Rank your favourite Bond films

Films
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Wait, you list LTK as the best Bond of the 80s, TLD as the Best Dalton?

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Mistake!!!

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Rectified …

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Been revising my rankings a little in my head, also to figure out roughly where I’d put NTTD, and the list below is roughly where I’m at currently. I plan to test this out by watching them all from the bottom of my list to the top, though I won’t start this until next year at the earliest, nor do it against a deadline.

  1. Goldfinger
  2. From Russia with Love
  3. Casino Royale
  4. Dr. No
  5. GoldenEye
  6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
  7. The Spy Who Loved Me
  8. Moonraker
  9. Skyfall
  10. For Your Eyes Only
  11. The Living Daylights
  12. Tomorrow Never Dies
  13. You Only Live Twice
  14. Licence to Kill
  15. No Time to Die
  16. The Man with the Golden Gun
  17. Thunderball
  18. Spectre
  19. Die Another Day
  20. Quantum of Solace
  21. Diamonds are Forever
  22. Octopussy
  23. Live and Let Die
  24. A View to a Kill
  25. The World is Not Enough

Skyfall might drop a few spots – the climax never quite worked for me as an action sequence, but it does work for me in terms of story – as might SPECTRE and Quantum of Solace. Die Another Day, Diamonds are Forever, Octopussy and A View to a Kill might move up. I feel like my criteria has changed over the years, and this list more or less takes into account two basic questions:

  1. Is it entertaining?
  2. Is it successful in accomplishing what it’s trying to do?

I’m more apt to forgive a movie for being cheesy and outlandish than for being boring.

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  1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
  2. Goldfinger
  3. No Time to Die
  4. Skyfall
  5. For Your Eyes Only
  6. Live and Let Die
  7. Casino Royale
  8. The Spy Who Loved Me
  9. Moonraker
  10. Spectre
  11. Thunderball
  12. Dr. No
  13. GoldenEye
  14. Octopussy
  15. Quantum of Solace
  16. The World is Not Enough
  17. You Only Live Twice
  18. From Russia with Love
  19. Diamonds are Forever
  20. Tomorrow Never Dies
  21. A View to a Kill
  22. The Living Daylights
  23. Licence to Kill
  24. The Man with the Golden Gun
  25. Die Another Day
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I’m having a hard time with rewatching the Connery films of late. In FRWL and DAF he hits women. In GF and TB he forces himself on women, although with Patricia Fearing it’s more of a power dynamic. He seemed kindest to Honey Rider in Dr. No.

I like Aki in YOLT, but the minute Tiger says he has to marry an Ama girl for cover, her fate is sealed. Indeed, she’s poisoned within 10 minutes of screen time.

I know they are a product of their time. It’s just hard to watch in this day and time. Even so, parts of Goldeneye make me cringe now (Brosnan neck chopping Xenia), and that was supposed to be a Bond updated with the times. Some of the films suggested it was okay if she was on the bad side. That sort of writing isn’t sitting well with me anymore. It’s harder to excuse or ignore.

By LTK, it was just the villains abusing women (Sanchez’s stingray whip), but why do we need to see that? By QoS they just implied it by showing Camille’s scar and her backstory.

True, CR, QoS (Fields), SF, and Spectre all have these problems to a degree. And I still like these films, I just find it harder to defend the normalisation of some of these behaviors.

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But are they normalizing that behavior? By depicting it a story can draw attention to its cruelness - and that is what I see in those moments: a despicable man wishing to feel power by hurting others.

As for Bond neck chopping Xenia - she is a villain who enjoys killing others. Should he step back and say: oh, no, I will not fight you because you’re a woman?

With ConneryBond being the kind of “man” of the 60´s, doing the early Don Draper-macho-chauvinist-thing, I have no problem watching that - but I also have no problem condemning it at the same time.

