50.46.99.51
This Post Has Been Edited by the Author
Now that we have yet another Bond film in the theaters I think it might be topical to take a look at the various actors who have played the role and rate them according to our own preferences.
Here's the list in chronological order:
Daniel Craig...most recent and current James Bond actor. (4 films so far)
Pierce Brosnan.... (4 films)
Timothy Dalton.....(2 films)
Roger Moore.......(7 films)
George Lazenby.....(1 film)
Sean Connery.....(6 films (EON) plus 1 film NON EON..)
David Niven.....(1 film NON EON)
One TV adaptation 1954 of Casino Royale staring Barry Nelson
I thought the TV adaptation was forgettable and did not properly serve the plot of Flemmings novel, Casino Royale. So I would not include him in the comparison.
David Niven's retired Bond character in the 1967 movie Casino Royale was not produced by EON and might be excluded by some afficionados. I enjoyed that movie on the whole, finding its tongue-in-cheek humor to be quite satisfactory. But this is not the Bond character one thinks of when considering the genre.
The 7th Bond film by Connery, Never Say Never Again, was not an EON production. Yet,I found it to be entirely enjoyable and worthy of inclusion.
Disclaimers over?
From worst to best:
Roger Moore: Number #1, the absolute worst James Bond actor. why? The actor just seems a bit too limp-wristed. His flamboyant aristocratic demeanor takes on too many airs and reminds one of a handkerchief-waving white-powdered-wig-wearing FOP from the Baroque era. (late 1600 - early 1700's)
All that said, he was in some very good productions. Perhaps the best was his first, Live and Let Die. So we watch those movies in spite of Roger Moore. The movie being better than its lead actor.
George Lazenby: Second from being the absolute worst Bond actor. (On Her Magesty's Secret Service)
Lazenby's only real flaw was his apparent lack in acting skill. The female lead in this movie; an attractive and beguiling Diana Rigg, also falls short in acting skills. These flaws were enough for me to detract from the movie. Some Disappointment. But the production was excellent, as usual in an EON production.
David Niven: 3rd from being the worst.
Not because I dislike the actor, actually I do enjoy seeing Niven up on the big screen. It is just that his personification of the role turned the movie into a comedic romp, rather than the 'licensed to kill' role we expect to find. Not his fault, just the production and writing of it.
Timothy Dalton: 4th from being the worst.
I enjoyed the two films Dalton was in. Both were entertaining in the way one expects. And I can't really fault Dalton's personification of the character. It is just that there were other actors to consider.
Pierce Brosnan: 5th from being the worst.
I found Brosnan's revival of the role in Golden-Eye to be quite a welcome change from the Dalton films. Brosnan's Bond seemed to be a leaner-quicker personification of the role. What he lacked in body mass he made up for with speed and technique in all of the action scenes. This is important. His was a very good Bond, I thought.
Connery / Craig. 6th or 7th from worst, take your pick. Craig is the more athletic and serious special-ops contender,
Connery's character is more laid back, prone to pun-ish quips and an outlook that sees the irony in life, comments on it, and enjoys the lady villains like a tomcat with a never ending lust for available pussy. Like many actors of his era, his stunt work looks bit more campy and contrived as opposed the the realism seen in the stunt-work of Brosnan or Craig.
It is a tough call for me, but I do consider that Daniel Craig, in his own style is at least the equal of Sean Connery's Bond. And I make this claim not yet having seen Craig's 4th outing. .....Soon to be remedied.
So, who is your worst and best Bond actor?
-Steve
Follow Ups:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2015, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ Take5 ]