I like the story where Sean Connery and Roger Moore ran into each other at an airport as they were going from one location to the next and talking about what they're doing in their respective Bond films.
Never Say Never is like the proto version of that thing they do a lot now, reviving legacy IP and wheeling out the old stars (with dubious results lol).
You could tell Connery had no idea either while filming, he looks confused. But I don't care I love this part and the motorcycle chase it leads into. It was like in the summer of '84 this is movie was on HBO everyday, along with Beastmaster.
Barbara Carrera was likely cast after her performance in spy spoof Condorman, which 100% deserves a retrospective. The official Bond series also used a few ideas from it as well.
Honestly this movie is a major guilty pleasure for me, largely because of how brilliant Barbara Carrera is in this film, so charismatic, so fun/entertaining, one of the best Bond henchmen, chewing the scenery with every second of screen-time, over-acting in the best way you could ask of a Bond villain. She's clearly loving every minute of making this film, compared to some of the other more sleepy performances in this film, after she dies the film really goes downhill. Very memorable actress of a few 80s b-movies and the Masada miniseries. Also a clear precursor to Famke Janssen's Xenia Onatopp in the very eccentric energy that Fatima Blush has, love the scene where she demands Bond admit she was the 'greatest rapture of her life'. What an odd film, but has many fun moments.
Octopussy is one of the most underrated of the James Bond films. There maybe too much humour in the film for some, but it was typical feature of the Roger Moore films. The pre-credit sequence alone is one of the best in the series.
The best part of Octopussy, in my opinion, is the latter half. When the movie finally arrived in Germany, it's well done. The stuff in India is too much of a farce and not in a good way.
Octopussy is an ok bond film, definitely entertaining and has some great actors in it, but i think octopussy and a view to kill are bottom of the barrel moore bond films despite having some high points.
Pamela Salem was also in one of the best of the Classic Doctor Who stories, Robots of Death, and was a popular character on Eastenders. She was a beautiful woman who was a very talented actress. She will be missed.
@@bjgandalf69 Also appeared in McCoy-era story 'Remembrance of the Daleks' as Prof. Rachel Jensen. She played Jensen again in six series of Big Finish audio spin-off 'Counter-Measures'. Highly recommended.
I caught some of this movie as a child and the death of Blush royally freaked me out. 22:22 It's the way she laughs maniacally after the dart hits her, and promptly explodes.
This one used to be on tv all the time when I was a kid in the 90s so ive seen it a million times. The intro is one of my favorite Bond intros because of how different it is, I loved the jungle aesthetic and Bond wearing the gloves, using all of these tricks and different methods of dispatching bas guys. The music never quite matched but I loved how 80s SLEAZE it was if that makes sense. Great video as always Oliver!
The first Retrospective/Review of 2024! Awesome as always. As I said in the community post, this is the first Sean Connery "James Bond" movie, and its technically not an official James Bond movie. Honestly, the behind the scenes stuff about this movie does indeed sound more interesting than the actual movie itself. Side note: Awesome new intro! :D
"You know that making love to Fatima was the greatest pleasure of your life." "Well, to be perfectly honest...there was this girl in Philadelphia." This may not be the greatest Bond movie, but it's a solid film with some cracking one-liners. Great review!
That scene is so hilariously fun, and probably the most witty writing of the film, and both Carrera and Connery having a ball in it. “Now write this. The greatest rapture in my life was afforded to me on a boat in Nassau by Fatima Blush” “I just remembered. It's against Service policy for agents to give endorsements.” Love the way Barbara Carrera just plays it up with how she says every word, especially the way she enunciates ‘double-o seven’ and cackles like a lunatic
I’m actually one of the few people who is a die hard bond fan who actually enjoys this movie. Irvin Kershner knows how to direct an action movie and this is no exception but the Behind The Scenes on the film is absolutely fascinating and deserves a movie of its own like The Disaster Artist
I totally agree! I really don't think this movie deserves the bad rep that it has. If all else its entertaining, and Sean is clearly having a lot of fun in the role again.
The video game sequence is so funny and a true sign of the times. Like, imagine Liam Neeson in Taken 4 being forced to do a speed run of Sonic the Hedgehog to disarm a bomb, or something.
It has some good bits, I really liked the gag of him scaring a guy into not moving by saying a small metal case is an explosive that explodes if he moves, and later it turns out to just be his cigar case.
Oliver your retrospective reviews are wonderful I love hearing you go in depth into famous and not so famous films which not many people cover on the platform
You have put together a most interesting summary of one of my favourite James Bond films. You’ve included clips I had never seen. And your discussion of the special effects is fascinating. The goal of “Never Say Never Again” was to be different from the Eon productions. In the case of “Octopussy,” one is justified in saying, “Thank Heaven!” Sean Connery’s main inspiration was “From Russia With Love,” emphasizing character and plot over sets, gadgets, and action for its own sake. This was meant to be an older Bond dealing with a changing MI6, and facing a nuclear threat even more relevant than at the time of “Thunderball.” (Sorry, but targeting Miami doesn’t seem as nerve-wracking as Washington DC and the Middle East!) Irvin Kershner praised Connery as the creative glue that held the production together. Despite the legal, budgetary, and script problems, Kershner said how much he loved his actors. But Connery was unfair to Jack Schwartzman, whose legal skills put the deal together in the first place. And it was Schwartzman who had to spend his time fighting Eon in the London High Court! On the topic of legal issues, fans should realize that, you don’t get to use theme music developed and owned by another corporation. (Schwartzman had enough problems!) Michel Legrand did a good job on short notice; his scoring for the French Riviera and Fatima’s underwater trap were excellent. And it was a refreshing change from John Barry’s increasing staleness. The theme song was good, well-done by Lani Hall. “Worst Bond score ever produced?” As opposed to “Diamonds Are Forever” or “Man With The Golden Gun”? And I challenge anyone to cite memorable passages from the Brosnan or Craig films. Personally, I found “Thunderball” more boring than you did. The characters are poorly developed, the underwater scenes really drag, Connery is going through the motions, and the whole thing is a Bahamas travelogue. (News flash: the director, Terence Young, was not fond of it, either!) The ending irritates me, as well. “Never Say Never Again” has a better one: Bond enjoying a blissful retirement in the Bahamas - like Connery himself - and saying farewell with a sly wink to camera.
