shuttling back and forth between my bedside and the local VHS swap shop. Having just gotten her license, she was more than happy to do task and I was more than happy to feed her a movie list. Soon that list became 007 heavy and I watched each film in order of release from Dr. No till I got to Octopussy, which had just been released at the time… I’m not old!
I consider myself a Bond afficiando and am happy to force my top 10 list of JB films on you in reverse order. So stir up those vodka martinis and pull your Walther PPK close.
Needless to say, that little procedure had me bed-ridden for a few days. Powering me through that tough time was heaping doses of ice cream and a consistent run to the video store by my loving sister.
She was shuttling back and forth between my bedside and the local VHS swap shop. Having just gotten her license, she was more than happy to do task and I was more than happy to feed her a movie list. Soon that list became 007 heavy and I watched each film in order of release from Dr. No till I got to Octopussy, which had just been released at the time… I’m not old!
I consider myself a Bond afficiando and am happy to force my top 10 list of JB films on you in reverse order. So stir up those vodka martinis and pull your Walther PPK close.
GOLDENEYE
This is the only Pierce Bronson film on the list and some will be disappointed to know, nary a Danny Craig will appears at all. Although I like where Bond has gone after the end of the Cold War struggles, Most of Bronson’s and surely all of Craigs' Bond vehicles have been almost completely irrelevant in the scheme of political espionage.
Most of Pierce’s films after Goldeneye sort of blend together in a blur, and Craig is simply not James Bond to me. He’s good and all, gritty and tough, but Bond? No, thank you. Yet it’s hard to deny that Brosnon was born to play Bond, and after he was initially sidelined after contract negotiations regarding his hit show Remington Steele in the late 90s, he took over the role for Timothy Dalton in this first entry.
Goldeneye is a great flick and has one of the best James Bond hooks in the whole 50 year movie canon: the introduction of evil former Secret Service Double-O and Bond’s arch-rival, 006 played perfectly by Sean Bean. Unfortunately, they’ve never brought the character back to wreak havoc on Bond and his missions. The character is ripe for storylines (006 as someone’s henchman, 006 as an assassin, 006 messing with Bond’s work, etc.) but they’ve not utilized it once since Goldeneye. A lost opportunity, and in some ways, the end of the original flow of Bond’s glory days before it’s essentially rebooted.
This is the only Pierce Bronson film on the list and some will be disappointed to know, nary a Danny Craig will appears at all. Although I like where Bond has gone after the end of the Cold War struggles, Most of Bronson’s and surely all of Craigs' Bond vehicles have been almost completely irrelevant in the scheme of political espionage.
Most of Pierce’s films after Goldeneye sort of blend together in a blur, and Craig is simply not James Bond to me. He’s good and all, gritty and tough, but Bond? No, thank you. Yet it’s hard to deny that Brosnon was born to play Bond, and after he was initially sidelined after contract negotiations regarding his hit show Remington Steele in the late 90s, he took over the role for Timothy Dalton in this first entry.
Goldeneye is a great flick and has one of the best James Bond hooks in the whole 50 year movie canon: the introduction of evil former Secret Service Double-O and Bond’s arch-rival, 006 played perfectly by Sean Bean. Unfortunately, they’ve never brought the character back to wreak havoc on Bond and his missions. The character is ripe for storylines (006 as someone’s henchman, 006 as an assassin, 006 messing with Bond’s work, etc.) but they’ve not utilized it once since Goldeneye. A lost opportunity, and in some ways, the end of the original flow of Bond’s glory days before it’s essentially rebooted.
OCTOPUSSY
One of Bond’s biggest spectacles, it’s got big set pieces, big explosions and big ideas. Unfortunately it doesn’t all mesh perfectly, but this is one of the more entertaining Roger Moore films where Bond tries to stop a crazed Russian general and a traveling circus ready to blow a bomb in Moscow to start a nuclear war.
The criminally underrated Louis Jordan is a great villain here, playing Kamal Kahn as is Steven Berkoff as the slick Russian general, Orlov. And although both Moore and love interest Maud “Octopussy” Adams look to be pushing 60 here, their chemistry works and you suspend your disbelief that Moore can hang onto a small plane while it’s diving through the air and that Adams is a sexpot who is the ringmaster of a circus.
