The fact that Dalton tried (successfully) to bring Fleming's Bond to the screen isn't really his biggest achievement, but the fact that he did it right after the "light" Bond played by Moore... THAT took a lot of guts. I deeply respect Dalton for choosing the hard way.
@@btf_flotsam478 then why didn't people like Dalton's Bond that much lol(or did they?) if anything it was a breath of fresh air. The Living Daylights reinvented Bond in almost the same way that Goldeneye did. People still had the Moore hangover.
There is a reason why Cubby pursued Dalton for years. He was fist asked in 69 and turned down the roll saying he was too young. That alone shows how true to character he was. Definitely an excellent Bond.
I love the archive stuff with Dalton. He might have been uncomfortable with the fame side of Bond, but listening to him talk about the literary Bond.... he really did his homework. Talking about which books would have been appropriate for Dalton, I think a reworked OHMSS/YOLTT/TMWTGG trilogy would have been suitable for Dalton.
Timothy Dalton definitely read the novels. His take on the character in TLD press conference is lifted directly from one of the books. Fleming spells it out.
Brosnan is seemingly the full package but he chose to play it tongue in cheek & in the style of Connery & Moore plus none of stories were Fleming’s 💥💥🔫
It's interesting that when Dalton was hired, I remember most people basically thinking of him as a lookalike substitute for the unavailable Pierce Brosnan, who had been a popular favorite to play Bond for a while. Yet the Bond films they actually made are regarded so differently.
@@theoconstantinou2839 except Pierce never wanted to play the constantly quipping Bond that he became later. On numerous occasions he had voiced his displeasure to the scriptwriter and the director for overabundance of quips and snarks and how it wasn't the right way, only to be rebuked by them and proven right by the critics and fans alike.
@George Gershwin Dalton turned it down @ a time long before Briosnan was was even considered for the part back in the 68/69 Remington Steele wasn’t until 82 to 87
When I read Fleming's works, I switch between Connery and Dalton in my head as the scene dictates. Connery is Bond's cool exterior. Dalton is Bond's troubled interior.
Totally agree with your list. Dalton in TLD is what I think of as Bond. But Connery just started the role in such an amazing way and he's just an incredible actor on top of everything...I think most guys would all like to resemble his version of Bond at some time in our life.
@Jason O'Toole I think you make a good point. However, after 45 years of being a Bond fan, I have to say that I cannot picture any of the other actors being able to take Craig's part on screen. None of those other actors could display the shear physicality of the action sequences that Craig pulls off. Moore was an old man. I think about Connery. Every fight was slow running, really fake punches and that horrible, silly upbeat dee-dee, dee-dee, deeeee music that was in ALL of his films. If you think hard, you can hear it . Dee-dee, dee-dee, deeeee...
Despite only two films, Dalton showed a far greater range of emotions than any other Bond actor IMO. In one scene we saw him go from hopeful and enjoying himself, to pure anger and rage, and then to cool and calm. Yet his version almost always seemed to be on edge (as Dalton mentioned taking from the books), as he had a feeling he constantly had a target on his back.
Prater cafe scene right? So many insights into the character in that scene. Bond vaulting the wall, and his reaction to startling that mother and son, it's just perfect.
@@tcaudiobooks737 yep that’s the one, and it remains one of my favorite scenes from the Bond franchise. Bond finally felt “safe” enough to let his guard down for a few moments, and because of this his ally/friend is killed. Bond let’s his rage take over for a few moments, only to startle the mother and child before regaining his cool. I don’t think any other scenes from the Bond franchise display so much character emotion as that one.
@@joemax4 Yes he startles the mother because he pulled his PPK! A great scene for sure. A little earlier, he kept winning stuffed animals for Kara shooting that rifle in the arcade game. A classic moment, and no over the top humor involved. This moment was one of the best in the franchise IMO. Bond wins another stuffed animal and the arcade employee yells "oh no not again!"
I don't know about that, Dalton's Bond seemed a bit too defined by his intensity and angry outbursts. True, Fleming's Bond could certainly be an angry character, but he could also be sad, melancholy, and even kinda funny sometimes. Craig's Bond had all these traits down, whereas Dalton mostly just showed the angry side of the character.
@@jamesatkinsonja Yes, but he didn't really hit his stride until the next film, and especially Goldfinger. In Dr. No he was still findng his way in the part and his coaching by Terrence Young was pretty apparent.
I think the fact that Dalton only portrayed Bond twice works both for and against him. He put in two fantastic performances that brilliantly portray Fleming's literary creation on screen, but he didn't really get the scope to address the subtle changes to the book character, which as you say Fleming did throw into his series.
If he would did the third one, he would have gotten away with the image of Fleming's bond he worked so hard to mould himself in TLD and LTK so you can say destiny didn't want that.
Credit to Brosnan, on the GoldenEye poster he has the comma of hair over the forehead that Fleming describes Bond having. I know it’s a very minor point, but considering how particular Fleming is about it, it’s cool that they called back to it.
Exactly, I always hated people saying his hair was "too long" in GoldenEye. For me, it was perfect and it really suited Brosnan better than his shorter hair on the latter films.
@@phazonlord0098 Jealousy. It's not only the best Bond's hair has looked, but the best any mans hair has looked in any film, period! His hair was nothing short of magnificent in that film.
Dalton, Craig, Connery, Moore, Lazenby and Brosnan. Timothy Dalton was the real deal and with a third and maybe fourth movie would be considered as the greatest ever Bond hands down.
I do wonder if people assume a third Dalton films would be similar in tone to his first two films when the available scripts indicate they were going for a lighter tone [more similar to Brosnan's earlier films] because of Licence to Kill underperforming which might not have suited Dalton. I'm sure he would have adapted but it was going in a different direction.
Physically, Bond is closer to Sherlock Holmes or Lamont Cranston/The Shadow: Thin, waspy lips, aquiline profile, high forehead, widow's peak, cleft chin. Most of the cinematic Bonds are cast too young, as well. Bond is middle aged. Timothy Dalton comes closest, but even he isn't that close. Roger Moore in some films isn't far off. (He was closer to the *real* Bond in A View to a Kill, physically speaking) The way Bond is described and illustrated, he is closer to a Basil Rathbone type. Think... Bob Peck. (R.I.P.) Or, as far as modern, living actors: Tobias Menzies or Tom Hiddleston. It might not be very 'Hollywood' to cast someone like that... but it would be an interesting experiment to try a 'proper' literary Bond for one film. See how it goes. Who knows? Could be a surprise hit.
I think making bond younger is purely a business one, it means you can get more movies out of your actors as they age and of course there's the simple fact hollywood likes attractive people in their leads.
If Flemming were alive today and had been asked to write a Bond screenplay, I think it would look an awful lot like Skyfall. After seeing it, I described it to someone as the most Flemmingesque of all the films. The physical transformation DC undergoes from refined spy to looking like a dog's breakfast and back again is impressive.
And one of those fellows, Jon Pertwee, served in the same military unit as Ian Fleming and was one of the real-life inspirations for the James Bond character!
@@crazypomp927 IMDB is a bit dodgy as a source given anyone can edit it [Peter Dinklage is on there as cameoing in a Seinfeld episode despite that being an internet hoax for example]. In fairness, I think a lot of people are considered as inspiring Bond but I've always seen him as an idealized version of Fleming himself with elements of other people thrown into the mix.
@@crazypomp927 There is a Bond flavour to Jon Pertwee's Doctor...more like a mix of Bond and Q rolled into one. Pertwee loved gadgets and fast cars in real life and would add more action, fighting and chases into his era of Dr Who. Whether he was an inspiration for Bond is doubtful, but it's true Bond had an influence on Pertwee's portrayal of Dr Who.
I personally would put Connery as the closest to the books, if only because Connery was performing while Fleming was still alive. He was therefore in a position to actually influence the evolution of the literary Bond. The portrayal of Connery in the first two films gets some reflection in the Fleming novels from OHMSS, YOLT and TMWTGG.
I wouldn't say it was the closest. Fleming was actually against Sean Connery because he was too tall and muscular (and Scottish). However, after Flemings wife said he was dashing and would be a good, believable spy, he changed his tune a bit.
@@NoobZxReviewZ He said Connery 'wasn't what I had in mind but would if I started over again'. Hence why OHMSS gives Bond a Scottish father to tie the book in with the films.
Very well done and I agree that it's difficult to rank the actors in this way, as there are so many different (and conflicting) aspects to Bond's character in the books. He's a depressed and brooding assassin, but he also has an almost childlike enjoyment of certain things. Great to hear your thoughts on this!
I love Dalton and bet he went to the the pinewood cafeteria every morning and ate green figs and scrambled eggs! On the other hand in the novel OHMSS it is revealed JB is from Scotland so by then even Fleming understood that Sean Connery IS James Bond 😀
One of the things that some bond fans overlook when describing Fleming's bond is his fastidiousness when it comes to his food and drink. Dalton displayed some of that in The Living Daylights when he changed the "grocery list" he brought to the safe house due to its "questionable taste" as he puts it, but Connery on the other hand does it through out his run as bond albeit as farce ( particularly in his later films). The "red wine with fish that should have told me something" line in From Russia with Love is a classic example.
Love that moment from Living Daylights when M sees Bond's replacement options and realizes he's probably blown through the dept. budget in that one basket.
Timothy Dalton is still my favorite. His two movies are gold. When John Rhys-Davies as Pushkin says "You're a professional, you do not kill without a reason." you can believe it.
What's also interesting is what aspects of Fleming's Bond the actors don't portray or highlight. In the novel Thunderball, for example, the high life has cost him his health with only Bond in Diamonds are Forever being a bit out of shape. Connery in the beginning , I think, threw out a lot Fleming snobbery stuff and streamlined the character for the cinema. It's fascinating to see Moore comment on how Bond doesn't like killing which each actor conveys in a different way. Brosnan has the 'filthy business' line in The World Is Not Enough, Craig brilliantly shows Bond losing his soul and I think Dalton's burnt out Bond is built entirely around his moral conflict. Dalton, for me, makes the most interesting choices as a Bond actor. But going over some of the books it is by no means an open and shut case as to who is the closest.