Both never say never again and octopussy are fantastic films. They both made a huge amount of money at the box office. If I had to choose I would choose octopussy first, however like I said they are both good movies and are both in my library.
For me this is not only a great final story for Connery's Bond but also James Bond in general. Bond retiring in the Bahamas with Domino is such a perfect conclusion for a character who definitely deserved a happy ending.
For me, Barbara Carrera was the best 'bond girl' ever. Honestly, incredibly attractive and most importantly, captivating. It's a real shame she didn't have a much bigger career as a result.
@@bouya642 In what way? I'm not saying DAF is a good film, but it has it's merits, I can't see any redeeming features in those Craig films or Craig's Bond
Very good video, Oliver! I've never liked this movie, only watched it once and never again, good thing 'Octopussy' beat it at the Box Office. But I do find it fascinating on a behind the scenes basis, and I always enjoy watching these Reviews/Retrospectives. Thanks again!
I was listening to the soundtrack a few months ago and I really like this one. I think that the themes are perfectly cued in the movie, especially how the main theme starts up at the end where we transition from the underwater fight to Bond enjoying the swimming pool with his lady. I have to say I had a smile on my face for your entire retrospective, really nice research you did and the work you put into the images was phenomenal.
I think the best (and possibly the most realistic) Bond movie Connery was ever in is actually a non-Bond movie called "The Russia House", based on a book by John Le Carre. Co-starring Michelle Pfeiffer (who shares an unforgettable screen chemistry with Connery here) and Klaus Maria Brandauer, who happens to play Largo in Never Say Never Again.
Great review., I love this film even though it's a rival film. It was really good. Sean Connery brought back a lot of that toughness that was missed in the previous Bond films with Roger Moore. Thanks for doing another 007 flick, I loved all the other 007 reviews you did. *Hoping "Bond 26" will be a reality not a what if.
Great review and rundown of a troubled production. I have to be honest I always enjoy NSNA not without caveats though. The music wrong and using title song killed any build up of tension at the beginning of the movie. Pamela Salem (sadly whose death was announced today) makes a good Miss MP. Klause Maria brandeur and Barbara carrea make two of the Bonds most accomplished villains and Bernie ?? A great Felix leiter. It is still amazing that Schwartzman managed to release and MAKE NSNA and if he had brought in a line producer his problems would have lessened (although how many people would volunteer to do it ) knowing the power of EON productions. Finally Schwartzman sank 15 million of his own money into NSNA so should be applauded for courage if nothing else
Another greatv video.but can I just say that Hans Zimmer man of steel score/theme reigns supreme. Such a powerful piece of music. No cheese just brilliant
@22:03 So ... I imagine that this scene in the movie is the inspiration for the mission in Mass Effect 3, Citadel DLC, where you help Tali play a very similar strategy game with the same rules.
16:34 where did you get this footage from? I remember there was a documentary about this movie that came out around the time the movie was released. It was available on UA-cam but it was taken down years ago. I actually love this movie. It's like a Connery 007 movie but updated for the 80s. I have both the collector's edition DVD and Warner Clamshell VHS.
I watched/have a fan cut that used John Barry music and the gun barrel sequence in this movie. It... kinda worked. The fan cut used the Shirley Bassey/Propellerheads "History Repeating" song as the main title song and that REALLY worked.
I watched this film recently for the first time since the 90's when it would play regularly on tv. I have to say that I was genuinely surprised not only how well it holds up as a film, but how much better the experience was to see it in it's entirety without it being cut for commercial breaks. It might actually be Connery's best performance as Bond aside from maybe Goldfinger. In my opinion, it is a better film than Thunderball and far more entertaining. It does have it's 80's cringe (especially the music) but that's part of it's charm. Fatima Blush is the true villain of the film and she is not only beautiful but believable. At the time I first saw the film, it was one of my least favs of the series. Now it might be in the top 10. It's a really fun ride that never takes itself too seriously, and that's what's been sorely missing from Bond these last 20 years.
Yes. Connery was very focused and enthusiastic in NSNA(1983)! He really cared about the movie! And this is a good movie! There are jokes here but there is also a very serious content(nuclear terrorism) which I like! Sooooooo much better film than a spy comedy called DAF(1971)..........
I do like the Orion logo, I actually watched this back to back with Thunderball a few weeks ago, there's stuff I like but really I never thought it was anything then an oddity movie
Its funny how two prominent Bond actors had calamitous relationships with 90s action stars. Roger Moore expressing discontentment with his time on The Quest with Van Damme and Seagal breaking Sean Connery's wrist on this film. Those boys were a menace.
I once bumped into Klaus Maria Brandauer in Schipol airport in the early 90s. He was wearing a big fur coat, had a stunningly beautiful girl hanging onto each arm and had a huge shit-eating grin on his face. He was obviously three whets to the wind and was saying hello to everyone he passed. Top bloke!
