20. Brawling with a drag queen, then escaping via jetpack — Thunderball (1965)
What happens:
Bond is attending the funeral of Colonel Jacques Bouvar (Bob Simmons), a S.P.E.C.T.R.E. board member who murdered two British operatives. However, when Bond sees a woman open a door for herself (!), he uses his deductive powers to determine that this is, in fact, a man. And not just any man, but Bouvar himself. Bond ambushes Bouvar at his château and the two fight to the death (with Bouvar still in drag). After chucking flowers atop his adversary’s corpse, Bond escapes via jetpack.
Why it rules:
This is one of the wildest — if not the wildest — cold opens of the entire franchise. Maybe it’s Bond clocking Bouvar thanks to the 1960s’ expectations about which genders can open doors for themselves. Maybe it’s the fact that Bouvar put on a full face of makeup, despite clearly intending to keep his veil on at the funeral. Or maybe it’s Bond fleeing the scene in the most conspicuous way possible. The only way this cold open could be more enjoyably goofy would be if Bond also wore heels.
19. Cold open car chase — Quantum of Solace (2008)
What happens:
Tossing us into the deep end, Quantum of Solace opens in media res with a breakneck car chase that careens through the cliffs of Italy. Bond is pursued by gun-toting anonymous baddies as he utilizes his skills behind the wheel and dispatches them with all the delicacy that one would expect of the hardened spy. Oh, and the kicker? The sly reveal that Mr. White has been tossed around in the trunk the whole time. Never change, 007.
Why it rules:
As the pieces start to fall into place, it becomes clear that this film is picking up right where Casino Royale left off. But for a few frantic minutes, Quantum of Solace is pure adrenaline divorced from any form of narrative. It is fueled by whip-fast cuts and a camera that seems to never stop moving. It’s a disorienting cold open that perfectly sets the scene for one of the most brutal Bond outings.
18. Kicking a car off a cliff — For Your Eyes Only (1981)
What happens:
During a raid on an opium-processing warehouse, Belgian henchman Locque (The Devils‘ Michael Gothard) attempts to flee by car. Despite being on foot, Bond manages to shoot Locque in the shoulder, causing the assassin to lose control of his vehicle and teeter precariously over the edge of a cliff. After returning the dove pin Locque left on the body of Bond’s ally Ferrara, the ground begins to give way. Bond kicks the car over the edge, sending Locque screaming to his death.
Why it rules:
One of the things that makes this moment so fun is that it puts Moore’s James Bond in an uncharacteristically cruel position. On the film’s commentary track, Moore himself refers to the scene as “Bond-like, but not Roger Moore-Bond like.” And there is indeed something deliciously discordant about this scene: from 007’s almost flippant sense of duty to avenge his murdered pal to the powerful image of Bond towering over his sniveling victim. This is a very “cool” moment for a Bond that was not exactly known for being “cool.”
17. “Do you want to know why?” — License to Kill (1989)
What happens:
After an explosive chase scene through the desert featuring tankers full of a petrol/cocaine hybrid, Bond and big bad drug lord Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi) crash down a hillside. Sanchez, soaked in petrol/cocaine, approaches Bond with his machete raised. “You could have had everything,” Sanchez hisses, furious at the betrayal of this man he counted as a friend. Bond stops Sanchez dead in his tracks with an appeal to ego, curiosity, and wounded loyalty: “Do you want to know why?” Slowly, Bond reveals the lighter gifted to him by his friend Felix Leiter, whom Sanchez attempted, and ultimately failed, to assassinate (Felix’s wife was not so lucky). A flicker of understanding passes over Sanchez’s face before Bond lights his foe on fire.
Why it rules:
One of the great things about Dalton’s Bond is that he cares deeply about the people in his life. They aren’t just workplace acquaintances or disposable colleagues; you get a sense that Dalton’s 007 takes these relationships seriously and that when he does lose people it matters to him. In effect, this is the entire premise of License to Kill, a film where Bond goes rogue with the express purpose of getting revenge on the man who hurt his friends. Sanchez’s crimes as a drug lord are almost incidental. And you can see all of those messy personal stakes summed up neatly in this scene. This was never a professional matter for either of them: Sanchez lost a friend and Bond is dead-set on avenging his.
16. Hopping across crocodiles — Live and Let Die (1973)
What happens:
In dire need of an escape plan from the swamp where he’s been left for dead, Bond plays hopscotch with some very hungry crocodiles.
Why it rules:
Come on, just look at this stunt. It’s Jackass before there was Jackass and it’s absolutely brilliant. The feat was performed by crocodile farm owner, stunt man, and guy I sure would have liked to befriend Ross Kananga (yes, he’s also who the film’s villain was named after). The croc crossing required five takes and 193 stitches, but it was absolutely worth it. The end product is one of the greatest stunts in the franchise and the clear highlight of the Moore era.
Related Topics: Bondathon
