Sep
2008
Who Is The Best James Bond?
Ian Fleming, a former British Naval officer during World War II,created James Bond 007 in 1953. After fourteen books about the British spy, Mr. Fleming passed away in 1964 of a heart attack. Somehow his character endures over four decades after his death, and shows no signs of slowing down.
I bring all of this up because I finally watched Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond film, on Monday night. I admit I took my time getting to this film because the past few movies had been less than classics to be sure. With a reboot to the franchise (it was named for the first novel and had Bond just picking up the mantle of being a double-0), they seemed to have really retooled the whole thought process behind the films, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
The early films had over-the-top villains bent on world domination, but I always enjoyed the aspect of the nefarious organization known as SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion). While no name was ever mentioned in Casino Royale, there were some hints to some evil organization running things in the background, and the commercials for Quantum of Solace, the 22nd film, certainly point to more information on this portion of the plot. I mean, come on, Tomorrow Never Dies had a guy who wanted to start a war so he could sell more news. That’s a villain?
So, why the picture of how Mr. Fleming envisiong the spy? It is time to delve into one of the most hotly contested debates to face mankind of all time… which actor was the best James Bond? (I avoid politics on this blog, but I’m willing to take on THIS taboo subject?!? Am I insane?!?)
Sean Connery
The first man to portray James Bond, and the one most people point to at the true James Bond. He played the role for six films (Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever… I think everyone tries to forget Never Say Never Again), and is the first impression most people have of the character.
I would have to say I always enjoyed his wry delivery, and he certainly had the debonair aspect down, but he also knew how to become the deadly assassin when needed.
Easily the best up until a certain point… more on that later.
George Lazenby
Poor George Lazenby. He is like the forgotten Bond as he only appeared in one film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. He was originally supposed to appear in seven, but apparently his agent felt Bond wouldn’t last that long and convinced him to drop out after only one film, leading to Connery returning for one more go at the title role.
I’ve seen the movie once or twice, and he didn’t seem to really fit to me, though that may have partially been because his voice was dubbed over in some sections of the film, but who knows. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who says he is their favorite Bond.
Roger Moore
I remember as a kid thinking Moore was fantastic, and he never failed to make me laugh… in a James Bond film. As I’ve gone back and looked at his seven apperances as the spy (Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to a Kill), I think he may have partially been a victim of the time period where he played the role.
The 1970′s had an odd sense of humor, focusing more on a slapstick style, and when they wanted to interject humor into the films, it always came off as ham fisted. I think it also didn’t help he played the role into his 50s, and his age was showing towards the end.
He was passable, but I would say if I was forced to make a list of the actors in order, he would be in the bottom three for sure.
Timothy Dalton
Mr. Dalton only appeared in two films (The Living Daylights & Licence to Kill), and I had high hopes for him, but both films were pretty much disasters story wise. He was more inline with what Bond should be like, but his comedic deliver was just abysmal, and the movies just seemed to drag on endlessly.
I’m not sure if it was his fault, or the scripts, but I also wonder if the fact Pierce Brosnan was perused heavily for the role, but couldn’t take it because NBC didn’t want to mess up Remington Steele, had anything to do with it. There was a six year gap between his last film and the next one, so something went awry with the whole process.
Pierce Brosnan
I just about did backflips when he finally got named to the role of Bond, but he entered a horribly weak period for the villains. Over his four films (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day) he was certainly passable as Bond, but with the lack of good villains, it just felt like an exercise in pointlessness.
His tenure in the role also suffered from more and more emphasis being put on product placement. Everytime you turned around in these films, you were being shown some company logo on a gadget he was using. While some is to be expected, the amount during these four verged on the absurd. It also seemed that special effects got better, they were trying to see just how many they could cram into the film, leaving Bond as almost more of an instigator than the centerpiece of the films.
It was unfortunate because I thought Mr. Brosnan could have been the best Bond since Connery, but he suffered from a film series that had certainly lost its way.
Daniel Craig
The minute Daniel Craig was announced as Bond… I was horrified. He was too rough looking, he wasn’t debonair… HE WAS BLONDE! You can’t have a blonde guy being James Bond! The horrors! I will say now that I have seen a drawing of what Fleming always envisioned that he actually is the closest, and that surprises me.
Having finally seen Casino Royale, I have to say that Mr. Craig actually has a shot at being the best Bond since Connery, and (this part may get me killed) potentially surpassing him.
I know, I know, BLASPHEMY! Hear me out, though. He played this role in such a human way, an almost brutal and animalistic way. This Bond is human, but just an amazing one. The scene that sold me was the foot chase early on in the film. Where the guy he was chasing was doing all these fancy acrobatics, Bond was running through dry wall like a bull. He was more of a force of will than some super spy. He still has his moments of brilliant cunning, but he is just a man at the end of the day.
