There are a huge number of rankings around about which James Bond movie is the best. There’s From Russia With Love, You Only Live Twice, Casino Royale and Goldeneye among some of the favourites, with loads more to choose from. But there could be one factor which may make one Bond better than the rest.
Who is the best James Bond?
There are more rankings and opinions on this question than many others in the film world.
Fans are desperate to share their views on who is the best 007 in the movies, with various names always sitting in the top of the rankings.
Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig are often high in the rankings, with George Lazenby often disregarded for only doing one movie, Roger Moore left to one side for being a “goofier” Bond, and Timothy Dalton being lauded “the almost Bond.”
However, there is one word which comes up time and time again when speaking about Bond, and many have suggested which Bond is the most charming, and, therefore, the best 007.
The best way to tackle this issue is to evaluate the charm factor of each Bond.
Who is the best James Bond? (Image: Eon/MGM)
Roger Moore
According to one Quora user, Roger Moore is, unfortunately, a “miscasting,” for one very clear charm-related reason.
The user wrote: “A hugely likeable character and far too charming and jovial to ever play a role like this…
“He held his own as James Bond to a certain extent within ‘For your Eyes Only’ but any kudos from that gets washed away with some of the frankly stupid set pieces in Moonraker, for example.”
Sadly, his charm factor was a little too high, meaning he moved into goofy.
However, another argued Roger Moore’s mega-charm actually was his greatest asset.
They wrote: “I like Sir Roger. He spoke English. The other Bonds followed the dialogues in the script.
“For me, Bond is all about charm… Sir Roger was an accomplished and competent actor.”
The jury still seems to be out on whether Roger Moore’s charm was his asset or his downfall.
Roger Moore in Moonraker (Image: Eon/MGM)
Sean Connery
Sean Connery is a firm favourite among fans, with one Quora user debating the issue by naming him “the quintessential Bond.”
They wrote: “Connery had the best balance of what worked with the character.
“He was suave, funny, sexy, and also willing to get into fights and work to complete the mission. Connery just IS Bond.
Sean Connery in From Russia With Love (Image: Eon/MGM)
“He’s the quintessential Bond, the one everyone has to live up to.”
Clearly, his suave, sex appeal helped him in the charm ratings.
Another user added: “Connery’s Bond had a flair and outrageous impossibility to his persona, and it fit the films of that time perfectly.”
However, it has been reported that Connery’s Bond was unlike the character written by Ian Fleming, which is certainly a problem for some readers.
George Lazenby
Sadly, Lazenby’s Bond did not give fans much time to get to know him, considering he abandoned the role after just one film.
He has not particularly ever appeared high in fans’ rankings, and he did not emote the version of Bond many were expecting to see.
Sorry, George – your charm appeal is not too high after all.
Sean Connery in Diamonds Are Forever (Image: Eon/MGM)
Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton is another who, despite only performing in the role for a couple of films, really captured the imagination of who James Bond really could be.
One Quora user believes Dalton to be the best, with some of his “cringe-inducing” humour from the 1980s helping to add to his human, realistic charm.
The user said: “Tim Dalton does two things as James Bond that people don’t see often or at all in other Bonds: he cares about people, and he turns down sex…
“Bond fans don’t like Timothy Dalton as James Bond because he’s the most human and the most realistic, and when they see the real-life version of James Bond, they don’t like it.”
His charm factor is certainly not as high as Connery or the sky-high charms of Moore, but his realistic, quirky charm seems to have enchanted some people.
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Image: Eon/MGM)
Pierce Brosnan
The Irish star is considered one of the most iconic Bonds, with Goldeneye in many people’s top James Bond movies.
He is also acknowledged as a very charming Bond by many – with one user saying he was “born to play” Bond.
They wrote: “He was born to play this role. Ticking all the right boxes with both looks, charm and ability.
“The perfect actor to bring the series back on track after the six-year gap forced by legal issues from 1989 to 1995.
Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (Image: Eon/MGM)
“Goldeneye was an outstanding debut and Brosnan fitted James Bond-like a glove.”
However, one Bond fan has suggested Brosnan’s charm is a little too much, similarly to Roger Moore.
One wrote, when listing the best Bonds: “I would eliminate Brosnan from this list because, despite his charm, his Bond was rather flat.
“His jokes were corny, he wasn’t witty; he just brought nothing to that part except the boyish grin.”
Brosnan didn’t impress this user, though another stated he had “the right mix of seriousness, wit, charm and cockiness,” so clearly fans will agree to disagree on Brosnan’s charm factor.
Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye (Image: Eon/MGM)
Daniel Craig
Now we are at our current Bond, who arguably brings something of what Dalton brought: realism.
This is something which makes him a real favourite among fans, though it does mean his charm rating is not quite as high – though he is acknowledged as being the Bond Ian Fleming would want.
One Quora user wrote: “Daniel Craig… is the best James Bond because he stays true to Ian Fleming’s original intent, and he makes the character much more tangible.
“He may not be the favourite James Bond, but he is the best James Bond.”
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die (Image: Eon/MGM)
Another user added: “Craig fits pretty close to the Bond of the novels.
“Less of the humour, more of the duty to Queen and Country, definitely ruthless enough as well.”
While Craig’s charm factor is clearly pretty low, he is still a favourite among fans for being the Bond of the books – and therefore, he brings a sense of duty which seems to override his suaveness.
No Time to Die is in cinemas on April 3, 2020