Totally agree! Timothy Dalton, for me, fits the total persona of what and who James Bond is. He essayed the role well with his looks, his charisma, his sensitivity, his intelligence, and his daring. I wish he had more Bond movies to his credit.
@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond Goldeneye is my favourite Bond movie. But it sometimes feels like a Dalton movie. The other Brosnan Bonds have a very different feeling to them. So Goldeneye with Dalton might have been ever greater than it already is.
Not the humor of Moore because only Moore can do that type of humor. It feels odd when he was saying (almost as if he didn’t want to say them). Brosnan wasn’t even cast so how the heck can he have his charm😂? What I think you could’ve said better is…… He can be tough and cold and ruthless at times while being tender and genuinely romantic and human at other times.
Agree, agree, agree! Timothy Dalton wasn’t the first James Bond I saw, that would be Connery in Thunderball. It wasn’t the first James Bond I saw in the movie theaters, that would be Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me. Dalton was the first James Bond I saw as a formative young adult, when I was figuring out who I am. He was the first Bond that I really connected to. I grew up in the 80s, so he caught me at a time that was very poignant in a person’s development. Dalton was also the first more grounded and realistic James Bond. Connery being too cool, Roger Moore, being too suave and silly, but Dalton hit that balance between ruthless and tender that I found very profound as a human being. When I read the Ian Fleming novels during Covid lockdown, it’s solidified my appreciation for him, and how close he was to the actual literary character. Great video with some great insights!
@@VJ592come on he wasn’t THAT bad. In LTK, I’d have to agree with you (I’d like to think that he beat up someone in hair and makeup and took his lunch money 😂). Btw, Connery’s hair was a toupee so you might wanna take that back 😅
Dalton was so great. He's very believable in the role and his willingness to get involved in stuntwork really helps the action scenes. The Gibraltar pre title is one of my favourites. Love the channel keep up the great work 👍👍
Enjoyed this video, you made very neat, insightful points which are received so naturally by us Dalton fans. As a 35 year old massive Bond fan TLD was the movie I saw first and Dalton as an actor made and continues to make a huge impression on me. I did then go on to see LTK and the most recent Bond which at the time was Tomorrow Never Dies and I thought Brosnan was excellent Bond as well but I have retained a great deal of affection for Dalton's portrayal and to this day it irritates me when Dalton is criticised and Craig is lauded for what I regard to be a bunch of fairly generic action movies that don't have the magic of what came before. On that note I would personally like the movies to finally end, Bond is a Cold War spy and in my opinion nobody will ever top Dalton & Connery.
Thank you, Adam! I don't think Bond needs to end. In particular, the Warren Ellis comic arcs (Vargr/Eidolon) make a strong case for Bond as a contemporary figure without leaning on nostalgia.
Connery is (and will probably always be) my favorite Bond, but Dalton is a very close second. To me, Dalton is the most cerebral Bond, both in terms of his own approach to the role and in his iteration of the character. And I agree with you that, for all the talk that Dalton couldn’t deliver the quips, his very understated, throwaway humor works really well for his take. Excited to hear your take on LICENCE TO KILL. I just revisited it recently and had a great time.
I've become a Dalton/Moore guy with time, probably because they both occupy two different extremes (but each, in their very different ways, emphasize an intellectual side to Bond that isn't as strongly present in the takes of the other Bond actors). But, for sheer magnetism and presence, Connery can't be beat.
I really liked Dalton's performance in Living Daylights. I haven't seen License to Kill, but I don't understand why so many people say he was humorless. In LD he was no more ruthless than Brosnan or Craig, and his delivery of humor was pretty spot on for me, especially "he got the boot", and I thought "salt corrosion" was delivered fine, even if not quite matching up with a whole car sliding off the frame. He also had a handful of other lines that I feel were well expressed. He may not have dialed up the suave player aspect but that would have clashed with the more grounded romantic connection between him and Kara.
Thank you so much for your words on the living daylights. Finally this gem is getting some recognition. I absolutely love Daltons portrayal of Bond in that it's treated as a mortal and not a superhero. He almost has a side of vulnerability. Hea definitely a more internalised Bond. The relationship between the Bond and Cara is treated as a real relationship and less like a lay for him. Living daylights is one of my favourite bond films because it's a more personal story compared to the big larger than life adventures. Thanks again.
I totally agree with your analysis of the film and the role played by the wonderful Timothy Dalton. He depicted the ruthlessness and intelligence of the character as written by Fleming but he also brought a romantic side to Bond. Lovely actor.
I would love to have another thoughtful, well plotted and paced spy thriller with a well developed and believable romance. TLD is my #3 overall pick (of 25) and the kind of Bond movie that is sorely missed. The crime of the century was that Dalton only got 2. Well done, sir!
