h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Before you all post calling me a wierdo asking "what about Brosnan, Connery or Moore", I honestly believe that Timothy Dalton is the best interpetation of James Bond. For anyone who has read Ian Flemmings books you will find that Timothy Daltons portrayel is the closest to the character. In the books, Bond is not the same person painted by Sean Connery, and especially Roger Moore. Bond is a depressed, semi alcoholic work-man who at times can be disturbing. Both of his films were panned a little by critics who didn't understand this new Bond. Dalton re-read all the Bond books to try and get a feel for the character.

With rumours that the new Bond film will be Brosnans last, who should take over from him? One suggestion will that not be heard by many is the return of Dalton. Dalton is in great shape, and is not as old as you may think at only 53. Moore was 56 and looked old, but Dalton plays Bond differently.

Correction there. Dalton is 59. However, Harrison Ford is planning a new Indiana Jones film, and it looks like he will be 62 when it starts filming.

Second correction. He's 58. This had gone to my head.

As a portrayal of Fleming's Bond? Dalton.

As a hero? Moore.

Would an oap really be an efficient spy?

I've always maintained the best Bond is the one you grew up with, therefore to me Moore is the only Bond, he IS an English gentleman, you can imagine him finishing on set and then popping down to some oak clad cigar smoking club in Mayfair. And he's not Scottish.

S

Actually there is some confusion over how old Timothy Dalton actually is. His age range seems to go from 53 to 58. The most popular one seems to be 56.

Still a bit old to be running about all over the place. Doesn't he worry about brittle bones?

Brosnan. Without question. And I grew up with Moore as my original Bond, but Pierce manages to be beleivably sexy, brave, cunning, witty...and is a damn fine actor.

I give up.

Dalton is a better actor than Brosnan, and is only 7 years older.

I like Brosnan, but now that it is cool to like OHMSS again, I have to say that Lazenby is the most human of all the Bonds, particularly when Diana Rigg is lying dead in his arms.

OK he hammed it up for the rest of the film but to be fair it was his first acting job.

I grew up with Roger Moore... but the best bond has to be Sean Connery...
Moore onwards is all about the CIA, ruins the whole mythos of Bond...

The first film that I went to see with my father ( not exactly the first film I saw) was Goldfinger. Yes I'm OLD. I've seen every Bond film made and for me Sean is the best, sexiest (even today) and the only Bond worth mentioning. Timothy Dalton? Get a grip! K

I always like Connery and Dalton's more gritty performance of Bond, but as Connery made more films, he'd probably knock Dalton into second place.

Dalton is clearly the best. An absolute crime that he didn't do more.

There is a cracking article on the Graudian website accusing Bond of being a big girls blouse : http://film.guardian.co.uk/bond/story/0,12551,817606,00.html

quite funny really.

Almost as funny as the suggeston that Dalton is the better Bond from from a quality of performance, screen presence, quality of script...etc. perspective...

In terms of closeness to the books, Dalton's performance is the best. Some of that was down to the script, though. It's a shame that Dalton only made two Bond films (due to contractual wrangling - not Dalton's fault). It would have been interesting to see how Bond developed.

However, my *favourite* Bond is Connery, and always will be. Why? Don't know. I didn't 'grow up' with any of the Bonds, although Connery was the first Bond I saw. Connery's version of Bond had a hard edge, but also had a dry sense of humour. Lazenby just wasn't right for the part, especially after Connery. Moore was too close to playing the part for laughs. Dalton's two films were more sombre in tone than Moore's - not much scope for a light touch there. I've enjoyed Brosnan's performances - close to the Connery Bond in style.

Placing them in order of preference: Connery, Dalton, Brosnan (those two are too close to call), Lazenby, Moore.

As for who should replace Brosnan when he bows out, I have no idea. Nor do I care as long as he's British. I have heard rumours of American actors being under consideration, which would be a travesty and kill the Bond films stone dead.

Sean Connery definitely, yesh.

Sean Connery definitely, yesh.