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Sean Connery’s 14 Best Films
A Happy Birthday and Retirement celebration
"I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do my job right, people won't ask for their money back." – Sean Connery
On August 25th the Scottish performer forever immortalised with his delivery of the name “Pussy Galore” turned 77 years old. Recently retiring from the biz after his abysmal experience on the embarrassing League of Extraordinary Gentlemen triggered the announcement.
"I'm fed up with the idiots, the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and those who green light them. I don't say they're all idiots - I'm just saying there's a lot of them. It would almost need a Mafia-like offer I couldn't refuse to do another movie." – Sean Connery
This is a prime time to look back at the highlights of this former Mr Universe contestants' impressive filmography. Avoiding the guilty pleasures (EG: Highlander, Hunt For Red October, Rising Sun, Medicine Man) John Doe is focusing instead on the quality motion pictures that exemplify the charismatic performers versatility and powerful screen presence.
Universally acknowledged as the embodiment of Ian Fleming’s hard man super spy James Bond, it would be foolish to start anywhere else but From Russia With Love (1963). Ruthless and still rough around the edges, this is the quintessential 007 before he went the comic book route with Goldfinger.
"I have always hated that damn James Bond. I'd like to kill him." – Sean Connery
Personally, JD thinks that Connery’s most focused and complete portrayals came when he was in the hands of Director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men, Network). Collaborating 5 times together (The Hill, The Offence, Murder on The Orient Express, The Anderson tapes, Family Business), for Johnny The Hill (1965) stands out as the screen idols finest moment in front of the camera. An anti war story with a difference as a British WWII military stockade Sergeant disciplines his fellow countrymen including Sean with torture.
Here is a fantastic behind the scenes Cannes documentary on the making of The Hill.
Connery himself cites The Offence (1972) as the work he is proudest of and it’s hard to disagree. As an unhinged policeman who brutally interrogates a suspect to death and then must deal with the psychological consequences, he bravely avoids the schtick.
Donning a handle bar moustache for the Agatha Christie tale Murder on the Orient Express (1974) and as the wire tapped thief in the Anderson Tapes (think The Conversation with a heist) he would unite once more with Lumet for the uneven but entertaining comedy Family Business.
That rounds out the top few, below is the complete top ranking list of 14 Sean Connery films that John Doe considers the best.(In no particular order).
Terence Young's From Russia With Love (1963)
Sidney Lumet’s - The Hill / Murder on the Orient Express/ The Offence/The Anderson Tapes
John Lemont’s The Frightened City (1961)
John Milius’s The Wind and The Lion (1975)
John Huston’s The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
Martin Ritt The Molly Maguires (1970)
Richard Lester’s Robin and Marian (1976)
Richard Attenboroughs - A Bridge too Far (1977)
Trailer for A Bridge Too Far
Jean-Jacques Annaud - The Name of the Rose (1986)
Trailer for The Name of the Rose
Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981)
Hilarious trailer for Time Bandits
Fred Schepsi’s The Russia House (1990)
Trailer for The Russia House
Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables
A cool scene from the Untouchables
More than just a cinematic Bond
"I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do my job right, people won't ask for their money back." – Sean Connery
On August 25th the Scottish performer forever immortalised with his delivery of the name “Pussy Galore” turned 77 years old. Recently retiring from the biz after his abysmal experience on the embarrassing League of Extraordinary Gentlemen triggered the announcement.
"I'm fed up with the idiots, the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and those who green light them. I don't say they're all idiots - I'm just saying there's a lot of them. It would almost need a Mafia-like offer I couldn't refuse to do another movie." – Sean Connery
An Artists Life
This is a prime time to look back at the highlights of this former Mr Universe contestants' impressive filmography. Avoiding the guilty pleasures (EG: Highlander, Hunt For Red October, Rising Sun, Medicine Man) John Doe is focusing instead on the quality motion pictures that exemplify the charismatic performers versatility and powerful screen presence.
Universally acknowledged as the embodiment of Ian Fleming’s hard man super spy James Bond, it would be foolish to start anywhere else but From Russia With Love (1963). Ruthless and still rough around the edges, this is the quintessential 007 before he went the comic book route with Goldfinger.
"I have always hated that damn James Bond. I'd like to kill him." – Sean Connery
A chat with the Author
Personally, JD thinks that Connery’s most focused and complete portrayals came when he was in the hands of Director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men, Network). Collaborating 5 times together (The Hill, The Offence, Murder on The Orient Express, The Anderson tapes, Family Business), for Johnny The Hill (1965) stands out as the screen idols finest moment in front of the camera. An anti war story with a difference as a British WWII military stockade Sergeant disciplines his fellow countrymen including Sean with torture.
Here is a fantastic behind the scenes Cannes documentary on the making of The Hill.
Connery himself cites The Offence (1972) as the work he is proudest of and it’s hard to disagree. As an unhinged policeman who brutally interrogates a suspect to death and then must deal with the psychological consequences, he bravely avoids the schtick.
Donning a handle bar moustache for the Agatha Christie tale Murder on the Orient Express (1974) and as the wire tapped thief in the Anderson Tapes (think The Conversation with a heist) he would unite once more with Lumet for the uneven but entertaining comedy Family Business.
Starring alongside a very young Chris Walken in The Anderson Tapes
That rounds out the top few, below is the complete top ranking list of 14 Sean Connery films that John Doe considers the best.(In no particular order).