Great video and great analyzing, thx! Dalton is my absolute favourite as Bond and one of the many reasons is that he truly is Fleming's Bond and takes the responsibility seariously
Absolutely agree with every one of these rankings. Dalton IS the definitive Bond IMO and glad he ranks as top here, but like you, who can't just absolutely adore Roger Moore as the most enjoyable movie romp Bond?
I‘m afraid i have to disagree about Roger Moore, a lot of his movies were to focused on gadgets and by todays standards cringeworthy humor. For your eyes only is the one standout movie from the Moore era, perhaps because that one has aged the best.
For me Connery was "the most enjoyable movie romp Bond." I grew up with Moore's Bond in the seventies but these days his movie performances are just too hammy for me.
I could also not agree more. Moore is actually a comedic actor and his entire performance is so tongue in cheek that it is always a pleasure to watch. Also I think Moore has the "English Gentleman" vibe better on that any other candidate - except David Niven, but he is not canon.
Lazenby has always been Fleming's Bond to me. The emotional side of Bond is straight out of the first chapter of Goldfinger where Bond contemplates life and his career
For better or worse, Fleming said Lazenby was his version of Bond. He wasn't really a fan of Sean Connery. I think most people are answering this question with a subconscious bias towards the Connery interpretation, that wasn't what Fleming wanted. (Full disclosure, I myself have a bias to the Connery version)
@@mattacks1655 Fleming initially had reservations but after getting to know Sean Connery, he was so impressed with Connery that he rewrote the origin story for James Bond as a Scotsman as Connery is.
Jeez, you are so creative! You inject so many great scenes and funny moments into these videos. Amazing. 👏 I'm only a casual Bond-Fan and yet I return to your channel very regularly.
My Dad (RIP) had all of Ian Flemings novels in his bookcase. As a young boy he allowed me to read all the James Bond stories starting with Dr. No. My introduction to James Bond on the big screen was Sean Connery. Nostalgically speaking I was raised on Sean Connery in my formative years and chose him. I don’t remember the Timothy Dalton James Bond movies. I will see if I can stream them or take them out of the library so I can make a more informed decision.
Timothy Dalton for me, he's just such a tremendous actor, there's a raw sincerity to his performance that is both theatrical and realistic all at once. Not to mention he also closely resembles Fleming's bond physically. Wether or not Dalton would've lightened up in his 3rd and 4th film we will never know, Although I do believe Dalton could play that charismatic ladies man side of bond if he wanted to. If you see his performance in The Rocketeer and Tales from the Crypt he can effectively do it! Hell the Lark Cigarette Ad he did for Japan showed him playing a more smug version of bond! I reckon it would be awesome if they did graphic novels of Dalton's 3rd and 4th Films with dalton's likeness or maybe an audio book with him voicing bond.
There's just something about Dalton that always stood out to me. Maybe it was the toning down of the camp, but there's something about the way he played Bond that made my suspension of disbelief much easier. He just WAS Bond to me and he was the fourth person I saw play the character.
Excellent analysis. ...and yes very tough deciding between the top 3. I do think that "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love" are the best cinematic portrayals of the Fleming Bond. I will also add that while Ian Fleming at first thought Connery miscast, he came to like him so much that in "You Only Live Twice" , (written in 1964), he gives Bond a Scottish background.
Dalton is an easy choice for me. He has the dark looks of Lord Byron, the introverted nature, he became cross with his superiors when he was ordered to kill in cold blood, and he didn't relish the action despite being more than capable of performing various physical feats.
SC's acting, to me, has not held up well to the test of time and my own changing perceptions. TD may have been faithful, but I do not particularly enjoy watching him. For me, Daniel Craig is true Bond, and I enjoy watching him. I also enjoy watching Brosnan. After all, we are spending time with these people when we watch the movies, and we might as well enjoy spending time with them. Eva Green and Daniel Craig were extraordinary, both alone and together. An interesting second question: Which actor do you most enjoy watching?
@@viveviveka2651 That's too bad that you can't appreciate something before your time. Brosnan always struck me as Moore redux, a wimp. Craig was constantly whining and moping. I really wish there were more male actors like Connery around so young men have something to look up to. Today it's muscular stuntmen and wimpy theater students. Where's the new Lee Marvin ? Where's Connery ? Where's Bronson ?
Here's an interesting thought: Pierce Brosnan was originally supposed to play Bond in The Living Daylights, but scheduling conflicts with Remington Steele caused him to lose the part to Timothy Dalton. While Dalton was certainly more familiar with the source material, he didn't write the script. So it would have been interesting to see how Brosnan would have handled a more intense screenplay than the ones he ultimately got.
They might have kept some more lighter moments [possibly that Magic Carpet scene] as Dalton's weakness was the one liners which Brosnan was more comfortable with.
@@jamesatkinsonja True, that's magic carpet gave me flashback of Brosnan adjusting his necktie underwater in TWINE. Another interesting thought would have been how long Brosnan would have lasted as Bond had he got the part back in 1987. Had he done both of Dalton's movies and the four he got in real life, Brosnan would have played Bond for fifteen years - the same length of time as Craig. Unless you count voicing video games, then he would have been Bond for the longest time at seventeen years. He also would have tied with Connery, having shot six films (Dalton's two plus the four he got). On the other hand, going further down the rabbit hole, if Dalton's cancelled Property of a Lady had been greenlighted with Brosnan as Bond, he would have tied with Roger Moore. There's an argument to be made that audiences were all geared up for Brosnan as the new James Bond. When Dalton got the role instead it was almost blasphemous to them. Would a Licence to Kill starring Brosnan have performed so much better at the box office that Property of a Lady getting made would have been a given? There's so many possibilities to think about how differently things might have gone.
@@WhiteJarrah The reason why there wasn't a Bond film for 6 years was more due to legal issues Eon was experiencing at the time so they might have still had a new Bond for what became 'Goldeneye' [similar to the 4 year gap between Quantum and Skyfall being due to MGM's financial situation]. There are so many 'sliding door' situations with Bond, it's fascinating to look at.
@@qwertymanor True. Michael G. Wilson said that they wrote Bond fairly 'generically' so they could adapt to whoever was eventually cast, though they wanted a more serious plot as a reaction to 'View' [who'd earned less than Octopussy].
Totally agree Calvin. This was something a bit different for me because we're all so used to raking our own favourite Bond actors, rather than a critical look at who best represents Flemings idea of Bond. Great video as ever!
Excellent video and you're right, it's a harder question to answer than you might think. I think that's down to Fleming writing an ordinary man to whom extraordinary things happen and the Bondmania when the films took off is associated with the character being extraordinary too. Like Dalton once said, "He isn't a superman," and it's why Fleming would put Bond through the ringer so much that the idea of a 'torture scene' became almost commonplace in the books. To make his ultimate triumph more triumphant. My own thoughts on which actor most closely resembles the Fleming character in their performance were challenged by your video because I'd always taken it for granted as well but I did have to give it far more thought than I'd anticipated. So... 1) Dalton - yes, I think ultimately this is hard to argue with and who I definitely thought i would have put up there anyway. His approach feels like the deliberate aim was to get into the character which Fleming wrote rather than picking up the baton of the character 'Movie Bond' had come to be known as. 2) Lazenby - it's where we divert slightly but the vulnerability is a key factor here, which I always think is enhanced by George's slightly inexperienced performance. I've personally never seen it as wooden, but I will admit I don't think some of his performance is entirely deliberate, even though I do end up enjoying it. 3) Connery - You're dead right that he changes as his era goes on, probably buoyed by the public's very obvious association of him with the role. Relaxing into the notion that he *is* James Bond, he does start doing his own thing and in doing so creates Movie Bond, his performance being a touchstone of many of his successors and, let's face it, what most people think the character should be like. But yes, those early performances are very Literary Bond to me. 4) Craig - I adore Craig in the role but I find Fleming's character hard not to consider a period character, which Craig's Bond resolutely isn't. Dalton's is obviously not from the same period but I find his success in channelling more facets of the literary Bond than anyone else kind of overcomes that. Craig nails Bond for the 21st century in my opinion and is a great interpretation of Fleming's character for our age, I just struggle to reconcile them as the same character like I can with the other three. 5) Moore - so now we come to agree again. Moore's reimagining of even what the Movie Bond was like is another step away from Fleming's character as written. There are definitely moments and I agree with the commenter who said that A View to a Kill is his most Fleming like performance. Yes, there are supremely daft moments in that movie but his clear and obvious dislike for Zorin feels torn straight from a Fleming book. For Your Eyes Only also sees him quite Flemingy as well, as you say, which is why I place him above Brosnan in this regard. It's just there aren't enough of these glimpses to place him higher than any of the others... 6) Brosnan - You nail it when you say that his performance is very much informed by Movie Bond. This felt like the right choice to make in the 90s with the change in geopolitics from the 80s but again, it's another slight step away from the Fleming creation. I can't help but see him as a Connery/Moore hybrid so before I even consider the literary character I can't really see a unique stamp on the character anyway. Which sounds meaner than I intended it to now I read it back... But great video again, looking forward to your third actor ranking, even though for the life of me I can't remember what you said the criterion would be. I'll have to go back and rewatch the first one. Excellent work as always!
Very thoughtful analysis, as usual, and I think you’re more or less spot on. I’m glad you mentioned Bond’s lightening up as the book series went on. The last time I read Goldfinger I kept on picturing Roger Moore of all actors as Bond. Fleming really wrote Bond as a smartass in that novel and the dialogue just seems like it would have been natural out of Moore’s mouth.
I 100% agree. Despite everyone around me not liking Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of 007, I’ve always maintained that he came closest to depicting on screen the James Bond I had in my head as I read Ian Fleming’s books.
Goodness that’s a tough list to make! I was legitimately wondering how you would rank the top 3, and I agree with your reasoning. It seems Craig may bring some of Fleming’s YOLT & TMWTGG to NTTD which will be interesting to see!
