From Russia With Love vs. Goldfinger; which is the best Bond?

chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
in The James Bond Films
My favourite Connery Bond is TB, but if I step away from myself for a moment and try to be truly objective...
DN was fabulous, but just a tad underfunded and still finding its way with Bond.
TB was grand, but plodding at times.
YOLT was more fun than humans normally should be allowed to have, but it veered away from Fleming in favour of spectacle a little too much IMO.
OHMSS wasn't Connery.

So I have boiled it down to FRWL & GF as the two most golden Bonds from the Golden era (The Sixties, baby!).
Which do you think is a better movie/film experience/Bond?
Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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Comments

  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I don't think you need my answer to your query! :))
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter wrote:
    I don't think you need my answer to your query! :))
    Yes, it's a given. :D And I tend to agree with you.
    However, I find FRWL to be a very 'Hitchcockian' experience. One can make the case that it rises above all other Bonds for that reason alone....
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Blackleiter wrote:
    I don't think you need my answer to your query! :))
    Yes, it's a given. :D And I tend to agree with you.
    However, I find FRWL to be a very 'Hitchcockian' experience. One can make the case that it rises above all other Bonds for that reason alone....

    I wholeheartedly agree that FRWL has a "Hitchockian" feel about it and is no doubt in the very top tier of Bond films.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    But GF has a laser. -{
    IT's all about the lasers. :))
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I have to agree, I know many say FRWL is the better film, but
    Given the choice I'd watch GF every time. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • TecoloteTecolote Mississippi,USAPosts: 121MI6 Agent
    I'm in the FRWL camp. I think it is the best. However, GF is the prototype for the rest of the films, and I actually prefer the idea of contaminating Ft. Knox over the novel's actual robbery. I will watch either,along with DN and TB, any time they come on.

    Regards,

    Tecolote
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    FRWL for the pure Fleming Bond experience maybe? Goldfinger for the EON interpretation?
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Good explanation, {[]
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • KabraxalKabraxal Posts: 104MI6 Agent
    Of those two... probably Goldfinger. I still think that TB is still the overall better Bond film. I just find the pacing, action, story, bond girl and even the villain to be better. I will say Oddjob was definitely a great henchman though.
    Top Ten Bond - 10:Goldfinger 9:Thunderball 8:The Spy who Loved Me 7:For Your Eyes Only 6: Casino Royale 5:The Man with the Golden Gun 4:Quantum of Solace 3:Licence to Kill 2:Goldeneye 1:The Living Daylights
  • chrismancchrismanc Posts: 7MI6 Agent
    Goldfinger for me just has so many iconic moments which never seem to become boring, unlike some other films in which the most memorable moments often tend to become tedious due to the sheer amount of times they've been viewed! (Though this may be nostalgia-tinged for me as it was the very first bond I ever saw - on ITV as a five year old!!)

    FRWL is fantastic in its own ways, so different from the large majority of the films and in that sense it is hard to compare with GF. As is the thing with Bond, it all depends what kind of mood you are in.. :)
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,652MI6 Agent
    welshboy78 wrote:
    FRWL for the pure Fleming Bond experience maybe? Goldfinger for the EON interpretation?

    Yes, along with TP, I agree. If I had to choose though, it's FRWL for me, for the cold war and classic secret agent aspects and the modest use of gadgets. I also like the villains, and Grant though being tough, he wasn't ridiculously OTT strong like Oddjob.
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • DaltonFan1DaltonFan1 The West of IrelandPosts: 503MI6 Agent
    I consider FRWL a much better film than GF, which I've always found to be a bit over rated.

    That said, I think LALD, OHMSS and CR are all better films, and I can never decide how good GE and Dalton's films.
    “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Blackleiter wrote:
    I don't think you need my answer to your query! :))
    Yes, it's a given. :D And I tend to agree with you.
    However, I find FRWL to be a very 'Hitchcockian' experience. One can make the case that it rises above all other Bonds for that reason alone....

    FRWL should be praised because it copies "North by Northwest" ?

    Hey, by the way, I thought you HATED lasers. (Moonraker)

    My vote for Goldfinger as the pure cinematic Bond. FRWL as the best literary/Fleming Bond.

    Although….Goldfinger (film) followed the novel fairly closely, so there! Maybe FRWL is just boring.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • MooseWithFleasMooseWithFleas Philadelphia, PAPosts: 753MI6 Agent
    chrismanc wrote:
    Goldfinger for me just has so many iconic moments which never seem to become boring, unlike some other films in which the most memorable moments often tend to become tedious due to the sheer amount of times they've been viewed! (Though this may be nostalgia-tinged for me as it was the very first bond I ever saw - on ITV as a five year old!!)

    FRWL is fantastic in its own ways, so different from the large majority of the films and in that sense it is hard to compare with GF. As is the thing with Bond, it all depends what kind of mood you are in.. :)

    Great post and well said. I enjoy both immensley, but FRWL has much higher replay value for me. I love the stealth elements, everything with Kerim Bey who is absolute gold, the villains are tremendously done and work so well together. The Orient Express sequences are some of the best in the whole series.

