When it comes to the Sean Connery James Bond movies, the highest praise is usually reserved for “Goldfinger” or “Dr.
No.” The latter was, of course, Bond’s on-screen debut, while the former introduced so many of the trademarks we’ve come to expect from the franchise, it’s arguably even more of a Bond blueprint than “Dr.
No.”But while it might not be considered the greatest James Bond film, Connery’s fourth outing in the tux, “Thunderball,” is a significant entry in the saga.
The fourth Bond movie made $141 million, making it the most successful Bond at the time — a title it retained (adjusting for inflation) until 2012’s “Skyfall.” “Thunderball” was also the last time director Terrence Young would oversee a 007 movie, having helped define the character’s fashion sense, humor, and bon vivant persona with “Dr.
No.” But the fourth Bond outing is also significant for the behind-the-scenes controversy that accompanied it.
Read full article