What did people think of Timothy Dalton as James Bond?

Answer 1

ok ok

Answer 2

People who don't like Dalton's portrayal should consider the time that he became Bond. Around 1987, the idea of the 'new man' was becoming fashionable. Dalton was a more sensitive Bond- whilst he was smooth and charming, he kept the corny one-liners in check (more Moore's style). He didn't necessarily get the girl first time. (this was a time when political correctness was starting to become fashionable). He had Connery's moodiness without his machismo. Dalton made 2 Bond films- The Living Daylights and Licence to kill. I particularly like the second film, partly as the villain is given a human side and they actually seem to like and respect each other for a time. They were more subtle, serious films than some of the Moore films had been. Daniel Craig actually seems to look a bit like Dalton in his demeanour, though apparently Craig's Bond is going to be cruel (as Connery's sometimes was) , which Dalton's never was. Dalton's portrayal was by far the most that of a true, romantic gentleman. I don't mind saying he looked the most handsome too.

Answer 3

I liked Timothy Dalton as James Bond. His portrayal brought the seriousness that was desperately needed after Roger Moore. ("A View to a Kill," anyone? Best part of that movie was the title song by Duran Duran.) But I'm sure he knew that he was just a placeholder for Pierce Brosnan. Oh yeah, Dalton was attractive too -- unlike a certain person who's the new James Bond...

Answer 4

Timothy Dalton was good as James Bond, I did like every one of the films. Any actor who played James Bond was good, that's my opinion.

Answer 5

I didn't mind him a bit, especially after Roger Moore. Moore's smirking, wise-cracking Bond rendered those films entirely lacking in suspense/danger. You never really had any reason to doubt that Bond would survive/prevail. Connery is still the gold standard, but I thought Dalton brought back a little of that edginess, and I think Daniel Craig will have that going on, too.

But...how did they not snap up Clive Owen? He'd have been perfect.

Answer 6

Timothy Dalton as Bond was very good. He portrayed Bond as a man that was ready to spring instantly into action with complete determination evident in just the way that Dalton walked during the films.
There's a scene where Q turns up in Bonds hotel room and he share's a room with 007. Bond warns him "As long as you don't snore Q". The tone of his voice has menace and anger. The way Dalton looks to the woman says I want to kill him. So Bond is barely tolerating Q' presence. This could add new light in scenes where Q is briefing 007 on his gadgets and all Bond can do is behave sarcastically. Perhaps Bond acts this way because Q always talks down to him. 007 knows better than Q ever will about the importance of getting things right.

007 is a man who carries out his missions in a "get the job done" manner and due to what is usually at stake, anything goes. Which is why his superiors describe him as reckless and in one case a dinosaur, they would prefer he was more careful and considerate to their country' appearance on the world stage. He doesn't care for politics and the need to keep things quiet, which is why in the post war era, he is seen as old fashioned. This is why Bond always ends up in punch up's in kitchens, bars and casino's world wide. He wants his prey to understand that he is coming for them, and the character probably takes great delight in finishing of the main villain after taking care of everyone else as it proves furthermore that he is the man.

Bond doesn't panic when he is under pressure because he is always in control and determined not to let anything get in the way of his mission, and Dalton in his performance as Bond portrays this well when he is driving his Aston Martin over a frozen lake, and blows up a road block without even wincing.
Both M' and Q' failure to understand Bond and label him in demeaning ways, and their continual reliance on him as the last resort cement Bond as a rebel. We see Bond as a professional.

In the Living Daylights he reacts angrily when he realises that he is about to shoot an amateur assasin, someone he knows from one look is just about to kill in a desperate attempt to ease their situation. He also realises that if he keeps this person alive he can gain information which will help take him to the real villian. Bond hates to let the boss get away and he see's himself as a professional who only kills professionals and not a mindless assasin which is why Dalton has Bond reacting so angrily in the scene.

To cut a long winded explanation to my answer short I believe as an actor Timothy Dalton sought to understand James Bond the character and his pyschology in order to play him effectively and convincingly. Daltons efforts made Bond far more three dimensional than Moore or Brosnan and Lazenby, so this places him high above any of them. I think he did a marvellous job and he should be voted number one alongside Sean Connery.

Answer 7

Not good at all. Sorry Tim..
He tried to be human in his approach of James Bond and seemed very serious all the time while James Bond is about charm and sense of humor.

He complained the whole movie through, too much according to my taste, he almost forgot getting the bad guys and he had his friend 006 killed in his presence..that would never happen to Roger Moore...

Answer 8

I think he is a good actor. He made Bond a bit more dangerous after the camp period with Roger Moore but lacked the cheekiness of the later. Unfortunately the scripts, cast and production in general of his movies was not very good, they were like a cheap copy of Miami Vice.

Answer 9

He was honestly the Bond that closest to one portrayed inthe books,all for queen and country, but also "flawed". However Daniel Craig is going to be an excellent Bond, for proof check out the two part series "Sword of Honour" and "Munich"

Answer 10

I liked his Bond, The Living Daylights is still one of my favourites.
He had a gritty edge to his role with just a little humour, an underated actor

Answer 11

He was better than Roger Moore. Not a Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan.