James Bond Pre-Titles Ranked

[@nick37104]

Nice list. Nice to see Dalton’s ranked highly. They really were both brilliant.

[@bobsind]

Very glad to see you still making Bond content after your movie-by-movie reviews!

[@stephenjarvis534]

You didn't think that just because I was done with the individual reviews, that meant there would be no more Bond videos afterwards, did you?

[@sawnoff95]

All 4 of Brosnan's pre-titles were phenomenal!

[@NealKlein]

I must agree.

[@MegaRayland]

Indeed. And not pertinent to this list but I’d argue that 3 out of the 4 Brosnan films had the best title sequences two, considering both the visual/imagery and song choice.

[@sawnoff95]

​@@MegaRaylandHis first 3 🔥

[@thomaschacko6320]

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” has, without a doubt, the best pre-credits sequence. Let’s begin with George Lazenby’s smooth, confident strut, and his drop to one knee for the “gunbarrel” shot. Nothing like it! (Sure beats Bob Simmons’s middle-aged banker look; Connery’s wobbly crouch; Moore’s bell-bottomed lounge suit; or Brosnan’s ridiculous bullet-in-your-face. And Craig has ketchup oozing down!) The opening for “OHMSS” is incredible! M, Q, and Moneypenny offer a reassuring familiarity. Then we’re treated to the most dramatic build-up to the new James Bond. The car pursuit and the rescue of Tracy lead to a pleasant, Australian-accented “My name’s Bond -James Bond.” The brilliantly staged fight is enhanced by dynamic, rapid-fire editing not seen since the train fight in “From Russia With Love.” And the capstone is Lazenby’s obvious enjoyment of “This never happened to the other fellow” - a line that got laughs in the cinema. Lazenby was perfect for the part; the most suave, athletic and human. He provided a refreshing change after Connery’s through-the-motions performances in the two previous films. Thank you, Peter Hunt, for your focus, comfort with Ian Fleming’s world, and determination to place your personal stamp on this film.

[@henrykujawa4427]

George Lazenby & OHMSS are my favorite Bond and Bond film. But I'd love to SMACK him for quitting before the film was even released, causing Peter Hunt to also leave and never come back. The 70s could have been SO different and SO MUCH better than they were if he'd stuck around.

[@moose6509]

Could only be one winner. It was my first experience of the audience cheering and clapping. Puts the icon in iconic.....

[@mr.c8833]

The Spy Who Loved Me is the first film I saw in 4th grade in 1983. The opening had me hooked and made me a life-time fan.

[@NealKlein]

I love that you not only know how to make a great ranking video, but you inspired so many viewers. This is what it's all about. Thank you, Stephen.

[@niezwyklesmutnyczowiek2507]

Woah. I got second degree burns with hot takes (either yours or mine, idk at this point). LALD pts is definitely one of my favourite sequences, especially since it manages to be so without Bond himself. The intrigue, the humour, the soundtrack. Everything is in here! Great video, as always!

[@andrewwilliams7661]

Comments for the algorithm because I love your channel.

[@chadhetzel]

Ahh, how refreshing! Another fantastic ranking video Stephen. Looking forward to your upcoming content. You're one of the best Bond creators on KZbin

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

What I like about FRWL's is the presentation. It's great looking but also some of my favorite music in the whole series. Even when I know it's not Bond the tension of the situation is immersive.

[@willingexile3374]

I would have preferred grades instead of ranking, but A+ for effort, a reasonable rubric for your choices, and your candid takes. Each sequence differs from the intent of the directors as well as the period in which they were made. That's my way of saying that I don't agree with your ranking, but I have been thoroughly entertained by your video and reminded as well that it's hard to pick out a favorite from the Bond films, both in the pre-title sequences and the films themselves. Goldeneye is my favorite pre-title sequence, followed by The Living Daylights. The Spy Who Loved Me is in my top tier, but what makes it less impactful is the close-up shots of Roger against an obvious blue screen. But back then it was acceptable to see that the stars didn't do their stunts and shaky cam wasn't yet invented to create the illusion of continuous action.