If movies only depict nice and socially acceptable behavior there won’t be any conflict in them anymore. It is their job to show problematic behavior. It is their responsibility, however, to maintain a moral position. That’s what I meant with Bond behaving in 2020 like in the 1960´s but having to react to justified criticism.

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I think you’ve succinctly expressed my thoughts here.

With Xenia, they don’t actually show it, but cut to a closeup of Brosnan’s face. So the filmmakers we’re uncomfortable with showing this too. I get that she’s a baddie, and Bond can’t leave her to her own devices in the car.

I just don’t think I can rank Goldfinger or FRWL as highly anymore. And I never had GoldenEye’s ranking that high anyway.

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I have to say: when I saw GF for the first time as a teenager I never got the reference of Miss Galore´s sexuality - nor did I understand her name (hey, those words weren’t taught at my school ;-). When Bond forced himself on her I recognized that behavior from many “romantic comedies”. I don’t know whether it was Day/Hudson-movies but it could have been: the woman protesting, the man insisting, and - boom - what a kiss, everything fell into place - that’s true love, right, she just had to be persuaded.

This is why I found Bond´s line “I must have appealed to her motherly instincts” funny. As a teenager. As an adult, many years later, I can only sigh and shake my head at what men thought was hilarious back then.

When CraigBond rather threateningly approaches Lucia in SPECTRE I get a similar vibe: Bond forcing himself on a woman and while she is reluctant at first she quickly feels extremely turned on by his dangerous virility.

Now, does that make me feel queasy? You bet. But that scene is not a statement about men and women as consenting adults. It’s about one ruthless assassin trying to get information out of the widow of a killer working for a secret cabal. Lucia, so far, seemed to be pretty okay with her husband’s line of work, providing her a luxurious lifestyle. Did she feel bad about all the suffering that laid the foundation to that? Doubtful. So I am watching that scene with those thoughts mixed in.

And that also applies to GF. Is Bond behaving like a typical macho asshole with Miss Galore? Absolutely. But he needs her help in order to avert a catastrophe she otherwise would eagerly take part in.

I think one should look at Bond films not as a statement on real life but as a depiction of people involved in various crimes, with Bond doing what he thinks is right to achieve his goals.

But since we’re supposed to cheer him on the depiction of Bond must react to socio-cultural changes. And those are only about one thing: making the world a more just place.

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PWB got it right when she said the films have to treat women better, but Bond needs to be true to his character. Now, that doesn’t mean a return to casual racism and slapping around women. Bond using and disposing of Solange in CR felt true to his character at the time as he was very uncaring a out the collateral damage he was causing. Vesper was exactly right in calling him a cold-hearted bastard, because he was. From then on Bond shows, admittedly inconsistent, character growth. He genuinely regrets how Fields is treated. But then he is pretty indifferent over Severine. Which I think fell more to Mendes wanting to return everything to the 60s. Severine deserved better and so did Lucia. Both ended up as disposable sex objects. It’s a shame because Berenice Marlohe and Monica Bellucci deserved far better. Even Madeleine gets short-changed in Spectre, falling into the Stacey Sutton trap of going from strong, independent woman to lame, whiny helpless bimbo in need of saving. Though, she is treated much better in NTTD. By NTTD, it seems the films finally started treating women better. They have actual personalities and arcs. They aren’t mindless sex objects and they don’t need to bang Bond to justify their appearance in a movie. I think I mentioned in another thread. MooreBond would have said something like “how do you kill 5 hours in Havana?” And would have let Paloma finish undressing him before giving her a good shagging and buying her an ice cream. I’m glad those days are gone.

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… because he does not want Silva to see him shocked or showing a weak spot to capitalize on.

I don’t see that at all. She is rather capable of handling herself, with Bond recognizing that when he tries to show her how to use a gun. The fact that she is scared and overpowered by Hinx and Blofeld‘s goons does not make her a Stacey either. Bond himself is scared and overpowered, he even has to be helped by Madeleine to survive. And it is her decision to rather leave him than staying patiently at his side which makes him reconsider what to do.