Partially script, partially a fantastic performance by Craig, it has me more jazzed about the James Bond series than I have been in ages, and I actually want to see his second film, Quantum of Solace, in the theater, and that’s something I haven’t done since Licence to Kill.
And the winner is…
I think in the end it all boils down to personal tastes, but I will force myself to do something that will possibly get me hung in some parts of the world.
- Sean Connery
- Daniel Craig
- Pierce Brosnan
- Timothy Dalton
- Roger Moore
- George Lazenby
It’s difficult to say because there were script problems for some, production problems for others, but you really just have to look at the actual performance to make the final judgment. Brosnan would have ranked higher for me if he had been given more to work with, but he is where he is on the list. Moore would have beat Dalton if he hadn’t played the part for so long, and hadn’t had bad comedy all the time. Lazenby gets last place for a whole slew of reasons, but I really don’t blame him as an actor.
Have at me, but that’s my list. So, who is your favorite, and why?
Matt | September 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 am #
Much as I love Pierce Brosnan, and somehow instinctively dislike Daniel Craig for his craggy face and Schwarzenegger body, I have to say the script did the msot justice to him, and he did the best for the movie in Casino Royale.
RPO | September 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am #
i honestly feel craig was better than connery, and i’ve been a fan of connery for years! good listing here, great read!
JBC | September 24th, 2008 at 7:31 am #
Meh…I didn’t really appreciate the Casino Royale movie. I felt the climax, the big to-do with the “boss” was a…wait for it…poker game. What? And look! to throw in some action in the god-forsaken sequence his heart stops from poison and he teeters on the brink of death before…whew! He’s alive. I almost couldn’t look.
My point is, Brosnan was able to capture the classy look of Bond. He just exemplified what Bond was. Connery was the sexy sleek acting that just took the scene away. Craig just didn’t have the appeal that Connery and Brosnan had. I was extremely disappointed with the Casino Royal movie, and if they “Americanize” this franchise, it may be on its way down again.
Willed | September 24th, 2008 at 11:09 am #
Considering that the original novel of which Casino Royal was based was mostly about a Poker Game, it makes perfect sense that the movie did the same. I mostly agree with your list, I’ve been a Connery fan for a very long time (despite the fact that my father is a Roger Moore fan) But here’s my list.
1. Daniel Craig
2. Sean Connery
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Timothy Dalton (despite his movies he did a good job)
5. George Lazenby (I thought he was good despite the horrid movie surrounding him)
6. Roger Moore. (He wasn’t Bond, really the people that tend to choose him seem to be all about his gadgets.)
(I’d also like to give an honorable mention to Peter Sellers for doing a decent job as Bond in the old spoof version of Casino Royal)
Sean P Aune | September 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm #
Willed – I debated including Sellers, but ended up leaving him off in the end (obviously). I think Craig will surpass Connery for me with QoS, but I want at least one more movie under his belt before I make that final call.
david g. | September 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm #
It was baccarat in the novel, not poker.
Meat | September 24th, 2008 at 7:52 pm #
I completely agree with you on Daniel Craig he is awesome he made me excited about Bond again and I haven’t been excited about Bond since Sean Connery was Bond.
Anonymous | September 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pm #
barney can do a better job at being bond than bonehead brosnan
Dale | September 24th, 2008 at 8:45 pm #
You nailed this list. This summer I read or re-read all the Bond novels in order. While Connery clearly has been my favorite, after reading the books again I think that Daniel Craig’s portrayal is closer to the book character than any of the others. Sean Connery captured some aspects of the character better, but overall, I’d give it to Daniel Craig.
steve | September 24th, 2008 at 10:15 pm #
I agree with you on Pierce Brosnan, he could have been the best had he had actual scripts to work with. His first Bond film, Goldeneye, is my number one favorite of the 21 James Bonds, and was a good transition from the Soviet Era into the current one. Too bad the writers felt that crazy stupid “terrorists with defects” were more interesting then an actual plausible story.
I like Daniel Craig, and even though they are portraying his movies as prequels to the original, I don’t feel he is Bond, he’s a great actor, and all, I just don’t think he fits the part as well as Connery or Brosnan.
Sean P Aune | September 24th, 2008 at 10:44 pm #
Steve – You are dead on about Brosnan’s films. GoldenEye was by far the best of the four, but the other three just never “felt” right. Amazing how bad those scripts stunk.
I’m still wanting to see one more Craig outing before I pass final judgment on him.
Austin B | September 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pm #
I think I agree with your list for the most part. However, given the time period of the films that Craig is/will be appearing in, its not really fair to compare him with the other Bonds because he’s playing a different kind of Bond at a much earlier point in his life.
Connery really played Bond in his prime, I think, and Brosnan came very close to that feel, especially in GoldenEye. The other Bond actors/movies were just trying to re-hash the same formula IMO and didn’t do a very good job of it.
However, Craig is playing Bond before his prime, before he really becomes the super-spy that Connery really portrayed. He’s still rough around the edges, no fancy gadgets, etc, just pure brawn with some cunning thrown in here and there. So, like I said, it’s really just not a fair comparison.
