Favourite Bond Moments - Round 26: NTTD- Part 2: Ranking

goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
edited January 2022 in Trivia & Games Posts: 4,375
With NTTD once again months away, we need other things to enjoy: Let's celebrate the 24 EON Bond films and their best moments.
My idea is the following:
  • We only discuss one movie at once. The first one I picked is TSWLM. This is the first round.
    Every movie discussion is seperated in two parts:
    • Part 1 = Suggestions and Discussion; Part 2 = Ranking
    • Part 1: We discuss for a few days (around a week or as long as the discussion is interesting enough) which moments or scenes you think are among the best of a specific movie. You suggest a few moments you love the most and you can try to convince the others why a certain scene deserves to be called (one of) the best. You can mention only one scene or also a lot of different moments/scenes you love.
    • Write about the scenes you like and not about the ones you dislike. This should be a celebration of our beloved spy movies.
    • Don't write already a final list of your favourite moments. This is done in the second part.
    • Part 2: Ranking. List your five favourite moments (1., 2., 3., 4., 5.)
    • Finally, I will announce the "official" top5 for the movie by calculating the following way: Every mentioned moment/scene ranked as #1 gets 5 points. Every moment ranked as #2 gets 4 points, #3 = 3 points, #4 = 2 points, #5 = 1 point. The five moments with the most points are then listed in the final top5 ranking
    • Afterwords, I will start the next round with another movie (in no particular order).

    I will summarise the winners of every round (movie) on page 1.

    I discussed with @Max_The_Parrot if I should talk about moments or scenes and he convinced me to call it "moments". What do we consider as a moment"? In Max' words: A moment could be both short things and big set pieces. Favourite moments could be a look, a quote, a mannerism (like adjusting the tie or throwing the hat) or something bigger like the bobsled chase or a fight scene.

    Best moments so far:
    TSWLM: PTS ski jump (followed by the Lotus action and Jaws at the pyramids)
    TB: SPECTRE meeting (followed by the Palmyra infiltration)
    AVTAK:
    1. The banter between Bond and Tibbett
    2. Golden Gate fight
    3. Title sequence (Binder/Duran Duran)
    4. Airship to Silicon Valley (drop outs included)

    DN:
    1. Bond introduction in the Casino
    2. Dinner with Dr. No
    3. Waiting for Dent / Kill Dent
    4. Tarantula room
    5. In M's office
    QOS:
    1. Night at the opera
    2. On plane with Mathis and "Vespers"
    3. PTS car chase
    DAD:
    1. Sword fight at Blades
    2. Hong Kong hotel
    3. Frost points the gun at Bond, he tries to kill her and uses the ring to escape
    4. Car chase on ice
    5. Bond arrives in Cuba and meets Raoul
    TMWTGG:
    1. PTS
    2. Plane flight to Scaramanga's island
    3. Bond meets Lazar
    4. Car Jump (chase):
    5. Bond has lunch with Scaramanga
    LTK:
    1. Night at the casino (problem eliminator, abseiling...)
    All these sequences got (almost) the same amount of points and share #2 to #6:
    PTS (especially Sanchez introduction)
    Bond infiltrates the Warehouse and ultimately kills Killifer.
    Wavekrest action
    Resignation at Hemingway House
    Tanker chase
    YOLT:
    1. Kobe docks (with the rooftop shot)
    2. Captured US space capsule
    3. Office fight
    4. Volcano lair action
    5. Little Nellie
    TWINE
    1. Bank scene (PTS, part 1)
    2. Boat chase (PTS, part 2)
    3 & 4: The bunker & Torture tower (especially "I never miss")
    5&6: Casino scene & Caviar factory
    OHMSS:
    1. Ski chase at night
    2. Build-up to Piz Gloria attack
    3. Beach fight
    4-6. Tracy's death, Bond meets Draco, Safe cracking
    SF:
    1. PTS (especially the train action/"bloody shot")
    2. Bond in Shanghai
    3. Attack on Skyfall
    4. Silva's first scene
    5. Bond running up Whitehall
    OP:
    1. 009-clown hunted and killed
    2. Sotheby's auction
    3. PTS
    4. Defusing the bomb
    5. Backgammon
    GF:
    1. PTS (with only one point more than the second one!)
    2. Golf match
    3. Fort Knox countdown and fight against Oddjob
    4. Jill painted in gold
    5. Laser table