One of Bond’s biggest spectacles, it’s got big set pieces, big explosions and big ideas. Unfortunately it doesn’t all mesh perfectly, but this is one of the more entertaining Roger Moore films where Bond tries to stop a crazed Russian general and a traveling circus ready to blow a bomb in Moscow to start a nuclear war.
The criminally underrated Louis Jordan is a great villain here, playing Kamal Kahn as is Steven Berkoff as the slick Russian general, Orlov. And although both Moore and love interest Maud “Octopussy” Adams look to be pushing 60 here, their chemistry works and you suspend your disbelief that Moore can hang onto a small plane while it’s diving through the air and that Adams is a sexpot who is the ringmaster of a circus.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
When I first saw this film, I didn’t like it so much because of it’s glacial pace. But as I go older I really appreciated it more because it’s more of a character study then a straight-up actioner like a lot of the Bond films—it’s a slow boil that is appreciated with more viewings.
In it, Bond is bouncing around the orient trying to find the origins of a golden bullet embedded with his famous 007 monicker—leading him to the infamous Scaramanga and his third nipple. (eww, I know). Christopher Lee (who could make reading long division out loud enjoyable) plays another rock solid Bond villain here, and makes a great jealous foil to Bond’s cool collectedness.
It’s all a set up for a western-style showdown at Scaramanga’s tropical island lair that is like the world’s greatest bachelor pad with a huge laser. Herve Villecheize, know for his groundbreaking turn as Tattoo on 80’s powerhouse show Fantasy Island, plays Scaramanga’s right-hand-man/island lair control man, Nick Knack who keeps Bond on his toes and guides him into his bosses evil hands.
When I first saw this film, I didn’t like it so much because of it’s glacial pace. But as I go older I really appreciated it more because it’s more of a character study then a straight-up actioner like a lot of the Bond films—it’s a slow boil that is appreciated with more viewings.
In it, Bond is bouncing around the orient trying to find the origins of a golden bullet embedded with his famous 007 monicker—leading him to the infamous Scaramanga and his third nipple. (eww, I know). Christopher Lee (who could make reading long division out loud enjoyable) plays another rock solid Bond villain here, and makes a great jealous foil to Bond’s cool collectedness.
It’s all a set up for a western-style showdown at Scaramanga’s tropical island lair that is like the world’s greatest bachelor pad with a huge laser. Herve Villecheize, know for his groundbreaking turn as Tattoo on 80’s powerhouse show Fantasy Island, plays Scaramanga’s right-hand-man/island lair control man, Nick Knack who keeps Bond on his toes and guides him into his bosses evil hands.
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN
One of the most controversial Bond flicks made, but not because of its content, but because it was made outside of the whole EON movie production canon. Albert R. Broccolli (the man who claims his family invented broccoli) made every Bond movie up until this 1983 release based on Ian Fleming’s 007 novels. It’s been discounted by some as not being a “real” James Bond movie, even though it stars the original Bond, Sean Connery and is a reworking of the novel and the original screenplay of Thunderball.
After 20 years of Bond films, a film structure had been formed that many viewers found hard to break from (intro Bond prancing onto the screen, looking down the barrel of a gun, and shooting the audience, blood drip... then the set up sequence, etc.) that Never doesn’t adhere to.
But as a film that stands on it’s own as a piece of entertainment AND a Bond film, it’s a winner. Funny and clever with tons of great dialogue, it should be included among the box sets, compilations and documentaries that sing 007 praises.
Connery plays an older Bond, still as sexy as a smoldering candle and just as tough and smart, he outwits the competition as he tries to find a pair of missing war heads that have gone a-missin’. Although Connery was a bit old for bond in his last Bond effort, Diamonds Are Forever, much of the comedy and cleverness stems around the fact that he’s older (and sometimes better) than the rest.
Klaus Maira Brandauer is a great Bond villain and Barbara Carrera is easily one of the best Bond temptresses/psychos of all time. The film is directed by Irvin Kershner, the guy who put some deft touches on The Empire Strikes Back and a few other lost cinematic classics as well. It also stars Max Von Sydow as Blofeld in a fine twist of casting.