I remember reading a interview with Timothy Dalton where he said that they had prepared a wardrobe for him that iwas a lot ot of pastels coloured clothing inspired by Miami Vice. Dalton immediately put a stop to it saying that Bond would never wear this kind of clothing and he personally chose Bond's wardrobe. So I believe that Dalton had more input on Bond's personal fashion than the other Bond actors did.
OMG! Nailed it!! How have o not found you before. As a Bond book fan I can say you absolutely nailed this. And Ian Fleming dressed him for comfort! These new producers have sold out to product placement. Congrats on this video. This is actually the last bond film I saw with my dad. So it’s kind of sentimental for me and my dad introduced me to the books before I ever saw a movie and you killed it with this review so thank you!
For a brief period in my life I had Dalton as Bond and Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. I don’t think I’ll ever see that again. And another OMG…..fastest response ever! “Bad accident back there” was stunning and you’re the only one that caught that as far as I know. So….thank you again.
Speaking of Necros. Yes! He was much more than a humble henchman! He was actually the 3rd villain! The best henchman after Oddjob and Jaws! By the way, Andreas Wisniewski is a really great guy! He's very tall(1.94?) and strong man. Knows hand-to-hand combat etc. and yet he is a very kind-hearted person! He's also a Buddhist. ***** THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS(1987) is the best James Bond film ever!!!
Thoroughly entertaining analysis of the Living Daylights. Upon its release I loved it and Dalton's no nonsense performance and romanticism made him the best, but I was in a minority. Commentators criticised Dalton's Bond as humourless, but after watching Craig, Dalton looks as cheery as Norman Wisdom. Over time I have changed my mind. I think Dalton's and Craig's Bonds are too 'actorly', deliberate and self conscious; and Connery and Brosnan are better AND have best ever performances in FRWL and DAD. I think Necros is a brilliant foil to Dalton, Saunders' death is moving, D'Abo is superb as an innocent caught up in things too big but the serious Dalton makes the silliness of the whole 'salt corrosion' scene look stupid
For me, Dalton and Moore are the two "best" interpretations, in part because they are so singular and extreme and distinct. In most things in art and life, I am drawn to extremes.
You have nailed down why I love Dalton (probably my favourite Bond with LTK being in top 3 along with Skyfall and OHMSS). I'm first and foremost a fan of the books and Dalton really fills that role. Great analysis.
Thank you SO MUCH for this insightful video! You are 100% on the money and you raised many excellent points I had not considered before (despite agreeing with your overall view going in). I think Dalton's Bond oozes charm and charisma in a way no other Bond actor has, and his performance is pitch-perfect for me. I'm king of glad he only got two goes because it means that he will never have an Octopussy or Die Another Day blighting his track record. Looking frowared to exploring your other videos to get your perfective on the other actors now!
Dalton is my 3rd favorite Bond, Out of all the actors he perhaps captured the character Fleming created the best!! Amazing analogy Ryan! So looking forward to your take on LTK.
I was actually at the Royal Premier of The Living Daylights back in 1987 (A mate of mine had connections). Overall I liked Timothy Dalton’s approach to the role and like him as an actor in general but to this day I think he lacks that Bond charisma. He never seemed comfortable in the role. However I enjoyed his scenes with Robert Brown’s M far more than Roger Moore. And he had good chemistry with Maryam d’abo’s Kara, who I think is a highly underrated Bond Girl who has an Audrey Hepburn quality.
I agree completely Timothy Dalton has been my favourite bond film since I saw the living daylights in 1987,and he continues to be my idea of the pure bond depiction on film,Craig in casino Royale was merely an extension of what Dalton did in living daylights and license to kill.after the Dalton era,it was just mindless drivel,and unfortunately not worthy of really mentioning. I've long believed that the official films are from 62 to 89.with the first 3 Craig's as very worthy compendium pieces.Tim Dalton remains my definitive Bond.
