Like Batman, James Bond has been portrayed by several actors across many films. There are the iconic ones like Sean Connery and Daniel Craig who played the character across a multitude of adventures. However, two actors in the history of Bond only briefly played the role and those are George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton.
These actors were not popular choices for the character when they debuted. However, over the years both Lazenby and Dalton received a renaissance from fans with their respective films getting more praise. The question is: who is more underrated and why?
10 Dalton: Return To Form
With the Roger Moore era, James Bond evolved to become more family-friendly with outlandish adventures. Films like The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker delved more into science fiction rather than gritty spy thrillers like Goldfinger or From Russia With Love.
Starting with The Living Daylights, James Bond was no longer a pun-tastic super spy with fancy gadgets and over the top plots. Bond was back to being a highly-skilled MI6 operative with a license to kill. Dalton portrayed Bond closer to how Sean Connery played him while still adding his own flavor.
9 Lazenby: Also A Charmer
George Lazenby did not hold a candle to Sean Connery but throughout, Lazenby is giving maximum effort to the role. Lazenby provides wit and charm throughout On Her Majesty's Secret Service. For what was his first acting role, George Lazenby could have been much worse.
This definitely comes through with his chemistry with Diana Rigg's Tracy. Lazenby also carries over the tradition of Bond having fun and surprisingly pleasant conversations with his villains. His rivalry with Blofeld in On Her Majesty's Secret Service is some of the best parts of the film despite continuity errors.
8 Dalton: Superior Action Star
Most times, Bond actors let the stuntmen do their respective jobs. However, like Mr. Daniel Craig, Timothy Dalton was not afraid to do things himself. Most of the on-screen stunts seen in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill were performed by Dalton.
This includes the very dangerous opening action sequence in The Living Daylights. When the truck is speeding down the road with James Bond on top, that is indeed Timothy Dalton hanging on for dear life. Lazenby also performed many of his own stunts although his Bond was less action-oriented than Dalton's.
7 Lazenby: He Only Got One Movie
When it comes to actors in a certain role, they get better as they go. For example, Sean Connery was leagues better in From Russia With Love than Dr. No, practically perfecting the character in Goldfinger. Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig also gave stronger performances as their tenures went on.
Lazenby was unfortunately not given that opportunity to grow. After conflicts with the director of On Her Majesty's Secret Service and advice saying that Bond was a dying franchise, Lazenby moved on. Many fans agree that if he had gotten even one more film, his tenure would have been more respected.
6 Dalton: Ahead Of His Time
What sets Timothy Dalton's era apart from the previous eras is that the two films were much darker, grittier, and more akin to action movies at the time. Fans of Bond originally thought that the films were too dark and way too violent.
This is especially ironic because this style of James Bond would come back with much praise in Casino Royale. Every Daniel Craig film since then has followed in the much more gritty and grounded take on the character. Craig's version was praised yet Dalton technically did it first, especially in Licence To Kill.
5 Lazenby: Better Romance
James Bond is known for his tendency to seduce multiple gorgeous women in one film. While that certainly is the case with On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Bond does find love. His romance with Tracy Draco is one of the best on-screen pairings with a Bond girl in the series.
This is also a testament to the acting abilities of Diana Rigg. Their love story which starts right from the beginning of the film is what helps in establishing Lazenby's take on Bond. This romance was actually so well done that it would affect later sequels.
4 Dalton: He Was Screwed Out Of The Role
Timothy Dalton loved the role of James Bond but he was never even the first choice. Originally, Pierce Brosnan was offered the role but lost the role due to contracts with Remington Steele. So Dalton got the role and was able to play James Bond for two films.
Originally, Timothy Dalton was going to feature in a third film but due to legal matters and the opening in Pierce Brosnan's schedule, Dalton was replaced. This was not exactly fair to the actor has he more than likely would have made a great third film. On the plus side, Pierce Brosnan ended up being perfect to carry on the franchise.
3 Lazenby: Humanized Bond
Sean Connery is legendary as James Bond but his take on the character was very much a superhero. Nothing was capable even making Bond flinch most of the time and he was indestructible. With On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the filmmakers went back to the style of the original books.
Bond was much more human and Lazenby portrayed that well. He showed more emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear. George Lazenby's best example of his range is in the final scene in which his newlywed wife Tracy is killed. His heartbreak is subtle but effective in making a very tragic ending for a Bond story and if Lazenby had been given a sequel, he likely would have done well in a revenge story.
2 Dalton: Book Accurate Bond
As mentioned, Timothy Dalton adored playing James Bond even to the point of reading the original novels on the set between shooting. This is why Bond in the Dalton era is so different: he's more of a reluctant agent. Ian Fleming never wrote Bond to be quippy and constantly using one-liners.
While there are definitely elements of that in Dalton's performance; fans of the book have pointed out that not only does Dalton perform closer to the book but he also looks almost identical to how Ian Fleming describes the character.
1 Lazenby: Fans Were Unfair To Him
Fans are how movie franchises continue but that doesn't mean they are fair all the time. Back in the 1960s, the idea of replacing an actor who was iconic for a role was unheard of. That's why replacing Sean Connery as James Bond sounded like sacrilege.
As a result, fans were quick to denounce George Lazenby. Many did not even give him a chance and simply wrote him off as "not Sean Connery." This is similar to how fans always react when a new actor takes on Batman. So as a result, George Lazenby had to wait several decades before he got the appreciation that he deserved.
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