Indeed! Quite looking forward to see what Fleming inspirations make it into NTTD. Definitely been getting YOLT vibes from the promo material. Thanks for watching, Hunter!
It's easily Daniel Craig for me. What a relief when I saw Casino Royale. Bond was best described in (the book) The Spy who Loved Me. Weirdly so because the book wasn't about Bond at all. I don't even watch the other Bonds anymore because how the movies, as a whole just stray so far from the source.
Is it Christmas already? I've been waiting for this one ever since your first James Bond ranking video, can't wait to see it! (And as a Dalton fan, I hope you chose wisely:))
Well done Calvin. I'm an old guy who grew up with the early Bond movies and you make some very astute observations. I very much liked Connery and Moore but, ultimately I would say that Dalton was the closest. He was raw and edgy, he looked dangerous and unpredictable. Brosnan was darn good as well but, Brosnan has an innate gentleness that he can't hide. It was widely rumoured that Jeremy Brett was considered for the role at one time. That would have been very interesting.
As far as the films go, i think fitting in with the zeitgeist of films in general is also an important aspect to consider. Roger Moore is well loved by a lot of Bond 'film' fans as his character fits really well in this weird 70s kooky niche that those films slotted into. They could have gone really really hard edged with Bond in the 70s but that obviously wasn't the plan or they would never have picked him in the first place. Each man fits the films he's in very well and it seems like Dalton and Craig were just given more involvement and latitude during their tenures to actually explore Bondian aspects from the book character. Brosnan probably would have been too if he'd cared to but he was happy in his filmic sandpit. Connery made Bond his 'own' as he got more latitude, rather than going back to the source material and poor Lazenby got what he got. The top 3 Bonds on your list are also my favourite Bonds (and probably in that order) so i guess i like the 'real' Bond best. I do enjoy Roger Moore's films though - i don't really think of them as 'Bond' films but i like RM. I was disappointed with Brosnan aftet a strong start in Goldeneye & i think the best bit about his whole tenure was probably the first 15-20 mins of Die Another Day. Other than that i didn't really like his Bond or the films that much (still went to see them all at the cinema, as they were the first ones i was able to do that with).
Craig in Skyfall felt like I was reading the start of Dr No or You Only Live Twice or The Man with the Golden Gun again. The last mission nearly destroyed Bond and now he has to pick himself back up and get on with the job again, despite not being at his best. Craig in Spectre was a mood and that mood was "let's go down the list of all the things that people think make up the film series, just to put smiles on the audience's faces." It wasn't just Connery's performance in Dr No, it was what the script had him do. There was actual spy novel/film stuff that you might have seen in a more serious (but, perhaps not as serious as Le Carre) affair. The hair on the door, the powder on the suitcase. No other script ever gave those moments again. Once they were jettisoned, it was natural that Connery's performance would veer away from that kind of "realism". Despite there being no novels left to film, Dalton was given a number or genuine Fleming-written moments (or incredibly heavily Fleming-inspired moments) to put directly from the page to the screen. The sniper scene in Living Daylights, the whipped wife on the Wavekrest, Leiter fed to the shark. Given his very serious training as an actor and his (to that time mostly) very serious acting, it's hard to see how he wouldn't want to make them as true to the page as possible. He was also given some actual secret agent stuff to do, tailing Kara around Bratislava, avoiding the KGB etc and then there's the hotel scene with Pushkin. Efficient in action, calm in demeanour, only as violent as necessary.
Oh Calvin...you totally made me crack up when you were in the shower (Casino Royale Vibes!). Your editing and presentation skills are excellent but your sense of humour, wit and mischief makes you cut above most others! Fabulous job Agent Dyson!
Well considered. Wasn't a competition for me; Dalton was clear tops. And I think I'd have to slide Craig into second position. But Connery isn't far off. And I think you bring up an interesting point about Fleming's writing. Notoriously, Fleming hated the Connery casting for Dr. No at first. He came around on it and came to embrace Connery as the character. So much so that he incorporated aspects of Connery's Bond into his writing, in particular providing Bond with a part Scottish background. But I also believe that literary Bond's personality starts to shift toward Connery a little more as Fleming's writing went on. (Though, never really straying too far from being a fantasy version of himself.) Running into trouble deciding between those three actors doesn't feel too surprising because I think they reflect on the books well.
Definitely when I was a younger, stupider person. I stubbornly would state that Dalton was obviously Flemings Bond. Mainly due to myself being a Dalton fanboy. But overtime, and reading the novels again I feel Connery in From Russia with Love is the perfect Fleming Bond. Charming, intelligent, Funny, feels like a killer, but a friend and lover. Dalton still comes close, but I feel Connery had the advantage of playing Bond in the 60s where we had no previous cinematic interpretation
Connery, at that point, really did not behave like Fleming's Bond. The character in the book never came off as a charmer or even remotely charismatic. He struck me as a grouchy alcoholic who frequently cursed his job out of moral outrage. When he helped Kerim assassinate Krilencu, he didn't make a quip. Instead he yelled at Kerim and excoriated himself because of the life they took in cold blood. This is Dalton all over.
He also has the advantage to be the only one of them who actually met Ian Fleming. The author himself did say that Connery WAS James Bond after seeing his performance in the first two movies.
@@luizneto727 Early Connery also had the definite advantage of actually being dressed closest to Bond in the 50's books. And he had the requisite high levels of smoking. So in terms of period-correct lifestyle, Connery is the only choice really.
I recently started reading the Ian Fleming's books, that's why I started watching James Bond movies and then I found this channel, I'm obsessed...I love Timothy Dalton as bond (also he's gorgeous 😆)
I was convinced that Moore would be dead last, but your discussion really showed off that it's true about Brosnan's portrayal being dominantly a hybrid of Connery and Moore. Moore does have a shadow of a presence of Fleming's Bond whereas Brosnan has virtually none.
I’m really looking forward to your In depth reviews of the Timothy Dalton films, Calvin! I think it’s a toss up between him and Connery as to who is the most Fleming. You could say all the actors have Fleming moments and none of them are completely like the Fleming Bond.
Boy, was I wrong. Saw this and did not expect much, really. I know who were my favorites. Laughed my head off with your excellent presentation. Immediately subscribed, of course. Honestly, I expect David Niven would of made a top notch Bond if it hadn't been a comedy.
Thanks so much, David! Very happy you enjoyed the video and appreciate the subscription! I agree too, I think Niven would have been great and bang on the money if he’d been allowed to play Bond in a proper film and not a spoof. Thanks again!
I have all of the Fleming Bond books in my collection. In the books, we are constantly immersed in Bond's inner world, which is difficult to convey in a movie. For example, Bond took cold showers to condition his mind to be indifferent to physical discomfort. The role as written for the movies makes it difficult for anyone to be the bookish Bond.
This is so spot-on!! The advantages and disadvantages as well as the differences from one film to the next (especially in Sean's case, from RUSSIA towards Goldfinger, and with Daniel from Skyfall towards Spectre) are the critical points.. This observation could even split Sean's work as Bond in two: before and after Goldfinger.. There, even George could come out over Sean-after-Goldfinger.. All in all, i totally agree with this awesome mix of objective observation and fan-love..😀
Another absolutely terrific video essay, Calvin, and yet more proof that you continue to produce the best combination of erudite, illuminating and infectiously entertaining and enthusiastic videos of the Bond subject anywhere online. Like my all time favorite Bond film, GOLDFINGER, your videos have just the perfect balance of dramatic, adventurous fun. Ok, enough of my adjective mining, just know that my wife and I are huge fans of your Bond geometry and geography. Anyway, in a word, thanks. More on topic, in all your research have you ever come across confirmation for the oft told account of Fleming visiting the set of DR. NO and becoming so impressed with Connery he actually began to tailor the literary Bond in his image? It's been awhile since I read some of the later novels, but I do seem to remember latter day descriptions of Bond favoring Connery. Also, didn't Fleming inject the character with a bit of heretofore unmentioned Scottish ancestry in one of the last novels? (Apologies if this has already been covered in other comments on this video).
Timothy Dalton is the Fleming Bond. Daniel Craig is the real life version of James Bond. Dalton shows a wide range of emotions as Bond where Craig is much more stoic (though still emotional in some scenes). Craig behaves exactly how a real life black ops intelligence officer would in real life. He's no nonsense, brutally efficient and saves his emotions for when he's off the job. Dalton does something similar but has more of a sophisticated way about him which echoes Fleming's Bond much more.
Got to be Dalton for me as the most similar to the books. Next I have to agree and say early Connery, especially Dr No I completely agree. Third I am going to be a little against the grain and say Lazenby. He's a colder and more emotional Bond than he get's credit for. Given even just one more movie, he would have been highly regarded generally I think. In 4th position I will say Craig. Looks aside of course, he has that sharp edge of the books but sometimes maybe a little too sharp if that makes sense. 5th I am going to say Brosnan . I actually think he does have a few some book-like moments but I think he was given too many flimsy scripts and wasn't allowed to show the book side too often. Finally I have to say Moore. I love the man don't get me wrong but I don't think he has the acting chops to be so intense (even though he really does in some instances) and I think some of his movies got too silly. Overall, I actually think every one of the 6 main Bond actors had various moments where they could be considered "book-like". It's funny comparing my personal favourite Bond actors and the list I just wrote out. :)
I should clarify on the Lazenby part a little. I mean to say that he is colder to his enemies (fight scenes and such) and more emotional to the people he is close to.
I totally get what you mean about Craig being a bit 'too sharp' in places. A lot of his QoS performance is in that territory for me where he's so angry and so vengeful that it goes beyond the literary character and feels like something else, I think.
Good points and well said. Yes Lazenby was underated at the time. One scene that stands out is when Bond meets Tracy's father, Draco. Bond tells him that she needs a psychiatrist and that he prefers a bachelor's taste for freedom. Tough role to take over though, as Connery was very much associated with Bond. George did however do an excellent job. For me Connery nailed it in Dr. No and FRWL. But Dalton portrayed the Fleming Bond very well in both of his films. It's all right there on display when Bond shoots Kara's rifle instead of HER.