Timothy Dalton was so good but sad he couldn’t or didn’t do a 3rd Bond Film. Brosnan wasn’t suited to Goldeneye. I wish Dalton was in it. Dalton has Roughness but charm but doesn’t overplay the name bind James Bond at the start, it was very effortless. Plus he was the most attractive
Dalton is my favorite too. Lots of range to his acting work in these films. At first it was Moore growing up, then Connery when I dug into the rest of the series as a teen. I agree that he probably is the most introspective, where the camerawork emphasizes what he's thinking, rather than having him to provide exposition. Just like how the Fleming books would emphasize this. It would've been fun to see him continue on to at least one more film. Indulge my point of view on the two main villains of this movie for a little bit. I wrote a portion of this same post on another video: Necros is definitely the stronger antagonist of the three. But there are some underlying ambitions within both Whitaker and Koskov. Both were political opportunists, using the opium trade to further other desires. I really think Whitaker in the end wanted to be some sort of dignified military dictator beyond the arms dealing, and would've gladly served as one for any poor, forgotten nation (preferably an Aryan one, lol). Koskov was more ambitious, I believe. He probably figured that by delivering a notorious British agent (the direct killer of former KGB agents Scaramanga, Kreigler, and Zorin, and the indirect killer of former military figures like Klebb and Orlov) to the Soviet government, he would be considered a bonafide hero. And the added bonus of being on a "secret mission" for an assassinated General Pushkin can pretty much gateway him to filling the vacant seat of KGB director. That position grants access to all kinds of intelligence around the world. Aid the government in starting wars and toppling smaller, vulnerable countries; and push for more undermining and sabotaging within the West. Create multiple bases of operations, even within the "nation" of a dignified military dictator (say, a fellow like Whitaker). And better yet, aim higher! I can see this charmer using his weaseling ways to go for the Russian presidency. The fall of the Soviet Union would be somewhat of a setback, but could grow into a perfect advantage. Shape the vulnerable former Superpower however you want. World domination is the goal ;)
Totally agree. Imagine dalton was in golden eye like originally intended, that movie is only great because of the set pieces, music and villain, dalton would be the icing on the cake. License to kill and Golden eye are the greatest.
I really enjoyed Timothy Dalton as Bond. His pretrayel of 007 was dark and took after the novels by Ian Fleming License To Kill was the best one he did.
In an interview (long before the movies) Fleming stated that he wrond Bond as a "coat hanger" deliberately so that each reader could infuse their own traits into the character to make Bond "unique" to each reader. And that is PRECISELY WHY the literary Bond would have flopped in the cinema. It was Connery who gave us most of the "signature" characteristics movie goers expect in Bond. Connery blended the Suaveness and poise of Cary Grant with the two-fisted toughness of Robert Mitchum and then added his own boyish playful charm and Panther-like movement and dominant physical stage presence. In my view Dalton certainly "looked" the most like the literary Bond, but he just didn't have all of the role-defining audience persuading 'Gravitas' of Connery. You need ALL of the key elements. EX: Moore equaled (or even bettered) Connery in Charm and wit but completely lacked the Physicality and menacing presence. Craig matched the physicality but lacked the suave looks and charm. Etc, etc... IMO Dalton had the highest level of believability (that Bond was human ) and his range of expression (non verbal acting) was without equal.... Still, these aren't "key" elements to most people who want to enjoy a 007 film. I think only Connery had the Male/Female appeal and adoration of the audience, and (especially when Adjusted for inflation) the profits made from Connery's tenure as Bond dwarf all other actors by comparison. That is proof enough. More... What Dalton really needed was a better script and perhaps more creative Direction....TLD felt like it was written for someone else (it was) and the villains were horrifically weakly written. The supporting cast was however excellent. LTK had an Amazing Villian (top 3 in my opinion) but the script became almost unraveled by the third act (Stingers, Wayne Newton and Semi trucks that 'Wheelie'). He deserved a third movie and if he made Goldeneye he could have been the only one (in my view) to rival Connery
while I do think golden eye is probably one of the best bond films ever, and pierce broslan was amazing, I definitely would have preferred Timothy Dalton in golden eye. brosnan movies after were not his fault, they were terrible after golden eye, but still some great ideas and in a way enjoyable. In my opinion, even with the fact that I know how good Sean Connery was, I feel Dalton is the best James bond ever.
mmmmm I dont know mate. GOLDENEYES succes lies alot with Pierce Brosnans personae and if it did have Dalton in that movie, then it would have been a differet movie than we what we've got
@@DafyddBrooks true, we'll never know. But golden eye being the most gritty James bond and best of the Broslan movies, I think Dalton would have fit right in.
mmmm I dont know mate. It was certanly re written with Brosnan in mind and I cant see Dalton and Famke Janssen wrestling in the steam room like that. It comes off as an anti Dalton movie to me and it would contradict everything Dalton was trying to do if he did everything in that movie with how it is now@@N1ceDreamsz
@@DafyddBrooks eh? Don't think it would matter what actor done James in that fight scene. I think you're just disagreeing for the sake of it at this point. Still one of my favourite movies ever either way.
