To be fair this list is actually 11.
Sean Connery is James Bond. There have been
adequate and exceptional bearers for the standard Connery set but make no
mistake….Connery is Bond…James Bond.
This listing is for the more than respectable career the legendary Scotsman had irrespective of the Bond series. This isn’t a ranking of his best movies. Although it would be similar list it wouldn’t be identical. Additionally, I admit I have not seen Mr. Connery’s entire catalog. His feature film career started in 1954 and includes 79 films. That’s a good sized body of work for anyone and Connery, sans Bond, still has an impressive career.
This one hurts.
Rest in Peace Sir Sean of Fountainbridge
Connery hadn’t gone anywhere since Bond. He had been working but not nearly at the commercially successful level as Bond. The Untouchables vaulted Connery to a different level of legend. It won him his Oscar and set off a string of blockbusters for the next 16 years as an A-List Hollywood star.
If you were a teenager in the late 80’s you probably didn’t go see The Highlander in a theater. Not that many people did. But you probably bought the VHS or rented it a dozen times. It puts the cult in cult classic and just a fine SciFi piece of gold. Connery"s flamboyant Spaniard was brilliant and his death was heartbreaking and he was only on screen for about 15 minutes.
You want to know how good Connery was as Ramius? He played a Russian/Ukranian submarine commander with a Scottish accent and NOBODY gave a damn.
Any list of greatest Robin Hood projects that doesn’t included Robin and Marion is just not credible. Connery as the middle-aged Robin and Audrey Hepburn as Marian turned nun is the perfect “ending” to the fabulous love story….with a dramatic fight at the end to boot.
5 - Joe Roberts - The Hill
Lesser known character study from 1964.
Soldiers in a North African prison and lets just say the guards are not very
pleasant. Proved Connery had chops and was more that the
glitz of 007 which is exactly what he wanted.
Lesser known film but absolutely awesome. SC and Richard Harris as immigrant coal
miners in 1876 Pennsylvania. Intrigue, sabotage, murder, betrayal….and its loosely based on actual events. LOVE this movie. Maybe my favorite of the 10.
If anyone ever questioned Connery’s straight up acting chops just send them a link to Family Business. In a straight up drama with industry acting darlings like Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick and SC was their Daddy…and Granddaddy respectively.
8 - Henry Jones Sr. – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Completely played against type. There are few enough people on the planet who could have been Indiana Jones/Harrison Ford’s Dad but SC topped the list.
Totally believable as the reluctant and regret filled genius. Movie was a bit manipulative but terribly effective.
10 - Daniel Dravot – The Man Who Would Be
King
Possibly SC’s favorite film. Mainly because he
got to drink and smoke and gamble with his dear friend Michael Caine.
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