One of cinema’s most iconic characters, James Bond has appeared in 27 films across seven decades, being constantly re-imagined by new actors and fresh creative ideas. For all the innovation the epic action saga has seen, though, there is yet to be a 007 quite like Sean Connery‘s original.
Appearing in seven Bond films across a tenure spanning 21 years, Connery utilized his smooth manner and effortless charisma to make Bond a surprisingly endearing action hero. His performances established spy-thrillers as must-see cinematic blockbusters, set the gold standard for what James Bond should be, and were the essential ingredient to making many of his Bond films quintessential films. Still, for all his triumphs in the role, not all of his movies are equally impressive. The best Sean Connery James Bond movies showcase his unique take on the role and all the debonair charm he brought to his performance.
Serving as Connery’s first return to the role after George Lazenby’sOn Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever has come to be viewed as Connery’s worst Bond film. Carrying on from where Lazenby’s Bond flick finished, 007 avenges his murdered wife before investigating a smuggling operation in the international diamond market. There, he learns of Blofeld’s (Charles Gray) plot to weaponize the gems in a laser satellite.
There is some value to Diamonds Are Forever, especially regarding its stellar handling of the action sequences and a truly killer tune from the iconic Shirley Bassey; alas, much of the story doesn’t work. The characters fail to resonate and many of the actors didn’t pop off the screen—particularly a lazy Gray as Blofeld. Plus, the story’s focus on melodramatic beats and dull-edged comedy made for an underwhelming experience. Even Connery looked disinterested for most of the film, which is never a good sign for a James Bond movie.
If Diamonds Are Forever is widely regarded to be Connery’s most underwhelming Bond film, then it’s only fair to say that Never Say Never Again is his most polarizing. Featuring the then-53-year-old Connery’s unofficial return, it saw him reprise the role 12 years after his previous 007 outing and some 21 years since his James Bond debut. A bold-faced re-make of Thunderball, Never Say Never Again tracks an aging Bond tasked with engaging in spy games with SPECTRE as the criminal organization plots a devastating nuclear attack.
Never Say Never Again is not necessarily a rewatchable James Bond watch, but it is an essential one, if only because of its sheer bravado. It doesn’t make much sense, especially as it stands outside the Eon Production’s canon and very much feels like an attempt at a Bond movie rather than a real one. While it has its fair share of critics, Never Say Never Again is a passably entertaining spy flick bolstered by an emphatic reminder as to why Connery is the definitive 007.
While most pundits would rank You Only Live Twice as the fifth best of Connery’s Bond films, the regard in which they view the film would change significantly. Alone in the vast chasm between the best and worst of Connery’s Bond flicks, You Only Live Twice runs wild with a sense of adventure. This is largely thanks to Roald Dahl‘s imaginative screenplay—yes, the man behind Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wrote this—featuring volcanic fortresses and questionable moments, especially under a modern assessment.
Still, You Only Live Twice occupies a deft balance between upping the spectacle and steeping to parody, which both Bond purists and lovers of films like the Kingsman franchise can enjoy, albeit for different reasons. With Bond having to stop SPECTRE’s scheme to see America and Russia engage in all-out war, it ensures the stakes remain high while injecting a new sense of humor into the franchise. A scene-stealing turn from Donald Pleasance also makes this highly enjoyable.
The fourth Bond film ever made, Thunderball may not quite have reached the level set by the first three installments, but it still ranks highly for lovers of the saga. With a dramatically ramped-up budget resulting in a boost of action bravado, Thunderball appealed to audiences and critics alike as an infectiously exciting blockbuster boasting large-scale adventure thrills in abundance.
With SPECTRE plotting to use NATO nuclear bombs to take over the world, Bond must thwart the organizations’ plan before it’s too late. Brave, bold, and entirely captivating, Thunderball touted one hell of a ride with some of the franchise’s best characters to boot. It took the franchise to the next level, proving Bond could do larger-than-life while still maintaining its essence. The campy and endlessly entertaining Thunderball is one of the biggest and best Bond movies ever to grace the screen, with a never-better Connery at the center of it all.
A pioneering commercial accomplishment, a resounding critical success, and the jumping point of a cinematic dynasty, Dr. No‘s influence cannot be overstated. It follows Bond’s investigation into the deaths of MI6 agents in Jamaica and his confrontations with an eccentric scientist wanting to destroy America’s space program.
In some respects, Dr. No is surprisingly grounded. There is very little in the way of gadgetry, Q did not make an appearance, and the series’ penchant for veering into fantasy was largely understated. Joseph Wiseman‘s nefarious Dr. Julius No does contribute to enhancing the eccentric surrealism later in the film. However, most of Dr. No’s appeal came from its unflinching action and Connery’s suave style, which proved to have a mesmerizing impact on audiences, both at the time and retrospectively.
Taking all the thrills and espionage excitement of Dr. No and coupling that with a bigger commitment to larger-than-life exuberance, From Russia with Love effortlessly surpassed its already incredible predecessor. Transpiring at a frantic rate, it follows Bond’s mission to find a decoding device in order to ease Cold War tensions while combating SPECTRE at every turn.
From Russia with Love’s political inflections made for a particularly rousing action movie for its time, and it hasn’t lost any of its dare or flare in the decades since. Connery is more than comfortable in the role by now, joined by an equally impressive Daniela Bianchi as the iconic Bond Girl Tatiana Romanova. Aside from being one of Connery’s greatest Bond movies, From Russia with Love stands tall among the greatest Bond movies ever made and a pinnacle of 1960s action.
Universally lauded as the definitive James Bond film, Goldfinger was where so much of the Bond movie DNA either first appeared on-screen or cemented itself as a pivotal hallmark of the franchise. From its snappy wit and quotable one-liners to the wonder surrounding its gadgetry and its willingness to embrace more overt humor, Goldfinger invigorated the Bond formula with even more style and fun.
It follows Bond as he investigates a gold smuggling rink and discovers powerful tycoon Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) plotting to raid Fort Knox and decimate the global economy. Goldfinger is a franchise-defining picture that cemented the Bond movies as the ultimate spectacle of fun, flashy action. The film remains highly regarded for nearly every aspect, from its plot to the memorable characters and Shirley Bassey’s legendary theme. Connery’s Bond legacy was already ensured, but this film ensured his place as a cinematic icon; indeed, Goldfinger is unequivocally the greatest Bond film ever made.