Sean P Aune | September 25th, 2008 at 12:00 am #
Austin – hmm, very interesting observation, and not an angle I had thought of. These ARE different points in Bond’s life, and should be played differently. Excellent point.
Anonymous | September 25th, 2008 at 3:38 am #
1. Craig
2. Connery
3. Lazenby
4. Moore
5. Brosnan
6. Dalton
Moore has to be given credit for bringing a new look to Bond even if it was horribly misguided. I suspect time will bear out Craig as the best Bond, assuming the writing keeps up and he gets more than a few under his belt. “I was horrified. He was too rough looking, he wasn’t debonair… HE WAS BLONDE!” What’s wrong with you? He was blonde?! Seriously, what a lame comment.
Sean P Aune | September 25th, 2008 at 9:05 am #
Anonymous – Not lame at all to take into consideration that Ian Fleming always described Bond as having dark hair, and the previous 5 actors all had dark hair. For Bond to suddenly shift to blonde is a rather large change to the character.
Why is it people who don’t sign their names to a comment are always the most insulting? Have some guts, at least stand behind your words.
shelton | September 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm #
Nice article, and I can’t make up my mind about Craig quite yet. Brosnan is still my tops followed by a close second Connery.
One little nitpick – you have mixed up the plots of “The World is Not Enough,” and “Tomorrow Never Dies.” “The World” is about dominating the global oil trade.
Sean P Aune | September 25th, 2008 at 4:06 pm #
Shelton – Oops! Thanks for that, I changed it.
Naenae | September 27th, 2008 at 12:01 pm #
YES! Totally agree with all of the above, EXCEPT, that I think Rodger Moore was WAY better that Timothy Dalton, I think Tim works much better as a villan.
(and i think Daniel Craigs Blonde hair is AMAZING and SEXY…)
luke | September 27th, 2008 at 1:05 pm #
Sean Connery has to be first ‘yessh mish moneypenny’ – he is the alpha of the pack.
If Connery was not first I would have been hissing and cussing in this here comment. Daniel Craig I do actually like.
Dalton & Brosnan were two of the worst in my opinion.
Roger Moore I have a lot of fun memorys of. I was just a kid and I remember going to see ‘The spy who loved me’ at the cinema and was like ‘wow!!!!!!’ when his white Lotus Esprit drove underwater and morphed into a submarine.
In fact If I remember rightly at the end of the film he seduced a hot chick into the Lotus Esprit and he drove off into the sea where he would have got to make hot monkey loving with her!
Sean Connery
Roger Moore
Daniel Craig
Timothy Dalton
George Lazenby
Pierce Brosnan
Something about Pierce Brosnan just annoys me, can’t put my finger on it – but he is the same character in every film I have seen him in.
Stalker | September 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm #
1) Craig
2) Lazenby
3) Connery
4) Moore
5) Brosnan
6) Dalton
I think Craig as Bond is the best choice dropping Dalton. He has a dry wit and doesn’t do everything perfect. He is rocking the Flemming Bond to the fullest. Lazenby fit the novel Bond very well though. He didn’t always have the answer, sometimes makes mistakes, and he had a quirkiness that everyone else lacked. Brosnan felt awkward as Bond. He still did it well and pulled of the suave debonair side of Bond that no one captured as well as he since Connery, it just didn’t feel right when I saw him running around shooting a gun. Dalton just drove me insane. His hair was horrible, he didn’t look anything like I felt Bond should. I don’t know precisely what it is but watching him as Bond just hurt my head.
Btheseven | September 27th, 2008 at 1:33 pm #
I think you nailed it!! I do have a couple of points to add:
Roger Moore, although he had the panache was kind of a pretty boy. I don’t think he had the stature to make it believable that he could hurt anyone in a close quarters fight.
Same with Pierce Brosnan. Too much of a pretty boy. Hard to believe him having a license to kill.
Sean Connery was the Bond King. He was awesome!!!
Charles | September 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm #
Well I love James Bond and you can’t beat an original. It Sean Connery all the way. I look forward to Thanksgiving and Christman just to watch James Bond.
1.Sean Connery
2.Roger Moore
3.Pierce Brosnan
4.Timothy Dalton
5.Daniel Craig
6.George Lazenby
Anonymous | November 8th, 2008 at 8:40 am #
Sean Conery will always be james bond.
Vincent Clement | November 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm #
I’m giving the edge to Connery, for now. Craig is very close behind. Brosnan was great in Goldeneye. Couldn’t care much for Moore, Dalton or Lazenby.
guest | November 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am #
1. Sean Connery
2. Daniel Craig
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Roger Moore
5. Timothy Dalton
6. George Lazenby
Joe | November 18th, 2008 at 8:21 pm #
Connery set the trend, and to this day, his sauve and charisma leads in the way over all other bonds, and i agree with the comments about Brosnan, if the films have better scripts, potentially could have been right up there.