[@thetalentof]

Great list and hard to disagree with as like you say, once you get to the top 8, they can all be pretty interchangeable but my personal top 5 would be: 1. The Living Daylights (best new 007 actor reveal shot, most exciting setting having a 00 training exercise that's been infiltrated, Tim's doing enough of his own stunts to capture some thrilling shots of him on that roof, we finally get Fleming's Bond back after a 14 year draught and "better make that two" is the icing on the cake) 2. Goldeneye (most badass introduction to a new 007 thanks to 2 incredible stunts and the novelty of two 00s together) 3. No Time to Die (essentially a short film but a great mix of horror elements, romance, action, betrayal subplot, that bike stunt, the satisfying and surprisingly dramatic build-up to using the gadgets all gorgeously shot by Linus Sandgren) 4. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (love the way it teases Lazenby's new Bond before the full reveal with the cigarette lighting, rescuing this mysterious woman at dawn on a beach before an above average fight sequence and of course Lazenby's famous 'wink wink' style line) 5. The Spy Who Loved Me (love the Union Jack parachute and the suspense of that ski jump building up to it but the other openings feel more "Fleming" to me, although Spy is my most rewatched film of the entire franchise as it's both effortlessly accessible whilst still feeling like prestige, sacred Bond territory and such a feast for the eyes, got to love those Ken Adam sets)

[@TheGerkuman]

"Hold on, you're dead!" is a brilliant line.

[@RemAngeloCalilung]

Missed opportunity to say, "Nobody does it better" for the number 1!

[@Paul_Whaley]

Love the ranking Stephen! I can agree with nearly all of it, placement-wise. I think that the pre-titles are nearly universally good. My least favorite (of the official films), may be AVTAK, purely because that Beach Boys song just really sours it for me. Roger is a little creepy with the agent on the sub too. For my #1, it's hard to pick. I really love NTTD's pre-titles. It's one that I think about for the highs of the series, and not just with the pre-titles. As a little Bond film, I think it just works there too. Goldeneye and TLD ran exceptionally highly too. Gun to my head, I'd probably say NTTD, but it's a hard pick for the top for me. As always, thank you for the excellent video.

[@Infamous1991]

The Spy Loved Me and Goldfinger are my favourites

[@anthonydpearson]

LOVE seeing Octopussy so high! Totally agreed, it's such a blast

[@basscot17]

I could have made this exact list! Great motivations for each pick! I am however interested in hearing if you recognize the same flaws in LTK as i do: i freelancer like the first shortsit of Bond, Leiter and Sharkey are really awkward. And since they decided to reuse Hedison from the Moore-era, i would have appreciated a bit of dialogue between Bond and Leiter, to establish their deep friendship and also to build chemistry between Dalton and Hedison. That's a small flaw in an otherwise great pre titteli sequence, but it disturbs me far more than what annoyed you about the Mi6-bits in TWINE. Love LTK otherwise. I think the movies from 1987-1995 might be the best back-to-back 3-movie-slam of the franchise (you even put them in your top 4for this kist of pre-titles, so i might be onto something)

[@fmor4133]

Once again a great analysis. This time my ranking don't differ that much. LTK would be lower as it always bothers me Stella being more into Bond than her husband to be. And AVTAK ranks way higher as the BeachBoys song is really terrible but I love everything else.

[@johnwalters4792]

Scenes for the pre credit sequence in The Living Daylights was filmed in Blackpool.

[@masudashizue777]

Maybe jetpacks are not the cat's pajamas now but I love it in Thunderball.

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

The Living Daylights, Octopussy, Thunderball and Casino Royale and GoldenEye are my favourites, just find them really exciting.

[@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa]

Really well done Steve! As you say, these sequences all have their merit and many of them rank really high up. I have to agree overall with your rankings. Goldeneye and Living Daylights are both great ways to introduce a new Bond. Spy is just ballsy with that ski jump (filmed in Greenland). It is interesting that though I am not a fan of the Moore era, Spy and Octopussy are 2 of the better opening sequences. I do like the opening to Die Another Day. But the rest of the movie...meh. That was Brosnan's idea of having Bond get captured and then tortured. I think as the budgets grew, this allow the production team more resources to develop and create more and more lavish opening sequences. This may be why the Connery era ones might seem tame compared to later entries. So, my favorite opening sequences (in no particular order) (yes, I'm cheating!): Spy Goldeneye Living Daylights Octopussy Die Another Day Casino Royale Goldfinger To round out my top 10: License to Kill, Thunderball, tie b?w FRWL, Tomorrow Never Dies

[@PopCultureguy]

Hello SLJ great video Pre-Titles Ranked of 007 Films loved lists defiantly agree your top 10 your bottom ranking of some nipticks I think personally me Quatiam of solace pre-titles should lower where from Russia with love should have been little higher but agree with your points that these pre-titles is great roll up for movie you going to see in theaters or at home.