I definitely like TLD and think its a nice action adventure movie. But I kinda cant agree on Dalton being THAT great sorry. I feel strongly that because it was all last minute to get him on board of the movie that it lacked preparation for him and there are times I feel he was in his own movie. But I love your enthusiasm though, 3:05 yes very humble i feel indeed . keep it up :)
I've heard it said by many fans that Dalton was closest to Fleming's Bond. I don't feel it, but I'll try yet again. Sadly, there are so many terrible, ridiculous scenes in his movies, that I still cringe. Like OHMSS and a few Moore films, I feel the problems are probably with direction. -Bad character development and too much campyness. Your review does make ne want to watch them again.
Imo Dalton was dry, without the style and charisma. He tried his best indeed. He read all the novels indeed. But he lacked the style and he looked somehow "forced", A pretty good actor but not fully appropiate for that role. He did not had the coolness, the moves, the suaveness, the wittisism, the sophistication. He was without doubt an improval to Moore's Bond which had become a parody. He was a more dark and sensitive Bond. But could not reach Connery's "full package" of the character. For me Connery is more closer to Fleming's Bond (dark, gritty and dangerous) in the first 2 Bond films (Dr No - FRWL), a character which he improved cinematically in the next 2 (Goldfinger - Thunderball) by adding to this elements, a dark dry witt coated with venure sophistication, suaveness, charm, and incoparable style, without altering the tough and ruthless side of the character. Dalton himself admitted: «…I was asked, at least approached 3 or 4 years in the past and originally I didn’t want to take over from Sean Connery. He was far too good. He was wonderful… When you have seen Bond from the beginning, you don’t take over from Sean Connery» (Interview in Good Morning America, 1987). My best...
I haven't yet discussed Connery's Bond films. Connery is a true star and he defined the role, but I also think he's a much nastier character than Fleming's Bond. Dalton, for me, captures the balance of sentimentality and toughness we see in Fleming. Connery's Bond has no sentimentality to speak of!
I agree with you mate. Though I'd say it shouldnt matter who follows Flemmings Bond more or less as no audience member should have had to have read any book before seeing a movie. I think its neither one should be more real or more fantastical, its more about an actors confidence in the role and how he's able to work with both the script and off other actors in the movie from beginning to end. I feel because it was all last minute for Dalton to replace Brosnan that that must have had an affect because the script for TLD seems more along the lines of a Roger Moore type personae.
Noooooooooooo!!!!! Timothy Dalton is the worst James Bond! He is the best actor of all five. No question about it. But you don’t need Shakespearean level of talent for this role. The villains ruined this movie. Not because they needed to be world domination megalomaniacs , the characters’ premise was fine but other than the thug the kgb general and the arms dealer are instantly forgettable. Sorry. My opinion may be biased by Roger Moore being my favourite. Albeit View is by far the worst James Bond movie of all. Moore was already getting too old in Octopussy, albeit I really liked that movie overall. Living Daylights had a clear run because View was so bad and in 1987 there was real appetite for a good Bond movie but it just didn’t create the magic.
We're clearly on different pages on this one, but thanks for sharing your take! I agree the villains are on the weaker side, but I think the story still has enough momentum to be satisfying.
@AnalyzeThisMisterBond When I read Fleming’s novela “The Living Daylights” and later saw Dalton’s performance, I was just blown away by his sublimely accurate portrayal. Dalton made it a point to read the novels and he completely nailed it.
Totally agree! Timothy Dalton, for me, fits the total persona of what and who James Bond is. He essayed the role well with his looks, his charisma, his sensitivity, his intelligence, and his daring. I wish he had more Bond movies to his credit.
I wish he'd gotten to do GoldenEye, as originally intended.
@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond Goldeneye is my favourite Bond movie. But it sometimes feels like a Dalton movie. The other Brosnan Bonds have a very different feeling to them. So Goldeneye with Dalton might have been ever greater than it already is.
Dalton is the best Bond, because he combines physicality and roughness of Craig, elegance of Connery, humour of Moore, charm of Brosnan etc etc etc
He is much more versatile than he is often given credit for being!
Not the humor of Moore because only Moore can do that type of humor. It feels odd when he was saying (almost as if he didn’t want to say them). Brosnan wasn’t even cast so how the heck can he have his charm😂?
What I think you could’ve said better is……
He can be tough and cold and ruthless at times while being tender and genuinely romantic and human at other times.
What I think you could have done better is to read with comprehension, Plato
@@peterjurkovic3577 I know exactly what you wrote. My point still stands
Perfect comment 💯
Agree, agree, agree! Timothy Dalton wasn’t the first James Bond I saw, that would be Connery in Thunderball. It wasn’t the first James Bond I saw in the movie theaters, that would be Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me. Dalton was the first James Bond I saw as a formative young adult, when I was figuring out who I am. He was the first Bond that I really connected to. I grew up in the 80s, so he caught me at a time that was very poignant in a person’s development. Dalton was also the first more grounded and realistic James Bond. Connery being too cool, Roger Moore, being too suave and silly, but Dalton hit that balance between ruthless and tender that I found very profound as a human being. When I read the Ian Fleming novels during Covid lockdown, it’s solidified my appreciation for him, and how close he was to the actual literary character. Great video with some great insights!