I do like what Craig is tho, represents change but keeping it basic, something which when the first Bond film came out, did to the film viewing audience.
1. Sean Connery
2. Daniel Craig
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Roger Moore
5. Timothy Dalton
6. George Lazenby
Chicka | November 30th, 2008 at 3:59 am #
1. Sean Connery
2. Danial Craig
3. George Lazenby
4. Pierce Brosnan
5. Timothy Dalton
6. Roger Moore
Perhaps, with time and more films, Danial Craig will surpass Sean Connery, but I doubt it. Connery makes Bond damn sexy.
t67iu | December 30th, 2008 at 2:49 am #
OMG,what is this??????????????:O,daniel craig is best bond since sean connery?,his face is like a big potato:D,the brosnan is king
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Jennifer | January 8th, 2009 at 8:20 am #
I agree with Charles He has the best order. By the way Danial Craig doesn't have the right character to be James Bond and Pierce Brosnan is way better that him. Craig doesn't have the right look or character, today movies have a better picture and better sound, yet I'd rather watch the old James Bond movies than the new ones with Daniel Craig. Even the women in the last two James Bond movies aren't near as hot as the women in the older movies.
1.Sean Connery
2.Roger Moore
3.Pierce Brosnan
4.Timothy Dalton
5.Daniel Craig
6.George Lazenby
Brett Homes | January 8th, 2009 at 8:20 am #
you cant blame craig for those three reasons. he is not in charge of that kind of stuff.
Chris Wamble | January 8th, 2009 at 8:20 am #
The first James Bond movies that I watched were during the Brosnan era and I liked them a lot, but then I kept hearing people say that Connery is the best James Bond. What I remember from clips of the old Bond films is it seemed that most of the movie involved lots of errands that eventually led to a climax that ended the film with a big bang. So eventually I decided to watch all the early Bond films from Dr. No to License to Kill. I watched each one carefully, watched the special feature documentaries, and adopted the mindset of the time that the movie came out (meaning that I took into consideration that the special effects would not be as great as the standard is today for special effects). I see why people consider Connery to be the best, but here's my lineup.
My quick opinion of the Bonds:
1.) Brosnan- cool, calm, collective, a romantic, and a great marksman. He just has the look.
2.) Connery- the classic and the standard.
3.) Moore- most stylish with his constant changing of suits and confident look in every situation.
4.) Dalton- missing the romantic charm, but he definitely displayed the passion of an agent focused on his duty.
5.) Lazenby- he eventually grew on me as the movie progressed, but initially I thought he wasn't a good Bond.
6.) Craig- sorry, the guy is a thug. Even if he represents the early Bond the man needs anger management.
My reason for putting Craig last is his short temper and thuggish demeanor. He's way too rough around the edges to be Bond. I mean come on, the guy dumps his friend in the dumpster and steals cash out of his wallet in QoS. In Casino Royale, Felix had to stop him from stabbing Le Chiffre with a dinner knife after loosing his money the first time. The guy is an emotional time bomb! Dalton also played an emotionally sensitive Bond but at least he kept it under control and focused that anger on completing his mission rather than going on a killing rampage.
In addition Craig just seems like a piece of meat. The guy is ripped so that takes care of his appeal to women, which is a pathetic shortcut to the charm and womanizing nature that Bond is suppose to have. All the previous Bonds before him were nowhere near as ripped as Craig, but they were sexy regardless because of their style and swagger. I hope in the James Bond movies to come that Craig will be less like Jason Bourne (take away the amnesia) and more like James Bond.
Julian Rodriguez | January 8th, 2009 at 8:20 am #
Pierce Brosnan was the best Bond by far in my opinion. Goldeneye was the best Bond movie and the game was also my favorite N64 game back in the day. He is the perfect blend of bad ass, suave, smart, and still kept the same James Bond recepi that I think the Daniel Craig movies have lost. The Daniel Craig movies:
A) Don't show the white circles across the screen at the beginning. At least Quantum of Solace didn't. (It annoys me)
B) The Bond Girl Dies?
C) They also bring up her up in Quantum of Solace. You are never supposed to hear about a Bond Girl from one movie in another. Bond doesn't fall in love.
I also grew up watching Brosnan being born in 1990, but never the less, I've seen most of the Bond movies and Brosnan beats all other bonds.
Here's my order:
1. Brosnan
2. Connery (He's gotta be up there no matter what)
3. Moore (Movies are more silly than anything else, but enjoyable.)
4. Craig (Not bad though, don't get me wrong. I still bought Casino Royal)
5. Dalton (Terrible)
6. Lazenby (Saw his movie once and don't really remember it)
rob | February 8th, 2009 at 7:11 am #
I think Timothy Dalton is a little unsung. he isn't the best Bond but he did good. They have all been good in their own ways i suppose. Yeah i think my 2 favorites are Connery and Craig but Moore and Brosnan had that suaveness to them that is important for the role, and as i said i still like Dalton in the part. I only saw Lazenby's film once so i can't really remember actually how he played Bond, but I'm pretty sure i never thought he was a bad James Bond. To be honest, i don't think there's been a bad actor in the part yet. Live on 007!
