James Bond - Thunderball (Ultimate Edition 2 Disc Set) [DVD] [1965]

It is hardly possible to imagine an actor inject so much charisma into a role as Connery does here as Bond in Thunderball. Truth be told, it is really the glue that holds a movie together that otherwise might look rather frayed round the edges, despite the spectacularly tasty ingredients on display.
So what is it about? SPECTRE, Bond's arch enemies, have hatched a plan to seize two nuclear warheads from the British by capturing a Vulcan bomber on a training mission. Then, of course, a diabolical megalomaniac asks for 100 million dollars while stroking his cat. All the double-0's are brought in to get put on the case - but Bond has a lead - and of course it involves seducing a beautiful woman, in an exotic location (in this case, the ex-Miss France Claudine Auger, in Nassau, Bahamas). Can Bond seduce her in time to find the bombs before they are used?
As a general rule, the better the Bond villain, the better the Bond movie - and so it proves in this case. Adolfo Celi plays the villain efficiently enough, without being truly inspired. He comes across as a well paid hired hand, rather than an egomaniacal adversary. The villainess, on the other hand, the sexy redhead played by Luciana Paluzzi, comes across as a much more sophisticated foil for Bond's charms and wit, with a genuine sense of menace.
Another plus for the movie is the photography. On every level it is superior to its predecessors - filmed for the first time in widescreen, Ken Adams outlandish sets have room to breathe for the first time, and the groundbreaking underwater photography is surprisingly (forgive me) fluid and clear. In fact, the underwater scenes are the true draw of the movie, adding a new dimension to Bond's skills - however, they also prove to be the movies drawback, as they are drawn out far too long in the climactic underwater battle. The movie is going swimmingly though (apologies again..) until the very final scene on board the yacht which jettisons its cocoon to become a hydrofoil. This has been so ludicrously speeded up for dramatic effect, as to do exactly the opposite, and spoil the moment.
The Ultimate Edition has the usual improved picture, and sound. The sound in particular has been given better depth without anything too tricksy and obvious with surround effects. For extras, as usual the Special Edition extras are all here, including the superb documentary charting the troubled history of the production. In addition, there is an abundance of archive material which will interest the die-hards...vintage promotional featurettes and an NBC hour long special on Bond up to this point. An interesting addition is some home movie footage from the set designer Ken Adams talking about the location shooting, and the fun that went on behind the cameras.
So to summarise, with a bit of trimming and more careful use of speeded up action scenes, this could have been a 5 star classic, as it is, it is still a very respectable and enjoyable 4 star entry into the Bond franchise, with Connery at his peak. This edition is certainly the way to see it.

Sean Connery takes us to the depths of the Bahamas in the first 'aquatic' Bond adventures which gives the film more glamour with amazing underwater sequences which really show off the quality of the 007 cast and crew in their effort to portray James Bond as best they can.

Following on from the success of the previous films, James Bond faces the ultimate mastermind in Blofeld again and his organisation of SPECTRE when the free world is held hostage by two nuclear arms waiting to strike, unless James Bond can find them and stop the man behind the plot.

Sexy Bond girls, lush locations, iconic villains, thrilling action and yet more delicious gadgets give Sean Connery the back-up he needs in another intense bout of good vs. evil, Bond style.

This is the fourth outing for Sean Connery as superspy James Bond. After the success of Goldfinger, the producers had money to throw at the next film and it shows. Yet again everything is bigger, better, more action packed and thrilling.

Bond is up against crime syndicate SPECTRE again, this time trying to stop them holding the world to ransom with some nuclear missiles that they have purloined. For the forst time in the series the villain and henchmen did not make much of an impression on me, and the film is largely carried by Connery's charismatic performance and the big set piece action sequences. In that respect the money is well spent, the action is big and excellently staged and makes for a thrilling ride!

This ultimate edition really is the best version of the film I have owned. The picture has been lovingly restored and cleaned up, and looks amazing. Really, I am not just saying that. It looks superb. The sound has been similarly treated and there is an option to listen to it in 5.1 DTS surround, which is truly exceptional.

As well as the superb presentation of the film, there is also a host of extras, original trailers, informative audio commentaries and the such. These are exhaustive and some of them quite interesting, especially the featurette on the iconic rocket suit. But these really a garnish for the main course, which is the film itself.

This is an excellent release, and does this classic film justice. This series of `Ultimate editions' really sets the standard for film releases. It really does not get any better.