With a career going all the way back to the ’50s, the lateSean Conneryhelped set a new standard in Hollywood, which still inspires the new and upcoming actors we love to watch today.
Alongside his iconic first portrayal of the famed British spy James Bond, which he’s still considered by many to be the best, Connery has starred in many films across multiple genres, managing to excel in just about all of them. Here’s how Rotten Tomatoes ranks his 20 best movies.
20You Only Live Twice - 74%
It’s more than fitting for the first film in this list is one of Connery’s Bond films. Being a key reason as to why the franchise is as big as it is,You Only Live Twicewas just one time when he displayed his unbeatable finesse as the central spy.Featuring one of Bond’s most memorable villains with Blofeld(Donald Pleasance) for the first time, the stand-off between the two paired with the film’s explosive nature makes for one of the most enjoyable Connery-lead Bond films.
Set during the Cold War, America and Russia find themselves blaming each other after both of their spacecraft go missing. With the two nations once again on the brink of nuclear war, Bond is sent to Japan after faking his own death to try and uncover the global conspiracy with the help of Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba) and Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi). As he dives deeper, he uncovers something much bigger than anyone expected, with Blofeld at the helm.
19Robin and Marian - 75%
In a film depicting one of the most famous stories in British folklore that has reached almost every corner of the world,Robin and Mariansees Connery star as theiconic archer Robin Hood. Starring alongside Audrey Hepburn as Maid Marian, the film was set up for success from the get-go. Their dynamic is a massive factor in the film’s success, always being praised for its authentic, atmospheric feel to such a well-known story.
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The film is set long after Robin and Little John’s (Nicol Williamson) adventures in Sherwood Forest, with the two of them fighting alongside Richard the Lion-Heart (Richard Harris) in France. After Richard dies in battle, the pair find themselves back in Sherwood, with Robin learning that his beloved Maid Marian is serving as mother superior at a nearby covenant.
Turning the story into a tale of love, Robin faces his old nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw) one last time after ordering the arrest of Marian.
18The Anderson Tapes - 76%
The Anderson Tapesfeatures Connery in the opposite role as his synonymous Bond portrayal, with him playing the lead burglar in the film. A wonderful blend of the mystery and thriller genres, the film doesn’t let you look away for one moment with its all-engulfing story. The satirical undertones also add so much to the film in such an understated way.
After being recently released from prison, John ‘Duke’ Anderson (Connery) returns to his ex-girlfriend (Dyan Cannon) after 10 years, to find outshe lives in an expensive New York apartmentbuilding as the mistress of a wealthy man. You might think that John would’ve learned from his mistakes, however, he plots to rob every tenant in the building in a single job, without realizing the building is under heavy surveillance from multiple agencies.
17The First Great Train Robbery - 76%
Yet again playing the role of a thief,The First Great Train Robberyis a comedy heist film written and directed by Michael Crichton, who adapted his own novel for the big screen in 1978. What makes this film so special for Connery is due to it displaying his range with the same character type, with a sizable difference between this role and that ofThe Anderson Tapes. With critics agreeing that Connery provides a winning performance, this movie will never fail to provide outright entertainment.
Following Connery’s character of Edward Pierce, he’s a thiefwho has never found a heist that he couldn’t pull off. Full of confidence, he decides to plan something that’s never been done before up to the film’s 1850s English setting, to rob a moving train. Working with a master safecracker (Donald Sutherland) and an alluring woman (Lesley-Anne Down), Pierce sets out a complex plan to steal the thousands of dollars worth of gold on board.
16The Name of the Rose - 76%
In a more grounded, slow-moving film,The Name of the Roseproves Connery can shine in not just high-octane action, but dramatic mysteries as well. With its focus being on the compelling, convoluted characters, this film is perfect for those who love to decipher an ever-growing mystery, set in a time and place that is very rarely utilized in the genre, Italy in the 1300s.
Adapted from the same-titled novel written by Umberto Eco six years prior to the theatrical adaptation, the film follows William of Baskerville (Connery), a renowned Franciscan monk, and his apprentice, Adso of Melk as they travel to an abbey where a suspicious death has occurred. Using his unmatched detective skills, William begins investigating what he believes is a murder, with several more monks being found dead as the investigation unfolds.
