The first actor to play James Bond in the EON Productions film series was, of course Sean Connery who is still arguably the most popular Bond actor. Indeed, he is my own personal favourite due to the way he captures the character of Bond so well - handsome, but deadly. Charming but with a cold, cruel streak. Sean Connery was apparently picked out by Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Cubby after he appeared in 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People'. He appeared as Bond in the first film, Dr. No and went on to appear in the first five films. After missing the sixth film, Connery returned for his last hurrah as Bond in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever.
My own personal favourite Sean Connery performance is From Russia With Love. The character is slightly more developed than he was in Dr. No, as well as Sean Connery clearly being more relaxed in the role, which serves to increase the charisma of the character. The film itself has one of the best plots and everything in the film seems to fit in place and work very well. Robert Shaw plays opposite Connery as arguably the series greatest henchman. The fight between the two of them in the railway compartment is one of the classic Bond fight scenes.
While enjoying great success as Bond, Connery was tired of the extreme amount of publicity he received, and he quit the series. His performance in You Only Live Twice is probably his weakest, undoubtedly as a result of his frustrations. He did return in Diamonds Are Forever, and was in fine form, despite having put on a few pounds.
He also acted in the unnoficial Bond film, Never Say Never Again. In my opinion it was a weak film, although this is not due to Connery's performance which is up to the standards of his YOLT and DAF performances.
Connery has appeared in many films over the course of the last six decades, including many of my personal favourite films, such as: The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
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