I just wanted to say that I randomly stumbled on one of your videos a few weeks ago and have totally gone down the rabbit hole (now subscribed). Oddly enough I’m not even a huge Bond fan-although I’ve seen most of them, I’ve always felt like the idea of these stories is better than the execution, except for the very best installments. But I do love movies and movie discussion, and it’s been a real pleasure watching your very astute commentaries about these films. Good stuff.
I agree with your order. As a Shakespearen actor, Dalton was weaned on the text and for that reason he was the one actor who kept his Fleming very close at hand.
This is pure speculation on my part but I always have felt that after Fleming passed, the producers were very much wanting to get away from the books as much as they could. With the exception of OHMSS and maybe Thunderball, it feels like Cubby and Harry wanted the rights to the books mostly for their own take on it rather than adhering to the books. Dr. No and FRWL feel mostly close to the character in the books but Fleming was also there during production. Again, this is just speculation and a feeling on my part but I love this video and REALLY does bring a different perspective to Bond and rather appreciate this take, Calvin!
I hated the Dalton films when they came out, I think largely because they strayed so far from what I had known Bond films to be as a kid. Having re-watched all the films in order during lockdown, with a previously uninitiated bubble buddy, it became obvious to us both how much better Dalton played the part. His films didn't really fit what the franchise had become, but looking back their less silly and more serious approach makes them feel less dated now than even some of the Brosnan ones do.
Totally agree with you when I'm reading the books it is early Connery whom I'm picturing in my mind. Craig is playing his own version of the character but again, agree that his Bond in Spectre is a modern cinematic version of Connery in Goldfinger,that's very astute observation. Dalton has to be top of the list as he (as you said) appears to draw most inspiration from Fleming directly. Not only was his films closer to the style of the novels ,he was extremely respectful of the verisimilitude of the character. Also, has Brosnan ever said anything complementary about Dalton 🤣
Absolutely agree with Dalton. Connery has somewhat of an advantage as Fleming was changing the character in the books to match Connery's representation of Bond.
Having read the majority of Fleming’s novels and all the short stories, for me Lazenby and Dalton capture the essence of Fleming’s fictional creation the best. George Lazenby earns exceptionally high marks just for his scenes with Tracy and M alone, and Dalton scores a major win for the sniper scene…as I read Fleming’s novella I was astounded by how well Dalton emotes James Bond on every level witnessed in the original story.
No shit and I adore him and I hate Craig and I hate Bosman come on why he left to the studio couldn’t get their shit together by the time they do it Timothée wanted out because they want him to do two movies for two and that pisses me off at the time could not just give them goldeneye and let him leave with dignity and respect except his push on the side for Brosnan and Craig his character was just saying copy paste and repeat give me a break
I think a better way of making a list is to rank which films portray the "Flemming version" of the character then rate the actor's performance in the film, so you'd be ranking the films in order. But by doing this, I feel the two Dalton films would rank first and second.
I have listened to all of the Simon Vance, Fleming novels many, many times.The only Bond I see in my minds eye is the first one. Sean Connery from Dr. No.
Hi Calvin, this is a really brilliant analysis. This is my favorite of all the videos I’ve seen. I can see why this wasn’t easy or cut and dry as it may have initially been. As far as Fleming’s Bond is concerned, yes, I have to agree with your rankings and why. Sir Connery is my favorite cinematic Bond, even when not 100 percent on his game say in Diamonds. Still hoping you and David will debate Diamonds Are Forever btw. But I remember the huge amount of work Mr. Dalton put into his interpretation of the role and the overall feel in his performance in both of his films shows this. I think if he did not vacate the role prior to Goldeneye or even the robot baddie plot that was introduced, he would have stayed grounded in the Bond character of the novels as much as possible. This video was a real treat. Thank you!
Thank YOU!! Really appreciate the kind comment and I’m very happy you enjoyed the video! If we had have had a Dalton film with a more fantastical plot, I agree with your comment that he would have stayed grounded. It would have been really interesting to see how his style would have worked in a more high-concept plot and would certainly require some careful tone judging but I’d have faith in him to pull it off for sure! Thanks again for this!
After reading how Bond is described in the Live & Let Die novel, Brosnan comes to mind given his broad shoulder build. But, funnily enough, Peter Cushing seems to match the illustrations of Bond that i've seen.
Dalton in Pushkins room, is the 100% flemming Bond I feel. The way he dispatches Pushkins guard, in one swell arm swing, after using the door, is just Flemming Bond, the assasin. Craig is to Bull in a china shop for me. Craig would have smashed the hotel room apart, drawing all kinds of attention. Dalton is perfect in Living Daylights. Flemming said he had Hoagy Charmichael in mind for how Bond looked. Black hair, very Dalton, Brosnan look. Brosnan and Trevelyan fight is very Flemming. My top films are: Goldeneye, Majesties, Goldfinger, Living Daylights.
*Fleming 😉 Anywho, I am in total agreement with you. Dalton looked so natural with a gun and his attitude was perfect. He was a guy who was capable of doing the dirty work of a Double-0 but you know his conscience troubled.
Last time I read the books I really tried to nail a visualization of the character, and I landed on Ralph Fiennes (at an appropriate age). Visually, hairline and physicality are perfect at almost any age, and he sort of holds himself up with that old British demeanor a lot of modern actors have often abandoned in certain roles for modern audiences to like them, but not really Fiennes. His roles, on the whole, are a very specific type of Man, that old-British, knowing witty grin on his face and an undeniable presence, and I think he'd be a great book Bond.
Great work and totally agree with the ranking and reasoning. Well done mate. Timothy Dalton's work is just too good. I think one of his real defining moments is the mock execution scene with Pushkin. He handles it so well and the music, Pushkin's body language and expressions just create a really memorable scene.
Good treatise Calvin agree wholeheartedly...brave choices...I think Brosnan was a great cinematic Bond and I was brought up with Moore's interpretation..but your rankings are pretty much as I would say in the light of Flemings original source material.....good work my fellow Bondian...
I think they all did great, and it's much harder for modern actors to play Bond as Fleming created him, as those days are long gone. Craig is Bond in the world we live in, now.
The fact that Dalton tried (successfully) to bring Fleming's Bond to the screen isn't really his biggest achievement, but the fact that he did it right after the "light" Bond played by Moore... THAT took a lot of guts. I deeply respect Dalton for choosing the hard way.
On the other hand, given there was something of a backlash against Roger Moore's lighter take on Bond, it may not have been that hard.
People always tend to resist change.
@@btf_flotsam478 then why didn't people like Dalton's Bond that much lol(or did they?) if anything it was a breath of fresh air. The Living Daylights reinvented Bond in almost the same way that Goldeneye did.
People still had the Moore hangover.
@@spacemann1425 It's also worth noting that people preferred Never Say Never Again to Octopussy.
@@btf_flotsam478 they did? Damn.
There is a reason why Cubby pursued Dalton for years. He was fist asked in 69 and turned down the roll saying he was too young. That alone shows how true to character he was. Definitely an excellent Bond.
Dalton was asked again in the 70s and he turned it down because he didn't like the direction the movies were taking.
Love that guy
@@rikiishitoru8885 I think after OHMSS he was straight up asked before Octopussy.
@@spacemann1425 He was, but they went with Moore again to compete eith Never Say Never Again, which was coming out with Sean Connery
@@rikiishitoru8885 yeah I think.
Dalton isn't the only actor to be pursued for Bond. Brosnan was much earlier as he had done Remington Steele well.
Dalton was ahead of his time I feel he truly shocked the system in his performance. People weren't ready for that introspective Bond until Craig .
Im not ready for Craig
Oh Craig ugh!
Dalton was definetly the best
Craig wasn’t introspective. He was depressed. And a thug.
I love the archive stuff with Dalton. He might have been uncomfortable with the fame side of Bond, but listening to him talk about the literary Bond.... he really did his homework. Talking about which books would have been appropriate for Dalton, I think a reworked OHMSS/YOLTT/TMWTGG trilogy would have been suitable for Dalton.
Timothy Dalton definitely read the novels. His take on the character in TLD press conference is lifted directly from one of the books. Fleming spells it out.
Love to see T-Dalt getting the respect he deserves. even outside of the 007 franchise, he is usually the best thing in whatever he does.
On Timothy Dalton, "It's a great shame we didn't get more from him". That's the biggest understatement of the Bond film franchise I've ever heard.
he was a brilliant bond i think worst was piece brosnan
Brosnan is seemingly the full package but he chose to play it tongue in cheek & in the style of Connery & Moore plus none of stories were Fleming’s 💥💥🔫
It's interesting that when Dalton was hired, I remember most people basically thinking of him as a lookalike substitute for the unavailable Pierce Brosnan, who had been a popular favorite to play Bond for a while. Yet the Bond films they actually made are regarded so differently.
@@theoconstantinou2839 except Pierce never wanted to play the constantly quipping Bond that he became later. On numerous occasions he had voiced his displeasure to the scriptwriter and the director for overabundance of quips and snarks and how it wasn't the right way, only to be rebuked by them and proven right by the critics and fans alike.
@George Gershwin Dalton turned it down @ a time long before Briosnan was was even considered for the part back in the 68/69 Remington Steele wasn’t until 82 to 87
I loved Timothy Dalton. He brought something to the screen that no one could.
When I read Fleming's works, I switch between Connery and Dalton in my head as the scene dictates. Connery is Bond's cool exterior. Dalton is Bond's troubled interior.
Makes sense
Great comment
Perfectly stated. Dalton and Connery are the best and way ahead of the pack.
I picture the Literary Bond as looking a bit like a young Jason Issacs
Anthony Horowitz's said when writing his Bond books he heard Sean Connery but saw Daniel Craig.
I felt my body tense when you named the top three. The fear of Dalton not being number 1 on accuracy was great for me.
