Only Two James Bond Actors Don’t Have A Bad Movie

by

Although every actor who has played James Bond has delivered a solid performance, not every Bond movie has been a success. While most of the 25 films produced by Eon are enjoyable, a few missed the mark with their tone, storylines, or timing of recasting the lead role. Some were just lacking in originality.

It’s common for James Bond actors to have at least one film that isn’t their strongest, often due to issues beyond their control. However, over the past sixty years, two actors have consistently delivered excellent Bond films. Interestingly, these two are also often considered the most overlooked of all the Bond stars.

George Lazenby’s Only James Bond Movie Is An All-Time Classic

If this article had been written over 15 years ago, it would have been hard to praise George Lazenby’s performance as James Bond. When On Her Majesty’s Secret Service came out, it received a lot of criticism, and many viewers didn’t think Lazenby measured up to the popular Sean Connery.

Over time, and with the benefit of seeing different James Bond films, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is now viewed much more favorably. The film stands out because of its surprisingly strong love story between Bond and Tracy, and its bold, heartbreaking ending. It’s easy to see connections between this film and Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die, proving that George Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond was surprisingly modern for its time.

It might seem unfair to say George Lazenby, who only played Bond once, has a perfect film record, but it’s important to acknowledge his achievement. Taking over the role from Sean Connery was an incredibly difficult task, especially considering Lazenby was new to acting. To suggest his success is simply due to having only one Bond film would be a huge understatement of how good On Her Majesty’s Secret Service actually was.

George Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond isn’t polished, but that actually makes the character more endearing. The true strength of the film, however, lies in the script by Richard Maibaum, which dared to present a Bond who was more human and emotionally open.

Both Of Timothy Dalton’s Movies Are Strong James Bond Adventures

Timothy Dalton starred as James Bond in two films during the 1980s: The Living Daylights and License to Kill. After these movies, the Bond series took a long break. Like On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Dalton’s films weren’t immediately popular with audiences. He portrayed Bond as more serious and realistic than Roger Moore, but this grittier approach wasn’t quite what audiences wanted at the time.

Both of Timothy Dalton’s Bond films are quite similar in quality, with The Living Daylights perhaps being slightly better. However, a common complaint about both was that they were too dark and realistic. In many ways, Dalton was pioneering the style of James Bond that Daniel Craig would later become known for. It wasn’t until the more lighthearted Die Another Day that audiences began to appreciate Dalton’s grittier approach.

While some felt the James Bond films starring Timothy Dalton didn’t feel like traditional Bond movies, they actually offered a fresh take on the formula. Both The Living Daylights and License to Kill feature compelling stories, strong character development—particularly from Dalton himself—the reliably impressive action sequences, and a surprisingly bold and gritty feel. They might not be considered among the absolute best 007 films, but both are easily enjoyable movies deserving of a 7 or 8 out of 10 – and remain entertaining even today.

Most Bond films haven’t been as successful. Bringing Sean Connery back for Diamonds Are Forever didn’t work, and films like A View to a Kill and Octopussy showed Roger Moore had been in the role too long. Pierce Brosnan’s Die Another Day felt out of touch, and Quantum of Solace was a weak entry during Daniel Craig’s time as Bond.

Read More

2025-12-12 16:30