If this Blu-ray cover is legit, someone needs to answer for approving this! Sir Roger can’t be happy about his likeness…
The opening sequence for The Living Daylights (1987) is pretty underrated and has it all: a thrilling MI6 training exercise gone wrong and a daring 007 parachute escape from a falling/exploding munitions vehicle. It ends in true James Bond fashion, on a luxury yacht with a damsel (not in distress, mind you) yearning for a “real man.” Lucky for her Bond drops in (literally) and Timothy Dalton’s James Bond delivers his coolest moment, easily a contender for coolest James Bond moment of all time as well.
It’s a shame Dalton only had a chance to portray 007 twice on-screen. Surely one or two more films and he would be more widely considered the best James Bond actor (he is in the upper echelon for me!). That look alongside the champagne glass where you can literally see him decide between work or play and choosing at least a little more play is a perfect intro to a new James Bond and cemented Dalton’s portrayal from the start!
The end of the opening sequence of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) was just brilliant! I’m sure moviegoers were clamoring to see what a “new Bond” would bring and the fact that they decided to break the fourth wall to acknowledge the change is just awesome. I wonder if any theaters erupted in laughter or applause?
James Bond (George Lazenby) lights up at the beginning of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
What on earth are Jimmy Bond and Leiter doing with the matches in this scene? Is it purposefully coordinated and focused on? Is there some hidden signal? A bizarre spectacle whenever I watch this scene from Casino Royale (TV – 1954).
This scene single-handedly elevates Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) one of the best James Bond villains. His ostentatious estate, his delicate Chopin piano-playing, his even-keeled demeanor and monotone voice – yet he exudes extreme power over everyone that he interacts with, even his two doberman pinscher dogs. His lack of ego is offset by his stoic brutality, and his “see that some harm comes to him” line is an ultimate villain quote!