Absolutely sensational video - and a superb analysis of this movie and everything that surrounded it. Fantastic work! When this came out it I remember it was a HUGE deal. The film got terrific reviews and I even remember all of us really loving it at the time. But it was probably just because Sean Connery was back. In the years since, of course, things have changed dramatically! I watched it again not too long ago and actually found a lot to enjoy. There were some fresh takes on a lot of the Thunderball material and the film seemed to move fast and have energy. Sean Connery was as great as ever in his return as James Bond and the villains were all terrific. The two main problems really were the action - which , outside of the fight at Scrublands and the Bike chase were pretty tepid and boring. And that music. I wouldn’t just call the score the worst of the Bond series - because of the iconic nature of James Bond music, you could even say it was one of the worst in movie HISTORY. It probably stands as one of the best examples ever of how vitally important music is to a movie. A great score could completely elevate a film and a poor score could absolutely sink it. Which is what happened here. I would love to see a re-release with a new score but I suppose the fan made ones are the only ones we’ll ever see! I’m still very happy this movie is out there - and I still rewatch it from time to time. It seems like a nice finale to Connery tenure as 007 and it’s just great seeing him back in action as James Bond one last time. ( that is - until The Rock years later! But that’s a story for another Oliver video!)
I was 9 when Never Say Never released. Until then, I had onky known Roger Moore as Bond, so I didn't get it. My dad had to explain to me that Connery had been the original. While I do think Octopussy is the better of the two, I do enjoy Never Say Never and it is part of my Bond collection.
- Barbara Carrera could have been in Octopussy (Octopussy? Magda?) but chose the non-EON film in order to have a chance to work with Connery and/or Kershner; - Had Bernie Casey not played Felix Leiter would Jeffrey Wright have been cast as the EON version thereof, decades later? - Another splendid retrospective by Oliver; still patiently waiting for your in-depth video of Octopussy (followed by all the 1960s Bond films, including the David Niven/1967 version of Casino Royale) ! 😉📽
This movie is one of the most shocking shifts in quality I've ever seen from a director. Empire Strikes Back isn't just the best Star Wars film, but honestly one of the best films ever made... Then Irving Kershner makes this. Like, NO aspect of the quality transfered over, but the most striking difference is the cinematography. Empire looks timess, vibrant colors, naturalistic lighting, gorgeous egfects.... but this looks like something from the 60s, down to the old style over lit no defusion lighting and the horendous soundtrack
The fight between Bond and the thug in Shrublands in this film, Bond vs Grant, and the fight between the butler and Necros in The Living Daylights are all S tier.
I am from McClory's hometown and he is featured as one of Dun Laoghaire's highlighted celebrities at the train station. I just can't get behind him though, due to so much squabbling and legal issues with Fleming and EON Productions. You can feel the legal issues seeping into the final film. That said, having alternate versions of M, Q, Leiter and Blofeld is interesting, as is Connery's older Bond being pulled off better than later films doing the 'too old for this' theme.
Kevin McClory had legitimate rights to his own Bond stories (ten, including “Thunderball”), that he had worked on with Ian Fleming and Jack Whittingham. He signed a contract with Eon that would allow him to make his films after 1976. Eon then reneged on the agreement - not surprising, considering the money involved. “Warhead” - co-written by Sean Connery and Len Deighton - was blocked, with Eon changing its story: that McClory only had the right to remake “Thunderball.” Even then, they were fighting in the London High Court throughout the making of “Never Say Never Again.” Fortunately, it was now in the hands of Jack Schwartzman, an entertainment lawyer who put together the deal that enticed Connery to return. McClory’s problem was that he waited too long to sue Eon’s ass for using his material. Plus, he neglected to build up his legal infrastructure between 1966 and 1976. Schwartzman succeeded where McClory failed. But that doesn’t excuse Eon’s shoddy operations.
I think this is a very fair evaluation of this film. The casting is good (love Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush), as are the locations and action. I completely disagree, however, with your assessment of Thunderball. That is my absolute favorite of all the Bond films.
I have a soft spot for this movie despite its issues. The title song is actually my favorite of any Bond film, it’s jazzy in a synth 80s way I very much enjoy. Also if you squint your eyes hard enough, the opening scene with Bond infiltrating the armed base in fatigues could give an idea of what a Metal Gear movie could be like, it’s very cool.
Another nice overview as always Oliver. I would say if you’re further interested in the Thunderball saga you should definitely get a copy of The Battle for Bond as nothing else has gone into that level of detail about the development of the story and then the McClory saga. It’s out of print but very much worth tracking down. I finally got a copy before doing my Thunderball and Never Say Never Again commentary tracks. NSNA is such an odd film that is entirely explained by the craziness of its production. It could’ve worked fully had the producer not been entirely inexperienced and the back and forth causing the scripting troubles. It was a mistake to fire Semple when they did. It’s also unfair on a quality level to compare it to Octopussy as NSNA is more of a studio executive’s idea of what a Bond film is. The film still has great bits peppered throughout, nice humor and is made by Connery and Brandauer’s performances. I think the shark attack and Domination scenes are by far the best in the film. It’s amazing how flat the film feels with the incredible names in the cast and crew. It even looks flat (this is made worse by the video transfers) and has a pitifully wimpy Dolby Stereo mix. I’ll always be fascinated by the film and its production. I grew up avoiding it and eventually grew to enjoy the aspects I like which are essentially the aged Bond as the man in the field whose experience makes the difference. They needed to go further down this route along the lines of the contemporary John Gardner continuation novels. The inherent issues of the Thunderball story remain as they did in the EON film which is what dragged it down to a degree-these also harmed the novel. You never get away from it being designed as a film treatment in the 1950’s. The best parts of Fleming’s novel and the 1965 film are the original moments. I do have to completely disagree on NSNA being above Thunderball though. Especially the photography. Thunderball is very well lensed by Ted Moore and while Douglas Slocombe gets some nice setups here and there even his imagery is affected by the chaotic production. This would be alleviated somewhat if both films could get the modern 4K scan and proper transfers they deserve but sadly MGM and EON don’t care.
