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For over six decades, James Bond has consistently captivated audiences while maintaining a familiar persona. His penchant for tailored suits, vodka martinis, luxury cars, gadgets, and attractive women has remained a constant source of appeal. Fans are generally resistant to any significant changes in the character, leading to a preservation of the core elements that defined Bond from the 1960s. The primary variations have been in the actors portraying Bond and the infusion of some contemporary elements.
The early Bond films, produced against the backdrop of the Cold War, exhibited unique characteristics. Many of the villains were aligned with the Soviet Union, reflecting the geopolitical context of the time. These films also featured elements of cheesiness, and some Bond girls had names with sexual connotations that might be viewed differently in today’s cultural climate. Despite these nuances, the first ten Bond films, appreciated for establishing the franchise’s groundwork, hold a distinct place in its history. Below is a ranking of these films based on their individual merits.
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The First 10 James Bond Films
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Bond, in The Man with the Golden Gun, deviates from his mission to track down a solar energy scientist and instead pursues the notorious assassin Fransisco Scaramanga, who threatened him with a gold bullet. This decision leads Bond to an island in Asia, setting the stage for a showdown between the two.
The film’s standout element is its compelling villain, Scaramanga, who possesses a golden gun and has a unique physical trait with three nipples, hinting at his distinct biological makeup. Scaramanga’s reputation for charging $1 million per hit establishes him as a formidable adversary early on. However, the strength of the villain somewhat overshadows the hero, and the film’s dialogue, laden with double entendres, falls short compared to other Bond movies.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Diamonds Are Forever marked Sean Connery’s return as the MI6 agent, with his initial departure stemming from boredom after You Only Live Twice. In this installment, he resurfaces to thwart a diamond smuggling operation and prevent his nemesis, Blofeld, from using a nuclear weapon to destroy Washington D.C.
Despite being among Ian Fleming’s more entertaining books, Diamonds Are Forever ranks low for some. Director Guy Hamilton stays true to the source material, resulting in one of the most faithful Bond adaptations. The plot unfolds seamlessly, featuring memorable scenes like a Las Vegas car chase and a climactic sequence at an oil rig.
However, the film is marred by its portrayal of the two henchmen, Wint and Kidd. Their characterization raises concerns as they are implied to be evil based on their sexuality. Their sadistic tendencies are made worse by peculiar habits, such as excessively spraying themselves with cologne. Additionally, Kidd delivers what is considered the worst line in Bond movie history, stating, “I must say, Miss Case seems quite attractive. For a lady.”
Live and Let Die (1973)
In Live and Let Die, James Bond’s target is Dr. Kananga, also known as Mr. Big. The villain, ruling a fictional Caribbean nation, seeks to expand his wealth through the drug trade. His plan involves distributing a highly addictive drug for free, creating widespread addiction, and then profiting from sales.
However, the film is unique in the Bond series for incorporating supernatural elements, making Bond seem ill-equipped to handle voodoo practitioners. The formidable henchman Baron Samedi proves difficult to defeat, with Bond unable to kill him. The movie concludes with Samedi laughing maniacally.
Regrettably, Live and Let Die is criticized for its reliance on Blaxploitation archetypes. Dr. Kananga is portrayed as a fictional amalgamation of African dictators from that era, but his character lacks intrigue, resulting in many scenes feeling dull.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
You Only Live Twice introduces a diplomatic crisis involving the disappearance of American and Soviet spacecraft near Japan, prompting Bond’s intervention. Despite the film’s success in capturing the Cold War tensions and serving as a compelling James Bond installment, it stands out as the first in the franchise to significantly diverge from Ian Fleming’s novels. The decision to deviate from the source material was initially viewed as a risky move, but with Roald Dahl, the renowned novelist behind works like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as the screenwriter, the film navigated this departure successfully. However, it falls short of a higher ranking due to a weaker second half and an excess of sex-laden humor in Lewis Gilbert’s direction.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Despite lacking acting experience and being a former model, George Lazenby was chosen to play James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Surprisingly, there was no major backlash because he visually fit the role. In this installment, Bond faces off against the main antagonist Blofeld, who plans to induce sterility in all living beings, creating a global food crisis to coerce world governments into pardoning him.