[@officialpierluk]

So many connery rank low on here, you’re a courageous man, although i agree with lots of these

[@fmor4133]

In all fairness back then it didn't had the weight or budget as later on.

[@9Lando945]

Lion King was the first time I recall an opening sequence was used as a trailer. Circle of Life sequence,

[@JaiProdz]

Watching this as I stretch!

[@alanj.anderson2486]

Your top four are perfect! I’m in total agreement on those four! Personally I would have Octopussy and TND in the top six. Also, it’s not a crane in SkyFall. Great video

[@DavyDredd14]

Top 3 James Bond Pre-Titles Ranked : 3. Casino Royale (2006) 2. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) 1. Goldfinger (1964)

[@Superbox647-o5q]

I like the video my Friend

[@Jamal3.87]

I like your tie at 2 & 3. I would give GoldenEye the slight edge. Both films do set up the story very well.

[@DatTwenty]

Suggestion for next video. Bond allies ranked.

[@stephenjarvis534]

@@DatTwenty 😉

[@DatTwenty]

@@stephenjarvis534 and if for any reason you need help with the writing let me know, would love to see how my ranks stack against yours.

[@moviegeek8981]

Ranking best Bond Gadgets next?

[@chrisbellon3739]

Do video on james bond, villain lairs

[@TheGerkuman]

Was a bit surprised that you didn't mention the Fourth Wall Break in OHMSS.

[@nicholaswachter1974]

I love The Living Daylights sequence and I know they needed to offer some suaveness during the transition of ushering in a new Bond actor. I just don’t care for the tone on the yacht at very end. Sure you have the scantily clad woman offering the suggestive invite, but keep in mind Bond just lost a fellow double-O. He’s very loyal to agents on his team (we see it later in the same movie when he takes on a brooding demeanor at the Vienna carnival) as well as the revenge kill at the end of Octopussy. I just don’t feel that 007 would indulge mere minutes after an agent’s murder, sorry.

[@Rastamouse619]

Intro music at 3:00: if John Powell did James Bond

[@MegaRayland]

Pretty good list but I’d question putting Tomorrow Never Dies at 11. For one you have Octopussy’s much higher and equate it to Tomorrow’s as ‘unrelated to the plot’, but this is incorrect. Tomorrow’s intro sequence is mostly unrelated to the main plot EXCEPT that it introduces Gupta, who plays a big role the rest of the film, and the device that allows Carver to take the Devonshire off course. Not to mention it becomes a key piece for Bond infiltrating the lab later and the whole reason for the parking garage chase. Thing is that the missile failing to self destruct too soon is par for the course for many Bond situations over all films, and a longer sequence to make the time passage feel more accurate would have slowed down the great pacing of it. Between Tomorrow’s and Octopussy’s the latter feels more out of place with the movie. It is fun for sure, but the sloppiness of it (seeing the poles of the car carrying the plane in the hangar, for example), and some of the bad excesses of the Moore era Bond films, just can’t compare to Tomorrow’s more flawless execution. Similarly while I love The Living Daylights, and think Dalton was the best Bond, the intro sequence isn’t great outside the shot revealing the new Bond. For one Living Daylights suffers from not being sure if it wants to be more serious or still be a Roger Moore-era film, and this is visible from that opening sequence with the whole “mounting a partial replica of M’s office in a military plane JUST so he can give a short brief”, while making the dumb joke with the papers being blown moments later. But there is more. The bad guy is set up as an interesting adversary when he sends a message and cuts the cord of one of the 00’s, seemingly establishing that he is trying to sabotage them…, only to two second later show that he was there to steal what looked like just a few cases of TNT. Worse yet, during the jeep chase, the boxes catch fire and the bad guy keeps driving as if a), what he went in to steal wasn’t about to blow defeating the whole reason for his mission, or b), as if he had a chance to salvage anything. It is completely nonsensical. Not to mention that the whole base is in alert that this training exercise is in effect and the highly trained 00’s… announce their arrival flying a military plane over the island, parachuting in during THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY giving everyone plenty of time to see them, and wearing black and which makes no sense for a daytime operation. Thing is, it showed the 00 team as very incompetent, an ever more incompetent bad guy, and extremely low stakes for what should have been a more bombastic introduction. No Time To Die’s, Octopussy’s, and Living’s openings are too high, and Tomorrow’s is too low.

