Remembering Sean Connery

Remembering Sean Connery

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Posted 2020-11-01 by Steven Gfollow
And the world has lost one of its most distinctive actors.

Sean Connery has died at the age of 90. As I write this, the cause of death has not been released.
Sean Connery – August 25, 1930, to October 31, 2020.


Starting his career as a body-builder, Connery was one of my favourite actors and I still reckon he was the best James Bond. And that includes the book Bond. There was just something about the air he carried that made him commanding on the screen. You could not help but watch him. And he did not care about accents. He was Sean Connery, and that was all that mattered.

It's tough to look at someone who has been in so many great films, who is a part of the visual literature of generations of movie-goers, and think we are not going to see him again. Yes, he had retired, but there was always that chance that he might one day make a comeback.

So, to remember Sean Connery, my favourite films featuring the man. There's 12. I couldn't cut it down to just 10.
Dr No (1962)

The first James Bond film. While maybe not the greatest of the franchise, right out of the gate Connery made the character his own, with a mixture of action and smarts, plus a weakness for the opposite sex (but it was Ursula Andress – who wouldn't be weak?). It looks cheap nowadays – especially the "dragon" – but Connery had this.
Goldfinger (1963)

Considered by many to be the best of the Bond films, especially pre-Daniel Craig, this film's convoluted plot that makes very little sense doesn't matter. It is Bond and Goldfinger bouncing off each other, including both cheating at golf, and Goldfinger treating Bond like a guest. And, of course, Oddjob's there as well. Great film.
You Only Live Twice (1967)

This is my favourite Bond film, with the fake volcano, a spaceship that eats other ships, Bond going "yellow-face" (cringe) and just a supremely silly film that I love so much. I don't know why this one tickles my fancy so much, but it does.
Zardoz (1974)

A weird dystopian science fiction film, featuring Mr Connery in a red mankini. I don't understand exactly what it was about, but the action of it was incredible, the origin of the name makes sense, and the ageing scene at the end is stunning. Often derided, I really liked this.
Robin And Marian (1976)

My second favourite Robin Hood film (after Errol Flynn's), this sees Connery playing an ageing Robin, back from the crusades, and outlawed for disobeying King Richard. Old comrades and enemies come out of the woodwork and the stunningly beautiful Audrey Hepburn as Maid Marian is there as well. It ends sadly, as it should, but this is a forgotten film that should be re-appraised.
Time Bandits (1981)

Connery plays the part of King Agamemnon in this Monty Python-esque bit of strangeness from Terry Gilliam (still one of the greatest directors ever). He is not a major player, but, yet again, when he is on screen you believe he really would be a king.
Highlander (1986)

I love this film! The idea of immortals fighting until there is only one left is such a great story, and Connery as Ramirez played his role so well. It was over the top and slightly silly, but this is one of the best modern fantasy films made.
The Untouchables (1987)

He played the tough cop on the street Malone helping Kevin Costner bring down Al Capone, taking on the role of elderly mentor whose death sparks much of the later intrigue with Nitti. He really took this role and did everything he could. Mind you, with Brian de Palma at the helm, it's no wonder it worked.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)

Second best Indy film after the original and Connery made this as Jones Senior. The chemistry he and Harrison Ford had was astounding and the way they played off one another you'd think they were really father and son. And then riding off into the sunset together at the end… Glorious.
The Hunt For Red October (1990)

Connery as the captain of the titular submarine, this tale of Cold War intrigue was actually quite well written, and with Alec Baldwin and Sam Neill in strong roles, the film was tense without having to resort to histrionics. A really well-done film, held together by Connery's Ramius.
Dragonheart (1996)

Saw this at the cinema as one of the first date films I saw with my (eventual) wife. He voiced the last dragon and they used his face to animate it as well, and the ending scene where he sacrifices himself was amazing and heart-wrenching. Even as a CGI dragon, he could wrench it out of you.
The Rock (1996)

And we finish with a Michael Bay film – Michael Bay's best film, for what it's worth – and featuring Nicolas Cage in probably his best performance, with Connery as the aged escapee who has to break back into Alcatraz to stop the bad guys from gassing the city. Tense and tight, this is a great film.
Twelve wonderful films featuring a man who knew how to act at the top of his game. I am a fan (as you can probably tell), and I will use these films to help me keep my memories of him on the big screen alive. He was a truly wonderful actor.

He will be missed.
Vale, Sean Connery.


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84624 - 2023-06-11 06:56:59

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