James Bond: Who Is the Best 007?
For some 007 fans, the latest trailer for Spectre, which arrived earlier this week, will have cemented Daniel Craig’s postioned as the definitive Bond: a muscled man-of-action, with plenty of rough-around-the-edges charm, and a much-needed touch of brutality. For others, no actor will ever top Sean Connery’s take on the character; between 1962 and 1983 the rugged, reassuringly virile Scotsman starred in seven Bond films, including much-loved titles such as Dr No, From Russia With Love and Thunderball.
Roger Moore, who played the secret agent from 1973 to 1985, will always have his share of loyal fans – and we’re sure that a small but determined contigent will always hold a place in their hearts for Welshman Timothy Dalton, who played 007 in 1987’s The Living Daylights and 1989’s Licence to Kill. Pierce Brosnan, who played the character between 1994 and 2005, was arguably the smoothest Bond of all – and let’s not forget George Lazenby, who had a single 00-outing, starring opposite Diana Rigg in 1968’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, before deciding the role wasn’t for him.
Where do you stand on the “Best Bond” debate? Use the interactive tool below to rank all six actors of the actors to have played Britain’s most famous Spy.
1 Sean Connery
Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman’s decision to hire the former body-building milkman was a master stroke: they realised that if they put a polished veneer on this tough, ludicrously handsome Scot who (still) moves like a panther, they would have their man. Daniel Craig’s Bond is if anything even more credible, Roger Moore probably funnier. But, for his confidence in the role, for the exceptional virility of his voice, frame and body-language, and for the dynamic, unyielding urgency and physicality he brought to such scenes as that pulverising fight with Robert Shaw’s assassin in From Russia with Love, Big Tam – as he was known back in the day – remains unbeaten.
2 Daniel Craig
He’s too short! Too blond! What are they thinking! The internet was ablaze with indignation in 2005 as Eon Productions decided to hire the Cheshire-born actor for Bond. But Craig has had the last laugh. The best actor ever to play 007, his incarnation is arguably the most believable – his Bond actually, whisper it softly, feels like a real person. That Craig is also built like an Olympic javelin-thrower, adept at seeming as hard as a box of coffin nails, and also (as far too many women have told me) blessed with indecent amounts of sex-appeal are also vital to this charged new portrayal of the character.
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