Good old Sean Connery … the Scottish actor
charmed audiences as the first theatrical portrayal of James Bond, and for
decades after, he continued to charm audiences with his distinct personality and
screen appeal.
For me, Sean Connery was one of the first actors I knew by name
when I was a kid, and while he had range in playing different characters, he
always had this distinct charm and screen presence that was all his own. I also
have fond memories watching Sean Connery films with my dad, making him one of the few actors he and I bonded over. Thus, ever sense the tragic passing of Sean
Connery back in 2020, I felt I was finally ready to pay some tribute to the
late talent. While I’m not trying to make any official best of Sean Connery
film list, I do still want to count down my own personal Top 10 favorite Sean
Connery pictures.
#10 “The
Man Who Would be King” (1975)
Based on the Novel by Rudyard Kipling, this
film follows Sean Connery and Michael Caine as two rouge ex-soldiers, who
set-off for adventure in India. The pair land in Kafiristan, in which Connery’s character ... Daniel Dravot ... is mistaken for a God, and made King of the Land. This film
stands as one of Connery’s most critically acclaimed films, and is often cited
as a classic of the Adventure genera, and for me … I’ve always wondered if it
was an influence on one of my childhood favorite animated pictures “The Road
to El Dorado”. Writer and Director John Huston was a long time fan of the
original Kipling novel, sense he read it as a kid, and for years, this movie was a big passion project of his. It’s always a treat to see an artist bring one of
his favorite stories to life. Sean Connery and Michael Caine make for a great
pair of friends, and by extent, both actors have claimed this film as their
favorite movie they’ve worked on.
#9 “Darby O’Gill and the Little People”
(1959)
Walt Disney’s “Darby O'Gill and the Little People” revolves
around a gardener named Darby, who meets with a clan of Leprechauns, and forms
a friendship with their King Brian.
Despite their mutual friendship, the two try to outsmart one another to claim a magical pot of gold. This marked one of Sean Connery’s very first movies, before his most recognizable role as James Bond, and even though it’s a supporting role, he’s still plenty charming on screen. In general, this is personally one of my favorite movies to watch
around St. Patricks Day, as it’s a very simple experience, and the individual
highlights are just too good to pass-up on. We have an underground world full
of Leprechauns, goofy magical mayhem, a frightening Banshee that haunts our
main heroes, and all kinds of charming little adventures that take place in the
beautiful Irish country side. The effects for the time are incredible
spectacles, there’s some upbeat musical numbers, the characters are likable,
the atmosphere is heavy, and it never fails to put me in a happy mood to
celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
#8 “First
Knight” (1995)
In this Medieval adventure, Sean Conry plays King Arthur
of Camelot, who’s wagging war against his former brother in arms, the Prince
Malagant.
Amidst the fighting, he also pursues a marriage with Lady Guinevere
of Leonesse, only to discover that she’s already being pursued by the rouge
swordsman Lancelot … who will either bring honor to Camelot, or betray the King
for his love of the Queen. Right along with other 90’s films in the vein of
1991’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (which also featured Sean Conry
as a King), “First Knight” admittedly isn’t perfect, but it’s comfort
food, and one that I easily enjoy for what it is. For me, there’s something to
savor in seeing Sean Conry’s devoted portrayal of the famous King Arthur. Julia
Ormand likewise conveys a comforting screen presence as Lady Guinevere, and even
though there’s a substantial age difference between the two, I still feel
chemistry between the two actors. While again, not one of the all-time great
Medieval adventures, it’s still an entertaining watch, and one of Conry’s
better roles of the 90’s.
#7 “You
Only Live Twice” (1967)
James Bonds most elusive enemy SPECTRE is up to no good again, and is secretly plotting in Japan.
Now Bond must go undercover, and
find out what his arch nemeses Blofeld is planning. To make sure his deception
is full proof, he fakes his own death to throw off his enemies. This is personally
one of my all-time favorites of Sean Connery’s classic Bond films, as it’s fast
paced, the effects are quite impressive for the time, and it put Bond face to
face with one of his most iconic villains. Blofeld had been present in previous
Bond films, but he was always in the shadows, and identified only by his
signature pet cat. This was the movie that changed the game by putting him in
the spot-light, and in my view, no-one tops Donald Pleasence in the role. I
especially love the films setting of Japan, because it provides the movie with
beautiful locations, armies of ninjas that will follow 007 into the most
bombastic of fire fights, and there’s no shortage of appealing Asian girls …
just ignore that one controversial moment with Connery disguised as an Asian,
and it’s still a solid film.
#6 “Highlander”
(1986)
It’s the cult favorite fantasy action picture in-which sword fighting
immortals duel through-out the ages for supremacy, and the title of champion.
