The action, the intrigue, the women… The films and THE Bond that established the enduring franchise. Experience the spy thrillers that made Sean Connery immortal like you’ve never seen them before in stunning 4K for the first time.
Among movie lovers, Sean Connery is frequently seen as the ultimate James Bond—both the first to play the character and, in many circles, the best. Still, not everyone shares this perspective, and I know my opinion is less common. While Connery created the role and established a strong precedent, I prefer his immediate successor, George Lazenby. It might seem unusual to champion a Bond who only appeared in a single film, but Lazenby’s one performance made a memorable impact on me. Connery, after making it clear during the filming of “You Only Live Twice” that he intended to step down, gave what struck me as an uninspired performance. When Lazenby took over in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” I thought he brought back a spark the series had been missing since “Goldfinger.”
After Lazenby exited the role, producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman managed to convince Connery to come back for “Diamonds Are Forever.” Unfortunately, that movie is often cited as one of the franchise’s weakest, and Connery’s portrayal felt even less invested than before.
Recently, Metro Goldwyn Mayer sent me a 4K set of Connery’s six official Bond titles (excluding “Never Say Never Again,” since EON Productions wasn’t behind it), and I was excited to watch them again. Revisiting the films brought back memories of the earlier, more lighthearted Bond films—a stark contrast to the more intense and somber tone the series has taken lately. From Connery’s first appearance in “Dr. No” to his swan song in “Diamonds Are Forever,” there’s a wealth of classic Bond moments to appreciate.
Dr. No (1962)
- James Bond heads to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a fellow British agent. There, he uncovers the lair of Dr. No, a reclusive mastermind plotting to sabotage an American space launch. The film introduces Sean Connery as 007 and sets the tone for the entire series, blending exotic locales, dangerous villains, and a cool, unflappable hero.
From Russia with Love (1963)
- Bond is lured into a deadly game by SPECTRE, an international crime syndicate seeking revenge for the death of Dr. No. The mission takes him from Istanbul’s shadowy streets to the Orient Express, as he tries to recover a Soviet encryption device and protect a defecting Russian clerk, all while dodging assassins and double-crosses.
Goldfinger (1964)
- Bond faces Auric Goldfinger, a gold-obsessed tycoon with a plan to contaminate the U.S. gold reserve at Fort Knox. The film delivers some of the series’ most iconic moments: Oddjob’s lethal hat, the Aston Martin DB5, and the classic “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!” It’s a stylish cat-and-mouse game with high stakes and even higher style.
Thunderball (1965)
- When SPECTRE steals nuclear warheads, Bond is dispatched to the Bahamas to recover them. The film is famous for its underwater battles, glamorous settings, and the introduction of Emilio Largo, one of Bond’s most ruthless foes. Time is running out as Bond races to stop a nuclear disaster.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
- After Bond’s apparent death, he resurfaces in Japan to investigate the hijacking of U.S. and Soviet spacecraft. The trail leads to SPECTRE and the mysterious Blofeld, whose volcano lair has become a pop culture staple—Bond teams up with Japanese allies in a showdown that’s pure 1960s spy spectacle.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
- Bond tracks diamond smugglers from South Africa to Las Vegas, only to discover Blofeld is behind the operation. The film features moon buggy chases, eccentric villains Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, and a plot to wield a diamond-powered space laser. Connery returns for one more round, bringing a wink and a swagger to Bond’s world of glitz and danger.
Many Bond enthusiasts often claim that “Goldfinger” stands as the ultimate Bond film—and certainly as Sean Connery’s finest outing as 007. On the latter point, I wholeheartedly concur. “Goldfinger” showcases Connery at the height of his Bond persona, marking a moment when the franchise truly found its footing. While “Dr. No” and “From Russia With Love” laid the groundwork, it was not until “Goldfinger” premiered in 1964 that the essence of Bond ignited a global phenomenon. The character became an icon; men aspired to emulate him, while women were captivated by his charisma and good looks.
Connery’s interpretation of James Bond is widely regarded as both influential and iconic. The wave of spy-themed films and television series that followed Bond’s debut in 1962 with “Dr. No” is a testament to his enduring impact. Television series such as “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “I Spy,” “The Wild Wild West,” and “Mission: Impossible,” alongside films like “Our Man Flint,” “The Silencers,” “Three Days of the Condor,” and more contemporary productions such as “The Bourne Identity,” “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” and the comedic AUSTIN POWERS series, all reflect the far-reaching influence of Bond on popular culture.
Now that Amazon MGM Studios holds the rights to the Bond franchise, there is hope that the tradition of producing standalone Bond adventures every two years might be revived. While Daniel Craig’s tenure included several remarkable entries, the interconnected nature of all five of his films eventually felt repetitive. There is a certain appeal in the earlier approach, where each film introduced a new antagonist for Bond to confront. Although references to previous characters and storylines can add depth, the excitement of seeing Bond face a fresh adversary in each installment has a distinct charm. Notably, while four of Connery’s Bond films featured Ernst Stavro Blofeld as the principal villain, “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger” offered a departure from Blofeld and SPECTRE. After Roger Moore assumed the role in 1973’s “Live and Let Die,” Blofeld made only a brief appearance in the opening sequence of “For Your Eyes Only” and was otherwise absent.
The recent 4K remasters represent a significant improvement over prior editions. Colors are more vibrant, details are noticeably sharper, and the distinctive production design of the 1960s and 1970s is highlighted brilliantly. The natural film grain is preserved, maintaining the vintage allure while presenting a fresh visual experience. The enhanced audio mixes further contribute to a richer viewing experience, with more transparent dialogue and more immersive action sequences.
There is great anticipation for Amazon MGM Studios to release the entire Bond collection in 4K. Such an initiative would be a true delight for fans. Regardless of which actor you consider to be the definitive Bond, Connery’s six portrayals in newly restored 4K editions offer a compelling glimpse into the origins of the franchise and a reminder of the sophistication and danger that Connery brought to the role.
The collection will be available in collectible steelbook packaging and as a standard 4K collection June 10th.
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