In this second installment of the Best of Bond, we’ll turn our attention to the best of the films of the 60s. What is the best scene or sequence in each film? And what is most underrated scene or sequence?
The Best of Bond: The Films, 1960s
Dr. No
Best Scene/Sequence:
Crab Key. When Bond meets Honey Rider on the beach, we treated to one of the best exchanges in
Winter is Coming
Bond history: Honey: “Are you looking for shells?” Bond: “No, I’m just looking.” The scene’s sexual tension is quickly broken when Dr. No’s patrol boat arrives. What ensues? An attempt on their life. A chase through the jungle. And an encounter with a “dragon.” It doesn’t get any better.
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
At Dr. No’s lair, Bond is placed in a cell. He looks for an escape and ends up shocked by an electrified screen. It is one of the few instances in which we see Bond looking helpless and vulnerable. But he still manages to escape, into a complex web of steam vents. Here, we see Bond in desperation, seeking a way out, crawling on hands and knees, even doused by rushing water. But he still looks cool as hell.
From Russia with Love
Best Scene/Sequence:
Bond fights Red Grant on the Orient Express. Already mentioned in Vol. 1 of of our Best if Bond, this action scene is one of the more iconic moments in James Bond lore. Why does it work so well? The confrontation between Grant and Bond had been set up in the film’s pre-title sequence, where it was established that Grant, too, was an assassin, and that he had his sights set on killing Bond. That subplot built to a breaking point when Grant finally met his target…and met his match.
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
Bond records Tatiana Romanova as she describes the lektor. The two are on board a boat, in Istanbul bay. Bond has already slept with her; but in this scene, we see where he separates business from pleasure, something the young Romanova cannot do. The tension is brilliant and heightened by the intercuts of MI6 (including Moneypenny) listening to the conversation.
Goldfinger
Best Scene/Sequence:
Two scenes, back to back, contain two of the more famous lines in Bond history. In the first, Bond has been apprehended by Goldfinger and finds himself has been strapped to table, a laser beam heading toward his crotch. “Do you expect me to talk?” Bond asks. “No,” Goldfinger responds, “I expect you to die.” But Bond manages to talk his way out of a painful, horrific death, only to be knocked unconscious again. He awakens on the private plane of Pussy Galore, where, upon learning her name, he says, “I must be dreaming.” But the fun does not end there; Bond is watched closely while attempting to shave and change into a sharp, gray suit, in the plane’s cramped restroom.
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
Bond’s encounter with Tilly Masterson (looking to avenge the death of sister Jill) in Austria is often overlooked. But it shouldn’t be passed over as a throwaway. After nearly being shot by Tilly, in her attempt to kill Goldfinger, Bond chases her down in his Aston Martin DB5, and forces her Ford Mustang off the road. He ends up giving her a ride to a nearby service station. What’s of note here is Connery’s ability to suggest Bond’s agitation at Tilly while also seemingly attracted to her. All of this, of course, takes place in the beautiful Austrian countryside. Has there ever been so much lush, green scenery as a Bond backdrop?
Thunderball
Best Scene/Sequence:
Bond sleeps with henchwoman Fiona Volpe. This in itself should not be surprising; but afterward, Volpe is visibly disturbed by Bond’s statement that he only did it for “king and country.” She was using sex to lure him to being captured; he did it to keep her close. But both also enjoyed each other very much, maybe too much. Bond’s subsequent escape, during the Junkanoo, leads to a climactic scene as the Kiss Kiss Club, where Fiona meets her end.
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
At Shrublands, Bond realizes something is amiss: he spots an ambulance outside. He leaves Patricia Fearing’s bed and sneaks downstairs to have a look. What he finds is the dead body of Derval, wrapped in bandages. The scene is punctuated by John Barry’s score, and then ended with Bond waking everyone with the fire alarm.
You Only Live Twice
Best Scene/Sequence:
Bond sneaks a ride to the Osato Chemicals headquarters. There, he encounters a bodyguard (played by Pete Maivia, Dwayne Johnson’s grandfather) and after a tense fight, that includes throwing furniture, Bond finds a safe. He escapes with paperwork found inside, as he runs out of the building, shots fired at him, Aki swings around to pick him up. What ensues is also noteworthy…
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
… Aki leads Bond to a trap door in the floor of a subway station. Bond falls down a stainless steel slide and lands in a chair, in an underground office. Bond promptly fixes his tie for what turns out to be a meeting between Bond and his Japanese contact, Tiger Tanaka, who offers the password, “I love you.”
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Best Scene/Sequence:
This one is a no-brainer. Bond’s escape from Piz Gloria, on skis, is well noted by Bond enthusiasts, and even discussed at length on this site.
Most Underrated Scene/Sequence:
Bond’s arrival in Murren, disguised as genealogist Sir Hilary Bray, leads to a meeting with Irma Bunt. The helicopter ride foreshadows much of what will soon occur: Bunt, skiing, bobsledding and Piz Gloria will all become instrumental to the rest of the story. The ride also provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, with Bond offering the rather ironic line, “I’m not much of a sporting man.”