Sean Connery plays Ramirez, the trainer of the young Swordsman named Connor
MacLeod, of the Scottish Highlands, who’s destined to slay the evil Kurgan, and
be the last in a line of immortal fighters. Despite being a smaller supporting
role, Ramirez stands as one of Connery’s most memorable characters, and aside
from James Bond, is the only character he’d ever reprise in a sequel. More then
anything, it’s his on-screen chemistry wit his student, played by Christopher
Lambert, that really makes this one stand-out. The film overall is one of those
cheesy action films, that somehow has a charm and appeal all its own, with a
unique premise, sensational music, and a memorable cast that makes the whole
film worthwhile.
#5 “The
Untouchables” (1987)
It’s 1930’s Chicago, and Al Capone rules an empire
of Crime with an iron fist. Special Agent Eliot Ness, played by Kevin Costner, is determined to bring him down, and with the aid of the Irish-American cop
Jimmy Malone, played by Sean Connery, he might just have the winning edge over
the nefarious Kingpin. Again, it’s another supporting role for Connery, but a
stand-out role in his filmography, as it marked the actors only Oscar Win.
Aside from that, this is simply one of the all-time gangster classics of the
genera, and I would highly recommended on its own merits … but with that said,
Connery’s presence certainly elevates the quality of the experience. It's got the iconic scenes, suspenseful
encounters, and an all-star cast, with Sean Connery's Oscar winning performance stealing the show.
#4 “The
Wind and the Lion” (1975)
In this Epic American Adventure picture, we see
President Roosevelt’s efforts in dealing with the kidnapping of American
citizen Eden Pedecaris, along with her two kids, by a band of Berber
insurrectionists, who are opposing the young Sultan of Morocco. Sean Connery
plays the Raisuli, who leads the band of rouges, and by extent forms a close
friendship with his captured American family. This was it, the movie experience
that introduced me to Sean Connery for the very first time, and it was also the
role that achieved him status as one of the most attractive actors of his time.
Despite being a fictionalized presentation of the historical story of 1904’s
Perdicaris Affair, I’ve always looked back fondly on this film as a genera
classic, and for me is one of Connery’s iconic roles.
#3 “Goldfinger”
(1964)
People often associate Sean Connery as the absolute best actor to play
James Bond, and while I certainly wouldn’t call him my personal favorite, he is
unmistakably the most iconic.
No-one else is quiet as sly, witty and charming
as him. Admittedly, I always felt mixed on Sean Connery’s 007 film series
overall, as some still work, while others just feel a little dated for my
liking. This does not apply to his third film “Goldfinger”, which I feel
absolutely deserves its status as one of the franchises greatest. This is “the classic” 007 movie that brought all of his famous
trademarks, and phrases to the screen. This is the one that exploited all of
his fancy gadgets, this is the one with the most memorable imagery (like the
naked gold girl on the bed), this is the film that Bound coined his famous line
“A Martini, Shaken, not stirred”, and this is the film with the all-around most
famous leading villain … as well as an equally memorable supporting villain.
Even though “Dr. No” was the first Bond film, I feel that this one will
last as the classic of the genera.
#2 “The
Hunt for Red October” (1990)
Based on the Tom Clancy Novel of the same
name, Sean Connery plays a rouge Soviet Navel Captain named Marko Ramius, who
aims to defect to the United States, along with their most advanced ballistic
missile submarine. The catch is that, to avoid the Russians, he has to run
silent, which raises alarms for the Americans. Following a string of hit action
movies, director John McTiernan hit it out of the park again with this film, and personal, my favorite Cold-War thriller. The cast all-around is spectacular, with Sean
Connery front in center. While this wasn’t his last picture, I always viewed “The
Hunt for Red October” as Connery’s magnum opus. If you ever wanted to see
the actor in his prime, and in one of his absolute best pictures … this is the
one to check-out.
Before I
reveal my Number One favorite Sean Connery picture, here are some quick
honorable mentions that just couldn’t fit on my list …
“Robin and Marian” (1976)
“A Bridge
too Far” (1977)
“Shalako”
(1968)
“Dragon
Heart” (1996)
“Dimond’s
are Forever” (1971)
#1 “Indiana
Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
For Indiana’s third adventure, he
teams-up with his father on a quest to protect the Holly Grail from the German
Army.
Harrison Ford already conveyed a larger-than-life presence in his
signature role as Indiana Jones … but pair him with Sean Connery in the role of
Indy’s dad, and it firkin breaks the sound barrier! These two have dynamite
chemistry, their personalities off-set each other beautifully, and it’s all
around a great on-screen father-son relationship. In their first seen, they
both bond over how giddy they both get when on the subject of uncovering lost
items, and I instantly feel the connection between the two. Of course, James
Bond was the main inspiration for Indiana Jones in the first place, so there’s
great novelty in seeing the original James Bond in the role of Indy’s dad. While
“The Wind and the Lion” was the movie that introduced me to Connery, "Last Crusade" was the film that made me a long-time fan of the actor, and it still
stands as my personal favorite in his long line of memorable roles.
Thanks for
reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!
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