Thank you, friend. The transition from Moore to Dalton must have felt a bit like the shift from Brosnan to Craig.
Dalton hair was the problem. He looked like a hooligan compared to Moore, Connery and Brosnan.
@@VJ592come on he wasn’t THAT bad. In LTK, I’d have to agree with you (I’d like to think that he beat up someone in hair and makeup and took his lunch money 😂).
Btw, Connery’s hair was a toupee so you might wanna take that back 😅
Dalton was so great. He's very believable in the role and his willingness to get involved in stuntwork really helps the action scenes. The Gibraltar pre title is one of my favourites. Love the channel keep up the great work 👍👍
He is so committed to the part. It's a shame we only got two Dalton adventures, but he gives 110% in both films.
Timothy nailed Bond. Such a relief after the comedic films that preceded it.
Dalton is my favorite Bond, but I also love Sir Rog.
Enjoyed this video, you made very neat, insightful points which are received so naturally by us Dalton fans. As a 35 year old massive Bond fan TLD was the movie I saw first and Dalton as an actor made and continues to make a huge impression on me. I did then go on to see LTK and the most recent Bond which at the time was Tomorrow Never Dies and I thought Brosnan was excellent Bond as well but I have retained a great deal of affection for Dalton's portrayal and to this day it irritates me when Dalton is criticised and Craig is lauded for what I regard to be a bunch of fairly generic action movies that don't have the magic of what came before. On that note I would personally like the movies to finally end, Bond is a Cold War spy and in my opinion nobody will ever top Dalton & Connery.
Thank you, Adam!
I don't think Bond needs to end. In particular, the Warren Ellis comic arcs (Vargr/Eidolon) make a strong case for Bond as a contemporary figure without leaning on nostalgia.
Connery is (and will probably always be) my favorite Bond, but Dalton is a very close second. To me, Dalton is the most cerebral Bond, both in terms of his own approach to the role and in his iteration of the character. And I agree with you that, for all the talk that Dalton couldn’t deliver the quips, his very understated, throwaway humor works really well for his take.
Excited to hear your take on LICENCE TO KILL. I just revisited it recently and had a great time.
I've become a Dalton/Moore guy with time, probably because they both occupy two different extremes (but each, in their very different ways, emphasize an intellectual side to Bond that isn't as strongly present in the takes of the other Bond actors).
But, for sheer magnetism and presence, Connery can't be beat.
I really liked Dalton's performance in Living Daylights. I haven't seen License to Kill, but I don't understand why so many people say he was humorless. In LD he was no more ruthless than Brosnan or Craig, and his delivery of humor was pretty spot on for me, especially "he got the boot", and I thought "salt corrosion" was delivered fine, even if not quite matching up with a whole car sliding off the frame. He also had a handful of other lines that I feel were well expressed. He may not have dialed up the suave player aspect but that would have clashed with the more grounded romantic connection between him and Kara.
Thank you so much for your words on the living daylights. Finally this gem is getting some recognition. I absolutely love Daltons portrayal of Bond in that it's treated as a mortal and not a superhero. He almost has a side of vulnerability. Hea definitely a more internalised Bond. The relationship between the Bond and Cara is treated as a real relationship and less like a lay for him. Living daylights is one of my favourite bond films because it's a more personal story compared to the big larger than life adventures. Thanks again.
It's such a good film!
I totally agree with your analysis of the film and the role played by the wonderful Timothy Dalton. He depicted the ruthlessness and intelligence of the character as written by Fleming but he also brought a romantic side to Bond. Lovely actor.
Cheers, Graham.
I would love to have another thoughtful, well plotted and paced spy thriller with a well developed and believable romance. TLD is my #3 overall pick (of 25) and the kind of Bond movie that is sorely missed. The crime of the century was that Dalton only got 2. Well done, sir!
Cheers, Frank. Hopefully, we'll get another one one day.
Robert Davi quote “Timothy Dalton is The Godfather of Daniel Craig”
He is definitely Craig's predecessor!
I remember reading a interview with Timothy Dalton where he said that they had prepared a wardrobe for him that iwas a lot ot of pastels coloured clothing inspired by Miami Vice. Dalton immediately put a stop to it saying that Bond would never wear this kind of clothing and he personally chose Bond's wardrobe. So I believe that Dalton had more input on Bond's personal fashion than the other Bond actors did.
