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peterparker05
07-23-2002, 04:29 PM
I've recently become a bit of a James Bond addict and I was wondering which of the 19 (soon to be 20) films was your favorite. I will hold this in three rounds with the first 10 films, then the last 9, and then a bout between the two winners. Here are the synopises of the first ten films courtesy of www.jamesbond.com:

Mission Summary: Dr. No

In his explosive debut, film history’s immortal action hero blazes through one of his most spectacular adventures. With inimitable style, Sean Connery embodies the suave yet lethal cool of Agent 007.

Bond's mission takes him to the steamy island of Jamaica, where mysterious energy waves are interfering with U.S. missile launches. As he unravels the astonishing truth, 007 must fight deadly assassins, sexy femmes fatales and even a poisonous tarantula. With the help of crack CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jack Lord) and the beautiful Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), he searches for the headquarters of Dr. No, a fanatical scientist who is implementing an evil plan of world domination. Only James Bond, with his combination of wit, charm and skill, can confront the madman and save the human race from a horrible fate.

With breathtaking chases, amazing stunts and a bold, nerve-shattering climax, this outrageously entertaining adventure pushes the envelope for non-stop thrills and magnificently sets the standard for the most popular movie series of all time.

Mission Summary: From Russia With Love

Sean Connery returns as James Bond in this thrill-a-minute adventure with blistering action, romance and high-tech gadgetry. Boasting remarkable villains and exotic locales, it's a pulse-pounding experience that many fans consider to be the greatest Bond film of all.

The evil SPECTRE organization has hatched a plan to steal a decoder that will access Russian state secrets and irrevocably unbalance the world order. It is up to James Bond to seize the device first, but he must confront enemies that include Red Grant (Robert Shaw) and the ruthless Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya), a former KGB agent with poison-tipped shoes. Even as Bond romances a stunning Soviet defector (Daniela Bianchi), he realizes he is being lured into a deadly trap, and he will need all of his courage, abilities and cutting-edge technology to triumph over the forces that seek to destroy him.

Dazzling highlights include a riveting helicopter attack, a gypsy camp gun battle, and a bone-crunching brawl aboard the Orient Express. From the streets of Istanbul to the canals of Venice, From Russia With Love delivers slam-bang thrills laced with the humor and sex appeal of Agent 007 himself.

Mission Summary: Goldfinger

From "shocking" prologue to exhilarating mid-air climax, Goldfinger is a lightning-paced James Bond adventure that pits 007 against one of his most formidable opponents. Sean Connery is Agent 007 in this fourteen-karat thriller brimming with non-stop action, humor and almost unbearable excitement.

The powerful tycoon Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) has initiated "Operation Grand Slam," a cataclysmic scheme to raid Fort Knox and obliterate the world economy. James Bond, armed with his specially equipped Aston Martin (its accessory package includes built-in machine guns, a smoke screen and an ejector seat), must stop the plan by overcoming several outrageous adversaries. First there's Oddjob (Harold Sakata), the mute servant who kills at the toss of a lethal hat; next, the beautiful Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton), who gives new meaning to the phrase "golden girl;" and finally, sexy pilot Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman), whose romantic feelings for Bond complicate her involvement in Goldfinger's high-flying scheme.

With style, wit and wildly imaginative stunt sequences, this adrenaline-charged adventure ranks as one of the all-time great action films. It's an electrifying thrill ride that will captivate viewers from beginning to end.

Mission Summary: Thunderball

The thrills never let up as James Bond dives into this riveting adventure filled with explosive confrontations and amazing underwater action sequences. As Agent 007, Sean Connery brings his characteristic style, humor and magnetism to one of the most exciting films of the phenomenally popular series.

