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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2006 > August > 14 > Entry
Six 007s: James Bond through the ages
Entertainment Weekly turns into a secret agent’s dossier, with one of its most clever cover concepts: the James Bond series in this week’s issue.
Each actor who has played Bond is given his own cover, which is composed in the style of the era in which that actor played 007. EW even added headlines of the day and increased the prices through the years. I thought it would be fun to evaluate the Bonds via the covers. Click on the actor’s name to see theirs.
Sean Connery: Pretty much everyone’s idea of the quintessential Bond, though I’d like to remind everyone whining about Daniel Craig that even Connery had his doubters - among them Bond creator Ian Fleming, who envisioned a more urbane type like David Niven. Fleming ended up being so impressed with Connery, that the author added a Scottish heritage in his later novels.
His films: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever, Never Say Never Again
George Lazenby: Unfairly maligned as the eternal trivia question, Lazenby was actually quite solid in the role. He wasn’t much of an actor, but he handled the action scenes well, although he looked incredibly silly in those frilly costumes he had to wear.
His film: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Roger Moore: He’s thought of as the the”champagne Bond,” if you will, although he could handle a tough action scene when he had to - until he became too old for the part by the time A View to a Kill rolled around. (Is it just me, or is this cover photoshopped? I don’t recall Moore ever wearing a puffy shirt! Lazenby did that!)
His films: Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill
Timothy Dalton: Seriously underrated, Dalton underwhelmed most Bond fans, probably because he took the role a tad too seriously. However, his steely take on 007 most reminds me of the Bond Fleming created. I wish he could have stuck around longer.
His films: The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill
Pierce Brosnan: Combining Connery’s machismo with Moore’s refined mannerisms, Brosnan became the most popular Bond since Connery, and rightly so. He will be missed, although perhaps in the end, it was a better idea to start fresh with a franchise reboot.
His films: Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is not Enough, Die Another Day
Daniel Craig: Not convinced he can be Bond? Check him out in Layer Cake or Munich and you might change your mind. I’m looking forward to him bringing Fleming’s brutality back to the character.
His film: Casino Royale, due Nov. 17.
Who was your favorite Bond and why? Does Craig leave you shaken or stirred?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By SRCputt
August 17, 2006 3:13 PM | Link to this
Here come the in-jokes. If I didn’t irritate enough people a couple of weeks ago with the Animaniacs quotes, you throw me an MST3K one. OK, my turn: “HEEEEEE touched me…”By Sir Critic
August 17, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
The lack of responses may indicate a lack of interest in Bond, but it doesn’t PROVE it. Now, if “Casino Royale” disappoints, then we’ll talk. As for Operation Double 007, what makes that movie all the more bewildering is that several REAL Bond actors were in it: Bernard Lee (M), Lois Maxwell (Moneypenny) and Dainela Bianchi, the girl in “From Russia with Love.” Oh, almost forgot: MAMMY!By SRCputt
August 17, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
My favorite, of course, is Neil Connery in Secret Agent Double 007, one of the funniest Mystery Science Theatre 3000 episodes.By SRCputt
August 17, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Look at the responses! If you wanted evidence that Bond’s day has come and gone, you may have just gotten it.