Interesting! Craig certainly had a lot of wardrobe influence, too.
OMG! Nailed it!! How have o not found you before. As a Bond book fan I can say you absolutely nailed this. And Ian Fleming dressed him for comfort! These new producers have sold out to product placement.
Congrats on this video. This is actually the last bond film I saw with my dad. So it’s kind of sentimental for me and my dad introduced me to the books before I ever saw a movie and you killed it with this review so thank you!
Thank you! It's rare to meet someone who read the books before the movies.
For a brief period in my life I had Dalton as Bond and Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. I don’t think I’ll ever see that again. And another OMG…..fastest response ever! “Bad accident back there” was stunning and you’re the only one that caught that as far as I know. So….thank you again.
Well played 💪 Dalton is my absolute favourite 🤩 reasons are clear for us here
Nobody does it better.
Speaking of Necros. Yes! He was much more than a humble henchman! He was actually the 3rd villain! The best henchman after Oddjob and Jaws! By the way, Andreas Wisniewski is a really great guy! He's very tall(1.94?) and strong man. Knows hand-to-hand combat etc. and yet he is a very kind-hearted person! He's also a Buddhist. ***** THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS(1987) is the best James Bond film ever!!!
Necros is very imposing and capable! It's nice to know Wisniewski is a cool dude.
Thoroughly entertaining analysis of the Living Daylights. Upon its release I loved it and Dalton's no nonsense performance and romanticism made him the best, but I was in a minority. Commentators criticised Dalton's Bond as humourless, but after watching Craig, Dalton looks as cheery as Norman Wisdom. Over time I have changed my mind. I think Dalton's and Craig's Bonds are too 'actorly', deliberate and self conscious; and Connery and Brosnan are better AND have best ever performances in FRWL and DAD. I think Necros is a brilliant foil to Dalton, Saunders' death is moving, D'Abo is superb as an innocent caught up in things too big but the serious Dalton makes the silliness of the whole 'salt corrosion' scene look stupid
For me, Dalton and Moore are the two "best" interpretations, in part because they are so singular and extreme and distinct. In most things in art and life, I am drawn to extremes.
You have nailed down why I love Dalton (probably my favourite Bond with LTK being in top 3 along with Skyfall and OHMSS). I'm first and foremost a fan of the books and Dalton really fills that role. Great analysis.
Thank you! Dalton is great.
Thank you SO MUCH for this insightful video! You are 100% on the money and you raised many excellent points I had not considered before (despite agreeing with your overall view going in). I think Dalton's Bond oozes charm and charisma in a way no other Bond actor has, and his performance is pitch-perfect for me. I'm king of glad he only got two goes because it means that he will never have an Octopussy or Die Another Day blighting his track record. Looking frowared to exploring your other videos to get your perfective on the other actors now!
Cheers! Thank you for watching.
Should have been 4 Dalton films..
If only!
Dalton is my 3rd favorite Bond, Out of all the actors he perhaps captured the character Fleming created the best!! Amazing analogy Ryan! So looking forward to your take on LTK.
Cheers, Zach. My LTK vid might not hit until the new year...
I was actually at the Royal Premier of The Living Daylights back in 1987 (A mate of mine had connections). Overall I liked Timothy Dalton’s approach to the role and like him as an actor in general but to this day I think he lacks that Bond charisma. He never seemed comfortable in the role. However I enjoyed his scenes with Robert Brown’s M far more than Roger Moore. And he had good chemistry with Maryam d’abo’s Kara, who I think is a highly underrated Bond Girl who has an Audrey Hepburn quality.
You were at the Royal Premier? I'm jealous!
YES I definatley agree with you there. well said and i'm utter jelous that you were there in1987
Ryan - you are spot on here. Great analysis.
Thank you, my friend!
I agree completely Timothy Dalton has been my favourite bond film since I saw the living daylights in 1987,and he continues to be my idea of the pure bond depiction on film,Craig in casino Royale was merely an extension of what Dalton did in living daylights and license to kill.after the Dalton era,it was just mindless drivel,and unfortunately not worthy of really mentioning. I've long believed that the official films are from 62 to 89.with the first 3 Craig's as very worthy compendium pieces.Tim Dalton remains my definitive Bond.
I'm not as harsh on the Brosnan run as you are!
Timothy Dalton was so good but sad he couldn’t or didn’t do a 3rd Bond Film. Brosnan wasn’t suited to Goldeneye. I wish Dalton was in it.
Dalton has Roughness but charm but doesn’t overplay the name bind James Bond at the start, it was very effortless. Plus he was the most attractive
Kara will forever be my favorite Bond girl.