Totally agree with your list. Dalton in TLD is what I think of as Bond. But Connery just started the role in such an amazing way and he's just an incredible actor on top of everything...I think most guys would all like to resemble his version of Bond at some time in our life.
@Jason O'Toole
I think you make a good point. However, after 45 years of being a Bond fan, I have to say that I cannot picture any of the other actors being able to take Craig's part on screen. None of those other actors could display the shear physicality of the action sequences that Craig pulls off. Moore was an old man. I think about Connery. Every fight was slow running, really fake punches and that horrible, silly upbeat dee-dee, dee-dee, deeeee music that was in ALL of his films. If you think hard, you can hear it . Dee-dee, dee-dee, deeeee...
Despite only two films, Dalton showed a far greater range of emotions than any other Bond actor IMO. In one scene we saw him go from hopeful and enjoying himself, to pure anger and rage, and then to cool and calm. Yet his version almost always seemed to be on edge (as Dalton mentioned taking from the books), as he had a feeling he constantly had a target on his back.
IMO, George Lazenby accomplished all that Dalton did some 18 years prior. Both were superb though.
Prater cafe scene right? So many insights into the character in that scene. Bond vaulting the wall, and his reaction to startling that mother and son, it's just perfect.
@@tcaudiobooks737 yep that’s the one, and it remains one of my favorite scenes from the Bond franchise. Bond finally felt “safe” enough to let his guard down for a few moments, and because of this his ally/friend is killed. Bond let’s his rage take over for a few moments, only to startle the mother and child before regaining his cool. I don’t think any other scenes from the Bond franchise display so much character emotion as that one.
@@joemax4 Yes he startles the mother because he pulled his PPK! A great scene for sure. A little earlier, he kept winning stuffed animals for Kara shooting that rifle in the arcade game. A classic moment, and no over the top humor involved. This moment was one of the best in the franchise IMO. Bond wins another stuffed animal and the arcade employee yells "oh no not again!"
I don't know about that, Dalton's Bond seemed a bit too defined by his intensity and angry outbursts. True, Fleming's Bond could certainly be an angry character, but he could also be sad, melancholy, and even kinda funny sometimes. Craig's Bond had all these traits down, whereas Dalton mostly just showed the angry side of the character.
Dalton is still the closest for me by a long shot. He was also the first actor to hit his stride in his first minute on screen.
Connery's intro is iconic for a reason...
@@jamesatkinsonja Yes, but he didn't really hit his stride until the next film, and especially Goldfinger. In Dr. No he was still findng his way in the part and his coaching by Terrence Young was pretty apparent.
I think the fact that Dalton only portrayed Bond twice works both for and against him. He put in two fantastic performances that brilliantly portray Fleming's literary creation on screen, but he didn't really get the scope to address the subtle changes to the book character, which as you say Fleming did throw into his series.
If he would did the third one, he would have gotten away with the image of Fleming's bond he worked so hard to mould himself in TLD and LTK so you can say destiny didn't want that.
Credit to Brosnan, on the GoldenEye poster he has the comma of hair over the forehead that Fleming describes Bond having. I know it’s a very minor point, but considering how particular Fleming is about it, it’s cool that they called back to it.
That comma of hair makes a guest appearance throughout Goldeneye, I think it even has a cameo in TND!
Sometimes it's the little things
Exactly, I always hated people saying his hair was "too long" in GoldenEye. For me, it was perfect and it really suited Brosnan better than his shorter hair on the latter films.
@@phazonlord0098 Too long? Goldeneye was peak Bond hair
@@phazonlord0098 Jealousy. It's not only the best Bond's hair has looked, but the best any mans hair has looked in any film, period! His hair was nothing short of magnificent in that film.
Dalton, Craig, Connery, Moore, Lazenby and Brosnan. Timothy Dalton was the real deal and with a third and maybe fourth movie would be considered as the greatest ever Bond hands down.
I do wonder if people assume a third Dalton films would be similar in tone to his first two films when the available scripts indicate they were going for a lighter tone [more similar to Brosnan's earlier films] because of Licence to Kill underperforming which might not have suited Dalton. I'm sure he would have adapted but it was going in a different direction.
Physically, Bond is closer to Sherlock Holmes or Lamont Cranston/The Shadow: Thin, waspy lips, aquiline profile, high forehead, widow's peak, cleft chin. Most of the cinematic Bonds are cast too young, as well. Bond is middle aged. Timothy Dalton comes closest, but even he isn't that close. Roger Moore in some films isn't far off. (He was closer to the *real* Bond in A View to a Kill, physically speaking) The way Bond is described and illustrated, he is closer to a Basil Rathbone type. Think... Bob Peck. (R.I.P.) Or, as far as modern, living actors: Tobias Menzies or Tom Hiddleston.
It might not be very 'Hollywood' to cast someone like that... but it would be an interesting experiment to try a 'proper' literary Bond for one film. See how it goes.
Who knows? Could be a surprise hit.
Maybe with the next reboot if we're lucky...
Dalton, Moore and Brosnan all had high foreheads
Didn't expect you here, dope.
I think making bond younger is purely a business one, it means you can get more movies out of your actors as they age and of course there's the simple fact hollywood likes attractive people in their leads.
Bond is commonly referred to as handsome in the books.
If Flemming were alive today and had been asked to write a Bond screenplay, I think it would look an awful lot like Skyfall. After seeing it, I described it to someone as the most Flemmingesque of all the films. The physical transformation DC undergoes from refined spy to looking like a dog's breakfast and back again is impressive.
Damn. That's crazy.
Skyfall might be the worst Bond movie of them all. Just dreadful.
To borrow a phrase from another British franchise - Splendid fellows. All of them.
And one of those fellows, Jon Pertwee, served in the same military unit as Ian Fleming and was one of the real-life inspirations for the James Bond character!
@@crazypomp927 Where did you hear that from?
@@Renfield97 Jon Pertwee's IMDB page. First item in the trivia section.
@@crazypomp927 IMDB is a bit dodgy as a source given anyone can edit it [Peter Dinklage is on there as cameoing in a Seinfeld episode despite that being an internet hoax for example]. In fairness, I think a lot of people are considered as inspiring Bond but I've always seen him as an idealized version of Fleming himself with elements of other people thrown into the mix.
@@crazypomp927 There is a Bond flavour to Jon Pertwee's Doctor...more like a mix of Bond and Q rolled into one. Pertwee loved gadgets and fast cars in real life and would add more action, fighting and chases into his era of Dr Who. Whether he was an inspiration for Bond is doubtful, but it's true Bond had an influence on Pertwee's portrayal of Dr Who.
I personally would put Connery as the closest to the books, if only because Connery was performing while Fleming was still alive. He was therefore in a position to actually influence the evolution of the literary Bond. The portrayal of Connery in the first two films gets some reflection in the Fleming novels from OHMSS, YOLT and TMWTGG.
I wouldn't say it was the closest. Fleming was actually against Sean Connery because he was too tall and muscular (and Scottish). However, after Flemings wife said he was dashing and would be a good, believable spy, he changed his tune a bit.
@@NoobZxReviewZ no I think He changed his mind after seeing FRWL
@@NoobZxReviewZ He said Connery 'wasn't what I had in mind but would if I started over again'. Hence why OHMSS gives Bond a Scottish father to tie the book in with the films.
Finally a fellow bond fan said it, as an 80’s kid I grew up watching him as bond. I love Dalton and find him the most realistic to the books!
Very well done and I agree that it's difficult to rank the actors in this way, as there are so many different (and conflicting) aspects to Bond's character in the books. He's a depressed and brooding assassin, but he also has an almost childlike enjoyment of certain things. Great to hear your thoughts on this!
I'm a simple woman. I see a Calvin Dyson upload and proceed to immediately watch it.
I love Dalton and bet he went to the the pinewood cafeteria every morning and ate green figs and scrambled eggs! On the other hand in the novel OHMSS it is revealed JB is from Scotland so by then even Fleming understood that Sean Connery IS James Bond 😀
One of the things that some bond fans overlook when describing Fleming's bond is his fastidiousness when it comes to his food and drink. Dalton displayed some of that in The Living Daylights when he changed the "grocery list" he brought to the safe house due to its "questionable taste" as he puts it, but Connery on the other hand does it through out his run as bond albeit as farce ( particularly in his later films). The "red wine with fish that should have told me something" line in From Russia with Love is a classic example.
Love that moment from Living Daylights when M sees Bond's replacement options and realizes he's probably blown through the dept. budget in that one basket.
Timothy Dalton is still my favorite. His two movies are gold. When John Rhys-Davies as Pushkin says "You're a professional, you do not kill without a reason." you can believe it.
What's also interesting is what aspects of Fleming's Bond the actors don't portray or highlight. In the novel Thunderball, for example, the high life has cost him his health with only Bond in Diamonds are Forever being a bit out of shape. Connery in the beginning , I think, threw out a lot Fleming snobbery stuff and streamlined the character for the cinema.
It's fascinating to see Moore comment on how Bond doesn't like killing which each actor conveys in a different way. Brosnan has the 'filthy business' line in The World Is Not Enough, Craig brilliantly shows Bond losing his soul and I think Dalton's burnt out Bond is built entirely around his moral conflict.
Dalton, for me, makes the most interesting choices as a Bond actor. But going over some of the books it is by no means an open and shut case as to who is the closest.
Great video and great analyzing, thx! Dalton is my absolute favourite as Bond and one of the many reasons is that he truly is Fleming's Bond and takes the responsibility seariously
Dalton, without a doubt!
"I believe no one could sort of, wear a safari suit with the same degree of casuality as Roger.'' Not my words, but the words of Alan Partridge...
Absolutely agree with every one of these rankings. Dalton IS the definitive Bond IMO and glad he ranks as top here, but like you, who can't just absolutely adore Roger Moore as the most enjoyable movie romp Bond?
I‘m afraid i have to disagree about Roger Moore, a lot of his movies were to focused on gadgets and by todays standards cringeworthy humor. For your eyes only is the one standout movie from the Moore era, perhaps because that one has aged the best.