15The Untouchables - 82%
Without a doubt one of the most well-known movies in Connery’s filmography,The Untouchablesputs Connery back in the crime-fighting role, but this time as an Irish cop in Chicago named Jimmy Malone.
Adapted from the 1937 book by Eliot Ness (also a character in the film) and Oscar Fraley, this film stays true to its source material while capturing the spirit of older 1930s gangster films, which have inspired many more cult classics. Not only isTheUntouchables one of the best gangster films of the ’80s,it’s one of the most iconic of all time in its genre.
Anchored by its incredible cast alongside Connery, the film is loosely based on the legendary crime boss Al Capone, played by Robert De Niro this time round, after he builds an empire with bootleg alcohol. With Prohibition agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) failing to take Capone down alone, Jimmy Malone joins the personal fight after losing his dad at the hands of mobsters a long time ago. Feeling inspired to continue, Ness renews his determination to finally bring Capone to justice.
14Marnie - 83%
A more unique style of mystery,Marinecan’t help but stand out in this list due to being directed by Alfred Hitchcock,one of the most influential directors of all time. This 1964 film features all the compelling elements that make Hitchcock’s films so distinctive, but the performances are what make this film even more special.
Adapted from the 1961 novel of the same title by Winston Graham, the film focuses on Mark Rutland (Connery) as a customer of Mr. Strutt, whose business was robbed by his secretary, the mysterious Marnie Edger (Tippi Hedren). After Marnie applies for a job with Mark with the intention of stealing from him, Rutland soon discovers that she has severe psychological issues regarding men, thunderstorms, and the color red.
Compared to Connery’s other performances, this will always be a standout due to Rutland’s complex, ever-digressing character.
13Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 84%
TheJames Bondfranchise isn’t the only iconic series that Connery found himself in. In the third installment to theIndiana Jonesseries,Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, he plays Indiana’s (Harrison Ford) father, Henry Jones, Senior. Playing such a vital role in the story of one of the most loved characters of all time is no easy feat, and it’s one that Connery nailed. Lighter and more comedic than the prior two entries into the series, Ford and Connery’s dynamic provides so much vital to an already wonderful adventure.
After Henry goes missing on his search for the Holy Grail,the son that he introduced to archeology, Indiana finds himself following his father’s diary in hopes of finding him. Learning that the Nazis are also interested in the Biblical cup, Indiana must overcome the powerful force in order to be reunited with his parent and to stop them from gaining the most valuable piece of potential lost history.
12Thunderball - 85%
In another explosive, enticing adventure for James Bond,Thunderballis just as thrilling as the previous Bond film on this list.Thunderballwas the film that started to take the series to new heights in terms of the spectacle, exaggerating almost every aspect of what came in the previous installments. Whether that’s something you prefer or not, Connery’s sharpness as Bond doesn’t go anywhere.
Led by one-eyed villainous mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the criminal organization SPECTRE hijacks two nuclear warheads from a NATO plane to complete their plan to extort £100 million. 007 is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo’s lair in the Bahamas, providing a vibrant, bold environment to contrast the formal backdrop of many of the locations used in these films.
Facing all kinds of foes as the mission progresses,Thunderballprovidesthe classic cinematic experience that only a Bond film could provide.
11The Longest Day - 87%
Besides crime films and spy thrillers, Connery took his talents to the War genre withThe Longest Day. Depicted the infamous invasion of Normandy, France known as D-Day. Adapting Cornelius Ryan’s non-fiction book of the same title, this film can’t help but be one of the most moving, eye-opening war films of its time, displaying the true terror of perhaps the most pivotal point in the Second World War.
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In one of his earlier films, Connery plays Pvt. Flanagan in the film, starring alongside equally iconic actors like John Wayne and Henry Fonda. The ensemble cast does a great job ofportraying soldiers who were placed in the horrors of D-Day, assisted by what critics agree is a massive technical achievement.