I am really surprised this movie was praised by critics as much as it was.Probably due to nostalgia for Connery I guess..I found this weaker than most(not all) of the official Bond releases..This just felt cheaper than other Bond flicks. I did enjoy it though
~23:30: There’s a guy watching Kim Bassinger in the arcade who looks exactly like Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill. As a kid, I wondered if it really was he.
I've always said there was a good movie filmed but it sadly never made it on screen. Felt a bit sorry for Connery being in the middle this dog's dinner and trying to do the job of the producer. If the original reels exist, it would be nice to have a new cut of the film.... with a new score of course!
While there are many things I really love about this movie--Connery back in the shoulder holster, Barbara C. as Fatima Blush, and Bernie Casey as Felix L.--there are many things that I really don't care for. As much as I love the past musical scores by the great Michel Legrand ("The Thomas Crown Affair," "Bullitt," "The Summer of '42"), he was absolutely the wrong person to score "Never Say Never Again." The music simply didn't fit, and it took the whole movie down several notches. I tried to watch "NSNA" a couple years ago, but I had to shut it off after about thirty minutes. It just dragged on and on and on--frankly, I was bored. If nothing else, it was wonderful seeing Sean Connery back in action!
I'm surprised when talking about the history of the script you didn't mention the Italian made knock off Operation Kid Brother (AKA Operation Double 007) starring Sean's actual Brother Neil Connery, and bringing in several Bond Alumni from Thunderball as well.
I like the story where Sean Connery and Roger Moore ran into each other at an airport as they were going from one location to the next and talking about what they're doing in their respective Bond films.
Roger was actually up for cameo-ing in Never. But Cubby put his foot down and wouldn't allow it.
@@davidjames579that woulda been freaking hilarious
@@koldfyre4505 what has your comment got to do with anything?
It’s called engagement, guy.
@@davidjames579
Didn’t know that but wow - that’s a great story!!
I love the Orion Pictures intro at the beginning of the video. It's so 80s that it deserves a like for this video alone.
The tune from it I always associate with The Terminator
Me too itsbGENOUS !😂😂😂😂
Never Say Never is like the proto version of that thing they do a lot now, reviving legacy IP and wheeling out the old stars (with dubious results lol).
As well as telling the exact same story again but worse…
Lol and they even made Felix black
Joking aside this felix was ok prolly better than the guy they had in thunderball
What are some modern examples? I don't follow media news.
@@ThanatoselNyx star wars, indiana, sex and the city, mext gen star trek... 😂
True that !
My jaw dropped during the video game sequence. "umm... what's going on now?.... Wait, what?"
Yeah, it's weird how jarring that shift in tech was in movies.
As a young kid at the time I was blown away tbh. It loved like fun! 😂 I wanted a ⚡️
With the Cylon like voice
Electric shocks if you get hit. Who said video games are violent?
You could tell Connery had no idea either while filming, he looks confused. But I don't care I love this part and the motorcycle chase it leads into. It was like in the summer of '84 this is movie was on HBO everyday, along with Beastmaster.
Barbara Carrera was likely cast after her performance in spy spoof Condorman, which 100% deserves a retrospective. The official Bond series also used a few ideas from it as well.
Thanx for the tip.
There’s a fantastic book called “The Battle For Bond” by Robert Sellers, and it highlights the Thunderball rights issues.
I'd love to have it but unfortunately it's out of print
@@joshbaker1581can't find it on eBay? Lots of out of print books on there
@@joshbaker1581 true, it's probably available in 2nd hand book stores, or antique shops
27:15 I like how in the end credits at the end, they just say fuck it and let Herb Alpert rip on the horn
Last Sean Connery Bond was in 1995 “The Rock”
What timing. Considering the actress who played Miss Moneypenny in this just recently passed away.
Honestly this movie is a major guilty pleasure for me, largely because of how brilliant Barbara Carrera is in this film, so charismatic, so fun/entertaining, one of the best Bond henchmen, chewing the scenery with every second of screen-time, over-acting in the best way you could ask of a Bond villain. She's clearly loving every minute of making this film, compared to some of the other more sleepy performances in this film, after she dies the film really goes downhill. Very memorable actress of a few 80s b-movies and the Masada miniseries. Also a clear precursor to Famke Janssen's Xenia Onatopp in the very eccentric energy that Fatima Blush has, love the scene where she demands Bond admit she was the 'greatest rapture of her life'. What an odd film, but has many fun moments.
Yes . Once she dies the movie does too
This is a guilty pleasure for me.
Octopussy is one of the most underrated of the James Bond films. There maybe too much humour in the film for some, but it was typical feature of the Roger Moore films. The pre-credit sequence alone is one of the best in the series.
The best part of Octopussy, in my opinion, is the latter half. When the movie finally arrived in Germany, it's well done. The stuff in India is too much of a farce and not in a good way.
@@ricardocantoral7672 I didn't mind the humour, the action sequences were well staged, and the pace was fast moving throughout.
Octopussy is an ok bond film, definitely entertaining and has some great actors in it, but i think octopussy and a view to kill are bottom of the barrel moore bond films despite having some high points.
Octopussy, great Cold War Crime Story. Humorous and grim at the same time.