    No doubt Goldfinger set the bar for Bondmania and forever changed the game. The formula that came for years after was set by the Gold standard that is Goldfinger. Both are in my top 10, but FRWL is my preferred and the ultimate Connery for me.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Firemass wrote:
    Hey, by the way, I thought you HATED lasers. (Moonraker)
    They weren't LASERS, they were BLASTERS. 8-)
    'Real' LASERS are in GF, DAF, TLD & DAD (plus NSNA if you count that one).
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    From Russia with Love is a better film. Goldfinger is a better movie. In this, I can watch From Russia with Love when I want to see something tasteful, suspenseful, and romantic. I watch Goldfinger when I want fun escapism -- and given that that doesn't require as much from me, it's what I am more likely to turn to.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    From Russia with Love is a better film. Goldfinger is a better movie.
    Simply and nicely put. -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Goldfinger just has this fantastic feel-good element, which makes me want to reach for it more than many other other Bonds.
    The slightly more lighthearted approach by Guy Hamilton, plus John Barry's wonderful soundtrack (he started his golden period with the GF score IMO), Connery's relaxed and urbane presence, the DB5... -{
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    .... and don't forgrt the Pussy................ Galore that is. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    FRWL for me , this film started my love affair with all things Turkish :)
    By the way, did I tell you, I was "Mad"?
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    FRWL was a more traditional Espionage Adventure. GF had more Action in it -{
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • DieAnotherDayDieAnotherDay Glasgow, ScotlandPosts: 460MI6 Agent
    I re-watch Goldfinger far more which must mean I find there's more to enjoy in it. Although FRWL is an excellent espionage thriller - Some parts are painfully slow imo.
    ....and the best he ever managed was a sermon on the mount.
  • Dalkowski110Dalkowski110 Posts: 1,314MI6 Agent
    FRWL, without question. It was the third Bond film I ever saw (ironically, right after GF!) and has been my favorite to this day. In spite of horrific editing (possibly the worst in the series), the on-location filming in Turkey is just terrific. The plot is great, Kerim Bey is a great ally, and Bond's reaction to his death is arguably the most Flemingesque of any Bond losing a friend.

    Is GF the greatest "escapist" Bond? Without question. But if you want a Cold War espionage thriller, even if you're not really in the mood to see a Bond film, FRWL generally fills the bill.
    By the way, are you gonna eat that?
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    For me, it's a toss up between MR and GF for the Title of Greatest Escapist Bond
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • PeppermillPeppermill DelftPosts: 2,860MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Firemass wrote:
    Hey, by the way, I thought you HATED lasers. (Moonraker)
    They weren't LASERS, they were BLASTERS. 8-)
    'Real' LASERS are in GF, DAF, TLD & DAD (plus NSNA if you count that one).

    Don't forget the laser watch in GE.

    On topic: I enjoy FRWL more than GF. However, I can understand why GF is considered the ultimate Bond movie.
    1. Ohmss 2. Frwl 3. Op 4. Tswlm 5. Tld 6. Ge 7. Yolt 8. Lald 9. Cr 10. Ltk 11. Dn 12. Gf 13. Qos 14. Mr 15. Tmwtgg 16. Fyeo 17. Twine 18. Sf 19. Tb 20 Tnd 21. Spectre 22 Daf 23. Avtak 24. Dad
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    GF was the first Bond Film to gain the most Recognition.
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • DEFIANT 74205DEFIANT 74205 Perth, AustraliaPosts: 1,881MI6 Agent
    From Russia With Love.

    For me, it is the best Bond bar none. It's an accurate interpretation of its literary source, which always gets top marks from me, not to mention that it was a beautifully directed, beautifully written, and well acted. Pedro Armendariz as Kerim Bey was superb, as was Connery's Bond. The only thing that could have improved From Russia With Love, in my view, would be a cliffhanger ending: rather than seeing Bond and Tanya in a gondola in Italy, the last scene should have been from Bond's point-of-view, collapsing after being struck by Klebb's poison tipped shoes - the way it was in the book.

    Goldfinger was too formulaic, but nevertheless a very good film. Just not quite to the standard of From Russia With Love.
    "Watch the birdie, you bastard!"
  • MadMaxZorinMadMaxZorin United StatesPosts: 65MI6 Agent
    Goldfinger was the first Bond to achieve blockbuster status on a Grand Scale. The budget was a lot bigger and it looked and felt like a huge production. With that being said From Russia With Love is the better film IMO. I have it in my top 3 simply because I love the film's atmosphere. Bond goes about his business as an MI6 agent, unaware that Red Grant is quietly stalking him in the background the entire time. As a viewer, You really get the sense that Bond is in grave danger and the final confrontation between Bond and Grant on the train is one for the ages. FRWL sits firmly at # 3 on my personal list and my top 3 never really change. Goldfinger usually shifts back and forth from anywhere at #4 through #7 or 8 depending on my mood. This is mostly because as great as the film is, it is somewhat of a victim of it's own hype. Still- GF is a great film in it's own right. I just love FRWL and will toot it's horn at any turn lol :)
    1. Goldeneye 2. The Spy Who Loved Me 3. From Russia With Love 4. Goldfinger 5. Casino Royale
  • Richard--WRichard--W USAPosts: 200MI6 Agent
    From Russia With Love, obviously. It's literately written, superbly performed, meticulously produced and adroitly directed. It strikes the right balance between straightforward drama and tongue-in-cheek humor. It's sexy, suspenseful, and exciting. It conveys a sense of danger; we can believe that Bond is at risk. The film is rich in atmosphere and style. It's also about espionage, not superhuman feats and mad doctors. It's a first-rate cold-war thriller and the definitive Bond film.

    The only improvement that could have been was if the gypsy girls fought topless and sank their teeth into each other's tender flesh, like Ian Fleming wanted them to.

    In comparison Goldfinger is tedious self-parody, and only exciting in a few set-pieces which are memorable but not everything. Guy Hamilton just didn't get it. I really don't like his work. He steered the series in the wrong direction. Think how much edgier Goldginer would have been if Terence Young had directed it.
    The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Having recently sat down and watched both films again. I have to agree
    With many of Richard--W's points. I used to love GF but feel FRWL is a
    Better film keeping Fleming's Bond before he became EON's Bond in GF.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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