Cat5_Cane | March 4th, 2009 at 5:28 pm #
Craig was a good fit for the "old" James, with all of the bang that Bond brings and maybe the best since Connery… the Standing King!!!… But to me Craig is like a lumberjack that has seen the better side of his life go by… No mistakes here as he can still swing the axe but time and constant hardships have taken a hit and he's better seen as the Bond, late in his career…
Thinking of a better match for future Bond movies … Hugh Jackman… Great looking , young, but not too young. Great appeal. Could be Suave and yet Nasty with a dark side. No problem with the English accent. Good height and weight. Chisled body, Talented Actor… But most important is that he has that look of Ian Flemming Character without the fluff… of a Brosnan or a Moore.
***************** HUGH JACKMAN for BOND is my choice.
Other Jackman movies
http://movies.about.com/od/jackmanhugh/Jackman_Hu…
Edd | March 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm #
Great discussion and enjoyed reading all the comments. My list will be slighly controversial but here it is and why:
1 – Roger Moore….come on…just for being bond for so long…and also because, growing up in the 70s/80s he was Bond…and always will be…he might not be too scarey at close quarters but he gives a hell of a karate chop! – favourite scene – the kung foo school in Man with the Golden Gun BIT best ever bond movie of all time…Octopussy.!
2 – Tim Dalton….Excellent bond and one of the most exciting pre-title sequences…and was Prince Barin in Flash Gordon!
3 – Brosnan – Bond in waiting for soooo long
4 – Connery – still very watchable movies
5 – Craig…….not quite the old school type that I imagine Bond to be but then you've got to move with the times!
6 – Lazenby – probably never really had time to get into the role!
Best Bond Gadget – Jet plane at the start of octopussy which comes out of the horse box!
Bond Girl – Agent XXX……lucky Ringo Starr!
Best Bond Theme Tune – Golden Eye (Tina Turner) and All Time High.
Whatever we all think……007 rules..which ever one we think!!
... | April 14th, 2009 at 9:28 pm #
This is my list-
1. Roger Moore
2. Sean Connery
3. Daniel Craig
4. Pierce Brosnan
5. George Lazenby
6. Timothy Dalton
D. Borges | April 20th, 2009 at 2:02 am #
Have any of you actually read one of the original Fleming Bond novels? And reading the movie adaptations does not count. Craig only has the thuggish, ruthless aspect of the character down as his movies have largely been the most violent of the series. However, his Bond doesn't seem capable of charming the pants off a gorilla much less a bevy of Bond beauties. Dalton was the literary Bond – he played the character EXACTLY as characterised by Fleming – however this didn't translate well in the horribly received films he was in. Upon second and third viewings you come to appreciate his delivery.
Connery is still the man after all these years! The perfect blend of wit and charm and killer instinct carries him through as the Best Bond!
Cat 5 | April 20th, 2009 at 3:16 pm #
Have any of you actually read one of the original Fleming Bond novels… yes, I've read most of them 30 years ago and remembered how Bond suffered in his personal life, time and time again, when not killing the villains.
Craig offers the best JB after Connery but Craig doesn't have the sex appeal that Connery brought.. and the others are too light weight to carry the torch.
Moore was OK ( Maybe 3rd on the list) but not JB in the flesh material
Again, for future JB movies… I think Hugh Jackman has the best of all worlds (sex appeal, toughness and perfect age) and could pull it off, quite well.
As is
Connery
Craig
Moore
the rest don't count.
D. Borges | April 28th, 2009 at 1:40 am #
Still think Clive Owen would have been a far better choice as JB.
Clutch | April 28th, 2009 at 8:33 pm #
1 Sean Connery
2 Daniel Craig
3 Pierce Brosnan
4 Roger Moore
5 Timothy Dalton
6 George Lazenby
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Vlad | May 23rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm #
Putting Roger Moore on a fifth place is insane.What a gentleman he is,what an actor,what a legend.There will never be someone like him again.
Julian | May 30th, 2009 at 6:02 am #
1. Connery
2. Moore
3. Brosnan
Craig is nice actor, but i dont like the movies anymore!
he as a spy with dry british humor & cool gadgets!
but no, in hte newer movies he is just an action hero o.0
since brosnan, james bon sucks!
but i still watch the movies, the movies are good but i wouldnt concider them a james bond movie anymore…..
julian | May 30th, 2009 at 6:03 am #
u are exactly right!