So don’t miss out on this underwater adventure. It’s got a big budget and big laughs and it’s entertaining as hell.
One of the most controversial Bond flicks made, but not because of its content, but because it was made outside of the whole EON movie production canon. Albert R. Broccolli (the man who claims his family invented broccoli) made every Bond movie up until this 1983 release based on Ian Fleming’s 007 novels. It’s been discounted by some as not being a “real” James Bond movie, even though it stars the original Bond, Sean Connery and is a reworking of the novel and the original screenplay of Thunderball.
After 20 years of Bond films, a film structure had been formed that many viewers found hard to break from (intro Bond prancing onto the screen, looking down the barrel of a gun, and shooting the audience, blood drip... then the set up sequence, etc.) that Never doesn’t adhere to.
But as a film that stands on it’s own as a piece of entertainment AND a Bond film, it’s a winner. Funny and clever with tons of great dialogue, it should be included among the box sets, compilations and documentaries that sing 007 praises.
Connery plays an older Bond, still as sexy as a smoldering candle and just as tough and smart, he outwits the competition as he tries to find a pair of missing war heads that have gone a-missin’. Although Connery was a bit old for bond in his last Bond effort, Diamonds Are Forever, much of the comedy and cleverness stems around the fact that he’s older (and sometimes better) than the rest.
Klaus Maira Brandauer is a great Bond villain and Barbara Carrera is easily one of the best Bond temptresses/psychos of all time. The film is directed by Irvin Kershner, the guy who put some deft touches on The Empire Strikes Back and a few other lost cinematic classics as well. It also stars Max Von Sydow as Blofeld in a fine twist of casting.
So don’t miss out on this underwater adventure. It’s got a big budget and big laughs and it’s entertaining as hell.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
A fantastic Bond flick and my personal favorite, For Your Eyes Only is one of the better Bond flicks because it blends realistic action and a slower espionage style that feels more mature and cerebral than others. After the outright ridiculousness of it’s predecessor Moonraker, this is basic, down to Earth James Bond and it’s a winner.
Roger Moore, looking older and a touch worn, actually makes the character’s world weariness shine as he embarks on the task of recovering a computer that controls nuclear missile defense that lies inside a sunken sub in the Greek Isles. He again globe-trots from skiing to underwater diving while racing against time and the KGB.
Bond gets tough and a little nasty in this one, searching for answers while taming the blood revenge of a crossbow-touting Greek woman who’s searching for the people who murdered her parents—the same people Bond needs answers from.
Wrapped in some tight production as well as some early 80’s keytar funk, For Your Eyes Only is a Bond flick for those who like a little more edge and seriousness to the proceedings.
A fantastic Bond flick and my personal favorite, For Your Eyes Only is one of the better Bond flicks because it blends realistic action and a slower espionage style that feels more mature and cerebral than others. After the outright ridiculousness of it’s predecessor Moonraker, this is basic, down to Earth James Bond and it’s a winner.
Roger Moore, looking older and a touch worn, actually makes the character’s world weariness shine as he embarks on the task of recovering a computer that controls nuclear missile defense that lies inside a sunken sub in the Greek Isles. He again globe-trots from skiing to underwater diving while racing against time and the KGB.
Bond gets tough and a little nasty in this one, searching for answers while taming the blood revenge of a crossbow-touting Greek woman who’s searching for the people who murdered her parents—the same people Bond needs answers from.
Wrapped in some tight production as well as some early 80’s keytar funk, For Your Eyes Only is a Bond flick for those who like a little more edge and seriousness to the proceedings.
LICENSE TO KILL
And speaking of getting serious, this Bond film is where the series really began to head in a different direction. Introducing Timothy Dalton for the second time, this movie jumps the series from espionage styling into a straight-up revenge flick—turning Bond into more of a real human character than just a slick robot in a tuxedo.
Although Dalton is easily the least popular Bond of all the actors portraying him, (yes, LESS popular than George Lazenby) and only made two Bond movies, he made the toughest and grittiest movie in the whole canon.