    TND:
    1. Dr. Kaufman
    2. PTS
    3. Stealth boat finale
    4. Hamburg break in & break out
    5. HALO jump
    FYEO:
    1. Rock climbing
    2. Locque's demise
    3. Ski chase
    4. Car chase
    5. PTS
    SP:
    1. PTS (especially because of the tracking shot)
    2. Train fight
    3. Lucia Home - NOT - Alone
    4. SPECTRE meeting:
    5. First Q scene
    DAF:
    1. Elevator fight
    2. Two Blofelds with two cats
    3. First scene with Wint & Kidd
    4. Bond ascending the Whyte House
    5. Bambi and Thumper
    MR:
    1. The centrifuge
    2. Giant clown in the alley
    3. Corinne's death (and the former pheasant shooting)
    4. PTS Part 2: Freefall
    5. Bond vs. Chang in Venice
    GE
    1. PTS
    2. Tank chase
    3. End fight
    4. Title sequence
    5. Severnaya
    TLD
    1. PTS
    2. Defection/sniper scene
    3. Bond confronts Pushkin
    4. Snow and ice action with Aston and cello
    5. Necros' assault on safehouse
    LALD:
    1. Crocodile farm
    2. Boat chase
    3. Kananga's reveal and Solitaire's 50/50 chance
    4. Train fight with Tee Hee
    5. M's visit
    FRWL:
    1. (Confrontation with Grant) and fight on the train
    2. Blofeld's first scene
    3. PTS
    4. Kerim kills Krilencu
    5. Bond and Kerim take a scenic boat ride and spy on meeting via periscope
    CR:
    1. Crane action/parkour chase
    2. PTS
    3. Bond meets Vesper on the train
    4. End scene witch "Bond, James Bond"
    5. Torture scene
«13456730

Comments

  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    edited October 2020 Posts: 4,375
    Round 1. TSWLM
    Part 1: Suggestions and Discussion (no rankings, yet!)


    Let's start with the movie that is often called "Roger's best". TSWLM.

    Here are a few first thoughts.

    It is obviously that the Lotus will be mentioned. It is definitely a highlight for me. But is it the best part of the movie? Better than the famous ski jump?

    What's about the awesome first scene of Stromberg which is full of great moments: The elimination of the traitor, Atlantis emerging from the sea accompanied by classical music etc...

    There are many iconic Jaws moments in this movie. Which of his moments is the best and is it top5 material?

    And am I the only one who is a big fan of this short moment?: the-spy-who-loved-me-0179.jpg?w=900

    What are some of your favourite TSWLM moments and why?
  • R1s1ngs0nR1s1ngs0n France
    edited October 2020 Posts: 1,995
    The pyramids scene is hands down the movie’s best sequence. Beautifully shot, atmospheric... the Jaws reveal with that creepy cue “pa-pa-pa-pa-paooow” followed by Fekkesh’s demise - classic!
    Then there’s the PTS of course and I also like Atlantis’ rise above the sea to the sound of Mozart.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    edited October 2020 Posts: 4,375
    Thanks for starting @R1s1ngs0n. Yes, the pyramids scene is very atmospheric. Smart use of light/shadow, perfectly combined with music and the voice of the tourist attraction.
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    Talking of the pyramids scene, I love the very beginning of that scene where we're getting the light show and the narration (some say this is Charles Grey? I'm not convinced) - very dramatic!

    I also love the moment we see the painting of Roger hiding behind the rock - one of my favourite moments of the movie to spot now that I know it's there!

    The entry of the Lotus into the water is fab, but I actually like the transformation into Wet Nelly better, it was just such a jaw-dropping moment for me as a kid first seeing that, I literally could not believe my eyes, a car turning into a boat, it was a pure movie magic moment!

    And talking of the Lotus scene, the first moment of the car chase when that Bond 77 music kicks is another crowd-pleasing foot tapping moment, Disco Bond rules!
  • Posts: 6,672
    A moment I really like is when Bond swiftly disposes of the guards holding him captive aboard the Liparus, then makes his way into the rooms holding the submarine crews, releases them and tells them to head for the armory. Then the music kicks in. It's a real "here we go, things are about to get exciting" type of moment!

    I also love the moment we see the painting of Roger hiding behind the rock - one of my favourite moments of the movie to spot now that I know it's there!
    It's clever and it works very well, but as with the plane entering the hangar in OP, I now try not to look at it too closely, to let the illusion work!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,737
    Round 1. TSWLM
    Part 1: Suggestions and Discussion (no rankings, yet!)