[@cinemaarts8795]

Ever thought about a video discussing what you want to see in the next Bond?

[@stephenjarvis534]

@@cinemaarts8795 You and another poster should be soothsayers.

[@listerofsmeg884]

Along with the dumb ending, the other issue I have with Moonraker's opening is the idea that a space shuttle would have any fuel on board during transport... I do hope someone got fired for that blunder.

[@henrykujawa4427]

In many respects, OCTOPUSSY is a disguised remake-tribute to GOLDFINGER. And, both opening sequences bookend their films' plots. Both have Bond blowing something up. Then, at the climax, he has to PREVENT something from blowing up!! Tsk. And, we see that by OCTOPUSSY, he's learned a lot about how to de-activate an ATOMIC BOMB.

[@wmassey683]

The Moonraker one I think you’re just overthinking it. It’s not serious

[@b.chaline4394]

25) Casino Royale '67 - meh, just a cheap gag 24) A View to a Kill - I actually love the film as a whole and can't deny the quality of the stunts, but that Beach Boys gag is unforgivable 23) For your eyes only - again, great stuntwork but the humor feels out of place 22) Quantum of Solace - I can't stand the editing, but at least the gritty nature of the action is consistent with the rest of the film and it ends on a nice line 21) Live and let die - more akin to an episode of The Avengers than a typical Bond film, but the dark humor contributes to the film's unique tone 20) Tomorrow never dies - just above bland, it's fun but I wish there was a true show-stopper at the end 19) Diamonds are forever - it makes me laugh a lot, especially the mousetrap part, but it's also clunky as hell and quite underwhelming if you watch it directly after OHMSS 18) From Russia with love - neat, economical introduction to one of the main villains, you can't ask much more than that 17) No time to die - real mixed bag, part of me wishes they had stopped at Safin grabbing the child's hand, and while the subsequent action in Matera is pretty good, it feels long and heavy-handed 16) Licence to kill - terribly fun and well staged, but there is actually too much going on at times, so much so that it feels more like a Felix and Sanchez sequence than a Bond one, so to speak 15) Spectre - terrific action and production value, would be top 10 if not for the stupid Dead are Alive quote and the god-awful yellow filter 14) Thunderball - the jetpack is fun but so terribly contrived, that's my only gripe with this classic 13) You only live twice - the space visuals and the John Barry score give me chills 12) Die another day - the pacing in this one is wonderful and unlike the rest of the film itself, it uses the blend of humor and grit quite expertly 11) Moonraker - totally agree with you Stephen, just misses on the top 10 because of the stupid way it ends with that Jaws gag 10) Goldfinger - the absolute template, God bless Guy Hamilton for his approach to that scene 9) The Man with the Golden Gun - my favorite sequence of my least favorite Bond film, wonderful introduction to Christopher Lee's Scaramanga 8) Octopussy - everything you gotta love about the Roger Moore era is in that scene, with my only gripe being the number of random soldiers dying instead of the usual mercenary goons 7) Skyfall - wonderful escalation, feels a bit much at times but I love the ambition and the ominous ending 6) On Her Majesty's Secret Service - love the distinctive flavor of this one, especially amongst pre-1990s Bond films, to such an extent that I'm willing to forgive the Other Fellah line 5) The Living Daylights - would be top 5 for that singular introduction shot of Dalton alone 4) The World is not enough - the only bad thing about that one is that, in my opinion, no other action sequence in the film lives up to it 3) Goldeneye - just floors me every time I watch it, Bond enters another dimension with that one 2) The Spy who loved me - top 10 material becomes top 5 material with that final stunt, top 5 becomes top 2 with the Union Jack parachute 1) Casino Royale - the list started with a Casino Royale pre-title sequence, it ends with a Casino Royale pre-title sequence. Only, second time is... yes, considerably

[@masudashizue777]

It's not so much we don't like fun Bond films. We just don't like slapstick Bond films.

[@stephenjarvis534]

There's not really a lot of slapstick in the pre-titles, which was more my point. But there absolutely is in the rest of the film, so I get that. The comment I made at the end of that bit was ambiguous, so that's my bad.

[@thetalentof]

Agreed, The Living Daylights and Goldeneye and Skyfall are all fun pre-credits sequences but they also hit hard and don't lean into camp at any point, although at least 'Octopussy' never goes too far like 'A View to a Kill,' l'd rather take camp over boring ('Live and Let Die') any day of the week.