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Madeline is EASILY the best treated “Bond girl”

She gets a full story that partners Bond’s (I mean that literally) and then takes prominence in NTTD over Bond. All 5 of the writers were incredibly good at taking note of everything in Craig’s era and combining it to give a satisfying conclusion.

The first person we meet after Bond gets his OO licence is the reason Bond sacrifices himself 15 years later.

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Ok, so that might have been overly harsh. Madeleine is never whiny, but she does fall into the lame damsel-in-distress for no reason at the end of Spectre. She has a rather poorly written arc in Spectre, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. But, yes I was incorrect. She never goes full Stacey Sutton. That said, she is much better and stays independent in No Time To Die.

I get that Bond didn’t want to give Silva anything when Severine died. But then Severine is never mentioned again. So, yes, Bond comes off looking very uncaring about Severine overall. No matter how you look at it, Severine deserved better.

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I‘m curious why you think that.

Just because Spectre abducts her? That would happen to everyone. And her arc is going from being closed off from any personal contact to opening up to Bond‘s affection.

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Just my opinion, but I never felt that Madeleine falling in love with Bond made sense or was earned. They knew each other for like 2 days and she hated him for most of it. Then she admits she loves him….until they return to London and says she can’t do it anymore? It didn’t make sense and then she walks away and gets captured and is now the damsel in distress who must be saved. Nothing about it works or makes a lick of sense. Why does she follow him all the way back to London, to the safe house, knowing the plan and only then does she decide she can’t do it? There were good things to her character like fighting back in the car, the train sequence (pre-dinner) and she does save Bond’s life. But I never bought the turn in her attitude to Bond, nor Bond falling in love with her. Spectre spends too long trying to make plot points that don’t work fit together and part of that is the rushed love story. The love story between Bond and Madeleine in No Time To Die works much better and feels far more genuine.

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Staying in the desert would have been a weird alternative. She is now on the radar of Spectre, so she follows Bond to London. But she has made it clear before that she does not want that life Bond inevitably draws her in. So she makes a very reasonable and strong decision: if you want me, James, then only if you give up your work.

That she says she loves him is to be taken with a grain of salt. How often do we say such things when we are infatuated at best and do not really know the person? That is just a human reaction. And human beings are full of contradictions. Madeleine and Bond are also in the worst situation to connect with anybody. So, what does connect them forces them together, even if we would say: wait, spend some more time together, get to know each other’s quirks…

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Having seen No Time To Die 3 times now. I am ready to place it in my rankings. I also haven’t posted a ranking in 3 years, so time for a new one. This is from a rewatch in a completely random order.

  1. Casino Royale
    I can’t believe I’m doing this, but for the first time that I can remember, I have a different film than TSWLM at the top. What is there to say about this one? It’s just so good. I’m hard pressed to find any flaws with it.
  2. The Spy Who Loved Me
    Still love it, but found myself enjoying CR just a tad more. Moore is still my favorite Bond, but I think I view the film slightly differently post-Craig and that is what has changed for me.
  3. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
  4. No Time To Die
    Is this knee-jerk? I don’t think so. I’ve seen the film 3 times and I’ve enjoyed it more every single time. The film really does change everything (see spoiler thread for details) about the Bond franchise. I get that it’s not for everyone, especially the ending. But it works for me. CJF did the Bond legacy proud.
  5. Skyfall
  6. Licence to Kill
    Slides slightly down my rankings, but I still immensely enjoy it and it has, arguably, the most clearly evil villain in the series.
  7. From Russia With Love
  8. Goldfinger
  9. Octopussy
  10. Tomorrow Never Dies
    I will always treasure this film as my first Bond film. Every time I watch it, I’m having fun and I realized I had it ranked too low for my personal list. Now every Bond actor has a film in my top 10!
  11. Live and Let Die
  12. Moonraker
  13. For Your Eyes Only
  14. Thunderball
    This is one that used to be one of my favorite Bond films, but just continually slips down my rankings. It’s overly long and boring for stretches. Connery is beginning to show fatigue in this film. The plot is also the most easily parodied in the series. Love Claudine Auger though.
  15. Dr. No
  16. Goldeneye
  17. You Only Live Twice
  18. The Living Daylights
  19. The World Is Not Enough
  20. The Man with the Golden Gun
  21. Diamonds are Forever
  22. Quantum of Solace
    I try so hard, every time I watch this film, to like it. It’s just so obviously rushed. It needs 15-20 more minutes of runtime, a 2009 release date, and a different director.
  23. A View to a Kill
  24. Die Another Day
  25. Spectre
    Even after No Time To Die, I just don’t like this film. I find myself bored watching it.

