TheJames Bondfranchise has lasted so long in part because of itsability to adapt.
6Roger Moore
(19731985)
Ill have a vodka martini.
Shaken, not stirred.
Custom Image by Federico Napoli
This describes most of the Moore Bond movies overall, which tended to be quite over-the-top and unbelievable.
Bond producerRichard Maibaumadmitted this,saying, “WithMoonraker, we went too far in the outlandish.
The audience did not believe anymore and Roger spoofed too much.”
Image via MGM
For example, Brosnan’s character is less dominant than previous iterations.
He also doesn’t smoke.
4George Lazenby
(1969)
This never happened to the other guy.
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The movie didn’t go well with audiences at the time but has since beenmore positively reevaluated.
Overall, Lazenby’s interpretation is flawed yet interesting, and perhaps somewhat underrated.
He’s not as perfect and superhuman as Connery’s version sometimes appeared, which is a welcome change.
Image via MGM
For all these reasons, Lazenby lands in the middle of the pack in terms of book accuracy.
3Timothy Dalton
(19871989)
The world is not enough.
This was the result of significant effort on the actor’s part.
Image via MGM/UA Communications Co.
Dalton strove for book accuracy, doing extensive research and reading the novels closely.
He was also clearly uncomfortable with the puns and one-liners, keeping them to a minimum.
2Daniel Craig
(20062021)
The names Bond.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Like the literary Bond, he’s conflicted, often questioning his role.
This depiction seemed more suited to public sentiment in the mid to late 2000s.
While not an everyman, he’s more grounded and introspective than Dalton and Brosnan.
Image via MGM
Sean Connery himself appreciated Craig’s spin on Bond,calling hima “terrific choice.”
1Sean Connery
(19621967, 1971, 1983)
I think he got the point.
He’s suave, charming, witty, and ruthless, sometimes cold, occasionally vulnerable, often haunted.
Roger Moore agreed, saying, “SeanwasBond.
He embodied Bond and because of Sean, Bond became an instantly recognizable character the world over.”
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