Fill her up please.
RIP Pamala Salem (Miss Moneypenny)
She was in the Great Train Robbery with Sean Connery too. Very beautiful lady. I didn't know she had just passed away, RIP.
LMAO - Under your comment that was written in English, is a link to "Translate to English"
Pamela Salem was also in one of the best of the Classic Doctor Who stories, Robots of Death, and was a popular character on Eastenders. She was a beautiful woman who was a very talented actress. She will be missed.
Moneypenny(Pamela Salem), Felix Leiter and Q were great in NSNA(1983)! Only M's character was a real d*ck...
@@bjgandalf69 Also appeared in McCoy-era story 'Remembrance of the Daleks' as Prof. Rachel Jensen. She played Jensen again in six series of Big Finish audio spin-off 'Counter-Measures'. Highly recommended.
I cannot WAIT to get off work to watch this! These 007 Retrospectives are the best!
I caught some of this movie as a child and the death of Blush royally freaked me out. 22:22 It's the way she laughs maniacally after the dart hits her, and promptly explodes.
Yes!!!! I love your retrospectives! Please do more, yours are the best and most comprehensive on YT
This one used to be on tv all the time when I was a kid in the 90s so ive seen it a million times. The intro is one of my favorite Bond intros because of how different it is, I loved the jungle aesthetic and Bond wearing the gloves, using all of these tricks and different methods of dispatching bas guys. The music never quite matched but I loved how 80s SLEAZE it was if that makes sense. Great video as always Oliver!
The first Retrospective/Review of 2024! Awesome as always.
As I said in the community post, this is the first Sean Connery "James Bond" movie, and its technically not an official James Bond movie. Honestly, the behind the scenes stuff about this movie does indeed sound more interesting than the actual movie itself.
Side note: Awesome new intro! :D
This was my introduction to Sean Connery's James Bond. As a kid, I liked the video game scene.
"You know that making love to Fatima was the greatest pleasure of your life."
"Well, to be perfectly honest...there was this girl in Philadelphia."
This may not be the greatest Bond movie, but it's a solid film with some cracking one-liners. Great review!
Connery is enjoying himself more in this film than his last 2 outings in the official series. It helps the movie a lot.
That scene is so hilariously fun, and probably the most witty writing of the film, and both Carrera and Connery having a ball in it. “Now write this. The greatest rapture in my life was afforded to me on a boat in Nassau by Fatima Blush” “I just remembered. It's against Service policy for agents to give endorsements.” Love the way Barbara Carrera just plays it up with how she says every word, especially the way she enunciates ‘double-o seven’ and cackles like a lunatic
I’m actually one of the few people who is a die hard bond fan who actually enjoys this movie. Irvin Kershner knows how to direct an action movie and this is no exception but the Behind The Scenes on the film is absolutely fascinating and deserves a movie of its own like The Disaster Artist
I totally agree! I really don't think this movie deserves the bad rep that it has. If all else its entertaining, and Sean is clearly having a lot of fun in the role again.
My family always watched and saw this as bond I still love this bond ❤️❤️❤️
Oh hellz yes it must be my birthday because theres a new OLIVER RETROSPECTIVE you rock dude. Better than any official documentaries about movie
Pamela Salem, Miss Moneypenny passed away 2 days ago (21/02/2024). RIP.
It's kind of eerie how you released this video on the same day that Pamela Salem's death hit the news
The video game sequence is so funny and a true sign of the times. Like, imagine Liam Neeson in Taken 4 being forced to do a speed run of Sonic the Hedgehog to disarm a bomb, or something.
Fabulous work again Olly. Thank you I love your bond retrospectives.
It has some good bits, I really liked the gag of him scaring a guy into not moving by saying a small metal case is an explosive that explodes if he moves, and later it turns out to just be his cigar case.
Yes, that was very funny. 😂
I really enjoyed Barbara Carrera's performance. I got the impression that she was having fun too.
Oliver your retrospective reviews are wonderful I love hearing you go in depth into famous and not so famous films which not many people cover on the platform
Awesome review. Re watched this movie and loved it. Even parts of the score were pretty sweet and I want to sample it to make a beat out of it lol.
If they ever make a movie about the making of never say never again, they should cast Timothy spall as mclory and Geoffrey rush as flemming
Great job, Oliver Harper!!!!
Love love love LOVE THE NEW OPENING!
I really appreciate this channel! Keep it up!
Gavan O'Herlihy played one of the most infamous characters in U.S. sitcom history: Chuck Cunningham during the first season of Happy Days.
Thunderball is one of my favorite Bond movies
I watched it again recently and it was certainly better than I remembered
How tf does he still only have 230K?! Such an amazing channel
One of the best movie channels. I love Oliver Harper‘s Retrospective series and have been a subscriber to the channel for many years.
@@lennynero635 you and I both, stumbled by accident and haven’t looked back since
Don't even like the Bond movies for the most part, but I'll always tune in for a new Oliver retrospective!
Hi Oliver...Love, Love...LOOOOOVE your adaptation of the old ORION movie intro. Top tier, my friend.
You have put together a most interesting summary of one of my favourite James Bond films. You’ve included clips I had never seen. And your discussion of the special effects is fascinating.
The goal of “Never Say Never Again” was to be different from the Eon productions. In the case of “Octopussy,” one is justified in saying, “Thank Heaven!” Sean Connery’s main inspiration was “From Russia With Love,” emphasizing character and plot over sets, gadgets, and action for its own sake. This was meant to be an older Bond dealing with a changing MI6, and facing a nuclear threat even more relevant than at the time of “Thunderball.” (Sorry, but targeting Miami doesn’t seem as nerve-wracking as Washington DC and the Middle East!)