Good choice!
Dalton is my favorite too. Lots of range to his acting work in these films. At first it was Moore growing up, then Connery when I dug into the rest of the series as a teen. I agree that he probably is the most introspective, where the camerawork emphasizes what he's thinking, rather than having him to provide exposition. Just like how the Fleming books would emphasize this. It would've been fun to see him continue on to at least one more film.
Indulge my point of view on the two main villains of this movie for a little bit. I wrote a portion of this same post on another video:
Necros is definitely the stronger antagonist of the three. But there are some underlying ambitions within both Whitaker and Koskov. Both were political opportunists, using the opium trade to further other desires. I really think Whitaker in the end wanted to be some sort of dignified military dictator beyond the arms dealing, and would've gladly served as one for any poor, forgotten nation (preferably an Aryan one, lol).
Koskov was more ambitious, I believe. He probably figured that by delivering a notorious British agent (the direct killer of former KGB agents Scaramanga, Kreigler, and Zorin, and the indirect killer of former military figures like Klebb and Orlov) to the Soviet government, he would be considered a bonafide hero. And the added bonus of being on a "secret mission" for an assassinated General Pushkin can pretty much gateway him to filling the vacant seat of KGB director. That position grants access to all kinds of intelligence around the world. Aid the government in starting wars and toppling smaller, vulnerable countries; and push for more undermining and sabotaging within the West. Create multiple bases of operations, even within the "nation" of a dignified military dictator (say, a fellow like Whitaker). And better yet, aim higher! I can see this charmer using his weaseling ways to go for the Russian presidency. The fall of the Soviet Union would be somewhat of a setback, but could grow into a perfect advantage. Shape the vulnerable former Superpower however you want. World domination is the goal ;)
Oh, I like this take.
Totally agree. Imagine dalton was in golden eye like originally intended, that movie is only great because of the set pieces, music and villain, dalton would be the icing on the cake. License to kill and Golden eye are the greatest.
He would've been very good in Goldeneye.
He’s my third favourite Bond after Connery and Craig…
It sounds like you enjoy the tougher Bonds.
I really enjoyed Timothy Dalton as Bond. His pretrayel of 007 was dark and took after the novels by Ian Fleming License To Kill was the best one he did.
I prefer Living Daylights, but I agree on the rest!
In an interview (long before the movies) Fleming stated that he wrond Bond as a "coat hanger" deliberately so that each reader could infuse their own traits into the character to make Bond "unique" to each reader. And that is PRECISELY WHY the literary Bond would have flopped in the cinema. It was Connery who gave us most of the "signature" characteristics movie goers expect in Bond. Connery blended the Suaveness and poise of Cary Grant with the two-fisted toughness of Robert Mitchum and then added his own boyish playful charm and Panther-like movement and dominant physical stage presence.
In my view Dalton certainly "looked" the most like the literary Bond, but he just didn't have all of the role-defining audience persuading 'Gravitas' of Connery.
You need ALL of the key elements.
EX: Moore equaled (or even bettered) Connery in Charm and wit but completely lacked the Physicality and menacing presence.
Craig matched the physicality but lacked the suave looks and charm.
Etc, etc...
IMO Dalton had the highest level of believability (that Bond was human ) and his range of expression (non verbal acting) was without equal....
Still, these aren't "key" elements to most people who want to enjoy a 007 film.
I think only Connery had the Male/Female appeal and adoration of the audience, and (especially when Adjusted for inflation) the profits made from Connery's tenure as Bond dwarf all other actors by comparison. That is proof enough. More...
What Dalton really needed was a better script and perhaps more creative Direction....TLD felt like it was written for someone else (it was) and the villains were horrifically weakly written. The supporting cast was however excellent.
LTK had an Amazing Villian (top 3 in my opinion) but the script became almost unraveled by the third act (Stingers, Wayne Newton and Semi trucks that 'Wheelie'). He deserved a third movie and if he made Goldeneye he could have been the only one (in my view) to rival Connery
If you read the books, Dalton is the closest to the Character that Flemming wrote about. ‘License to kill’ also shows this. Craig a close second.
I agree. Cheers!
This is a superb film. Definitely in the Bond top 7 and far superior to any of the Craig films imo.
I really love it!
while I do think golden eye is probably one of the best bond films ever, and pierce broslan was amazing, I definitely would have preferred Timothy Dalton in golden eye. brosnan movies after were not his fault, they were terrible after golden eye, but still some great ideas and in a way enjoyable. In my opinion, even with the fact that I know how good Sean Connery was, I feel Dalton is the best James bond ever.
