With Daniel Craig about to debut in his final James Bond film, we thought it would be fun to take on one of the more hotly contested topics in movie fandom. Who was the best James Bond? To date, 6 actors have picked up the shaken-not-stirred martini, Walther PPK, and license to kill in the official movie franchise. Some have clearly been more successful than others, but they were all Bond. So, let the arguments commence!
Honorable Mention - David Niven
We won’t put David Niven on the official list, since his portrayal of the character isn’t part of the official film franchise. Niven was actually author Ian Flemming’s first choice to play James Bond in the official movies, but that role went to another actor that you all know (Sean Connery). Still, Niven ended up playing the role in the 1967 film, Casino Royale, which was produced by another studio. By the time Niven took on the role, he was 56 and we hadn’t yet approached today’s perhaps more enlightened attitude toward older action heroes. So, in Casino Royale, he played a retired version of 007 who was a bit more cultured and very settled down. It’s not part of the official canon, but still worth a watch if you want to experience every version of James Bond the screen has to provide. Key Bond Attributes - Charm and intelligence. Not much on the action, but that wasn’t really called for.
6 - George Lazenby
Lazenby had the unenviable job of trying to replace Sean Connery as the superspy in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). This came after 4 Bond movies starring Connery. Let’s say that Lazenby didn’t live up to his predecessor’s example. However, give this film a watch again now and you might find you like it better than you expect. Still, for his 1 and done appearance as Bond, he ranks as #6 on our list. Key Bond Attributes - Humanity. Not entirely what some fans would want from a Bond portrayal. Some physicality/action, but not memorable.
5 - Timothy Dalton
Dalton only played Bond in 2 films (The Living Daylights and License to Kill) and his take was certainly different from any of the actors that had preceded him. He was a bit more serious, which in many ways may have laid the groundwork for Daniel Craig’s turn. But, he only made 2 films due to some contract issues after completing the second film. But, as I look back on the films, they simply weren’t my favorite. Dalton definitely wanted to tone down the ‘super cool’ aspect of Bond, but at the time it didn’t click for me. Key Bond Attributes - Physicality and a higher level of seriousness than previous portrayals. For me, he lacked some of the pure Bond coolness that Connery embodied so well.
4 - Roger Moore
Sir Roger Moore played 007 in a serendipitous 7 films and his run took Bond on some (let’s admit) utterly ridiculous adventures. He went to space, fought crocodiles, and saved the world many, many times. These films largely represented a less serious take on the Bond mythos. They were campy and fun and over the top. The plots aren’t fantastic and some of Q’s gadgets are just silly (a gondola that turns into a car, really?) Still, Moore holds a certain warm place in the Bond legend for me, possibly because he was the Bond I grew up with. Key Bond Attributes - Charming, cool, and intelligent. I did feel like he was light on the physicality, especially compared to some other Bonds.
3 - Pierce Brosnan
Brosnan was actually in line to take on the mantle of Bond when Roger Moore retired from the franchise, but producers of the TV show Remington Steele would not let him out of his contract in order to take on the role. So, Timothy Dalton stepped in for his 2 film run. Brosnan became available after those two films and he really helped kickstart the Bond film series popularity again. Key Bond Attributes - Charming, cool, intelligent, and fairly believable in his action scenes. Brosnan actually may have brought nearly as complete a mix of Bond traits as anyone other than Connery.
2 - Daniel Craig
The most recent Bond has brought a welcome level of seriousness to the films. Gone are most of the campy gadgets and gimmicks. Craig’s films are much grittier than any of the other Bond movies. They are more in keeping with the Jason Bourne-style action that current movie audiences have come to appreciate. Craig’s first Bond movie (Casino Royale - 2006) kicks off with one of the best action sequences in any Bond movie, with the chase through a construction site and onto an embassy. It immediately set the tone for Craig’s version of Bond. A very serious operator who was not to be taken lightly. There is a big part of me that wanted to put him first, as the most recent 4 Bond movies with Craig in the role have been among my favorites. Key Bond Attributes - Physicality (like no other Bond), a steely-eyed unflappable cool, and a serious, take no prisoners level of simmering violence. He doesn’t have the charm of Connery, Brosnan, or Moore. But, that wouldn’t have made as much sense in his films.
1 - Sean Connery
As much as I considered Craig for the top spot, once I got here, I couldn’t in good conscience list anyone other than Connery as the best Bond. Not all of his movies were the best, but some were truly fantastic and still hold up today (unlike some of the Roger Moore outings. (Moonraker? Seriously?). Connery IS Bond. When you create such a canonical character it is going to be almost impossible for a new actor to ever truly replace you. Some try to emulate the same characteristics, often paling in comparison to the original. Others look to truly make the role their own, which can be hit and miss, although I respect this approach more. While I’m looking forward to the next Bond, I’m pretty sure he (or she) won’t live up to the iconic Bond created by Connery. Key Bond Attributes - Charm, cool, physicality, humor. Connery is the whole package.