Apple | July 5th, 2009 at 10:58 pm #
The fact that Brosnan could kill someone with suave and a straight face makes him the clutch James Bond. I too was from the Brosnan era but Connery I guess will always be the classic. Watching him use his gadgets so easily and being such an amazing stunt man like in Goldeneye just seems to put Brosnan at the top. He has the look, he has the suave, he's quite sharp with his looks and his shooting, and he just does it all with finesse. Craig is alright but I don't think he exhibits a classic bond. The day and time may be more modernized but I think Bond should still remain the same type of character. Brosnan at the top and Connery right behind for starting the trend.
cat5cane | July 6th, 2009 at 3:45 pm #
The real JB…
Time to reflect… if you read the books… who was JB?… Was he a ivy league grad… like Brosnan's Flicks… No.
He was a trained killer, who worked his way up the ladder. An extremely talented guy who used his street savvy and sense for survival and as time passed, he became bitter He hated life and he attacked his enemy with little regard for his own being, because he didn't care if he lived or not. His personal love life was a shambles and drank like a fish, many times for months at a time… How many times was he shot or stabbed? How many fights, cuts and bruises did he endure? Do you envision a cute baby face JB???… Sorry guys, that's not being real to the Character…
Craig for now…
musso | October 26th, 2009 at 11:32 pm #
you think craig is better than brosnan ..haha you must fall down and hurt yr head..but i respect that everyone have their own opinions..cheers
the voice of reason | November 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pm #
That is my exact list!
Cat5 Cane | November 9th, 2009 at 12:03 am #
musso…
Don't be offended but read most everyone's opinion that are all saying about the same thing… Although Brosnan is a quality actor, he doesn't fit the image of Bond and I don't mean Ian's picture.
If your a fan, then you have read most all of the books written… The guy was scared or nicked -up from head to toe. Drank like a fish during the hard times for months at a time after his wives and girlfriends were murdered. You name it, it happened to him. The guy was a mans man, good looking but not hansom like Brosnan. Tough as nails and not girly like Brosnan. Charismatic and drawing but could strike like a rattler.
Personnally, I like the guy, He's done allot of good stuff, but not as Bond… He, just doen't fit the billing!
Brosnan weighs maybe 160 lbs soak'n wet, with skinny arms. Now think of all of the fights and scuffles Bond was into… Got news for ya… In real life, he'd have a problem holding down a girl!
Guest | November 11th, 2009 at 4:20 am #
Has anyone else noticed that the list seems to directly correlate with the size of each Bond's gun?? take another look at the picture… most "impressive" gun wins!!
bondfan4 | December 7th, 2009 at 7:32 pm #
connery looks skinnier and weaker than brosnan even.. in fact daniel craig is the only "buff" "manly" one .. and craig had absolutely no charisma or personality or on screen presence . i do agree with you about hugh jackman though. would have been a great bond imo. but jackman reminds me of brosnan in a lot of ways which is probably why im fond of him.
bondfan4 | December 7th, 2009 at 7:34 pm #
oh, and have you seen all the hair on brosnan's chest? i mean how can you get any manlier than that! lol
bondfan4 | December 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm #
i think pierce was the best bond. he stood for everything bond was and did an amazing job in the role. goldeneye was possibly the best bond movie ever right next to goldfinger and thunderball.. but the bond series fell apart after goldeneye. that's not pierce's fault though.. and he somewhat saved those otherwise horrible movies of the series. connery was great too though, and was in many more good quality bond movies than pierce was.. so i wouldn't argue over either choice. daniel craig seems like a robot to me. no personality or charm or swagger. more like the terminator than james bond.
Dan Olson | March 22nd, 2010 at 6:32 am #
Steve-
I read through your article and as a huge Bond fan for many years, I have to say your analysis pretty much nailed it perfectly. That's hard for me to say because I absolutely relish good-natured debate. That being said, I am not quite ready to pass the baton from Connery to Craig…….yet. He needs to have a couple solid movies under his belt before I feel comfortable with that. After all, the best MOVIES of the franchise are undoubtedly from the Connery era. ("From Russia with Love" is my favorite).
I do feel like, as you do, that Brosnan had a fighting chance to compete as the best Bond, but his movies were just downright horrible. Terrible villains, overdone CGI, poor dialog, etc. I always viewed Brosnan as a blend of Connery and Moore. Unfortunately, Brosnan seemed to inherit the tongue-in-cheek persona that we both seem to dislike in the Moore character. Also, PB just didn't seem tough enough. Which brings me to Craig…
Craig not only comes across as a tough SOB, but a cold-hearted assassin. Moreover, he comes across as a SMART cold-hearted assassin. He seems to have to ability to turn on the charm when needed, without coming across as cheeky. I will put forth that if it came down to a hand-to-hand combat fight between the two Craig would easily win out. He has that "thug quality" not seen since the Fleming novels. One more thing I will say about Craig…he is the proud owner of the best one-liner in Bond franchise history:
Vesper Lynd: Am I going to have a problem with you, Mr. Bond?
James Bond: No, don't worry, you're not my type.