Terence Young's From Russia With Love (1963)
Sidney Lumet’s - The Hill / Murder on the Orient Express/ The Offence/The Anderson Tapes
John Lemont’s The Frightened City (1961)
John Milius’s The Wind and The Lion (1975)
John Huston’s The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
Original Poster
Martin Ritt The Molly Maguires (1970)
Poster
Richard Lester’s Robin and Marian (1976)
Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn
Richard Attenboroughs - A Bridge too Far (1977)
Trailer for A Bridge Too Far
Jean-Jacques Annaud - The Name of the Rose (1986)
Trailer for The Name of the Rose
Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981)
Hilarious trailer for Time Bandits
Fred Schepsi’s The Russia House (1990)
Trailer for The Russia House
Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables
A cool scene from the Untouchables
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Sean Connery does it for me, now there's a MAN, if ever I saw one.
The Hill was amazing, however do you find the time to do all these things.
katyzzz...well done as always.
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Love Name of the Rose, though. Different character from the book, but the Connery-air makes it a little more fun, I think...
Horrorphile
What a man though ...
Time Bandits trailer ... very Monty Python, of course.
Personally I think his best film is Zardoz.
(heh, heh, heh ...)
Can't say that I liked Robin and Marion much.
He was good in Time Bandits, Name of the Rose and The Man Who Would be King.
A Fine Madness is also a great film.
Zardoz is a love it or hate type of film.
Horrorphile
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Brilliant that you are a fan of The Hill too, it is easily the best of Sean Connery's performances I think.....although The Offence is incredibly powerful too..
Thanks for the visit
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Thanks for the ego stroke, Name of the Rose is a good one..
Most of the films I listed re available in Oz on DVD (except The Hill and Russia House), may I suggest grabbing The Offence next time your at JB Hi Fi.
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I admit that I have a soft spot for the film too, its as much because of Director John Boorman (Deliverance, Hell in the Pacific, Excalibur)..
In all seriousness though Outland was only a Zardoz chest hair away from making it in my list. High Noon in outer space, whats not to love?
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I can understand some not digging Robin and Marian, for me it was such an emotional experience and its so refreshing to have 2 superstar leads playing their age...its sentimental and poetic tragedy, like life romance must die.
Great call with A Fine Madness, one I have been questing to see for years but have never seen a copy in Australia. Its as much for jean Seberg and Joanne Woodward that I have had it on my list for around 15 years now. Your recommendation makes me even keener to see it now.
Im guilty of Zardoz pleasure too..
now I have to say this is an impressive, heartfelt tribute to a great actor and a fantastic human being with excellent clips to boot...!
But I do havta say, I missed a clip of Red October!!!
LOLOL
I know, just me being selfish, but I thought personally that was one of Connery's best perfomances, although the ones you have here were all fantastic...
I was terribly disappointed in League, but Connery could have turned the film down...But as bad as it is, I still love Connery's role in it! Without his presence, it would have sucked major eggs...
LOLOL
A fine tribute my friend! Happy Birthday Sean! We're gonna miss ya buddy!
Take care,
Nick
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What a grerat man,
What a great actor,
What great movies,
What a feast ...
Can't help but be curious to see what 'offer' would entice him, if any ...
I really anjoyed ALL he ever did ...even 'League' (at least he played his part well)...
Thanks for the treat.
Lilla ...
My faves are:
From Russia with Love
The Untouchables
The Russia House
Great post, great man.
Cheers
CC
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He wrote of the shoot when Connery was running on top of a train that was supposed to be going 30 miles per hour; it was an old-fashioned train and had no gauges. The helicopter with the film crew estimated the train's speed at 30 M.P.H. Connery completed the scene perfectly. When the director called for a retake, Connery refused; said that those stunts were hard enough without being on top of a train going 65 M.P.H.
When everyone argued, Connery didn't get upset. He simply left for the day. Later when the train's speed was clocked, turned out it was in fact going 65 M.P.H.--and Connery, knowing this, still climbed up and performed his own stunts flawlessly.
Ya gotta love a guy like that....
Story from Michael Crichton's "Travels"
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The passion and emotion comes as much from the fond memories of growing up watching Sean Connery films with my dad.
The Hunt For red October was cited as a guilty pleasure early in the post. I enjoy it teh film immensely but its not a great performance, in fact it's lazy as hell and he doesn't even try to change his accent....but that's why we love him too..
League was ridiculous, especially if compared to the graphic novels tone of making the mythical into real people.
Great comments as always...
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He is a tremendous cinematic force isn't he and often underestimated. Considered a characture by those that haven't seen his depth of skill in these often ignored works.
I would say the offer of excessive money (Gotta wonder how much Spielberg and Co waved under his nose for Indy IV) and a contract stipulation that a golf course be built as part of the set for his personal use.
As much as I adore the man's style and he is worth watching in everything, there are films I could never sit through again and League is one. (Finding Forrester another, not because of Sean but the Oprah friendly plot and heavy handed predicability made it's cliche's and stereotypes unbearable.
A pleasure as always.
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Sean's physique and features were clearly defined by the DR No stage weren't they. Love that he has managed to hold onto that gruff rough around the edges element of danger.
Glad all your faves were included, have you seen the rest of them?
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I adore The Man who would be King, blends cinematic spendour, larger than life adventure with relevant morality and touching emotion. The two leads (Sean and Caine) dominate against the massive back drop making for epic entertainment.
Appreciate the encouraging words James, thank you.
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The Great Train Robbery offers an interesting chemistry between Donald Sutherland and Connery. Its tightly written and engages, I haven't seen it in years but after reading your tale I may have to trackdown a copy Film at "Travels"....One that slipped my mind when doing the list.
Thanks for the tip.
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
The Hill
The Offence
Outland
The Man Who Would Be King
The Molly Maguires
Zardoz
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Nice list too though Zardoz is more a guilty "Barberella in a mans body" guilty pleasure for me
stu kicks
He has a new film blog if you're interested... canetoadwarrior.blogspot.com, up to nearly 300 film reviews.
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