Thunderball 1965

     This is the fourth film in the Bond series.  It’s based on a story by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham and Ian Fleming.  Bond’s mission is to recover two stolen warheads that have been taken by SPECTRE.  Bond travels to Nassau, he meets beautiful Domino and her guardian Emilio Largo.  Largo has a large yacht named the Disco Volante and it is suspected Largo knows where the warheads are hidden. 

     Originally, this was to be the first Bond film but there was a long legal battle between the story writers.  An out of court settlement was reached and the film was able to proceed.  Fans who like many gadgets and daring stunts will be satisfied with this installment.  The $6 million dollar budget supplied plenty of trick vehicles and underwater weapons.  The box office take was rewarding with $141 million for a $135 million profit!!  It seems the more is more theory did offer a good-sized payback!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

130 min, Action directed by Terence Young with Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi, Rik Van Nutter, Guy Doleman, Molly Peters, Martine Beswick, Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell.

Note:  Imdb 7.0 out of 10, 86% critic 73% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 677 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in England, France, Bahamas and Florida.  Originally, the title song was Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang sung by Dionne Warwick but it was changed at the last minute.  Four versions of Mr. Kiss were recorded including one sung by Shirley Bassey.  Tom Jones sings Thunderball because the song needed to reflect the title.  The Jetpack was not flown by Connery.  Engineer Bill Suiter flew it and he was one of only two people qualified to fly this equipment.