Vesper Lynd: Smart?
James Bond: Single.
Given time and solid screenplays, I believe Craig has the tools to surpass Connery as the best Bond. Unfortunately….my gut tells me that the writers will somehow mess this franchise up and we'll be resigned to speculate….."what could have been."
Dan
Seattle
PS Solution to avoiding above-mentioned script/movie issue: hire Christopher Nolan as director. When it comes to identifying with an original franchise "vision"….he seems to "get it."
Dan Olson | March 22nd, 2010 at 6:32 am #
Sorry….that's Sean……not Steve. My apologies.
Sean P. Aune | March 22nd, 2010 at 7:10 am #
Dan –
I'll forgive the "Steve" :P
You nailed my thoughts exactly. I think Craig has huge potential, and Casino Royale showed that, but Quantum of Solace made me a bit nervous as I felt the script wasn't as strong. I think where he just soars as is that cold, dead stare of his. This is a Bond that is dead inside. Vesper warmed him for a moment, and with her death he came back even colder and deader.
Bronson … oh, poor Bronson. He wanted the series for so long, and once he finally gets it, it's a disaster.
Lets just hope the next Bond is more CR than QoS, and we are on our way to a definite winner.
Norman Baxter | March 28th, 2010 at 4:03 am #
Erm, being a spod…. Connery was by no means the first person to act as James Bond. The honor goes to Barry Nelson, although the character was called "Jimmy Bond". The first person to play the real James Bond was Bob Holness (who also played Saxs on Gerry Rafferty's song "Baker Street"), although I'd go with Connery as the most defining version.
Michael 007 fan | June 29th, 2010 at 10:33 am #
Brosnan was by fair the best looking guy, he looked great in a tux and GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough are the favourite films for the majority of people. and those films turned into video games on the nintendo 64 game console and goldenEye is what made first person shooters what they are today, AWESOME
For Dalton he had great looks, even though he was a bit too serious. How ever the Living Daylights with Maryam D'Abo served him well.
Craig really doesnt fit as bond because he is too rough, however he pulls the action sequences with great technique
Connery was the first and i admit he had some great lines but the old date doesnt work so well nowadays
Moore, was ok for films such as the spy who loved me and octopussy but live and let die was a bit tiring, the man with the golden gun was the worst, for your eyes only was kinda pathetic and a view to a kill died with his age, no kidding
Lazenby isnt even an actor, he was an australian model and even though ive ranked him last he did i good job considering
Cat5Cane | June 29th, 2010 at 7:28 pm #
, GO GO GO BROSNAN … Ohhh Please!!!!!
He's a wimp !… and in reality would be sucking fish heads off the back of Dr No's azz…. Saying,… Ohhh, Ohhh , let me go, I'll do anything!.
WIMPS…
vesey | July 7th, 2010 at 5:24 pm #
Sean Connery was James Bond the others played James Bond…………………
Bond Girl | July 11th, 2010 at 9:33 pm #
Sean Connery really can't be moved from the top of the list, he was the original and set the standard. He had just the right mix of comic suavity and action spy. After him, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore come the closest. They both had script and plot setbacks so I don't think they were able to able to really capture the character as well but they came close in my opinion. Brosnan was a little more action, while Moore was more of the suave spy, but I agree he ran into problems with the sort of humor expected at the time. George Lazenby did a fair enough job, but maybe because he was only in one movie, maybe because I've seen that one less than the others, he just wasn't BOND enough to me. He was just a very flat character and there wasn't anything particularly remarkable about him. I can't explain it but that just how I feel. I actually liked Timothy Dalton, not so much as to say he was my favorite, but yeah he did decently. He was another victim of poor scripts so I never really think we got to see what he could do, but I do think he was able to catch some of that Bond essence. Now don't get me wrong, I love an action movie just as much as everyone else, or obviously I wouldn't be watching Bond movies, but with Daniel Craig, it was TOO much action. Bond was transformed into an american action hero type instead of the dry witty british secret agent. Did I love the film as an action movie? Oh yeah! Did I love Daniel Craig in this action movie? HELL YES. But again, he just wasn't BOND. So if I were to make a list of the best Bonds, regardless of how good the movies where it would probably be:
1. Sean Connery
2. Roger Moore
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Timothy Dalton
5. Daniel Craig
6. George Lazenby
chandra kanth | July 12th, 2010 at 1:00 pm #
daniel craig suxxxxxxxxxxxxx ,
the best ones are – Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan only
Evan Finch | July 19th, 2010 at 7:17 am #
It's not insulting if he was right. That was totally attention-grabbing hyperbole on your part. Learn to right minus the cliches, hombre.
