Thunderball
S.P.E.C.T.R.E have hijacked 2 nuclear warheads, and are holding the USA and the UK hostage for $100m. They will detonate one of the weapons if they are not paid.
James Bond investigates, and finds himself up against S.P.E.C.T.R.E’s #2 – Emilio Largo.
Direction
At 125m this is the longest in the franchise so far.
Dr No and FRWL director Terence Young returns for his final outing. There are quite a few ups – with the abundance of underwater action (and “action”), with the final action sequence of S.P.E.C.T.R.E v Coast Guard quite impressive – especially given this is a 60 year old film. Hats off to the stunt performers here – specifically to the one who clung to the side of Largo’s speeding boat in the climax.
There is a handful of clunky editing during some of the many fight sequences, where cuts occur and characters appear to jump around the room.
Breakdown
The mystery of S.P.E.C.T.R.E and #1 expands here. He is once again a faceless villain, killing his subordinates without remorse.
The narrative is relatively easy to follow, with Emilio Largo being an impressive villain, with a solid team about him with Fiona Volpe. They cause some calamity for Bond, with them being the cause of his partner Paula’s death (who Bond shakes off with relative nonchalance .
Even Largo himself gets his ‘hands dirty’ and has a few underwater moments himself. Like the previous film villain Goldfinger before him, Largo has a decent amount of screen time, with plenty of moments with Bond.
It is of course a product of its time, and there is plenty of blatant misogyny – with Bond bedding plenty of women during the film. At least those who do appear are not as ‘helpless’ with them at least having some personality and not just bed-mates for Bond.
The pacing is a little slower than in previous entries, with more attention on the (albeit impressive) underwater action, culminating in a showdown on Largo’s speeding ship.
Score/Soundtrack
Solid score from John Barry, with the title song performed by Tom Jones, and written by Don Black.
Overall
Solid fourth entry, which is as good as its predecessor Goldfinger. While a product of its time in some aspects, it holds its own with some of the movies made over half a century later.
4/5
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