After Bond’s long-time mate and CIA operative Felix Leiter is maimed by a Columbian drug King-Pin (played fantastically by pock-faced Robert Davi), 007 goes ape-shit, revokes his license to kill and heads off on blind, ass-kicking revenge, leaving bodies and wreckage in his wake.
Even though Goldeneye is the beginning of the reboot where M is replaced with Judi Dench, that film feels like more traditional Bond, where as License feels more like a new vision of 007 as Bond gets blooded and battered and there’s a real sense of danger as he dives head-first into a world where his British MI6 credentials can’t save him from his rage or the consequences of his actions. It’s a tough and nasty vision and gets the first PG-13 rating in the series.
One of the best Bond flicks and a fantastic revenge film that ranks at the top in the revenge film category.
And speaking of getting serious, this Bond film is where the series really began to head in a different direction. Introducing Timothy Dalton for the second time, this movie jumps the series from espionage styling into a straight-up revenge flick—turning Bond into more of a real human character than just a slick robot in a tuxedo.
Although Dalton is easily the least popular Bond of all the actors portraying him, (yes, LESS popular than George Lazenby) and only made two Bond movies, he made the toughest and grittiest movie in the whole canon.
After Bond’s long-time mate and CIA operative Felix Leiter is maimed by a Columbian drug King-Pin (played fantastically by pock-faced Robert Davi), 007 goes ape-shit, revokes his license to kill and heads off on blind, ass-kicking revenge, leaving bodies and wreckage in his wake.
Even though Goldeneye is the beginning of the reboot where M is replaced with Judi Dench, that film feels like more traditional Bond, where as License feels more like a new vision of 007 as Bond gets blooded and battered and there’s a real sense of danger as he dives head-first into a world where his British MI6 credentials can’t save him from his rage or the consequences of his actions. It’s a tough and nasty vision and gets the first PG-13 rating in the series.
One of the best Bond flicks and a fantastic revenge film that ranks at the top in the revenge film category.
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
Sexy, stylish and incredibly clever, this could have been the best Bond movie of all time but suffers from one slight downfall... It stars the incredibly goofy-looking George Lazenby as James Bond, a virtually unknown (at the time) Australian model and actor with ears the size of satelitte dishes.
Chrome-domed Telly Savalas, absolutely peaking in his popularity after turns in The Dirty Dozen and Kelly’s Hero’s portrays Bond super villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld to delicious cocky perfection. His plan, to unleash a gaggle of brainwashed sexy supermodels on the world as angels of death and stop the world’s food supply in return for international amnesty.
Tucked in his laboratory lair in the Swiss Alps, Blofeld unleashes his plan while Bond does his best to infiltrate and stop the plan from coming to fruition.
Lazenby, obviously cast because of his resemblance to Sean Connery is a pale imitation of him and his performance suffers from his inexperience. He tries hard and puts on a good show, but he suffers under the weight of past expectations and he comes across as silly rather than charming on many occasions.
Still, other than Lazenby and a few poorly shot projector-screen ski scenes, the film is an absolute winner and is about as entertaining as a Bond film gets.
Sexy, stylish and incredibly clever, this could have been the best Bond movie of all time but suffers from one slight downfall... It stars the incredibly goofy-looking George Lazenby as James Bond, a virtually unknown (at the time) Australian model and actor with ears the size of satelitte dishes.
Chrome-domed Telly Savalas, absolutely peaking in his popularity after turns in The Dirty Dozen and Kelly’s Hero’s portrays Bond super villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld to delicious cocky perfection. His plan, to unleash a gaggle of brainwashed sexy supermodels on the world as angels of death and stop the world’s food supply in return for international amnesty.
Tucked in his laboratory lair in the Swiss Alps, Blofeld unleashes his plan while Bond does his best to infiltrate and stop the plan from coming to fruition.
Lazenby, obviously cast because of his resemblance to Sean Connery is a pale imitation of him and his performance suffers from his inexperience. He tries hard and puts on a good show, but he suffers under the weight of past expectations and he comes across as silly rather than charming on many occasions.
Still, other than Lazenby and a few poorly shot projector-screen ski scenes, the film is an absolute winner and is about as entertaining as a Bond film gets.