    Let's start with the movie that is often called "Roger's best". TSWLM.

    Here are a few first thoughts.

    It is obviously that the Lotus will be mentioned. It is definitely a highlight for me. But is it the best part of the movie? Better than the famous ski jump?

    What's about the awesome first scene of Stromberg which is full of great moments: The elimination of the traitor, Atlantis emerging from the sea accompanied by classical music etc...

    There are many iconic Jaws moments in this movie. Which of his moments is the best and is it top5 material?

    And am I the only one who is a big fan of this short moment?: the-spy-who-loved-me-0179.jpg?w=900

    What are some of your favourite TSWLM moments and why?

    I am a huge fan of this moment. Rog standing parallel with the minaret and that short but haunting music cue. Love it.

    The pyramid does something similar to equally great effect: Jaws' face being lit up is accompanied by an equally eery music cue.

    Another great moment, and one of Rog's best acted scenes in the series, is when he tells Anya that he killed her lover. Puts the whole spy thing into perspective, despite the adventurous nature of the film.

    I'd also like to express my admiration for the short moment Tracy gets mentioned. OHMSS not being ignored and Rog's reaction make this a fine moment too.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,375
    I was wondering if a part from the last third (mainly on the Liparus) would get a mention. Good call @mattjoes.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    I'm hoping this thread will shine a light on some lesser celebrated moments, including one in Octopussy and Goldeneye that are among the best moments in all of Bond.

    I can't think of any right now, but there's some great moments of cinematography in spy like the above screenshot
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    I have to mention the moment we see Jaws smile for the first time and we realise he has metal teeth, another jaw-drop when I watched it as a kid, see that and he's instantly my favourite Bond baddie and I try wrapping my teeth in tin foil (once and never again!)
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    edited October 2020 Posts: 4,375
    I have to mention the moment we see Jaws smile for the first time and we realise he has metal teeth, another jaw-drop when I watched it as a kid, see that and he's instantly my favourite Bond baddie and I try wrapping my teeth in tin foil (once and never again!)

    Haha, great story :))
  • cwl007cwl007 England
    Posts: 611
    - Jaws stalking Fekesh and then coming outside for Bond to see him for the first time, lights out, Jaws vanishes. Very atmospheric.
    - The whole Lotus sequence from beginning to beach gag. (In fact this is one of the very few underwater sequences I never seem to get bored of)
    - On that sequence; for some reason I really enjoy the little moment when the Lotus squeezes in between the 2 lorries.
    - Sandor's "What a helpful chap death" with the tie. (I've never quite got why It's gone into legend how uncomfortable Moore was with the way Bond kills Loque in FYEO when Sandor's is just as cold. Just a thought)
    - Bond in Naval uniform at Faslane.
    - The scene when XXX twigs that Bond killed her boyfriend. Arguably Moore's best acting in the film.
  • WillyGalore_ReduxWillyGalore_Redux I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaaaaaaming
    edited October 2020 Posts: 294
    And am I the only one who is a big fan of this short moment?: the-spy-who-loved-me-0179.jpg?w=900

    What are some of your favourite TSWLM moments and why?

    It's such a wonderful shot. Just one of many which makes the film so, so good.

    It's no surprise that this is my favourite Bond of all time so I may be a bit more biased towards the film than most but it really does have some incredible moments scattered throughout.

    The ski jump at the beginning is still, for my money, the single greatest movie stunt of all time.

    The Lotus is as iconic a Bond car as the DB5 was for Sean.

    After the relatively average to poor quality of the 3 previous films, Cubby and the team really had to deliver on this one and boy, did they ever. All of the money is on the screen. Nothing is wasted. The photography is gorgeous, Ken Adams sets are stunningly sublime and the action sequences throughout are so well choreograped. The humor is bang on the mark. The title theme is a knockout and whilst I do like Hamlisch's score, it is very much of its era.
    I can't help thinking that a Barry soundtrack would have helped to tip this film into the realm of perfection.

    The central villain of Stromberg is ok but not overly memorable (Drax in Moonraker was so much better). However, a certain steel toothed henchman more than makes up for the lack of menace. Which brings me nicely onto this:

    As a 6yr old, I was absolutely terrified of Jaws and no Bond film before or after has ever really delivered scares that some horror films would be quite proud of. The murders of Fekkesh and Kalba are truly terrifying, as is Jaws hiding in Anya's wardrobe aboard the train. Whilst there were some elements of humor and slapstick surrounding Jaws in Spy, nowhere near the amount that was to appear in the following film which made him transcend from an almost immortal 7ft terror to that of a circus clown.

