Which of these films should a non-Bond fan see?
Bond Beginner
This is an easy contest with a clear victor: From Russia With Love. Of the three “primeval” Bonds, From Russia With Love is simply in another class in terms of storytelling. It’s liable to keep viewers hooked, attentive, and invested for reasons outside of historical curiosity. Essential viewing shmessential viewing: if you’re going to watch a Connery Bond, watch the one that’s liable to give you something narratively to hold onto.
Bond Veteran
The short answer is all of them. The long answer, if I had to pick the ones that I think would sell this franchise to someone as quickly as possible, are From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. It’s endlessly fascinating to watch the Bond films try to figure out what they want to be. As much as I love Dr. No, From Russia With Love comes across as an early entry eager to figure out what makes Bond tick. Robert Shaw as the SPECTRE assassin Red Grant is a god-level inspired casting choice and it’s a thrill to watch this muscled Ken doll so often have the upper hand against Bond. It’s fun and just a little barbaric, made all the better by the film’s climactic fight scene and the feeling that Bond could actually lose.
Try as I might, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch Goldfinger objectively. It firmly established the formula and I have such an attachment to its importance in the world of Bond. The theme song and credits; the gadgets and the Aston Martin; the iconography of Jill Masterson painted gold; the wacky, idiosyncratic henchman; the exact beats of Pussy’s resistance and subsequent submission to Bond. It’s all so iconic. This is what made Bond Bond. Even on the umpteenth viewing, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m watching the true formation of Bond as a cultural figure, not only a character. Needless to say, it’s essential viewing.
What element from these films would you like to see come back in future Bonds? What do you want to see left in the past?
Bond Beginner
There is a moment in Thunderball where Q arrives with a bounty of gadgets and tells Bond about a compact regulator that he can use in a bind. The words Q says are: “In the event of a rebreather not being available, use this.” Later, Bond is using Q’s gadgets while doing underwater reconnaissance on the boat he suspects to be involved in a SPECTRE plot. Fine. Here’s the wrinkle: I am almost positive that Bond is not using a rebreather, a.k.a. closed CO2 recycling system that does not produce bubbles. In fact, Bond and his regular-ass oxygen set-up are making so many bubbles that, once spotted, SPECTRE (understandably) are able to pinpoint his location and submit 007 to a volley of grenades. Anyway, this was a long walk but in short: I would love to see an actual rebreather in a Bond film. And maybe an apology from Q for doing Bond dirty.
How about no more rape. That feels like a low bar.
Bond Veteran
While I look forward to reaching the Craig era during this rewatch, I must admit that I’ve grown tiresome of Bond continually going rogue. I miss the days when he just went on a mission and accomplished it and that was the end of it. I’d like to see a sense of seriality return to the franchise. I don’t need a new Bond movie to connect its plot back to a film from a decade ago. Give me a one-off and I’ll be happy.
As far as what can stay in this era, I’ll cause a further divide between my taste and Meg’s and say slow scuba scenes.
What’s your favorite so far? Least favorite?
Bond Beginner
From Russia With Love; You Only Live Twice.
Bond Veteran
Goldfinger; Thunderball.
The End.
But Meg and Anna will return in Bondathon Part Two: The Lazenby Era!
Related Topics: Bondathon, James Bond