GOLDFINGER
Pretty much the number one Bond film on a large section of 007 fans top ten lists, I have it at number three only because I have 2 other films that I like more. Goldfinger is the bar in which pretty much every Bond movie strives for and every spy movie wants to be.
The checklist of classic moments is as long as my arm—Bond strapped to a table with a laser inching towards his crotch, henchman Odd Job and his deadly Bowler Hat, temptress Pussy Galore, The title tune and so much more.
Our title bad guy in this one is attempting to knockout Fort Knox and set off a nuclear bomb inside, making the gold radioactive and untouchable, thus increasing the value of his reserves, which will skyrocket in price.
It’s a big production with heaping doses of style, clever dialogue and tricky plot devices. If it weren’t a Bond film it’d still be a spy action film classic because it’s got everything and so much more. Connery is at the height of his powers here, looking a foot taller than anyone else in the cast—with his bright smile and slicked back look, he’s about as dashing as a man can get.
My only drawback of Goldfinger, other than perhaps seeing it too many times to appreciate it from the outside perspective, is the fact that most of the film takes place in America, which for globe-trotting 007 seems a little boring. Still, a film classic no matter if Bond’s name is attached to it or not.
Pretty much the number one Bond film on a large section of 007 fans top ten lists, I have it at number three only because I have 2 other films that I like more. Goldfinger is the bar in which pretty much every Bond movie strives for and every spy movie wants to be.
The checklist of classic moments is as long as my arm—Bond strapped to a table with a laser inching towards his crotch, henchman Odd Job and his deadly Bowler Hat, temptress Pussy Galore, The title tune and so much more.
Our title bad guy in this one is attempting to knockout Fort Knox and set off a nuclear bomb inside, making the gold radioactive and untouchable, thus increasing the value of his reserves, which will skyrocket in price.
It’s a big production with heaping doses of style, clever dialogue and tricky plot devices. If it weren’t a Bond film it’d still be a spy action film classic because it’s got everything and so much more. Connery is at the height of his powers here, looking a foot taller than anyone else in the cast—with his bright smile and slicked back look, he’s about as dashing as a man can get.
My only drawback of Goldfinger, other than perhaps seeing it too many times to appreciate it from the outside perspective, is the fact that most of the film takes place in America, which for globe-trotting 007 seems a little boring. Still, a film classic no matter if Bond’s name is attached to it or not.
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
After a shaky start to Roger Moore’s 007 film career, he total hits his stride in his brilliant third entry into the series. This is actually the first Bond film to be based on an original screenplay and it’s got everything a Bond film should have—fast-paced plot where our hero bounces around the planet in an effort to save the world, while battling the bad guys and getting the girl.
In this one, Bond tries to thwart the plans of Stromberg, a madman living in an underwater lair who is stealing nuclear submarines and plans on using the weapons of mass destruction to extinquish the human race while safely living under the sea.
Realizing they’d actually accomplish more working together, the Russian KGB and the British Secret Service pair together their two finest agents, 007 and the stunning Triple X (played by the gorgeous and exotic Barbara Bach) to work as a team in an effort to save the world.
Both Moore and Bach have fantastic on-screen chemistry as both partners and lovers and the relationship is made all the more complicated when she finds that Bond has killed her true love on a previous mission.
This film is the blueprint for much of the films that come after and it’s easily Moore’s best film. Beautiful locals, lush settings, thrilling and clever action set pieces and the introduction of one of the all-time best movie henchmen, the steel-mouthed Jaws (Richard Kiel), makes this a classic that gets better with repeat viewings.
After a shaky start to Roger Moore’s 007 film career, he total hits his stride in his brilliant third entry into the series. This is actually the first Bond film to be based on an original screenplay and it’s got everything a Bond film should have—fast-paced plot where our hero bounces around the planet in an effort to save the world, while battling the bad guys and getting the girl.
In this one, Bond tries to thwart the plans of Stromberg, a madman living in an underwater lair who is stealing nuclear submarines and plans on using the weapons of mass destruction to extinquish the human race while safely living under the sea.