Irvin Kershner praised Connery as the creative glue that held the production together. Despite the legal, budgetary, and script problems, Kershner said how much he loved his actors. But Connery was unfair to Jack Schwartzman, whose legal skills put the deal together in the first place. And it was Schwartzman who had to spend his time fighting Eon in the London High Court!
On the topic of legal issues, fans should realize that, you don’t get to use theme music developed and owned by another corporation. (Schwartzman had enough problems!) Michel Legrand did a good job on short notice; his scoring for the French Riviera and Fatima’s underwater trap were excellent. And it was a refreshing change from John Barry’s increasing staleness. The theme song was good, well-done by Lani Hall. “Worst Bond score ever produced?” As opposed to “Diamonds Are Forever” or “Man With The Golden Gun”? And I challenge anyone to cite memorable passages from the Brosnan or Craig films.
Personally, I found “Thunderball” more boring than you did. The characters are poorly developed, the underwater scenes really drag, Connery is going through the motions, and the whole thing is a Bahamas travelogue. (News flash: the director, Terence Young, was not fond of it, either!) The ending irritates me, as well. “Never Say Never Again” has a better one: Bond enjoying a blissful retirement in the Bahamas - like Connery himself - and saying farewell with a sly wink to camera.
I Love how informative these retrospectives are!
My first Bond, and still my favorite.
Brilliant review. It made my day. Also loved your movie. Thanks
Both never say never again and octopussy are fantastic films. They both made a huge amount of money at the box office. If I had to choose I would choose octopussy first, however like I said they are both good movies and are both in my library.
For me this is not only a great final story for Connery's Bond but also James Bond in general. Bond retiring in the Bahamas with Domino is such a perfect conclusion for a character who definitely deserved a happy ending.
Roger Moore version of Bond has a similar "final story" - or _would have, had he ended his stint with 8P_ .
Yeah better than blowing him up on an island!
Problem is it's a Thunderball remake, effectively being a what-if scenario for Connery's Bond.
Great retrospective as usual. Btw, love the clip from Stella Street!
For me, Barbara Carrera was the best 'bond girl' ever. Honestly, incredibly attractive and most importantly, captivating. It's a real shame she didn't have a much bigger career as a result.
Oliver you are bang on the money. For your eyes only is the greatest score to a bond film.
Connery looks in better shape than he did in diamonds are forever😀
But not hairpiece or makeup.
Like most Bond films, this is superior in every aspect to Diamonds are Forever, except for the song.
@@saxbend Diamonds are Forever is better than SPECTRE, QOS and NTTD.
@@sandersson2813 Nah bro... QOS, Spectre and NTTD are much better than DAF
@@bouya642 In what way? I'm not saying DAF is a good film, but it has it's merits, I can't see any redeeming features in those Craig films or Craig's Bond
Very good video, Oliver! I've never liked this movie, only watched it once and never again, good thing 'Octopussy' beat it at the Box Office. But I do find it fascinating on a behind the scenes basis, and I always enjoy watching these Reviews/Retrospectives. Thanks again!
Knickers in a twist. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Brilliant, Oliver!
Well done Oliver. It is sad there are so many actors who have passed away.
We all pass away
As always: great retrospective! And you right in every regard concerning that lackluster score... What a shame they couldn't hire James Horner.
Right in time for dinner...Brilliant!
I was listening to the soundtrack a few months ago and I really like this one. I think that the themes are perfectly cued in the movie, especially how the main theme starts up at the end where we transition from the underwater fight to Bond enjoying the swimming pool with his lady.
I have to say I had a smile on my face for your entire retrospective, really nice research you did and the work you put into the images was phenomenal.
I think the best (and possibly the most realistic) Bond movie Connery was ever in is actually a non-Bond movie called "The Russia House", based on a book by John Le Carre. Co-starring Michelle Pfeiffer (who shares an unforgettable screen chemistry with Connery here) and Klaus Maria Brandauer, who happens to play Largo in Never Say Never Again.
Love your James Bond retrospectives!!!
Ah, what a great intro!
Great review., I love this film even though it's a rival film. It was really good. Sean Connery brought back a lot of that toughness that was missed in the previous Bond films with Roger Moore.
Thanks for doing another 007 flick, I loved all the other 007 reviews you did.
*Hoping "Bond 26" will be a reality not a what if.
Great review and rundown of a troubled production. I have to be honest I always enjoy NSNA not without caveats though.
The music wrong and using title song killed any build up of tension at the beginning of the movie.
Pamela Salem (sadly whose death was announced today) makes a good Miss MP.
Klause Maria brandeur and Barbara carrea make two of the Bonds most accomplished villains and Bernie ?? A great Felix leiter.
It is still amazing that Schwartzman managed to release and MAKE NSNA and if he had brought in a line producer his problems would have lessened (although how many people would volunteer to do it ) knowing the power of EON productions.
Finally Schwartzman sank 15 million of his own money into NSNA so should be applauded for courage if nothing else
Bernie Casey. Whom I think has also died.
Yeah he really good actor. Wasn't he professional footballer prior to acting ?
Bernie Casey was a very good Felix Leiter. Great in everything he was in.
Another greatv video.but can I just say that Hans Zimmer man of steel score/theme reigns supreme. Such a powerful piece of music. No cheese just brilliant
@22:03 So ... I imagine that this scene in the movie is the inspiration for the mission in Mass Effect 3, Citadel DLC, where you help Tali play a very similar strategy game with the same rules.