Unranked is Never Say Never Again, but now I rank it 26. It’s just so cynical in what it’s doing. There are bits to it that I like: Fatima Blush, Maximillian Largo, the theme song (I know , I know, it’s blasphemous). But the fact that it is essentially a middle finger to the EON films, it just drags the entire film down. Casino Royale '67, I don’t even rank it as it is so far removed from everything else, I just can’t compare it.

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I love that song, too. It embodies the wonderful spirit of the early Bond films with that particular „all will be well, Bond has got it covered“-attitude.

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Hi All – Had an account some time back but see that it was wiped. Ranking the films – and seeing how others rank them – is my favorite Bond pastime. Love reading what others have already posted! As many have mentioned, this is SO hard to do, especially when you get out of the top ten. Here’s my thoughts as of now:

  1. Moonraker — I recognize this is not, on the whole, a perfect film, but it was the first Bond I saw (age 10) and it blew my mind. I had no idea who Bond was, so every second of it was brand new and astonishing. To this day, I find it epic, thrilling, filled with — by far — the best production design of any of the Bond films (any ONE of the numerous sets in this film could be the final set of another film), some of the best sequences (The centrifuge! The amazon boat chase! The space station!), the best teaser, one of the best scores, one of my favorite leading ladies (Holly Goodhead!) and my favorite villain (Drax rules). Moonraker is a giant rollercoaster ride and makes no excuses for it.

  2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service — The best, most elegant and sophisticated of the Bonds. Topped only by my subjective favorite. I consider Lazenby the second best Bond after Connery.

  3. Dr. No — This film nailed it on the first go. Dr. No set a template for Bond films and Bond villains which has yet to be usurped. Connery is flawless.

  4. Thunderball — with a tighter script, could have been the best of the Connery’s. Still magnificent.

  5. Goldfinger — Overrated, but not by much. I love the first half but find the film sags as it comes to a close.

  6. Casino Royale — The classic formula brilliantly updated to modern times. Looks great, action is riveting, and Craig is a commanding presence. Why not higher? I may be in the minority, but I find the chemistry between Craig and Green forced.

  7. Never Say Never Again — Except for the score, I adore this film from start to finish. Perhaps the most underrated Bond film out there. And, I challenge anyone to name a better villainess than Fatima Blush.

  8. Skyfall — if it weren’t for Silva’s completely ridiculous (and unnecessary) plan midway through which makes zero sense even within the reality of the film, Skyfall could have been in my top three. As it stands, it’s still got some of the best sequences of any Bond era.

  9. Live and Let Die — Another childhood favorite. I know it hasn’t aged well politically, but I love it none the less and think that Yaphet Kotto is phenomenal. One of the few Bond villains I find genuinely terrifying. Solitaire is also one of my favorite Bond girls of all time. And the song, of course, is out of this world.

  10. GoldenEye — Brosnan is my least favorite Bond, but this film has the kind of rock solid structure that is too rarely seen in recent Bonds — and a knockout villain in Alex Trevain. A near perfect blend of fantasy, action, and spy stuff.

  11. Octopussy — The last of the “classic” fantasy Bonds. Marred (as usual in the Moore era) with a smattering of cringy elements, but still packs a uniquely thrilling punch.

