The James Bond Chronicles: Best of Films 1-7

Big Hollywood ^ | 04.24.11 | Lawrence Meyers

[Perdogg]

Having now finished with the first Bond era (Sean + George), it’s time to recap the “Best Of.” The only problem is that I knew I wouldn’t be able to rank the Bond films in the aggregate. They are all so disparate that it’s like trying to compare seven different types of fruit. Perhaps, by the time I finish the series, it will be easier. However, through the first seven flicks, there is just no clear ranking to me.

[Rummyfan]

Best line:

James Bond: Who are you?
Pussy Galore: My name is Pussy Galore.
James Bond: I must be dreaming

[SpringtoLiberty]

Worst Bond ever no doubt

[I still care]

We’ve always loved “You Only Live Twice” in my house, and it rarely gets mentioned. The very fav is Thunderball.

I tend to rank them by title songs, myself. I love the theme to YOLT, although Nancy’s pipes I’ve always thought limited. I would vote that absolutely the best EXCEPT for the horrid decision of dubbing Tiger’s voice. “Yes, Mr Bond-san!” in deep, deep tones.

You Only Live Twice is a song that I love, sticks in my head and I can spend hours singing (to my kids dismay). I love the violins falling down the scales. They don’t make beautiful songs anymore, but the early Bond films were unabashed throwbacks.

From Russia with Love is my other great song from the Bond flicks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcIl_6amBvU

[henry_reardon]

agree 100%, a truly great movie. awesome scenery, V-bombers, the jet pack, motorcycles firing rockets and the hottest villainess ever.

[Jack Deth]

Hi, all:

The Big Three of the Golden Bond Era.

1:/ From Russia With Love

2:/Goldfinger

3:/ On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

‘Dr. No’ introduced Bond to the world and to me, the story is kind of hit and miss. It did put Ursula Andress on the map. Allowed Jack Lord to shine as Felix Leiter and set the stage for better tales to come.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ brought George Lazenby to the fore created a most serviceable Bond. Certainly better than many of the later offerings of Roger Moore, Pirece Brosnan and Timothy Dalton.

Jack.

[driftless2]

"best line"

ditto.

[archivist007]

There are so many good ones from this era. Many are at the top of my all time list.
Here is my order of the top seven:

1. From Russia With Love
2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
3. Goldfinger
4. You Only Live Twice
5. Thunderball
6. Dr. No
7. Diamonds Are Forever

On my top ten of all time list including the “unofficial” films have the first three in the same order. Others on the list include The Living Daylights and Casino Royale (2006).

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

For me it was ‘From Russia With Love’ for the reasons stated and for the supporting actors. Robert Shaw’s chilling Russian Hitman and the death fight with Bond. Lottye Lenya as the SPECTRE mastermind (she was the widow of the composer Kurt Weill, and created the role of Polly Peachum). Daniella Bianchi as the Bond Girl, recruited by Lenya but ‘comverted’ by Bond.