From 001 to 007. Who is the best Bond?

001. George Lazenby – Lazenby first came to the attention of director Peter R Hunt, after appearing in an advertisement for, Fry’s Chocolate Cream and he lasted only one film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. He garnered mixed reviews from critics, and actually was convinced by his agent there would be very little future for the character in the liberated 70’s.

I’m picking the Aussie as the worst of the 7 actors to portray the famed Gentleman spy.

002. Timothy Dalton – In 1986 a search for a new Bond began, with NZ’s own Sam Neil rumored to have impressed many of the casting team. Unfortunately Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli was not sold on the actor, and the job went to Timothy Dalton.

Daltons, Bond, was destroyed by box office monsters like, Indiana Jones and Lethal Weapon, and he lasted only 2 movies The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. The Dalton experiment comes in at No6 on my list.

003. David Nivan - Ian Fleming wanted David Nivan to be Bond, so that should be endorsement enough, I guess. Nivan displayed all the characteristics of a gentleman and was 56 when he took the role in 1965’s Casino Royale, which was turned down by both Sean Connery and Peter Sellers. Like Fleming's original version, Nivens Bond also drove a vintage Bentley rather than the classic Aston Martin. David Nivan only lasted one film, and comes in at No5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BemV24WhM_0

004. Pierce Brosnan - In 1995, Pierce Brosnan was offered a 3 film deal, with an option for a 4th. Brosnan had cut his teeth on the 80’s TV series, Remington Steele and slipped into Bonds Saville Row suit with aplomb. His salary was $4 million for Golden Eye, which rose to 16.5 million by the time Die Another Day was released in 2002. It’s fair to say being Bond gets you more than just the girls. The Irishman did an admirable job as Bond and holds the No4 spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emwFSTv71-I

005. Roger Moore - From 1973 to 1985 a run of 7 Bond films, Roger Moore comes in at No3 on my list. Live and let Die was Moores first Bond film and he had experience playing a suave, debonair, international playboy from TV shows such as The Saint. When referring to Bonds humor Moore said "to me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous ... I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy, and yet everybody knows he's a spy ... it's outrageous. So you have to treat the humour outrageously as well."

1985’s A View to a Kill was Moores last film, by then he was 57, the oldest to portray Bond. His run of 7 films had earned a billion dollars at the box office.

006. Daniel Craig – The current version of Bond, is at No2 on my list. The announcement of Daniel Craig becoming 007 was classic Bond. A tuxedo-clad Craig arrived via a Royal Navy speedboat. Craig had based his acceptance of the role on the strength of the script for Casino Royale. Although not universally accepted, he was neither, tall, or dark and rather more rugged than suave, Craig and Casino Royale were a success. November’s release of Spectre will be the 4th film for Craig and he has made the modern Bond his own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_-qB1Dk71E

007. Sean Connery - How often is the original of anything the best? For me, it’s hard to go past Connery as the No1 version of Bond. He was the first actor to portray Bond on film in 1962’s Dr No. Author Ian Fleming originally disapproved of his casting as James Bond, believing him to be an overgrown stuntman who lacked the finesse and elegance required. Despite Flemings concerns the Scotsman set the template for other Bonds, and starred in a total 7 films. Few have come close to matching Connery, and for me few ever will.