16:34 where did you get this footage from? I remember there was a documentary about this movie that came out around the time the movie was released. It was available on UA-cam but it was taken down years ago. I actually love this movie. It's like a Connery 007 movie but updated for the 80s. I have both the collector's edition DVD and Warner Clamshell VHS.
Pamela Salem who played Moneypenny passed away.
I watched/have a fan cut that used John Barry music and the gun barrel sequence in this movie. It... kinda worked. The fan cut used the Shirley Bassey/Propellerheads "History Repeating" song as the main title song and that REALLY worked.
I watched this film recently for the first time since the 90's when it would play regularly on tv. I have to say that I was genuinely surprised not only how well it holds up as a film, but how much better the experience was to see it in it's entirety without it being cut for commercial breaks. It might actually be Connery's best performance as Bond aside from maybe Goldfinger. In my opinion, it is a better film than Thunderball and far more entertaining. It does have it's 80's cringe (especially the music) but that's part of it's charm. Fatima Blush is the true villain of the film and she is not only beautiful but believable. At the time I first saw the film, it was one of my least favs of the series. Now it might be in the top 10. It's a really fun ride that never takes itself too seriously, and that's what's been sorely missing from Bond these last 20 years.
Yes. Connery was very focused and enthusiastic in NSNA(1983)! He really cared about the movie! And this is a good movie! There are jokes here but there is also a very serious content(nuclear terrorism) which I like! Sooooooo much better film than a spy comedy called DAF(1971)..........
*This is actually my favorite 007 film*
Same!!!
I do like the Orion logo, I actually watched this back to back with Thunderball a few weeks ago, there's stuff I like but really I never thought it was anything then an oddity movie
Excellent video on this crazy movie. Thanks Oliver
Its funny how two prominent Bond actors had calamitous relationships with 90s action stars. Roger Moore expressing discontentment with his time on The Quest with Van Damme and Seagal breaking Sean Connery's wrist on this film. Those boys were a menace.
I once bumped into Klaus Maria Brandauer in Schipol airport in the early 90s. He was wearing a big fur coat, had a stunningly beautiful girl hanging onto each arm and had a huge shit-eating grin on his face. He was obviously three whets to the wind and was saying hello to everyone he passed. Top bloke!
*sheets to the wind, not whets. Stoopid tiny phone.
😂😂😂 #legend!
"THERE WAS THIS GIRL IN PHILIDELPHIA."
LOL!!!!
barbara carrera presence in this movie woke up a lot of things in me when I watched it at 11 years old back in 94.
Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jnr is best remembered for the Batman66 pilot and movie.
Absolutely sensational video - and a superb analysis of this movie and everything that surrounded it.
Fantastic work!
When this came out it I remember it was a HUGE deal.
The film got terrific reviews and I even remember all of us really loving it at the time.
But it was probably just because Sean Connery was back.
In the years since, of course, things have changed dramatically!
I watched it again not too long ago and actually found a lot to enjoy.
There were some fresh takes on a lot of the Thunderball material and the film seemed to move fast and have energy.
Sean Connery was as great as ever in his return as James Bond and the villains were all terrific.
The two main problems really were the action -
which , outside of the fight at Scrublands and the Bike chase
were pretty tepid and boring.
And that music.
I wouldn’t just call the score the worst of the Bond series
- because of the iconic nature of James Bond music, you could even say it was one of the worst in movie HISTORY.
It probably stands as one of the best examples ever of how vitally important music is to a movie.
A great score could completely elevate a film and a poor score could absolutely sink it.
Which is what happened here.
I would love to see a re-release with a new score but I suppose the fan made ones are the only ones we’ll ever see!
I’m still very happy this movie is out there - and I still rewatch it from time to time.
It seems like a nice finale to Connery tenure as 007 and it’s just great seeing him back in action as James Bond one last time.
( that is - until The Rock years later! But that’s a story for another Oliver video!)
I was 9 when Never Say Never released. Until then, I had onky known Roger Moore as Bond, so I didn't get it. My dad had to explain to me that Connery had been the original. While I do think Octopussy is the better of the two, I do enjoy Never Say Never and it is part of my Bond collection.
REALLY enjoy these. thank you.
- Barbara Carrera could have been in Octopussy (Octopussy? Magda?) but chose the non-EON film in order to have a chance to work with Connery and/or Kershner;
- Had Bernie Casey not played Felix Leiter would Jeffrey Wright have been cast as the EON version thereof, decades later?
- Another splendid retrospective by Oliver; still patiently waiting for your in-depth video of Octopussy (followed by all the 1960s Bond films, including the David Niven/1967 version of Casino Royale) ! 😉📽
Great job oliver 👏
This movie is one of the most shocking shifts in quality I've ever seen from a director. Empire Strikes Back isn't just the best Star Wars film, but honestly one of the best films ever made... Then Irving Kershner makes this. Like, NO aspect of the quality transfered over, but the most striking difference is the cinematography. Empire looks timess, vibrant colors, naturalistic lighting, gorgeous egfects.... but this looks like something from the 60s, down to the old style over lit no defusion lighting and the horendous soundtrack
Pretty easy to make a film look good in 90% controlled conditions of the studio. A lot of this movie was shot on location.
I always liked it was on tv a lot,and seeing a older retireing bond and some good set pieces
The fight between Bond and the thug in Shrublands in this film, Bond vs Grant, and the fight between the butler and Necros in The Living Daylights are all S tier.
I am from McClory's hometown and he is featured as one of Dun Laoghaire's highlighted celebrities at the train station. I just can't get behind him though, due to so much squabbling and legal issues with Fleming and EON Productions. You can feel the legal issues seeping into the final film.