[@vinceely2906]

Glang, glanga, langa, langa, langa, langa, lang…

[@chrisbellon3739]

In my head cannon, James bond killed the bunt lady first that why Boldfelt started to make body doubles

[@ggregd]

Why didn't you just show the pre-titles?

[@Purge_18]

cause the video would be way too long.

[@ggregd]

@@Purge_18 It's 40 minutes long as it is and you can't see what he's yapping about.

[@stephenjarvis534]

@ggregd So why watch a ranking video if you weren't looking for commentary? Go find the scenes here on KZbin and watch them.

[@Purge_18]

@@ggregd search them up, they are free to see

[@JannAsheNemophilaFan]

Living Daylights, TWINE, Octopussy, Goldeneye.

[@masudashizue777]

The attempts at humor in the latter Connery Bonds, all of Moore Bonds, and some of the Dalton and Brosnan Bonds bring down the franchise for me. I think they owe me a perfect Bond film with a perfect Bond actor.

[@stephenjarvis534]

So, Goldfinger isn't it?

[@FabianHunor]

While I can certainly agree that excessive humor can hurt the film's overall feel, I also feel like the Bond franchise sticks out because of the slight shots of humor. If it was serious and gritty all the time, than we would get 26+ globetrotting spy thrillers with similar in tone to "Hunt for Red October".

[@JaiProdz]

Any picks for actors who you want to portray Bond?

[@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa]

One needs to remember the times these movies were made - cold war, tensions and worries over nuclear war and a lot of geopolitical angst in the world. The Bond films though spy thrillers were intended to offer a relief. I have seen every Bond film in the movies starting with FRWL (yes, I'm old). These movies were great entertainment. That should be the metric we measure them by. Connery is my favorite. His humor were more like quips. I agree that Moore's era went too much on the humor. Why Dalton's more grounded serious approach was very welcome. Connery and Dalton are my 2 favorite actors to play the role. Just wish Dalton had 1 or 2 more entries.

[@JaiProdz]

@@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa Dalton definitely should've done A View to a Kill

[@opa-age]

How can Moonraker be so low?

[@stephenjarvis534]

@opa-age I thought I made myself clear why. Take Spy's opening, cut most of the suspense and plot build-up, and end with a really unfunny gag that undermines the suspense of an awesome freefall sequence, and you get a sequence that lands in the bottom half. I truly love the freefall, but not enough to override the sequence's deficiencies, and not enough to go above most of the other scenes.

[@darcyj19]

I do approve of your top pick, but we diverge a lot more as the list goes down. I would have OHMSS higher because the sequence is part of the main film plot and is accompanied by some fantastic Barry music. I would have the yellow-tone Craig sequences lower because I don't like the photography and the movies themselves are my least favourite (Casino Royale the exception) - Skyfall would be the best of the ordinary lot but I simply do not like Moneypenny being in "the field" and I assert my right to feel that way. I would have FRWL higher because of the laurel it wears as the first of its kind. Moonraker higher because of the stunt work. Tomorrow Never Dies higher because it is as good an action sequence as any in the entire series. Licence To Kill bumped a little lower in comparison to others that I like better.

[@stephenjarvis534]

@darcyj19 Sure! You can totally not like having the staff of MI6 out in the field with Bond, or the fact that Moneypenny was a field operative at one time. I don't mind it much, but I can see why that would bother people.

[@MAMoreno]

Okay, you can count me as a person who is less impressed with the opening of TSWLM. Between Bond's garish banana-colored garb, the obnoxious disco score, and the distractingly obvious rear projection (made worse by the fact that the scene is set in broad daylight rather than dusk), I find myself checked out by the time the big stunt arrives. And even then, as technically impressive as the last bit is, it's so cartoonishly patriotic that it seems ill-fitting for 007 (who, despite being a UK Navy man who is fully devoted to Her Majesty's Secret Service, feels far too cynical and bitter in his general worldview to be flaunting a Union Jack on his parachute unironically).

[@NealKlein]

You weren't watching it on the big screen in 1977, or you would appreciate it more.

[@rhysalexander182]

I don’t quite understand how “this never happened to the other fella” is ranked so high. You seem more lukewarm on that than the previous few on the list. OHMSS is one of my top Bond films, but I’ve never liked the opening sequence much. Otherwise, great list as always.