Realizing they’d actually accomplish more working together, the Russian KGB and the British Secret Service pair together their two finest agents, 007 and the stunning Triple X (played by the gorgeous and exotic Barbara Bach) to work as a team in an effort to save the world.
Both Moore and Bach have fantastic on-screen chemistry as both partners and lovers and the relationship is made all the more complicated when she finds that Bond has killed her true love on a previous mission.
This film is the blueprint for much of the films that come after and it’s easily Moore’s best film. Beautiful locals, lush settings, thrilling and clever action set pieces and the introduction of one of the all-time best movie henchmen, the steel-mouthed Jaws (Richard Kiel), makes this a classic that gets better with repeat viewings.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
In this Cold-War classic, James Bond is trying to recover a decoding machine that is supposedly in the hands of the Russians, but is actually possessed by the organization SPECTRE. Once Bond realizes that he is actually being drawn into an assassination trap, he willingly goes in knowing that he could be killed at any moment.
What makes this Bond film uniformly excellent is the tension that is built around this plot device. You get a real sense of the danger involved in Bond’s mission as he goes deeper and deeper in the ploy. This is real spy intrigue done at the highest level—secret codes, passwords and double-crosses that hang on a hair trigger.
Directed by Terrence Young, a director who was dashing and handsome himself and mentored Connery into the role of Bond, it’s got amazingly taut direction and superb performances by the cast. It’s a slow burn film that is almost Hitchcockian in its feel and pace.
Robert Shaw, playing SPECTRE agent, Red Grant is absolutely amazing as Bond’s equal in the spy game world. Their scenes together are some of the best in the entire Bond film series, and the train ride sequence on the Orient Express where the two heavyweights match wits and muscle, is filmmaking at it’s glorious best.
In this Cold-War classic, James Bond is trying to recover a decoding machine that is supposedly in the hands of the Russians, but is actually possessed by the organization SPECTRE. Once Bond realizes that he is actually being drawn into an assassination trap, he willingly goes in knowing that he could be killed at any moment.
What makes this Bond film uniformly excellent is the tension that is built around this plot device. You get a real sense of the danger involved in Bond’s mission as he goes deeper and deeper in the ploy. This is real spy intrigue done at the highest level—secret codes, passwords and double-crosses that hang on a hair trigger.
Directed by Terrence Young, a director who was dashing and handsome himself and mentored Connery into the role of Bond, it’s got amazingly taut direction and superb performances by the cast. It’s a slow burn film that is almost Hitchcockian in its feel and pace.
Robert Shaw, playing SPECTRE agent, Red Grant is absolutely amazing as Bond’s equal in the spy game world. Their scenes together are some of the best in the entire Bond film series, and the train ride sequence on the Orient Express where the two heavyweights match wits and muscle, is filmmaking at it’s glorious best.
SPECIAL MENTION: THUNDERBALL
Although Thunderball is Connery’s 4th Bond movie, in some ways it’s the most recognizable because it’s the film that has been essentially ripped off the most in terms of content. Mike Myer’s Austin Powers trilogy is basically a pun on everything seen in this film and watching it, you may be prone to a few laughs because of it.
This underwater adventure is a good one as Bond goes looking for some Nuclear War heads that have gone-a-missin’. Donald Pleasence is excellent (although he borders on goofy) as the scarred cat-stroking SPECTRE supervillian, Blofeld.
And though this film has some of the more iconic 007 moments, it strangely feels like one of the most dated of the Bond films, even moreso than earlier releases. It also drags in parts and is a touch overlong, knocking it out of the top ten.
Although Thunderball is Connery’s 4th Bond movie, in some ways it’s the most recognizable because it’s the film that has been essentially ripped off the most in terms of content. Mike Myer’s Austin Powers trilogy is basically a pun on everything seen in this film and watching it, you may be prone to a few laughs because of it.
This underwater adventure is a good one as Bond goes looking for some Nuclear War heads that have gone-a-missin’. Donald Pleasence is excellent (although he borders on goofy) as the scarred cat-stroking SPECTRE supervillian, Blofeld.
And though this film has some of the more iconic 007 moments, it strangely feels like one of the most dated of the Bond films, even moreso than earlier releases. It also drags in parts and is a touch overlong, knocking it out of the top ten.