Sean Connery: Six Great Moments

Born on 25 August 1930, Sean Connery became the first James Bond on film in Dr.No, a portrayal of Ian Fleming’s hero that is by turns gritty and witty. From his prowess at physical acting to his facility with sharp wit, Connery could do it all. To mark the 95th anniversary of his birth, here are iconic moments pulled from his six Eon 007 adventures that define his interpretation of the role.

THE COLD KILLER

As seen in: Dr. No (1962)

Bond waits in the dark for the arrival of Professor Dent (Anthony Dawson), a geologist at the pay of Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), at the apartment of Miss Taro (Zena Marshall). Dent opens the door and unleashes six shots at the bed, pillows hidden under the sheets providing a decoy for the sleeping Bond. 007 reveals himself as sitting in a chair behind Dent, imploring him to drop the gun and sit down on the bed. As Bond begins an interrogation, Dent surreptitiously edges the gun on the floor towards him and tries to shoot his captor with an empty pistol. “That’s a Smith & Wesson, and you’ve had your six,” says Bond and quickly dispatches Dent before unscrewing, then calmly blowing through the silencer. 007 has rarely been this cold and clinical.

Also see: Goldfinger. Bond electrocutes an assassin by throwing him in a bath and throwing in a nearby electric-powered table fan.

THE MAN OF ACTION

As seen in: From Russia With Love (1963)

Bond has rarely faced a more imposing opponent than Red Grant (Robert Shaw). The SPECTRE assassin is held hostage on a speeding Orient Express. When Grant denies the condemned man a last cigarette, Bond offers him 50 gold sovereigns for the privilege. Looking for more coins, Grant opens another Q-dept attaché case but gets greeted with an unexpected hit of tear gas. What follows is a mano a mano bust-up — played out in the dark after Grant shoots out the light bulbs — with Bond relying on brute strength to see off the threat from Grant, eventually turning the garrote wire from Grant’s wristwatch against his attacker. Winning a brutal battle in a confined space, it’s the perfect example of Connery’s physical agility and depiction of mental fortitude in the heat of battle.

Also see: You Only Live Twice. In the offices of Osato Chemicals, Bond has a heavy, bruising encounter that involves a long couch, an idol and a samurai sword.

THE QUICK THINKER

As seen in: Goldfinger (1964)

After infiltrating Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe)’s facility in Switzerland, Bond is captured and strapped to a table, with a large industrial laser heading slowly, inexorably toward his crotch. It looks like the end for 007, a rare display of the secret agent’s fear and discomfort. Yet, quickly thinking on his feet — or his back — Bond starts to get under Goldfinger’s skin, convincing him that, if he’s killed, 008 will follow him and that he knows all about ‘Operation Grand Slam’, a phrase he has overheard but does not know the meaning of. Goldfinger spares his life, but only through perhaps the biggest bluff of Bond’s career.

Also see: Dr. No. Trying to escape Dr. No’s guards, Bond improvises three snorkels out of hollow bamboo reeds, allowing Honey (Ursula Andress), Quarrel (John Kitzmiller) and 007 to breathe underwater.

THE FAST WIT

As seen in: Thunderball (1965)

After an amorous underwater adventure, Bond and Domino (Claudine Auger) retire to the beach. As the pair discuss the role of Spectre No.2 Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi) in the death of Domino’s brother, Largo’s lackey Vargas (Philip Locke) sneaks up on with them, pistol in hand. Without missing a beat, Bond snaps into action and dispatches the assailant with a harpoon, quipping, “I think he got the point.” Connery’s throwaway delivery is pure genius.

Also see: Diamonds Are Forever. After concealing diamonds in the dead body of Peter Franks’ (Joe Robinson) body, Bond tells Felix (Norman Burton), “Alimentary Doctor Leiter.”

A MAN OF THE WORLD

As seen in: You Only Live Twice (1967)

Connery’s poise and intelligence make 007 a cosmopolitan sophisticate. Riding Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba)’s underground train, 007 is given the choice between his favoured Vodka Martini (shaken, not stirred obviously) and sake. The worldly-wise Bond, who we learn took a first in Oriental languages at Cambridge, says he likes sake, especially when it is served at the correct room temperature of 98.4° Fahrenheit.

Also see: Goldfinger. Here Bond reveals his extensive knowledge of champagne (never drink Dom Perignon ’53 above room temperature) and brandy (he identifies a “35 year old fine, indifferently blended… with an overdose of bon bois.”)

THE COOLEST CUSTOMER

As seen in: Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Telling Tiffany Case (Jill St. John) he is just popping out, Bond steps out of the window of his hotel suite, strolls along the balcony, stops to sniff his carnation and hitches a ride on the outside elevator of high-rise hotel The Whyte House. Full of élan and effortless cool.

Also see: Dr. No. “Bond. James Bond.” With Bond’s introduction at La Cercle casino at London’s Les Ambassadeurs club, Connery establishes the character from the get-go, clearly his own man, suave and cocksure.