For me Connery was "the most enjoyable movie romp Bond." I grew up with Moore's Bond in the seventies
but these days his movie performances are just too hammy for me.
@@cha5 i couldn’t agree more, while i get older the Moore Bonds get sillier, and on her majesty’s secret service matures like fine wine.
I could also not agree more. Moore is actually a comedic actor and his entire performance is so tongue in cheek that it is always a pleasure to watch. Also I think Moore has the "English Gentleman" vibe better on that any other candidate - except David Niven, but he is not canon.
@@christianemden7637 Rewatch the Man with the Golden Gun. Bond has no gadgets whatsoever, the villain has them.
Lazenby has always been Fleming's Bond to me. The emotional side of Bond is straight out of the first chapter of Goldfinger where Bond contemplates life and his career
Or even the first chapter of OHMSS, when there is a mention of Bond visiting Vesper’s grave and paying his respects.
Zenigata from Lupin III Part 2: GEORGE LAZENBY?! GEORGE LAZENBY?!?!
When I first heard that little rant, I thought Zenigata said George Lazerbeam.
For better or worse, Fleming said Lazenby was his version of Bond. He wasn't really a fan of Sean Connery. I think most people are answering this question with a subconscious bias towards the Connery interpretation, that wasn't what Fleming wanted. (Full disclosure, I myself have a bias to the Connery version)
@@mattacks1655 What are you talking about? Fleming was dead before Goldfinger was released in theaters.
@@mattacks1655 Fleming initially had reservations but after getting to know Sean Connery, he was so impressed with Connery that he rewrote the origin story for James Bond as a Scotsman as Connery is.
Jeez, you are so creative! You inject so many great scenes and funny moments into these videos. Amazing. 👏
I'm only a casual Bond-Fan and yet I return to your channel very regularly.
Dalton. Definitely
My Dad (RIP) had all of Ian Flemings novels in his bookcase. As a young boy he allowed me to read all the James Bond stories starting with Dr. No. My introduction to James Bond on the big screen was Sean Connery. Nostalgically speaking I was raised on Sean Connery in my formative years and chose him. I don’t remember the Timothy Dalton James Bond movies. I will see if I can stream them or take them out of the library so I can make a more informed decision.
Timothy Dalton for me, he's just such a tremendous actor, there's a raw sincerity to his performance that is both theatrical and realistic all at once. Not to mention he also closely resembles Fleming's bond physically. Wether or not Dalton would've lightened up in his 3rd and 4th film we will never know, Although I do believe Dalton could play that charismatic ladies man side of bond if he wanted to. If you see his performance in The Rocketeer and Tales from the Crypt he can effectively do it! Hell the Lark Cigarette Ad he did for Japan showed him playing a more smug version of bond!
I reckon it would be awesome if they did graphic novels of Dalton's 3rd and 4th Films with dalton's likeness or maybe an audio book with him voicing bond.
Omg a japanese cigar ad? I need to watch that ASAP! AND AUDIO BOOK WITH DALTON?! AAAAAAA
There's just something about Dalton that always stood out to me. Maybe it was the toning down of the camp, but there's something about the way he played Bond that made my suspension of disbelief much easier. He just WAS Bond to me and he was the fourth person I saw play the character.
Excellent analysis. ...and yes very tough deciding between the top 3.
I do think that "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love" are the best cinematic portrayals of the Fleming Bond. I will also add that while Ian Fleming at first thought Connery miscast, he came to like him so much that in "You Only Live Twice" , (written in 1964), he gives Bond a Scottish background.
Dalton is an easy choice for me. He has the dark looks of Lord Byron, the introverted nature, he became cross with his superiors when he was ordered to kill in cold blood, and he didn't relish the action despite being more than capable of performing various physical feats.
I'd argue Connery in Dr.No.
@@codpro627 Connery reminds me of Mike Hammer in Dr.No
Dalton even did most of his own stunts - a staggering difference to the laughable back projection studio stunts of Moore.
SC's acting, to me, has not held up well to the test of time and my own changing perceptions.
TD may have been faithful, but I do not particularly enjoy watching him.
For me, Daniel Craig is true Bond, and I enjoy watching him.
I also enjoy watching Brosnan. After all, we are spending time with these people when we watch the movies, and we might as well enjoy spending time with them.
Eva Green and Daniel Craig were extraordinary, both alone and together.
An interesting second question: Which actor do you most enjoy watching?
@@viveviveka2651 That's too bad that you can't appreciate something before your time. Brosnan always struck me as Moore redux, a wimp. Craig was constantly whining and moping. I really wish there were more male actors like Connery around so young men have something to look up to. Today it's muscular stuntmen and wimpy theater students. Where's the new Lee Marvin ? Where's Connery ? Where's Bronson ?
One of your best videos in a long time, the (long) wait was definitely worth it. Keep it up you legend!
Here's an interesting thought: Pierce Brosnan was originally supposed to play Bond in The Living Daylights, but scheduling conflicts with Remington Steele caused him to lose the part to Timothy Dalton. While Dalton was certainly more familiar with the source material, he didn't write the script. So it would have been interesting to see how Brosnan would have handled a more intense screenplay than the ones he ultimately got.
They might have kept some more lighter moments [possibly that Magic Carpet scene] as Dalton's weakness was the one liners which Brosnan was more comfortable with.
@@jamesatkinsonja True, that's magic carpet gave me flashback of Brosnan adjusting his necktie underwater in TWINE. Another interesting thought would have been how long Brosnan would have lasted as Bond had he got the part back in 1987. Had he done both of Dalton's movies and the four he got in real life, Brosnan would have played Bond for fifteen years - the same length of time as Craig. Unless you count voicing video games, then he would have been Bond for the longest time at seventeen years. He also would have tied with Connery, having shot six films (Dalton's two plus the four he got). On the other hand, going further down the rabbit hole, if Dalton's cancelled Property of a Lady had been greenlighted with Brosnan as Bond, he would have tied with Roger Moore. There's an argument to be made that audiences were all geared up for Brosnan as the new James Bond. When Dalton got the role instead it was almost blasphemous to them. Would a Licence to Kill starring Brosnan have performed so much better at the box office that Property of a Lady getting made would have been a given? There's so many possibilities to think about how differently things might have gone.
They re wrote some scenes to accommodate Dalton though.
@@WhiteJarrah The reason why there wasn't a Bond film for 6 years was more due to legal issues Eon was experiencing at the time so they might have still had a new Bond for what became 'Goldeneye' [similar to the 4 year gap between Quantum and Skyfall being due to MGM's financial situation]. There are so many 'sliding door' situations with Bond, it's fascinating to look at.
@@qwertymanor True. Michael G. Wilson said that they wrote Bond fairly 'generically' so they could adapt to whoever was eventually cast, though they wanted a more serious plot as a reaction to 'View' [who'd earned less than Octopussy].
Totally agree Calvin. This was something a bit different for me because we're all so used to raking our own favourite Bond actors, rather than a critical look at who best represents Flemings idea of Bond.
Great video as ever!
Excellent video and you're right, it's a harder question to answer than you might think. I think that's down to Fleming writing an ordinary man to whom extraordinary things happen and the Bondmania when the films took off is associated with the character being extraordinary too. Like Dalton once said, "He isn't a superman," and it's why Fleming would put Bond through the ringer so much that the idea of a 'torture scene' became almost commonplace in the books. To make his ultimate triumph more triumphant.
My own thoughts on which actor most closely resembles the Fleming character in their performance were challenged by your video because I'd always taken it for granted as well but I did have to give it far more thought than I'd anticipated. So...
1) Dalton - yes, I think ultimately this is hard to argue with and who I definitely thought i would have put up there anyway. His approach feels like the deliberate aim was to get into the character which Fleming wrote rather than picking up the baton of the character 'Movie Bond' had come to be known as.
2) Lazenby - it's where we divert slightly but the vulnerability is a key factor here, which I always think is enhanced by George's slightly inexperienced performance. I've personally never seen it as wooden, but I will admit I don't think some of his performance is entirely deliberate, even though I do end up enjoying it.
3) Connery - You're dead right that he changes as his era goes on, probably buoyed by the public's very obvious association of him with the role. Relaxing into the notion that he *is* James Bond, he does start doing his own thing and in doing so creates Movie Bond, his performance being a touchstone of many of his successors and, let's face it, what most people think the character should be like. But yes, those early performances are very Literary Bond to me.
4) Craig - I adore Craig in the role but I find Fleming's character hard not to consider a period character, which Craig's Bond resolutely isn't. Dalton's is obviously not from the same period but I find his success in channelling more facets of the literary Bond than anyone else kind of overcomes that. Craig nails Bond for the 21st century in my opinion and is a great interpretation of Fleming's character for our age, I just struggle to reconcile them as the same character like I can with the other three.
5) Moore - so now we come to agree again. Moore's reimagining of even what the Movie Bond was like is another step away from Fleming's character as written. There are definitely moments and I agree with the commenter who said that A View to a Kill is his most Fleming like performance. Yes, there are supremely daft moments in that movie but his clear and obvious dislike for Zorin feels torn straight from a Fleming book. For Your Eyes Only also sees him quite Flemingy as well, as you say, which is why I place him above Brosnan in this regard. It's just there aren't enough of these glimpses to place him higher than any of the others...
6) Brosnan - You nail it when you say that his performance is very much informed by Movie Bond. This felt like the right choice to make in the 90s with the change in geopolitics from the 80s but again, it's another slight step away from the Fleming creation. I can't help but see him as a Connery/Moore hybrid so before I even consider the literary character I can't really see a unique stamp on the character anyway. Which sounds meaner than I intended it to now I read it back...
But great video again, looking forward to your third actor ranking, even though for the life of me I can't remember what you said the criterion would be. I'll have to go back and rewatch the first one.
Excellent work as always!