In a bold and deadly scheme, the evil SPECTRE organization hijacks a NATO plane and seizes two atomic warheads, each capable of killing millions of innocent people. As the world is held hostage by the threat of a nuclear nightmare, Bond jumps into action, racing against the clock as the trail leads him to tropical Nassau. There he meets Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), a high-ranking agent of SPECTRE, and the stunning Domino (Claudine Auger), with whom Bond shares an irresistible attraction. The confrontation builds to an epic battle on the ocean floor, as Bond and his allies fight to avert a catastrophe of disastrous proportions.
From 007's thrilling jet-pack flight to his heart-stopping clash with Largo's killer sharks, Thunderball is a stupendous mixture of action, romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

Mission Summary: You Only Live Twice

James Bond is thrust into one of his most amazing adventures in this relentless juggernaut of danger, passion and non-stop excitement. Sean Connery portrays Agent 007 with the class and sex appeal befitting film history’s original action hero.

After a mysterious rocketship seizes manned space missions from Earth’s orbit, suspicions mount and the world superpowers are hurled to the brink of war. Their only hope rests with James Bond, who races to stop the space-jackings’ true mastermind, Ernst Blofeld (Donald Pleasence). Chief of the evil SPECTRE organization, Blofeld is bent on instigating global warfare from his massive headquarters nestled in an inactive volcano. As the countdown begins, Bond joins forces with the luscious Japanese agent Kissy Suzuki (Mie Hama) and scores of Ninja warriors to mount a daring raid on Blofeld’s lair and prevent a calamitous world war.

With dazzling high-tech gadgetry that includes Bond’s lethal mini-copter (equipped with flame throwers and air-to-air missiles), You Only Live Twice is a magnificent, pull-out-the-stops movie spectacular.

Mission Summary: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Just as James Bond finally discovers true love, he is thrown into non-stop thrills and chills in this explosively entertaining action/adventure. George Lazenby leaps into the role of Agent 007 with supreme confidence and undeniable charisma.

When Bond's usual intelligence sources fail, he enlists the aid of crime boss Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) to track down Ernst Blofeld (Telly Savales), head of the evil SPECTRE organization. The trail leads to the mountains of Switzerland, where Bond goes undercover in Blofeld's hi-tech headquarters. He encounters a bevy of seductive women, but none more beautiful than Draco's daughter, Tracy (Diana Rigg), who wins 007 over with her fervent independence, caustic wit and love of adventure. Bond pledges his eternal devotion to her, but there are more immediate concerns: Blofeld is poised to unleash horrific germ warfare weaponry that will endanger every living thing on earth.

Artillery-laden ski pursuits, incredible stunts and even a spectacular avalanche drive this action-packed epic to a sensational climax. And in developing the romance of Bond and Tracy, On Her Majesty's Secret Service builds to the most emotionally charged finale of any film in this dynamic series.

Mission Summary: Diamonds Are Forever

A fortune in diamonds thrusts James Bond into more explosive danger. Sean Connery returns to his greatest role in this thrilling 007 adventure laced with action, humor and amazing special effects.

When Bond investigates mysterious activities in the world diamond market, he discovers that the evil Ernst Blofeld (Charles Gray) is stockpiling the precious gems to use in his deadly laser satellite capable of destroying massive targets on land, sea and air. Bond, with the help of beautiful smuggler Tiffany Case (Jill St. John) sets out to stop the madman, but first he must grapple with a host of enemies. He confronts offbeat assassins Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, as well as Bambi and Thumper -- two scantily clad beauties who are more than a match for Bond in hand-to-hand combat. Finally, there's the reclusive billionaire Willard Whyte (Jimmy Dean), who just may hold a vital clue to Blofeld's whereabouts.

As the rapid-fire action kicks into overdrive, there's a gripping moon buggy chase, a wild pursuit through the streets of Las Vegas, and a large-scale aerial assault in which the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Diamonds Are Forever is a dynamic, full-throttle thriller of the highest caliber.

Mission Summary: Live And Let Die

James Bond battles the forces of black magic in this energetic, passionate adventure that hurtles from New York City streets to Louisiana bayou country. As Agent 007, Roger Moore infuses the dynamic action hero with charm, wit and deadly assurance.

