15. Intimidating Lazar — The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)
What happens:
On the trail of Francisco Scaramanga, Bond pays a visit to Mr. Lazar (Marne Maitland), a gunsmith living in Macau who created the eponymous golden gun Scaramanga wields. Thinking he’s gained a formidable customer, Lazar happily shows Bond a rifle he’s constructed for a client who lost two fingers. Lazar proudly tells Bond that the gun is not properly weighted for someone with five digits, and will always fire an inch too low. Casually positioning himself behind the gun, Bond swivels the rifle around, aiming at the gunsmith’s groin. Finger on the trigger, Bond sets about intimidating Lazar into revealing details about his dealings with Scaramanga.
Why it rules:
There is so much to love about this scene. To begin, Maitland is such a charming presence; he’s an artist aloofly ingratiated in the murder business who sees himself more like a cheese merchant or a mechanic than a collaborator. He’s gentlemanly and evidently enjoys the craft of what he does. Despite his involvement with the film’s big bad, you can’t help but like the guy. And it’s a testament to Maitland that the character makes such an impact in such a scant amount of screentime.
And then there’s Moore, who demonstrates an unprecedented amount of cool given his legendary silliness. No doubt, Bond never intended to seriously maim Lazar. But the way he implies that he might, that he could, is captivating: how he drapes his wrists over the rifle; how the menace of his body language contrasts with the playful drawl of his taunts; the way he’s obviously playing with his food. This moment has danger, charm, and character: a.k.a. the James Bond trifecta.
14. Q’s exit — The World Is Not Enough (1999)
What happens:
Desmond Llewelyn‘s Q introduces Bond to his successor, the buffoonish R (John Cleese), and says goodbye to 007 for the last time.
Why it rules:
Llewelyn was an integral part of what made Bond, well, Bond. His presence as Q and his repartee with the super-spy had a consistently playful dynamic. Part friendship and part father-son, Bond knew how to push the Quartermaster’s buttons and bring a lighthearted tone to his debriefings. And sure, this final moment is played a touch sentimental, but Brosnan’s somber question about Q’s departure is a reminder of how important the character has been to Bond — both as a character and a franchise.
13. Motorcycle chase — Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
What happens:
Bond and Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) share driving duty as they navigate the streets of Saigon while handcuffed together. While 007 and the badass Chinese spy might have different national allegiances, when put on the same case, they team up to take down Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce).
Why it rules:
Facing off with fellow drivers, helicopters, and any number of obstacles while in a chase is no easy feat. And being handcuffed to another person while doing so is a downright bonkers concept. But like the best moments of the Brosnan James Bond era, this one is simultaneously cartoonish and genuinely thrilling. The stunts are incredibly impressive, the character work is played brilliantly as Wai Lin and Bond battle for control of the bike, and the scene makes for a showstopping moment with one of the best — and most capable — Bond girls in Brosnan’s tenure.
12. Bond and Felix Leiter — No Time To Die (2021)
What happens:
After being absent from the last two films, Jeffrey Wright‘s Felix Leiter reunites with Bond for a well-deserved boys-night-slash-mission-debriefing in Jamaica. Bond has long since left MI6 in the dust, but that doesn’t mean he won’t spare time for an old friend, even if Felix is accompanied by the suspicious Logan Ash (Billy Magnussen).
Why it rules:
We’re big fans of Felix ’round these here parts and it’s undeniable that Wright and Craig have played off each other incredibly well during the latter’s tenure as 007. From his introduction to his parting moment in No Time To Die, the brother from Langley has been one of the strongest supporting characters of this era. After his previous appearance, in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, Felix’s return is one of camaraderie and intrigue. Without getting into spoilers, let’s just say that his brief time serves as a highlight of the film and a welcome reminder that Bond’s emotional stakes extend beyond the women in his life.
11. Poison string assassination — You Only Live Twice (1967)
What happens:
An assassin from S.P.E.C.T.R.E. attempts to take Bond out while he sleeps by slowly dripping poison down a string so it falls in 007’s mouth. Fortunately for Bond and unfortunately for his companion, Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi), fate intervenes and she ends up on the receiving end of the assassination.
Why it rules:
Look, S.P.E.C.T.R.E. are the bad guys. We get it, we can’t root for them. We’re team Bond. But goddamn if this isn’t a great plan. While Bond is blissfully dreaming of caviar, his life quite literally hangs by a thread. It’s a genius idea for a devilish plot against 007. And while we don’t want to see our hero die, and we’re sad to see Aki bite the dust, we cannot pretend this isn’t a brilliant scheme to make sure Bond meets his maker. Sure, it didn’t work, but A for Effort.
Related Topics: Bondathon