Very thoughtful analysis, as usual, and I think you’re more or less spot on. I’m glad you mentioned Bond’s lightening up as the book series went on. The last time I read Goldfinger I kept on picturing Roger Moore of all actors as Bond. Fleming really wrote Bond as a smartass in that novel and the dialogue just seems like it would have been natural out of Moore’s mouth.
No actor could say, "Bond.... James Bond" better than Sean Connery. He was truly the master Bondsmen!
I 100% agree. Despite everyone around me not liking Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of 007, I’ve always maintained that he came closest to depicting on screen the James Bond I had in my head as I read Ian Fleming’s books.
Goodness that’s a tough list to make! I was legitimately wondering how you would rank the top 3, and I agree with your reasoning. It seems Craig may bring some of Fleming’s YOLT & TMWTGG to NTTD which will be interesting to see!
Indeed! Quite looking forward to see what Fleming inspirations make it into NTTD. Definitely been getting YOLT vibes from the promo material. Thanks for watching, Hunter!
@@calvindyson hopefully not long to go but very intriguing to see what they do!
It's easily Daniel Craig for me. What a relief when I saw Casino Royale. Bond was best described in (the book) The Spy who Loved Me. Weirdly so because the book wasn't about Bond at all. I don't even watch the other Bonds anymore because how the movies, as a whole just stray so far from the source.
I don't even need to watch the video, it's my boy Timothy! When I read the books I read them in his voice.
Is it Christmas already? I've been waiting for this one ever since your first James Bond ranking video, can't wait to see it! (And as a Dalton fan, I hope you chose wisely:))
Well done Calvin. I'm an old guy who grew up with the early Bond movies and you make some very astute observations.
I very much liked Connery and Moore but, ultimately I would say that Dalton was the closest. He was raw and edgy, he looked dangerous and unpredictable. Brosnan was darn good as well but, Brosnan has an innate gentleness that he can't hide.
It was widely rumoured that Jeremy Brett was considered for the role at one time. That would have been very interesting.
As far as the films go, i think fitting in with the zeitgeist of films in general is also an important aspect to consider. Roger Moore is well loved by a lot of Bond 'film' fans as his character fits really well in this weird 70s kooky niche that those films slotted into. They could have gone really really hard edged with Bond in the 70s but that obviously wasn't the plan or they would never have picked him in the first place. Each man fits the films he's in very well and it seems like Dalton and Craig were just given more involvement and latitude during their tenures to actually explore Bondian aspects from the book character. Brosnan probably would have been too if he'd cared to but he was happy in his filmic sandpit. Connery made Bond his 'own' as he got more latitude, rather than going back to the source material and poor Lazenby got what he got.
The top 3 Bonds on your list are also my favourite Bonds (and probably in that order) so i guess i like the 'real' Bond best. I do enjoy Roger Moore's films though - i don't really think of them as 'Bond' films but i like RM. I was disappointed with Brosnan aftet a strong start in Goldeneye & i think the best bit about his whole tenure was probably the first 15-20 mins of Die Another Day. Other than that i didn't really like his Bond or the films that much (still went to see them all at the cinema, as they were the first ones i was able to do that with).
Man, Timothy Dalton can SPEAK. Those press conference answers were things of beauty!
He's actually thinking before he speaks. Not a lot of people do that.
Craig in Skyfall felt like I was reading the start of Dr No or You Only Live Twice or The Man with the Golden Gun again. The last mission nearly destroyed Bond and now he has to pick himself back up and get on with the job again, despite not being at his best. Craig in Spectre was a mood and that mood was "let's go down the list of all the things that people think make up the film series, just to put smiles on the audience's faces."
It wasn't just Connery's performance in Dr No, it was what the script had him do. There was actual spy novel/film stuff that you might have seen in a more serious (but, perhaps not as serious as Le Carre) affair. The hair on the door, the powder on the suitcase. No other script ever gave those moments again. Once they were jettisoned, it was natural that Connery's performance would veer away from that kind of "realism".
Despite there being no novels left to film, Dalton was given a number or genuine Fleming-written moments (or incredibly heavily Fleming-inspired moments) to put directly from the page to the screen. The sniper scene in Living Daylights, the whipped wife on the Wavekrest, Leiter fed to the shark. Given his very serious training as an actor and his (to that time mostly) very serious acting, it's hard to see how he wouldn't want to make them as true to the page as possible. He was also given some actual secret agent stuff to do, tailing Kara around Bratislava, avoiding the KGB etc and then there's the hotel scene with Pushkin. Efficient in action, calm in demeanour, only as violent as necessary.
Oh Calvin...you totally made me crack up when you were in the shower (Casino Royale Vibes!). Your editing and presentation skills are excellent but your sense of humour, wit and mischief makes you cut above most others! Fabulous job Agent Dyson!
The shower was obviously THE place to ponder about the best Ian Fleming Bond :D
it's what Eva Green was thinking. "I like you, but I can't decide if you're closer to Fleming's Bond than Dalton or Connery".
Well considered.
Wasn't a competition for me; Dalton was clear tops. And I think I'd have to slide Craig into second position. But Connery isn't far off. And I think you bring up an interesting point about Fleming's writing. Notoriously, Fleming hated the Connery casting for Dr. No at first. He came around on it and came to embrace Connery as the character. So much so that he incorporated aspects of Connery's Bond into his writing, in particular providing Bond with a part Scottish background. But I also believe that literary Bond's personality starts to shift toward Connery a little more as Fleming's writing went on. (Though, never really straying too far from being a fantasy version of himself.) Running into trouble deciding between those three actors doesn't feel too surprising because I think they reflect on the books well.
Definitely when I was a younger, stupider person. I stubbornly would state that Dalton was obviously Flemings Bond. Mainly due to myself being a Dalton fanboy. But overtime, and reading the novels again I feel Connery in From Russia with Love is the perfect Fleming Bond. Charming, intelligent, Funny, feels like a killer, but a friend and lover. Dalton still comes close, but I feel Connery had the advantage of playing Bond in the 60s where we had no previous cinematic interpretation
Connery, at that point, really did not behave like Fleming's Bond. The character in the book never came off as a charmer or even remotely charismatic. He struck me as a grouchy alcoholic who frequently cursed his job out of moral outrage. When he helped Kerim assassinate Krilencu, he didn't make a quip. Instead he yelled at Kerim and excoriated himself because of the life they took in cold blood. This is Dalton all over.
He also has the advantage to be the only one of them who actually met Ian Fleming. The author himself did say that Connery WAS James Bond after seeing his performance in the first two movies.
@@luizneto727 Early Connery also had the definite advantage of actually being dressed closest to Bond in the 50's books. And he had the requisite high levels of smoking. So in terms of period-correct lifestyle, Connery is the only choice really.
@@brokendairy true.
@@brokendairy That's why I think the character peaked in the 1960's.
I recently started reading the Ian Fleming's books, that's why I started watching James Bond movies and then I found this channel, I'm obsessed...I love Timothy Dalton as bond (also he's gorgeous 😆)
Very glad you found the channel and hope you're enjoying the books too! I had a great time reading through them :)
Moore is so underrated as an actor...
Totally Agreed
I agree... My favorite Bond of them all.
He was an adequate actor. I put him in the same category as David Niven and William Powell, romantic leading men with some skill.
I always had the feeling the Moore was playing the role as Simon Templar went legit and was given the code name of James Bond...
I agree. He plays an actor pretending not to be able to actually act to a tee.
I was convinced that Moore would be dead last, but your discussion really showed off that it's true about Brosnan's portrayal being dominantly a hybrid of Connery and Moore. Moore does have a shadow of a presence of Fleming's Bond whereas Brosnan has virtually none.
I’m really looking forward to your In depth reviews of the Timothy Dalton films, Calvin! I think it’s a toss up between him and Connery as to who is the most Fleming. You could say all the actors have Fleming moments and none of them are completely like the Fleming Bond.
Boy, was I wrong. Saw this and did not expect much, really. I know who were my favorites. Laughed my head off with your excellent presentation. Immediately subscribed, of course.
Honestly, I expect David Niven would of made a top notch Bond if it hadn't been a comedy.
Thanks so much, David! Very happy you enjoyed the video and appreciate the subscription! I agree too, I think Niven would have been great and bang on the money if he’d been allowed to play Bond in a proper film and not a spoof. Thanks again!
I have all of the Fleming Bond books in my collection. In the books, we are constantly immersed in Bond's inner world, which is difficult to convey in a movie. For example, Bond took cold showers to condition his mind to be indifferent to physical discomfort. The role as written for the movies makes it difficult for anyone to be the bookish Bond.
@George Gershwin Never heard of that before, too funny. Thanks for letting me know.
This is so spot-on!! The advantages and disadvantages as well as the differences from one film to the next (especially in Sean's case, from RUSSIA towards Goldfinger, and with Daniel from Skyfall towards Spectre) are the critical points..
This observation could even split Sean's work as Bond in two: before and after Goldfinger.. There, even George could come out over Sean-after-Goldfinger..
All in all, i totally agree with this awesome mix of objective observation and fan-love..😀
The fact the creator showered In his suit for a sketch. Much respect. Earned a submarine. Maybe not a sub though.
Another absolutely terrific video essay, Calvin, and yet more proof that you continue to produce the best combination of erudite, illuminating and infectiously entertaining and enthusiastic videos of the Bond subject anywhere online. Like my all time favorite Bond film, GOLDFINGER, your videos have just the perfect balance of dramatic, adventurous fun. Ok, enough of my adjective mining, just know that my wife and I are huge fans of your Bond geometry and geography. Anyway, in a word, thanks.
More on topic, in all your research have you ever come across confirmation for the oft told account of Fleming visiting the set of DR. NO and becoming so impressed with Connery he actually began to tailor the literary Bond in his image? It's been awhile since I read some of the later novels, but I do seem to remember latter day descriptions of Bond favoring Connery. Also, didn't Fleming inject the character with a bit of heretofore unmentioned Scottish ancestry in one of the last novels? (Apologies if this has already been covered in other comments on this video).