    My favourite scene in the film though is when Anya discovers it was Bond who was responsible for her lover's death in the PTS. It's such a brilliantly written, acted and directed scene. A truly wonderful sub plot that bubbles along nicely throughout and makes for a truly satisfying climax. For the few seconds when Anya declares the mission over and points Bond's gun at him, there is a brief bit genuine look of fear on Roger's face when he, as well as the audience, are suddenly confronted with the notion that this could be the moment when Bond dies. Of course, Bond's charm wins out and we're left with one of the best one liners ever...."Keeping the British end up, Sir".

    Indeed Roger. Indeed..
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426

    The ski jump at the beginning is still, for my money, the single greatest movie stunt of all time.

    Agree! Polls tend to shove this one down the line a bit now in favour of newer stunts for variety's sake but I still say this is the best.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 13,877
    Jaws standing in the shadows, in front of the Sphinx, watching Fekkesh run. The light shines on Jaws' face, and he moves his head in a specific way. I always felt like they had Bond recreate that exact shot of Jaws when Holly turns on the light in MR. Same angle, same head movements:

    https://screenmusings.org/movie/dvd/Moonraker/images/Moonraker-292.jpg
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    The murder crosscut with the dancing dervishes is brilliant and intense. The showdown with Sandor is also great. I love the whole atmosphere and the stylish surroundings.
  • WillyGalore_ReduxWillyGalore_Redux I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaaaaaaming
    Posts: 294

    The ski jump at the beginning is still, for my money, the single greatest movie stunt of all time.

    Agree! Polls tend to shove this one down the line a bit now in favour of newer stunts for variety's sake but I still say this is the best.

    I wish I was old enough to have seen that in the cinema (alas, I was only a year old). The stunned silence of the audience as Bond goes over the edge and then the near spontaneous applause and cheering when the Union Jack parachute is deployed must have been one of the great moments on the big screen.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,375
    w2bond wrote: »
    I'm hoping this thread will shine a light on some lesser celebrated moments, including one in Octopussy and Goldeneye that are among the best moments in all of Bond.
    I'm curious to find out which moments you mean in OP and GE.

    Very good post with great moments @WillyGalore .

    You guys wrote about a lot of awesome moments today.
    It is obviously a movie with more than awesome action pieces (like the lotus and the ski action): the cinematography (often combined with a well timed score) seems to be on a much higher level as films directed by (i.e.)Glen. I mean, the Glen movies have some outstanding action scenes but not the same amount of unforgettable/atmospheric “images“ of more quiet moments.
    The other interesting moments, which were mentioned the first time by
    GoldenGun wrote: »

    Another great moment, and one of Rog's best acted scenes in the series, is when he tells Anya that he killed her lover. Puts the whole spy thing into perspective, despite the adventurous nature of the film.

    I'd also like to express my admiration for the short moment Tracy gets mentioned. OHMSS not being ignored and Rog's reaction make this a fine moment too.
    should definitely be considered for the final ranking. The link to Tracy is done perfectly. That's the way how Bond's past should be incorporated (yes, I talk to you, SP!).

    Wait, noone mentioned the outstanding acting performance of Babs Bach?? Talking about XXX: The shower scene is great. The look on the man's face is priceless and Bach's performance is good there.
  • MooseWithFleasMooseWithFleas Philadelphia
    Posts: 3,330
    Triple X and Bond at the mojave club having a drink. Very solid start to depicting them as equals and love the call back to Bond's past.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,737
    w2bond wrote: »
    I'm hoping this thread will shine a light on some lesser celebrated moments, including one in Octopussy and Goldeneye that are among the best moments in all of Bond.
    I'm curious to find out which moments you mean in OP and GE.

    Very good post with great moments @WillyGalore .

    You guys wrote about a lot of awesome moments today.
    It is obviously a movie with more than awesome action pieces (like the lotus and the ski action): the cinematography (often combined with a well timed score) seems to be on a much higher level as films directed by (i.e.)Glen. I mean, the Glen movies have some outstanding action scenes but not the same amount of unforgettable/atmospheric “images“ of more quiet moments.
    The other interesting moments, which were mentioned the first time by
    GoldenGun wrote: »

    Another great moment, and one of Rog's best acted scenes in the series, is when he tells Anya that he killed her lover. Puts the whole spy thing into perspective, despite the adventurous nature of the film.

