The James Bond film series was initiated in 1962, when DR. NO was released to great acclaim. All in all there have been 20 Bond movies. Until THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS all scripts were based on novels by Ian Fleming. Five different actors have played James Bond: Sean Connery (1962-1967, 1971), George Lazenby (1969), Roger Moore (1973-1985), Timothy Dalton (1987-1989), and Pierce Brosnan (1995 onwards). Connery made a comeback as 007 in 1983 when he starred in an unofficial Bond film, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN. He is often considered the 'best' James Bond.
Here is what I consider the best James Bond films: ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and OCTOPUSSY. The Bond film series is certainly the best-loved contemporary action film series.
Filmography:
Dr. No (1962; dir by Terence Young)
From Russia With Love (1963; dir by Terence Young)
Goldfinger (1964; dir by Guy Hamilton)
Thunderball (1965; dir by Terence Young)
You Only Live Twice (1967; dir by Lewis Gilbert)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969; dir by Peter R. Hunt)
Diamonds Are Forever (1971; dir by Guy Hamilton)
Live and Let Die (1973; dir by Guy Hamilton)
The Man With the Golden Gun (1974; dir by Guy Hamilton)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977; dir by Lewis Gilbert)
Moonraker (1979; dir by Lewis Gilbert)
For Your Eyes Only (1981; dir by John Glen)
Octopussy (1983; dir by John Glen)
A View to a Kill (1985; dir by John Glen)
The Living Daylights (1987; dir by John Glen)
Licence to Kill (1989; dir by John Glen)
GoldenEye (1995; dir by Martin Campbell)
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997; dir by Roger Spottiswoode)
The World Is Not Enough (1999; dir by Michael Apted)
Die Another Day (2002; dir by Lee Tamahori)
Casino Royale (2006; dir by Martin Campbell)
© Ron Altman (last update 01/01/2007)