Dalton would've been great in GOLDENEYE.
mmmmm I dont know mate. GOLDENEYES succes lies alot with Pierce Brosnans personae and if it did have Dalton in that movie, then it would have been a differet movie than we what we've got
@@DafyddBrooks true, we'll never know. But golden eye being the most gritty James bond and best of the Broslan movies, I think Dalton would have fit right in.
mmmm I dont know mate. It was certanly re written with Brosnan in mind and I cant see Dalton and Famke Janssen wrestling in the steam room like that. It comes off as an anti Dalton movie to me and it would contradict everything Dalton was trying to do if he did everything in that movie with how it is now@@N1ceDreamsz
@@DafyddBrooks eh? Don't think it would matter what actor done James in that fight scene. I think you're just disagreeing for the sake of it at this point. Still one of my favourite movies ever either way.
I definitely like TLD and think its a nice action adventure movie. But I kinda cant agree on Dalton being THAT great sorry. I feel strongly that because it was all last minute to get him on board of the movie that it lacked preparation for him and there are times I feel he was in his own movie. But I love your enthusiasm though, 3:05 yes very humble i feel indeed . keep it up :)
I've heard it said by many fans that Dalton was closest to Fleming's Bond.
I don't feel it, but I'll try yet again.
Sadly, there are so many terrible, ridiculous scenes in his movies, that I still cringe. Like OHMSS and a few Moore films, I feel the problems are probably with direction. -Bad character development and too much campyness.
Your review does make ne want to watch them again.
I don't find the tonal shifts in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS to be a problem (though I do find LICENCE TO KILL very uneven in that regard).
Imo Dalton was dry, without the style and charisma. He tried his best indeed. He read all the novels indeed. But he lacked the style and he looked somehow "forced", A pretty good actor but not fully appropiate for that role. He did not had the coolness, the moves, the suaveness, the wittisism, the sophistication. He was without doubt an improval to Moore's Bond which had become a parody. He was a more dark and sensitive Bond. But could not reach Connery's "full package" of the character. For me Connery is more closer to Fleming's Bond (dark, gritty and dangerous) in the first 2 Bond films (Dr No - FRWL), a character which he improved cinematically in the next 2 (Goldfinger - Thunderball) by adding to this elements, a dark dry witt coated with venure sophistication, suaveness, charm, and incoparable style, without altering the tough and ruthless side of the character. Dalton himself admitted: «…I was asked, at least approached 3 or 4 years in the past and originally I didn’t want to take over from Sean Connery. He was far too good. He was wonderful… When you have seen Bond from the beginning, you don’t take over from Sean Connery» (Interview in Good Morning America, 1987). My best...
I haven't yet discussed Connery's Bond films. Connery is a true star and he defined the role, but I also think he's a much nastier character than Fleming's Bond.
Dalton, for me, captures the balance of sentimentality and toughness we see in Fleming. Connery's Bond has no sentimentality to speak of!
I agree with you mate. Though I'd say it shouldnt matter who follows Flemmings Bond more or less as no audience member should have had to have read any book before seeing a movie. I think its neither one should be more real or more fantastical, its more about an actors confidence in the role and how he's able to work with both the script and off other actors in the movie from beginning to end.
I feel because it was all last minute for Dalton to replace Brosnan that that must have had an affect because the script for TLD seems more along the lines of a Roger Moore type personae.
He only did 2 Bonds ! How can he be the best Bond ?
Quality and quantity are different things!
Ha! My favorite Bond (just a notch above Dalton) did only one film (!)
It doesnt
Noooooooooooo!!!!!
Timothy Dalton is the worst James Bond!
He is the best actor of all five. No question about it. But you don’t need Shakespearean level of talent for this role.
The villains ruined this movie. Not because they needed to be world domination megalomaniacs , the characters’ premise was fine but other than the thug the kgb general and the arms dealer are instantly forgettable.
Sorry.
My opinion may be biased by Roger Moore being my favourite. Albeit View is by far the worst James Bond movie of all. Moore was already getting too old in Octopussy, albeit I really liked that movie overall.
Living Daylights had a clear run because View was so bad and in 1987 there was real appetite for a good Bond movie but it just didn’t create the magic.
We're clearly on different pages on this one, but thanks for sharing your take!
I agree the villains are on the weaker side, but I think the story still has enough momentum to be satisfying.
Wow this is the Timothy dalton love fest. He was just ok as bond nothing more
Everyone's entitled to an opinion!
@AnalyzeThisMisterBond When I read Fleming’s novela “The Living Daylights” and later saw Dalton’s performance, I was just blown away by his sublimely accurate portrayal. Dalton made it a point to read the novels and he completely nailed it.