    I'd also like to express my admiration for the short moment Tracy gets mentioned. OHMSS not being ignored and Rog's reaction make this a fine moment too.
    should definitely be considered for the final ranking. The link to Tracy is done perfectly. That's the way how Bond's past should be incorporated (yes, I talk to you, SP!).

    Wait, noone mentioned the outstanding acting performance of Babs Bach?? Talking about XXX: The shower scene is great. The look on the man's face is priceless and Bach's performance is good there.

    Younger me was certainly a fan of that scene ;)
  • cwl007cwl007 England
    Posts: 611
    Oh yes, I forgot about the bar scene. Nice back and forth dialogue and not only the little reference to Tracy but also Roger's reaction, just right. It's a very rare little moment were we just get a glimpse of Bond behind the armour.
  • Posts: 631
    I’ve mentioned this before on another thread, but the shot where the Lotus enters the water is superb, especially because it was done for real.

    The helicopter pilot had a really, really skilled job to do for that shot. He had to fly the helicopter perfectly. If he flew too high, by only a few feet, then he’s out of camera shot. If he files too low then he’s hidden behind the car as it drives along. If he flies too slow, or too fast, or too far back, or too far forward, then he’s out of camera shot too. That pilot had a tiny, tiny spot to fly in, and he only had one chance to do it, and he absolutely nailed it. The camera caught both the Lotus and the helicopter.

    Absolutely fantastic. Today it would all be done by computer animation, I suppose. Back in ‘77 they actually crashed a car into the sea with a helicopter flying next to it.

    My favourite bit of the whole film.
  • WillyGalore_ReduxWillyGalore_Redux I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaaaaaaming
    edited October 2020 Posts: 294
    I’ve mentioned this before on another thread, but the shot where the Lotus enters the water is superb, especially because it was done for real.

    The helicopter pilot had a really, really skilled job to do for that shot. He had to fly the helicopter perfectly. If he flew too high, by only a few feet, then he’s out of camera shot. If he files too low then he’s hidden behind the car as it drives along. If he flies too slow, or too fast, or too far back, or too far forward, then he’s out of camera shot too. That pilot had a tiny, tiny spot to fly in, and he only had one chance to do it, and he absolutely nailed it. The camera caught both the Lotus and the helicopter.

    Absolutely fantastic. Today it would all be done by computer animation, I suppose. Back in ‘77 they actually crashed a car into the sea with a helicopter flying next to it.

    My favourite bit of the whole film.

    Agreed. Its a great sequence. The culmination of the best car chase in the series.

    Lotus-Esprit-James-bond-1inpage.jpg
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    edited October 2020 Posts: 2,426
    'James, I need you'
    'So does England' as he heads off alone to face danger, accompanied by patriotic musical flourish

    Almost brings a tear to the eye, Britain can always rely on Bond! And there's something about Roger in that canary yellow skisuit, few people could pull that look off!
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,602
    - Sardinia Lotus road chase
    - Bond has the idea to aim the submarines' bombs at each other (looking at the world map)
    - desert wandering with a great score
  • WillyGalore_ReduxWillyGalore_Redux I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaaaaaaming
    Posts: 294
    marc wrote: »
    - Sardinia Lotus road chase
    - Bond has the idea to aim the submarines' bombs at each other (looking at the world map)
    - desert wandering with a great score

    In fairness though, that piece of the score is taken from Lawrence of Arabia.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,602
    Allright, I didn't know that, but then it's a nice tribute
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    w2bond wrote: »
    I'm hoping this thread will shine a light on some lesser celebrated moments, including one in Octopussy and Goldeneye that are among the best moments in all of Bond.
    I'm curious to find out which moments you mean in OP and GE.
    @goldenswissroyale
    Octopussy - when Bond uses the players privelege and doesn't even look at the dice when he throws a double six - "fancy that"

    Goldeneye - when Bond is arming the bomb soon after entering the satellite base and barely flinches as there's gunfire around him

    They are among the best moments in all of Bond
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,375
    @w2bond the OP dice scene is a veeery strong contender for the best moment of the film. And the GE moment is definitely cool.

    But let's focus again on TSWLM. Any last suggestions we should consider before we start part 2 with the ranking?
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 13,877
    Always loved the boat ride down the Nile.
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    Bond dodging the false floor in the elevator is also a nice touch!
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