Bond #4: Thunderball (1965)

Thunderball, the fourth James Bond outing for Sean Connery continues to morph into the Bond movies that we have come to expect. Director Terence Young who also helmed for Dr No and From Russia with Love, gives us a Bond movie that is the biggest and most ambitious at the time of its release in 1965. Not a surprise given that this outing's budget was apparently far higher than its predecessors thanks to their continued success. The series continues with its progressive morphing to the franchise trademarks that we are more familiar with today, with its increasingly elaborate opening gambit, a even more creative title credits sequence graced with silhouettes of naked female bodies swimming across the screen while Tom Jones belts out its thunderous theme song, and a generous display of gadgets. Thunderball boasts of more elaborate and sophisticated gadgets such as the jet-pack used in the opening scene where James Bond escapes by literally flying off, and those cool underwater scooters. I remember playing with the toys of these gadgets when I was a small boy.

The scale and stakes are higher this time around with the threat still coming from the mysterious organisation SPECTRE involving the theft of two nuclear warheads. The action sequences have become more elaborate this time, particularly the extended underwater battle which just went on and on ... The foot chase sequence in the streets of Nassau, capital of Bahamas during its Junkanoo Parade stood out with its noisy street music and chaotic parade dancers everywhere, provided a natural maze for an engaging case of cat and mouse chase. Looking at the scene, I could imagine it may have been the inspiration for the opening act in the last Bond outing Spectre with Daniel Craig as Bond trying to evade his pursuers in the midst of a similar set-up, in this case, the Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City.

The Bond girls in Thunderball continue to be portrayed as one dimensional bimbos who are only too eager to jump into bed with our super agent. Sean Connery meanwhile looks totally comfortable in his role as 007 which requires him to never fail to make or say something suggestive to any female that appear on screen. Today's #MeToo followers will no doubt be grimacing in disapproval at these scenes! I actually found them to be hilarious and probably a reflection of the culture and norm on how women were treated and perceived to act at that time.Today we would brand such behaviour as sexual harassment!

Finally, a mention of John Barry's wonderful music score which complimented the more suspenseful scenes very well. I am reminded that this score was used many times in Chinese movies during that era. Listening to its familiar tune today brought back memories and testament to its evergreen staying power.

All in, Thunderball is action packed, a bit top heavy with its gadgets but entertaining enough. What it lacked is probably a tough and memorable villain like the mute with the steel hat in Goldfinger, to spice up the one to one fight scenes. Still, considering that these Bond movies were being churned out at the rate of one every year, it is no mean feat. Now, bring on the next .. Bond #5: You Only Live Twice!