That said, having alternate versions of M, Q, Leiter and Blofeld is interesting, as is Connery's older Bond being pulled off better than later films doing the 'too old for this' theme.
Kevin McClory had legitimate rights to his own Bond stories (ten, including “Thunderball”), that he had worked on with Ian Fleming and Jack Whittingham. He signed a contract with Eon that would allow him to make his films after 1976. Eon then reneged on the agreement - not surprising, considering the money involved. “Warhead” - co-written by Sean Connery and Len Deighton - was blocked, with Eon changing its story: that McClory only had the right to remake “Thunderball.” Even then, they were fighting in the London High Court throughout the making of “Never Say Never Again.” Fortunately, it was now in the hands of Jack Schwartzman, an entertainment lawyer who put together the deal that enticed Connery to return.
McClory’s problem was that he waited too long to sue Eon’s ass for using his material. Plus, he neglected to build up his legal infrastructure between 1966 and 1976. Schwartzman succeeded where McClory failed. But that doesn’t excuse Eon’s shoddy operations.
I think this is a very fair evaluation of this film. The casting is good (love Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush), as are the locations and action. I completely disagree, however, with your assessment of Thunderball. That is my absolute favorite of all the Bond films.
I have a soft spot for this movie despite its issues. The title song is actually my favorite of any Bond film, it’s jazzy in a synth 80s way I very much enjoy. Also if you squint your eyes hard enough, the opening scene with Bond infiltrating the armed base in fatigues could give an idea of what a Metal Gear movie could be like, it’s very cool.
I kind of like the (title) song as well; it simply does not belong during what turned out to be a training exercise sequence!
Great video!
I always liked this one as a kid.
Never knew it was 'unofficial'
A retrospective from Oliver Harper on a Connery Bond film. What a pleasant surprise!
...the very first retrospective of a "Connery Bond" film by Oliver, if I am not mistaken!
They didn’t have official rights to the bond film iconography but didn’t the shield during the video game feel like a sneaky gun barrel image?
14:18 Can you please explain to me what you meant by the cat making biscuits? I'm confused.
It’s kneading its paws 😊
@@PhantosTheHedgehog Thanks for the help lol
You couldn't be more wrong about the opening song- one of my faves!
Love your retrospectives! Please do a magnum pi retrospective!
Another nice overview as always Oliver. I would say if you’re further interested in the Thunderball saga you should definitely get a copy of The Battle for Bond as nothing else has gone into that level of detail about the development of the story and then the McClory saga. It’s out of print but very much worth tracking down. I finally got a copy before doing my Thunderball and Never Say Never Again commentary tracks.
NSNA is such an odd film that is entirely explained by the craziness of its production. It could’ve worked fully had the producer not been entirely inexperienced and the back and forth causing the scripting troubles. It was a mistake to fire Semple when they did. It’s also unfair on a quality level to compare it to Octopussy as NSNA is more of a studio executive’s idea of what a Bond film is.
The film still has great bits peppered throughout, nice humor and is made by Connery and Brandauer’s performances. I think the shark attack and Domination scenes are by far the best in the film.
It’s amazing how flat the film feels with the incredible names in the cast and crew. It even looks flat (this is made worse by the video transfers) and has a pitifully wimpy Dolby Stereo mix.
I’ll always be fascinated by the film and its production. I grew up avoiding it and eventually grew to enjoy the aspects I like which are essentially the aged Bond as the man in the field whose experience makes the difference. They needed to go further down this route along the lines of the contemporary John Gardner continuation novels.
The inherent issues of the Thunderball story remain as they did in the EON film which is what dragged it down to a degree-these also harmed the novel. You never get away from it being designed as a film treatment in the 1950’s. The best parts of Fleming’s novel and the 1965 film are the original moments.
I do have to completely disagree on NSNA being above Thunderball though. Especially the photography. Thunderball is very well lensed by Ted Moore and while Douglas Slocombe gets some nice setups here and there even his imagery is affected by the chaotic production. This would be alleviated somewhat if both films could get the modern 4K scan and proper transfers they deserve but sadly MGM and EON don’t care.
I am really surprised this movie was praised by critics as much as it was.Probably due to nostalgia for Connery I guess..I found this weaker than most(not all) of the official Bond releases..This just felt cheaper than other Bond flicks. I did enjoy it though
As a kid I never questioned there being 2 different actors playing Bond at the same time, I just cared about if the movie was entertaining or not.
~23:30: There’s a guy watching Kim Bassinger in the arcade who looks exactly like Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill. As a kid, I wondered if it really was he.
I've always said there was a good movie filmed but it sadly never made it on screen. Felt a bit sorry for Connery being in the middle this dog's dinner and trying to do the job of the producer. If the original reels exist, it would be nice to have a new cut of the film.... with a new score of course!
27:02 Phyllis was devastated by this move
While there are many things I really love about this movie--Connery back in the shoulder holster, Barbara C. as Fatima Blush, and Bernie Casey as Felix L.--there are many things that I really don't care for. As much as I love the past musical scores by the great Michel Legrand ("The Thomas Crown Affair," "Bullitt," "The Summer of '42"), he was absolutely the wrong person to score "Never Say Never Again." The music simply didn't fit, and it took the whole movie down several notches. I tried to watch "NSNA" a couple years ago, but I had to shut it off after about thirty minutes. It just dragged on and on and on--frankly, I was bored. If nothing else, it was wonderful seeing Sean Connery back in action!
I'm surprised when talking about the history of the script you didn't mention the Italian made knock off Operation Kid Brother (AKA Operation Double 007) starring Sean's actual Brother Neil Connery, and bringing in several Bond Alumni from Thunderball as well.