  12. You Only Live Twice — Bonkers from start to finish. Would be higher if the plot was more cohesive and not just a collection of set pieces. But what set pieces!

  13. Die Another Day — Every time I put this in, I remember that this is the one everyone hates and that it’s supposed to be awful. And then, suddenly, I’m at the ice palace and I’m having a blast. I LOVE how over the top it is and how the movie just keeps throwing out bat-shit crazy, go-for-broke zaniness. Craig and Dalton have given us plenty of “serious” Bond films — I welcome the “let’s just have a party” entries like this one.

  14. The World is Not Enough — I’ve probably ranked this one too low. I think, overall, it’s fantastic but it sags a bit in the middle with some unappealing set pieces before picking up again with a knock-out ending.

  15. Tomorrow Never Dies — Would be in my top ten if they’d cast a different actor as Elliot Carver. Michelle Yoeh is a stellar match for Brosan, the plot is super cool, LOVE the stealth ship and the underwater scenes, but Pryce’s goofy blandness is too big a detriment. Still a great watch, however.

  16. For Your Eyes Only — I never know where to rank this one. When I think about it, I never consider it very highly. Yet, as soon as I pop it in, I get swept away and keep forgetting all the great characters and scenes. Melina may just get my vote for most gorgeous Bond girl of all time.

  17. The Man with the Golden Gun — This is one of my guilty pleasures. I really adore this film and its completely twisted, perverted vibe throughout. Still, it’s got major flaws that can not be ignored. JW Pepper and Goodnight to name the most obvious. However, Scaramanga, his island lair, and the overall plot are WAY cool. And the secret MI6 base in the upside down ship is genius. Also, Knick Knack rocks.

  18. The Living Daylights — Dalton is PHENOMENAL as Bond and I put him in my top three (with Connery and Lazenby). Film would be much higher but for stupid villains, overly complicated plot, and incredibly bland photography.

  19. Quantum of Solace — I actually like this one quite a bit and it may go up in time. I don’t mind the rapid cutting and think that it actually works ok in the opening car chase. I like the title sequence and Jack White song, I think Olga is wonderful, and the opera sequence is top tier Bond. But, Green is a little dull and the ending set piece in a bland Super 8 in the middle of nowhere is the real let down. Bring back the hollowed out volcanoes for crying out loud!

  20. The Spy Who Loved Me — I don’t know why I rank this one so low when I have Mookraker as my favorite. I know that MR is totally ripping this off — but I think it does it so much better (sorry, Carly). Whereas MR feel substantial, this one always feels slight.

  21. License to Kill — another really cool idea brought down by cheap production values. Still, I LOVE this film.

  22. No Time To Die — Had the potential to be one of the best Bonds of all time. The acting and the cinematography are superb. But, as usual, the script is kind of a mess and the villain too run of the mill.

  23. Diamonds Are Forever — A film that I hate not loving. There’s SO much great about it. But, it has to be one of the most sloppily made films of all time. Could have been so much more with a little more care put into it.

  24. SPECTRE — There’s a lot to love here and I appreciate the quality of the production. However, it just gets too boring in the last third. I also can not stand Christoph Waltz (in nearly any film). I don’t know what the appeal is with him. If they removed him and, instead, revealed Monica Belluci to be the head of SPECTRE this could have been top ten.

  25. From Russia With Love — I know, I know. This is supposed to be the greatest Bond film of all time. And, I can see its strengths but just find it too pedestrian for what I want in a Bond film. I continue to hope I will have a change of heart down the road.

  26. A View to a Kill — Totally stupid but, as a testament to how great the Bond franchise is, I still watch it once a year and have a blast.

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Welcome (back) to the boards. This list is a lot of fun in its sheer uniqueness. Great to see the love for MR, a sentimental favorite of my own, and fascinating to see NSNA and DAD – neither of which I’m fond of – get your support as well. Alas poor old AVTAK brings up the rear even for a fan of the underdogs. Not that I’m championing it, either…