Thumbs up on your choices. I totally agree 100% with you. I really wish Timothy Dalton could have done more Bond film.
Timothy Dalton is the Fleming Bond. Daniel Craig is the real life version of James Bond. Dalton shows a wide range of emotions as Bond where Craig is much more stoic (though still emotional in some scenes). Craig behaves exactly how a real life black ops intelligence officer would in real life. He's no nonsense, brutally efficient and saves his emotions for when he's off the job. Dalton does something similar but has more of a sophisticated way about him which echoes Fleming's Bond much more.
I didn't know there was a channel dedicated to James Bond, I've been missing out
Your videos are absolutely fantastic, Calvin!!
I always thought that Dalton looked the closes to how Bond is described to look in the books while Crags movies are more the tone to the books.
Got to be Dalton for me as the most similar to the books.
Next I have to agree and say early Connery, especially Dr No I completely agree.
Third I am going to be a little against the grain and say Lazenby. He's a colder and more emotional Bond than he get's credit for. Given even just one more movie, he would have been highly regarded generally I think.
In 4th position I will say Craig. Looks aside of course, he has that sharp edge of the books but sometimes maybe a little too sharp if that makes sense.
5th I am going to say Brosnan . I actually think he does have a few some book-like moments but I think he was given too many flimsy scripts and wasn't allowed to show the book side too often.
Finally I have to say Moore. I love the man don't get me wrong but I don't think he has the acting chops to be so intense (even though he really does in some instances) and I think some of his movies got too silly.
Overall, I actually think every one of the 6 main Bond actors had various moments where they could be considered "book-like". It's funny comparing my personal favourite Bond actors and the list I just wrote out. :)
I should clarify on the Lazenby part a little. I mean to say that he is colder to his enemies (fight scenes and such) and more emotional to the people he is close to.
I totally get what you mean about Craig being a bit 'too sharp' in places. A lot of his QoS performance is in that territory for me where he's so angry and so vengeful that it goes beyond the literary character and feels like something else, I think.
Good points and well said. Yes Lazenby was underated at the time. One scene that stands out is when Bond meets Tracy's father, Draco. Bond tells him that she needs a psychiatrist and that he prefers a bachelor's taste for freedom. Tough role to take over though, as Connery was very much associated with Bond. George did however do an excellent job. For me Connery nailed it in Dr. No and FRWL. But Dalton portrayed the Fleming Bond very well in both of his films. It's all right there on display when Bond shoots Kara's rifle instead of HER.
Can’t believe I’m just now seeing this. Brilliant stuff Calvin
I just wanted to say that I randomly stumbled on one of your videos a few weeks ago and have totally gone down the rabbit hole (now subscribed). Oddly enough I’m not even a huge Bond fan-although I’ve seen most of them, I’ve always felt like the idea of these stories is better than the execution, except for the very best installments. But I do love movies and movie discussion, and it’s been a real pleasure watching your very astute commentaries about these films. Good stuff.
I loved Timothy Dalton. His voice is damn velvet. I didn't mind the more serious 80s action flick feel after the goofiness of the later Moore films.
I agree with your order. As a Shakespearen actor, Dalton was weaned on the text and for that reason he was the one actor who kept his Fleming very close at hand.
This is pure speculation on my part but I always have felt that after Fleming passed, the producers were very much wanting to get away from the books as much as they could. With the exception of OHMSS and maybe Thunderball, it feels like Cubby and Harry wanted the rights to the books mostly for their own take on it rather than adhering to the books. Dr. No and FRWL feel mostly close to the character in the books but Fleming was also there during production. Again, this is just speculation and a feeling on my part but I love this video and REALLY does bring a different perspective to Bond and rather appreciate this take, Calvin!
I hated the Dalton films when they came out, I think largely because they strayed so far from what I had known Bond films to be as a kid. Having re-watched all the films in order during lockdown, with a previously uninitiated bubble buddy, it became obvious to us both how much better Dalton played the part. His films didn't really fit what the franchise had become, but looking back their less silly and more serious approach makes them feel less dated now than even some of the Brosnan ones do.
Totally agree with you when I'm reading the books it is early Connery whom I'm picturing in my mind. Craig is playing his own version of the character but again, agree that his Bond in Spectre is a modern cinematic version of Connery in Goldfinger,that's very astute observation.
Dalton has to be top of the list as he (as you said) appears to draw most inspiration from Fleming directly. Not only was his films closer to the style of the novels ,he was extremely respectful of the verisimilitude of the character.
Also, has Brosnan ever said anything complementary about Dalton 🤣
Absolutely agree with Dalton.
Connery has somewhat of an advantage as Fleming was changing the character in the books to match Connery's representation of Bond.
Having read the majority of Fleming’s novels and all the short stories, for me Lazenby and Dalton capture the essence of Fleming’s fictional creation the best.
George Lazenby earns exceptionally high marks just for his scenes with Tracy and M alone, and Dalton scores a major win for the sniper scene…as I read Fleming’s novella I was astounded by how well Dalton emotes James Bond on every level witnessed in the original story.
I have never been more happy to be a Dalton fan.
No shit and I adore him and I hate Craig and I hate Bosman come on why he left to the studio couldn’t get their shit together by the time they do it Timothée wanted out because they want him to do two movies for two and that pisses me off at the time could not just give them goldeneye and let him leave with dignity and respect except his push on the side for Brosnan and Craig his character was just saying copy paste and repeat give me a break
I just go by a description I once heard: Cary Grant as a thug.
I think a better way of making a list is to rank which films portray the "Flemming version" of the character then rate the actor's performance in the film, so you'd be ranking the films in order. But by doing this, I feel the two Dalton films would rank first and second.
I have listened to all of the Simon Vance, Fleming novels many, many times.The only Bond I see in my minds eye is the first one. Sean Connery from Dr. No.
Here's a thought for a future video: which actor best resembles Fleming's physical description of Bond?
David Niven, who never played Bond because he was too old, but was the preferred choice of Fleming.
@@tancreddehauteville764 Seems kind of ironic. The filmmakers' original choice, Cary Grant, was even older than Fleming's choice.
@@WhiteJarrah Grant would have been laughable as Bond. Not brutal enough, too much of a nice guy. So was Niven, but he did have a cutting edge.
Hi Calvin, this is a really brilliant analysis. This is my favorite of all the videos I’ve seen. I can see why this wasn’t easy or cut and dry as it may have initially been. As far as Fleming’s Bond is concerned, yes, I have to agree with your rankings and why. Sir Connery is my favorite cinematic Bond, even when not 100 percent on his game say in Diamonds. Still hoping you and David will debate Diamonds Are Forever btw. But I remember the huge amount of work Mr. Dalton put into his interpretation of the role and the overall feel in his performance in both of his films shows this. I think if he did not vacate the role prior to Goldeneye or even the robot baddie plot that was introduced, he would have stayed grounded in the Bond character of the novels as much as possible. This video was a real treat. Thank you!
Thank YOU!! Really appreciate the kind comment and I’m very happy you enjoyed the video! If we had have had a Dalton film with a more fantastical plot, I agree with your comment that he would have stayed grounded. It would have been really interesting to see how his style would have worked in a more high-concept plot and would certainly require some careful tone judging but I’d have faith in him to pull it off for sure! Thanks again for this!
Agree with you 100%. Dalton👍
Nicely done. A pleasure to come upon while UA-cam surfing.
Thank you very much! I’m happy you enjoyed it 😁😁
I've always wanted to see Bond played by Clive Owen.
After reading how Bond is described in the Live & Let Die novel, Brosnan comes to mind given his broad shoulder build.
But, funnily enough, Peter Cushing seems to match the illustrations of Bond that i've seen.
Dalton in Pushkins room, is the 100% flemming Bond I feel. The way he dispatches Pushkins guard, in one swell arm swing, after using the door, is just Flemming Bond, the assasin. Craig is to Bull in a china shop for me. Craig would have smashed the hotel room apart, drawing all kinds of attention. Dalton is perfect in Living Daylights.
Flemming said he had Hoagy Charmichael in mind for how Bond looked. Black hair, very Dalton, Brosnan look. Brosnan and Trevelyan fight is very Flemming. My top films are: Goldeneye, Majesties, Goldfinger, Living Daylights.
*Fleming 😉
Anywho, I am in total agreement with you. Dalton looked so natural with a gun and his attitude was perfect. He was a guy who was capable of doing the dirty work of a Double-0 but you know his conscience troubled.
@@ricardocantoral7672 THANK YOU! Really irritating when the extra m is added to Fleming....
Last time I read the books I really tried to nail a visualization of the character, and I landed on Ralph Fiennes (at an appropriate age). Visually, hairline and physicality are perfect at almost any age, and he sort of holds himself up with that old British demeanor a lot of modern actors have often abandoned in certain roles for modern audiences to like them, but not really Fiennes. His roles, on the whole, are a very specific type of Man, that old-British, knowing witty grin on his face and an undeniable presence, and I think he'd be a great book Bond.
Fiennes should have played Sherlock Holmes by now. A dead ringer.
Isnt the cinematic Bond more the creation of Terence Young than anything?
Great work and totally agree with the ranking and reasoning. Well done mate. Timothy Dalton's work is just too good. I think one of his real defining moments is the mock execution scene with Pushkin. He handles it so well and the music, Pushkin's body language and expressions just create a really memorable scene.
Good treatise Calvin agree wholeheartedly...brave choices...I think Brosnan was a great cinematic Bond and I was brought up with Moore's interpretation..but your rankings are pretty much as I would say in the light of Flemings original source material.....good work my fellow Bondian...
Calvin. I like you. Good job and I will be watching more of your material. Well done! :)
Thank you very much, Andrew! Very kind of you and happy you like the video :D
I think they all did great, and it's much harder for modern actors to play Bond as Fleming created him, as those days are long gone. Craig is Bond in the world we live in, now.
In my opinion Dalton and Lazenby are the closest to Fleming's Bond. But every actor has some elements of Fleming's Bond.
Perfect ranking as far as I'm concerned.