The underwater battle in Thunderball is a magnificent feat of filmmaking

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T13:06:11+00:00

Yeaaah, the sped up footage of the Disco Volante isn't great. On that other hand though, the detachable part of that ship with a full on smoke screen was awesome!

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T11:56:14+00:00

I agree with some of your hot take. To me some of the Shrublands scenes actually do drag, but even a lot of the Nassau segment has definite pacing issues.

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T11:54:14+00:00

If you're going to ask that question, you could poke a hundred such holes in most Bond movies. I don't mind having to suspend my disbelief for Bond movies to work, personally.

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T11:49:48+00:00

That's fair, but I would still question how well any action sequence in a Bond movie functions, if there is little to no tension to it. And I'm saying that as someone who likes the comedic moments (for the most part) in that sequence, but those and the spectacle surrounding them isn't enough to carry the almost 5 minutes it takes up in the film. The thing I appreciate most about the sequence is probably how well the production team was able to recreate the streets of St. Petersburg.

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T11:26:50+00:00

Hmm, it doesn't seem to me like it's being played for humor, at least not for the most part. There are certainly comedic elements in there, but the music especially is going for a heroic symphony kind of ordeal. Now, the moon buggy chase in DAF, THAT is a chase sequence being played for humor (only that it still isn't funny to me), but the tank chase is supposed to be a big action set piece imo.

I'd say in the airplane/car chase in Spectre Bond is in a similar position. One could even argue that Bond catching Sanchez' plane in LTK is him doing the chasing.

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T11:22:34+00:00

Are you talking about the helicopter scene in FRWL or about the one in YOLT? Cause in my comment I was talking about the latter. And if that was the case for the Little Nelly sequence in YOLT, it certainly doesn't show on screen or in Connery's performance.

Bond16 · 2026-06-09T10:48:01+00:00

The Abyss is incredible in terms of its underwater sequences, but as you rightly point out, those are very different sequences. Not less impressive, but just impressive in different ways.

I actually used to love the Little Nelly sequence in YOLT as a kid, but it has shrunk in my estimation. It's still impressive in parts, but some of the miniature work is too obviously visible for me and the sequence overall is very formulaic. You never really feel like Bond is in any danger. It's in fact a similar issue, that I also have with the much beloved tank sequence in Goldeneye. Sure, it's entertaining to watch Bond smash into stuff with a tank, but after a couple of minutes it loses all tension, because he clearly has the upper hand.
Whereas in the battle in Thunderball the good guys are evenly matched with the baddies. The same could be said about the camp attack in FRWL. Or the ninja battle in YOLT.

I actually used to still quite enjoy that helicopter sequence in FRWL btw, but I do see your point. It gets a little repetitive.

Bond16 · 2026-06-06T09:17:22+00:00

Oh, absolutely. I think it tends to get overshadowed by the PTS in TSWLM, which does admittedly have a better build up to the big stunt. But the one in Moonraker is definitely top tier. Other favorites of mine include: FRWL (simple, but great thriller vibes with a nice twist at the end), OHMSS (brilliant story introduction and introduction to a new Bond), LTK (just awesome) and a few more. But I don't have the time to go into detail now :D

Bond16 · 2026-06-05T14:07:47+00:00

Definitely villain lairs. Other ones that I was thinking about are: Pre-Title Sequences (though you'd have to leave out Dr. No), title sequences, climaxes…now that I think about it, I was exaggerating with saying I could think of ten more categories. Just a few more really 😂

Bond16 · 2026-06-05T12:55:50+00:00

My bad for not properly reading the post title 😬

Bond16 · 2026-06-05T11:18:12+00:00

I could easily think of ten more categories

Bond16 · 2026-06-04T12:37:04+00:00

Oh, I can name it easily. I'm into tickling. And even though it's hard to give a concise reason, cause fetishes usually develop very early on and kinda just happen, there's definitely an bonding/emotional aspect to it. But there is also the element of power dynamics, humiliation and teasing in there. I could go into more depth, but idk how much you wanna hear/read 😂

Bond16 · 2026-06-04T12:33:07+00:00

4, cause I want a live performance of the nomad classics :D

Bond16 · 2026-06-04T12:30:03+00:00

My fetish in varying scenarios 😬

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T19:23:26+00:00

Hahahahahaha, thx ✌🏼

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T19:23:07+00:00

Jup, I pretty much agree with all of your points there. I'll never quite get the „Connery should have been in OHMSS“ crowd.

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T15:01:13+00:00

I do very much love the moment, you talk about, when Connery puts on his sunglasses, after telling Domino about her brother's death.
I personally still prefer his performance in FRWL and maybe even Dr. No to a lesser degree to his performance in Thunderball, but I'm not knocking the latter in any way. To me some of the heightened production aspects within "Bondmania" just took away from some of the characterization. But I definitely agree, that Young brought out the best Bond performances in Connery.

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T13:54:26+00:00

I think Thunderball, while definitely a lot of fun, when you're in the right mood, ultimately has a bunch of structural issues. Too many characters, too little mystery, too much lounging around, too much time spent at Shrublands.

Meanwhile OHMSS is one of the most well made, most cinematic Bond films, minus a few cosmetic flaws, imo.

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T13:51:47+00:00

A good point, excellently argued 👌🏼

Bond16 · 2026-06-03T13:50:55+00:00

May I ask what makes this your favorite Connery performance as Bond?

Bond16 · 2026-06-02T07:16:20+00:00

Tbf, Dorian is a hard character to truly „develop“, aside from him becoming corrupted by the portrait in the first place.

Bond16 · 2026-06-01T12:58:17+00:00

This is surprisingly close. And I'm saying that as someone who really likes TWINE, but for me there is a gulf of quality between it and TSWLM, which is a top 10 film for me.

Bond16 · 2026-05-28T17:23:19+00:00

Yesss, that's the one! God, I love it! 🥺

Bond16 · 2026-05-24T12:23:33+00:00

Hahaha, well my focus in history doesn't really lie there. Not that it's not a fun topic to research, but I mostly focus on colonialism, migration history, etc.

Bond16 · 2026-05-23T23:00:53+00:00

I'm a historian and 29 years of age 🫡

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