The name’s Bond, James Bond - iconic words uttered by the legendary spy on the silver screen for six decades now.
Since 1962, James Bond has been a symbol of modern pop culture, defined by his famous car, the sharp tailored suits, extravagant locations, the tech-savvy gadgets, and his love of women. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, each actor playing 007 has delved into the murky world of espionage, stopping villainous threats of world domination while imparting their unique style to the evolving fictional character.
To mark 60 years to the very week the first Bond film Dr No received its world premiere, we look back at the superspy’s cinematic adventure, ranking his films from best to worst - in a list that could leave you shaken, but not stirred:
1. From Russia With Love
The quintessential spy film, played by the best Bond in Sean Connery. None of the gadgets or over-the-top flamboyance of later films. The spy game is full of secrets and deceptions. This is Bond at his purest and it has one of 007’s best brutal fight scenes.
2. Casino Royale
The Daniel Craig era starts in stylish fashion with Bond achieving his 00 status. The film reinvents the spy for the world of modern espionage nd is thrilling and emotive. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) pulls back the layers of Bond’s complex personality. Craig may not have been well-received when he was cast, but ultimately, he had the last laugh.
3. Skyfall
Bond’s 50th anniversary deserved something special and director Sam Mendes delivered the perfect blend of nostalgia and new era of Bond. It has plenty of heart and an emotional exit from Judi Dench. It’s one of most beautiful Bonds due to Roger Deakins’ cinematography.
4. Goldfinger
The Aston Martin DB5, Pussy Galore, Oddjob, and a gold-loving villain and Shirely Bassey’s theme song – a classic Bond film that would cement the franchise’s global appeal.
5. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
George Lazenby’s only stint as Bond ages like a fine wine, it has gritty fight scenes, a brilliant John Barry score, Telly Savalas’ Blofeld, and the best Bond girl in Diana Rigg. Serving as a model for Craig, this underrated Bond went against the grain by examining Bond as a tragic hero.
6. No Time to Die
In pulling out all the emotional stops, Daniel Craig’s final appearance is given a deserved farewell. Rami Malek’s villain lacks definition, but with a cold open full of horror motifs, cinematic thrills, and a Hans Zimmer score, this is Bond back on form.
7. Licence to Kill
Like Lazenby before him, the Timothy Dalton era has benefitted with time. It’s a massive departure from the traditional formula, but as a visceral Bond revenge thriller, Dalton’s intensity is matched by Robert Davi’s villainous performance as Sanchez.
8. GoldenEye
Admittedly, the Pierce Brosnan era has not aged well. But in returning to Bond’s grounded roots, summoned into action with a leap of faith with a bungee jump off a dam, his entrance is by far, one of the best.
9. The Spy Who Loved Me
Nobody does it better, and this is by far Roger Moore’s best. As a perfect showcase for his humour and charm, Moore - in his third outing - makes Bond his own. Barbara Bach’s Major Anya Amasova (aka Agent XXX) equally delights, and Richard Kiel’s Jaws provides the menace.
10. Quantum of Solace
A much maligned Bond film that doesn’t deserve the hate. The first sequel in the franchise pales in comparison to critically acclaimed darling Casino Royale. However, this geo-political warfare with villains operating in the shadows, maintains real-life relevance as a Bond adventure, while further developing Craig’s heartbroken Bond.
11. A View to A Kill
Roger Moore certainly looked his age but A View to Kill excels because of Christopher Walken’s Zorin. John Barry and Duran Duran craft a memorable score and Bond song respectively, but Grace Jones’ May Day steals the show.
12. Thunderball
Legal troubles between creator Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory (who eventually won the court case to own the rights to SPECTRE) changed the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. But as a spectacle, only a bloated plot undoes some brilliant underwater action.
13. Dr. No
The film that started it all! The stunts are not as refined as to what we expect, but as a confident opener, signified by Connery’s meticulous delivery of Bond’s most famous line, showed glimpses of the franchise’s potential.
14. You Only Live Twice
Written by Roald Dahl, Bond’s Japanese film has not aged well due to its cartoon and caricature stereotypes of Asian culture. But with the first major appearance of Blofeld (played by Donald Pleasance), Bond finally comes face to face with his arch-enemy in extravagant fashion.
15. The Living Daylights
Timothy Dalton breathes new life into the franchise, ditching the 70s fantasy and slapstick of the Moore era for a back to-basics adventure. Its fresh energy hands Dalton a solid debut that taps into 80s Cold War paranoia and geo-political warfare. Furthermore, A-Ha’s theme song ranks amongst the best.
16. For Your Eyes Only
After his exploits in space, Roger Moore’s Bond is brought back down to Earth. One of Moore’s better outings, there’s less emphasis on gadgets and more focus on Bond’s identity. It’s an edgier role for Moore with the film dialling back its comedic tones. But he excels for its attempts to showcase Bond for substance instead of extravagance.
17. Live and Let Die
As a ‘Bond meets Blaxploitation’ tale, the plot is not without any guilty stereotypes of Black culture. But as a Bond adventure very much of its time, it’s memorable for Moore’s debut, some fantastic scenes (e.g, Bond escaping an alligator pit) and Yaphet Kotto’s cool composure as Kananga.
18. Spectre
Despite the re-introduction of SPECTRE and Blofeld, Sam Mendes’ second directorial entry can’t recapture the magic, and turns the Daniel Craig era into an unnecessary cinematic universe.
19. The World is Not Enough
What sets Brosnan’s underrated classic apart is Sophie Marceau’s Bond villainess. As Elektra King, she goes against the ‘Bond girl’ type as a worthy challenge for Bond who manipulates and gets under his skin. It’s a bolder swing from the franchise, and only its convoluted plot lets it down.
20. Tomorrow Never Dies
Unhinging all the good work from GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies indulges in over-the-top action with a finale ripped from A Spy Who Loved Me. Jonathan Pryce’s Elliot Carver provides comedic value but is no serious match to Bond’s efforts as the villain. Still, at least it showcases why Michelle Yeoh is a badass of the industry.
21. Moonraker
Channelling George Lucas’ Star Wars, Moonraker is a departure from Fleming’s original novel. Despite some memorable turns from Michael Lonsdale’s Drax, Bond in space might be his most outlandish adventure, but the Bond concept is compromised once he ventures into the unknown.
22. The Man with the Golden Gun
Still finding his feet into the role, Moore’s Thailand adventure is a mixed bag. Christopher Lee’s Scaramanaga provides Bond sufficient competition, but Britt Ekland’s Goodnight is reduced to a ditsy stereotype.
23. Octopussy
Director John Glen gave us an Indiana Jones inspired adventure. But with a plot navigating between a Fabergé egg to Moore donning a clown costume by the end, is a messy Bond entry.
24. Diamonds Are Forever
Box office success determined Bond’s next cinematic adventure, and to a populous audience, Connery was Bond. His return gave the spy back his spark, but after the tragic final scenes in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reducing Bond’s revenge as a quick montage did the entire film a disservice.
25. Die Another Day
Pierce Brosnan’s final outing as Bond deserved better. In a ridiculous plot summed up by an ethnicity-swapping villain, kite-surfing escapes, and invisible cars (encased by poor CGI), the first post-9/11 Bond film can’t escape its outdated formula, leaving the spy horribly out of touch with the modern world.
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