The film stands out for humanizing Bond by portraying him falling in love and getting married. This introduces a new, more relatable side to the iconic character. Unfortunately, the story takes a tragic turn as Bond’s wife, Tracy, is killed by Blofeld’s henchwoman in a drive-by shooting, marking one of the franchise’s saddest moments.
Despite these compelling elements, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” ranks low due to George Lazenby’s perceived lack of charm compared to his predecessor. The movie explores a more introspective Bond and includes impressive chase sequences, but the casting choice hinders its overall reception.
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Thunderball (1965)
Thunderball stands out as a Bond film with breathtaking visuals, particularly notable for its stunning underwater photography. In this installment, SPECTRE’s second-in-command, Emilio Largo, poses a significant threat by stealing NATO warheads and demanding a hefty ransom. As Bond ventures into the Bahamas to confront Largo, the film strikes a balance between a more no-nonsense portrayal of the iconic spy and moments of humor. One memorable scene involves Bond providing only shoes to Largo’s mistress, Fiona Volpe, who requests something to wear. Additionally, the film maintains an excellent pace, avoiding prolonged waits for satisfying payoffs.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The screenwriters of “The Spy Who Loved Me” made a wise decision to deviate from Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name, which focused on a romance tale narrated by Bond’s lover, Vivienne. In the movie, Bond collaborates with a Soviet agent to thwart a shipping magnate planning an attack on New York City.
The film immediately grabs the audience’s attention with one of the James Bond franchise’s best opening sequences—a gripping ski chase where Bond is pursued by Soviet agents. Additionally, the movie features an iconic henchman, Jaws, known for his razor-sharp steel teeth, creating some of the coolest scenes in the film. Jaws survives situations that would be fatal for a normal person, such as biting a shark to death in a shark tank and emerging unscathed when his car crashes into a house during a chase.
Dr. No (1962)
The James Bond franchise might have taken a different path if its initial installment had been disappointing, but fortunately, “Dr. No” is considered nearly flawless. In this film, Bond is tasked with thwarting SPECTRE member Dr. Julius No’s plot to disrupt an American space launch using a radio beam weapon in Jamaica. The introduction scenes are notably cool, especially Bond’s iconic “Bond… James Bond” line at the Les Ambassadeurs casino. Additionally, the emergence of Honey Rider from the water in a white bikini is hailed as one of cinema’s sexiest moments. The characters, including the sophisticated Dr. Julius No, are well-developed, contributing to the film’s overall greatness.
From Russia with Love (1963)
From Russia with Love presents a departure from the typical Bond formula, as it doesn’t promise a fairy-tale ending after thwarting SPECTRE’s plans. The organization strategically targets Bond by using high-ranking operative Rosa Klebb to lure him into a trap involving the coveted Lektor device. Despite the perilous situation, Bond proves his resilience and resourcefulness.
A notable highlight of this installment is the introduction of the iconic “007 Theme” by John Barry, a musical motif that has become synonymous with Bond’s action sequences in subsequent films. From Russia with Love distinguishes itself as a realistic spy film, eschewing some of the typical Bond gadgets and focusing on a compelling plot and meticulously choreographed fight scenes.
The movie features a diverse array of well-developed adversaries, ranging from administrative figures within SPECTRE to those who relish the physical confrontation of trying to strangle Bond. The absence of certain Bond conventions in this film contributes to its standout elements and solidifies its reputation as a unique and compelling entry in the series.
Goldfinger (1964)
Goldfinger stands out as the best Bond film, directed by Guy Hamilton, where James Bond is assigned the mission of thwarting Auric Goldfinger’s plot to obliterate America’s gold reserves at Fort Knox. Goldfinger, a cunning bullion dealer, is a formidable adversary, shielded by the clever Pussy Galore and the iconic henchman Oddjob.
This film earns its top spot by introducing key elements that have become integral to the Bond franchise. Notably, Goldfinger pioneered the use of an elaborate opening credit sequence, the incorporation of high-tech gadgets, a globetrotting narrative, and the infusion of tongue-in-cheek humor. Furthermore, it was the first Bond film to clinch an Oscar.
Goldfinger boasts memorable moments and lines, such as the dramatic demise of Bond girl Jill Masterson, suffocated with gold paint, and the intense scene where Goldfinger attempts to bisect Bond with a laser. These elements collectively contribute to Goldfinger’s status as a standout and influential installment in the James Bond series.
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