When Bond investigates the murders of three fellow agents, he soon finds himself a target, evading vicious assassins as he closes in on the powerful Kananga (Yaphet Kotto). Known on the streets as "Mr. Big," Kananga is coordinating a globally threatening scheme using tons of self-produced heroin. As Bond tries to unravel the mastermind's plan, he meets Solitaire (Jane Seymour), the beautiful Tarot card reader whose magical gifts are crucial to the crime lord. Bond, of course, works his own magic on her, and the stage is set for a series of pulse-pounding action sequences involving voodoo, hungry crocodiles and turbo-charged speedboats.

Complete with such imaginative gadgets as Bond's super-magnetic wristwatch and an amazing compressed-gas pistol, Live and Let Die is a breathtaking, high-energy rollercoaster of non-stop thrills.

Mission Summary: The Man With The Golden Gun

James Bond has been marked for death, and he'll need all of his lethal instincts and seductive charm to survive this action-packed adventure! Roger Moore once again brings inimitable style to his portrayal of the unstoppable Agent 007.

Bond must find the missing "Solex Agitator," a device that will harness the sun's radiation and give awesome power to whomever possesses it. But, also vying for the prize is Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), a world-class assassin who brandishes a distinctive golden gun. When 007 discovers he is to be Scaramanga's next target, he is hurled into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, continuing the search as he evades the killer on his trail. Bond must also contend with Scaramanga's exotic lover Andrea Anders (Maud Adams), and Nick Nack (Herve Villechaize), whose small size belies his lethal abilities. Even as 007 enlists the aid of sensuous Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland), he must overcome ferocious odds to survive an explosive showdown on Scaramanga's remote island.

With a riveting boat pursuit, a wild automobile chase through Bangkok and Bond's stunning confrontation against an entire martial arts school, The Man With The Golden Gun delivers pull-out-the stops excitement!

Mission Summary: The Spy Who Loved Me

Nobody does it better than Bond, and he proves it once more in this explosively entertaining action-adventure! Roger Moore portrays the immortal action hero with wit, style, and steely determination.

When a massive underwater craft abducts U.S. and Russian submarines, global tensions are heightened to the brink of war. In order to find the true culprit, James Bond joins forces with beautiful Russian agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach). Together they follow a trail that leads to Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens), a powerful shipping magnate who is implementing a horrific scheme for world domination. Bond struggles to foil the plot, but Stromberg has provided him with a most lethal adversary: Jaws (Richard Kiel), a seemingly indestructible steel-toothed giant. Agent 007's adventure takes him to the Egyptian pyramids, under the sea and to a mountaintop ski chase that builds to one of the most amazing stunts ever filmed.

Climaxing with a magnificent, thrill-packed finale in Stomberg's secret submarine base (which required the construction of the world's largest soundstage), The Spy Who Loved Me is a relentlessly exciting action spectacular with romance, humor, and nail-biting suspense.

Let the voting begin!

Chris Wood
07-23-2002, 06:03 PM
If you count (and why not?) the unofficial Bond film Never Say Never Again, this year's film will actually be the 21st. There's also Casino Royale, but that's so completely un-Bond-like that I try to forget about it.

peterparker05
07-23-2002, 06:54 PM
Originally posted by Desslar
If you count (and why not?) the unofficial Bond film Never Say Never Again, this year's film will actually be the 21st. There's also Casino Royale, but that's so completely un-Bond-like that I try to forget about it.

Yeah I'm just counting the movies from the official 007 series.

The Guard
07-23-2002, 07:03 PM
I think GOLDENEYE might be one of the best there's been. It re-introduced us to Bond, and there was action on levels we'd never seen before. Plus, the supporting characters got fleshed out more than usual, and there was a new "M".

peterparker05
07-23-2002, 07:09 PM
Originally posted by The Guard
I think GOLDENEYE might be one of the best there's been. It re-introduced us to Bond, and there was action on levels we'd never seen before. Plus, the supporting characters got fleshed out more than usual, and there was a new "M".