lenor24 | August 6th, 2010 at 10:05 am #
I totally agree with the top of your list – Sean Connery is definitely the best Bond, closely followed by Daniel Craig. However, I'm not a huge Pierce Brosnan fan – so Roger Moore might beat him in my list. :-)
Rich | October 4th, 2010 at 7:41 pm #
1. Sean Connery
2. Daniel Craig
3. Pierce Brosnan (joint 3rd with Moore)
3. Roger Moore
4. Timothy Dalton
5. George Lazenby
For me, Sean was is the definite winner, he really set the standard. He’s just great to watch and is probably the funniest (although he did probably have the best scripts) the way he delivered his one-liner jokes and of course ‘mish moneypenny’ is legendary. I think he was also convincing as a killer yet still had style and sophistication (which in my opinion is important). It’s Approaching 50 years on from the release of Dr. No and I still find his films the most to fun to watch and that’s mainly down to Connery. Casino Royale made me excited about James Bond films again. Daniel Craig played the role brilliantly. In my opinion he is offers a completely fresh outlook, but still relevant to Ian Flemming’s original Bond portrayal. Craig as Bond is cool, tough, courageous and most of all…real. Brosnan and Moore showed some good glimpes during their times but were let down by dull story lines and poor scripts. Still, growing up in the early 90′s, I always remember Goldeneye as being one of my favourite films, and still remains as one of my favourite bonds.
Tony | December 5th, 2010 at 11:18 am #
Is everyone barking mad? You have all let this persons list sway your thinking. Roger Moore is Bond. The most bond films, the biggest titles, swave at its best.
1. Roger Moore
2. Daniel Craig
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Sean Connery – He doesn't even believe in the united kingdom so how can he be bond.
5. Timothy Dalton
6. George Lazenby – Come on, one bond movie? shit one at that. he shouldn't really be on the list.
Brian Narvy | January 4th, 2011 at 2:17 pm #
1. Sean Connery. Leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, Sean Connery *is* James Bond.
2. Pierce Brosnan. Maybe this is because I love Goldeneye so much, but Brosnan played the part of Bond exceptionally well. You’re spot on about him being hindered by product placement, poor scripts, and a complacency by the studios to merely coast by on franchise recognition.
3. Daniel Craig. I don’t personally like him too much as Bond, but part of what we do at Entertainment Insight is to objectively gauge sentiment about actors and movies… and the audience has spoken. He’s a very “effective” Bond, even if I don’t personally care for his movies or his portrayal.
4. Roger Moore. Like you said, Sean, he was very much a victim of the times. The Hefner-esque playboy phenomenon was the cultural zeitgeist, and Moore certainly lived up to it; however, it was very dated and very very hokey.
5. Timothy Dalton. I’m sure that if License to Kill and The Living Daylights were better films, Dalton would have performed very well… but they weren’t, and he didn’t.
6. George Lazenby. OHMSS was dreadful. Just thinking about it makes me depressed.
Thanks for the read, if you guys want to chat about Bond or other movies (even if it’s just to say that the most recent one you saw sucked), my Twitter handle is @ent_insight.
Cheers,
Brian
Chris | June 19th, 2011 at 11:05 am #
As for looks, judge for yourselves who was more Bond-like.
Fleming said Bond looked like a young
Hoagy Carmichael
http://www.justsheetmusic.com/sheet-music/hoagy-c…
Since I grew up on Connery as Bond, he'll will always be No. 1 in all aspects for the most part.
But each have their piece of Bond.
Eg., Dalton's meaness when upset
Lazenby's uniqueness and reaction to a difficult situation — his wife being murdered by Blofield
Craig was helped by a marvelous script that kicked off Casino Royale, which was close to the novel
Moore for being Bond-like debonair
and Brosnan for, well, for being Brosnan.
vasu | June 20th, 2011 at 1:23 am #
in my opinion pierce.the best bond ever and moore to worked supebly..
tttyyyuu | August 18th, 2011 at 4:45 am #
you are crap
Gafai | September 18th, 2011 at 9:38 am #
I think Brosnan Got it the best cause the way he acts is to die for
1.Pierce Brosnan
2.Sean Connery
3.Roger Moore
4.Timothy Dalton
5. George Lazenby
6.Daniel Craig
rere | January 25th, 2012 at 4:40 pm #
i think all the james bond played a decent role because come on,its not the easiest character to play!You have to be brave,manly,romantic,charming and serious at the same time.Im not a big fan of daniel craig though.I think hes too serious and hasnt got the charming good looks that boind should have.but he does play a good role in being a brave fighter.Pierce brosnan has to be one of my favourites!sean connery is the original bond and i think he did a very very good job at being bond.I liked rogers quirkiness,he had alot of swag to me.It might come to a shock youll but my favourite has to be timothy!i think hes hot and charming.he was serious but had humour and i loved watching license to kill[wich i watched more than once].i think he should have more credit and if he did work in more films i think his talent would have been shown better!well theres my opinions……
Marco | January 26th, 2012 at 8:05 pm #
pierce is the best and daniel craig dounen't even look like a james bond black hair not blonde and daniel is the worst pierce played in some of the most action movies and games out there. dughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!