BY JUSTIN THOMPSON (’17)
In light of the newest James Bond movie recently coming out let’s take a look at some of the best James Bond actors and their movies in film history.
Actor: Sean Connery
Best film: “Goldfinger”
“Goldfinger,” the third installment in the Bond series, was released in 1964 to a critical reception and a great deal of financial success. In this film, Bond is pitted against gold magnate Auric Goldfinger. This film is Sean Connery at his very best, it is filled with drama and features all the action one would expect from a great Bond film.
Actor: George Lazenby
Best film: “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is the first and only Bond film to star formerly unknown model and actor George Lazenby. This film gets the nod only because it is Lazenby’s only Bond film. Released in 1969, this installment in the series proved to be less of a success than its predecessors and, despite some high drama, is nowhere near the best Bond film.
Actor: Roger Moore
Best film: “The Spy Who Loved Me”
This film, the tenth in the Bond series, was Moore’s third playing the title role. The film was a huge critical success and was nominated for three Academy Awards. It also raked in $171 million at the box office, making it one of the most successful Bond films to date.
Actor: Timothy Dalton
Best film: “The Living Daylights”
Most Bond enthusiasts will tell you that the Timothy Dalton era was a dark one for the storied film franchise. However, Dalton’s first Bond film, “The Living Daylights,” was generally well-received by critics. In this film, James Bond is matched up against Soviet general Georgi Koskov. The film was a box office success and opened up the Dalton era with a bang.
Actor: Pierce Brosnan
Best film: “Golden Eye”
Brosnan was seen as a major improvement over Timothy Dalton and his first film reflected as much. Brosnan’s first try as James Bond, “GoldenEye” was a huge hit at the box office, making $294 million. Critics loved how the film smoothly segued from the classic, but outdated Bond of yesteryear, to the new and technologically advanced Bond of the 21st century.
Actor: Daniel Craig
Best film: “Skyfall”
The most recent Bond film was not only the most successful Bond film, but one of the most successful films of all time. It made almost $800 million at the box office and showcased Daniel Craig’s unbelievable performance in the title role. The film went on to win two Academy Awards.