Goldeneye will be in the running come Round 2!

Mad Scientist
07-23-2002, 08:56 PM
Goldfinger, definitely. You just can't beat this one. The theme is classic, and Sean Connery is at his best.

The best scene is where

Goldfinger points a gun at Bond on an airplane flying at 10,000 feet, about to blow his head off, then Bond fights him and they "accidentally" shoot the window, forcing the air to make the plane heavier, and quickly begins to crash. Goldfinger goes flying out the window, Bond grabs Ms. Galore and a parachute, and they get outta there just before the plane falls.

If there had to be a runner-up, it would be The Spy Who Loved Me. Jaws rules. :D

Simpler Simon
07-23-2002, 09:02 PM
I went with On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Lazenby did a commendable job IMO, it was the last of the 60's Bond's before they started going camp, it was seriously different from all other Bond films before and after, and it remains a great adaptation of the novel.

AND...

who else but Bond could find his true love yet land every single girl in Blofeld's clinic? :D

Bruce Wayne
07-23-2002, 09:07 PM
I too have become an extreme addict to it all of a sudden. Even plan to buy a BMW he had in Goldeneye, TND, and TWINE. I yet have to see those... :(

Joker85
07-23-2002, 11:29 PM
From Russia With Love hands down! This is my favorite Bond movie period! This has the best combonation of elements to me, although GoldenEye and Goldfinger come in a close second!

peterparker05
07-24-2002, 03:31 PM
I voted On Her Majesty's Secret Service as it is not only a great Bond movie, but an entertaining action adventure at that while finding a nice balance of the Bond formula. Sure George Lazenby wasn't great, but he wasn't terrible either. Not to mention Diana Rigg as one of the best Bond girls of all time.

ZorBrak
07-24-2002, 06:26 PM
I voted for Goldfinger since Goldfinger is my second favorite, just after Goldeneye.

Calico
07-24-2002, 06:32 PM
On Her Majesty's Secret Service. How can anyone resist the heartbreaking last scene? I remember reading the book and being blown away. I'd really like to see it remade with Pierce Brosnan.

Eraserhead
07-24-2002, 09:20 PM
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE gets my vote.

I still fail to see why all the praise seems to always go to GOLDFINGER. Granted, Shirley Bassey's theme song is memorable and Oddjobb is one of the most recognizable henchmen in cinema, but....
...Bond spends nearly half the film held in captivity. A James Bond adventure HAS to have him free on assignment. Also, I found Auric Goldfinger to be a lame supervillain. After Bond outsmarts him at the card and golf games, I couldn't take Auric's threatening demands seriously anymore and became bored with the character.


If there had to be a runner-up, it would be The Spy Who Loved Me. Jaws rules. :D

I'm with ya there though!

Chris Wood
07-24-2002, 11:36 PM
Goldfinger gets lots of credit because it basically defined the Bond movie formula. The first two films were much more modest, more tradtional spy adventures. With Goldfinger we start to get the suggestive names, cool gadgets, zany henchmen, etc. - the whole package. All following films are derivative of Goldfinger in some way. There are other cool films like The Spy Who Loved Me, The Living Daylights, and The World is Not Enough, but it all started here.

peterparker05
07-25-2002, 12:22 AM
Without a doubt, I believe that if On Her Majesty's Secret Service had been made with Sean Connery it would be everyone's favorite.

Chris Wood
07-25-2002, 02:29 AM
Originally posted by peterparker05
Without a doubt, I believe that if On Her Majesty's Secret Service had been made with Sean Connery it would be everyone's favorite.

Could be. I find it a little tough to take Telly Savalas seriously as the tough guy though. He's had so many other silly roles.