NoandFrom Russia With Love.
Theres a playfulness to Connery this time around.
He practically glides through every scene with a wink and well-timed quip while making everything look so effortless.
Hes also arguably in the best physical shape he ever possessed while playing the role.
That charisma radiates offThunderballand sets it apart from the countless Bond pastiches popping up across the 60s.
By the 70s, this runtime had become the norm for the series, for better and worse.
Thunderballs filmmakers are is too enamored with the novelty of showcasing how beautifully it can film extended sequences underwater.
What was probably a groundbreaking novelty in 1965 just grinds the movie to a halt to modern eyes.
Thunderballmarked James Bond hitting a new peak of cultural relevance and worldwide recognition.
