Sean Connery was not the 1st "James Bond", that said, this is a look, in some detail, at just Ten of his roles, but they show the actor's versatility.
Above, Thomas Sean Connery portraying British Commando, "Private Flanagan", in Darryl F. Zanuck's, 1962 epic version of Irish author Cornelius Ryan's, "The Longest Day".
Thomas Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 25, 1930. His mother was a cleaning woman by the name of Euphemia "Effie" McBain McLean, his father was a factory worker and lorry driver named Joseph Connery, making the future actor, half-Irish, half-Scottish. Continuing the mixing, his father was Roman Catholic, his mother, Protestant.
As this is a motion picture and television blog, a very brief biography continues. Sean Connery's first job was as a milkman on the streets of Edinburgh. In 1946, the 16-years-old joined the British Navy, and served on "HMS Formidable", an aircraft carrier for three-years, and than was medically discharged in 1949.
I'm not going into detail about the next ten-years, because it was mostly spent trying out different types of jobs, none of which he stayed with. It's reported that he did come in third in a "Mr. Universe" contest. Like his father, Sean once tried being a lorry driver, and at one point during these ten years, he was an "Artist Model" at the "Edinburgh College of Art", and a coffin polisher that his best friend recommended him for. It was during this period, that Sean Connery got into a fight with members of a major Irish street gang, and may have beaten the crap out of them. This not only earned their respect, but the word got out not to cross Connery.
Later, came Sean Connery's first experience as an actor. He found himself on the legitimate stage in a touring company of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific", starting in the chorus, moving up in roles, as the musical toured the United Kingdom.
His first motion picture role was for the United Kingdom's film division of the United States studio, "Republic Picture's". This was in, 1954's, "Lilac's in Spring" aka: "Let's Make Up", starring Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle, but don't look to hard for him, he was an extra in a crowd scene. Connery also appeared in an episode of the American television show, "The Jack Benny Program", entitled, "Jack Haines, Opera Singer in Rome", shown in the United States on January 13, 1957, but filmed in the United Kingdom, his role was as "A Porter".
After "The Jack Benny Show", roles started to slowly build in size, and included five United Kingdom television roles and an equal number of motion pictures. However, his 5th-motion picture was 1958's, "Another Time Another Place", starring Lana Turner, Barry Sullivan, and Glynis Johns. This British motion picture about a Second World War romance in London, officially "Introduced", Sean Connery.
His next role was as one of the four British villains, "O'Bannion", seen below, with main bad guy, Anthony Quayle as "Slade", in 1959's, "Tarzan's Greatest Adventure", starring American body builder turned actor, Gordon Scott.
Next, Sean Connery's singing helped to get him third-billing in a Walt Disney Production:
DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE premiered in both London, England, and Dublin, Ireland, on June 24, 1959. The picture premiered in Los Angeles, California, on June 26, 1959.
The following is modified from an article linked under Janet Munro:
After the Second World War and during the first four-years of the 1950's, Walt Disney was forced to film motion pictures in the United Kingdom. Not to say that was a bad thing, but the problem facing Disney and other major American studios in 1950, was double income taxes. They all had deposited pre-Second World War money in British banks that through the war was gathering compound interest.
To get those funds out of the British Banks, Walt Disney would have had to pay taxes on the money to the British tax collectors. To bring the same money into the United States, Walt would have had to pay taxes on that same money, after paying the British taxes. The solution was to use the money to make motion pictures in the United Kingdom with British crews and actors. A movie was not a taxable item by the American "Internal Revenue Service, IRS".
He would make four-movies, starting with 1950's, "Treasure Island", their story is part of my article, "Walt Disney's Four British Tax Feature Films (1950 to 1954)", found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/search?q=disney+tax+productions
However, in 1958, Walt Disney wasn't going to spend money in the United Kingdom again and double taxes. Instead, he would bring in some inexpensive British actors to Burbank, California, to film his movie that was set in Ireland. The majority of the motion picture was filmed in Canoga Park, California, 17-miles from his Burbank Studio.
Walt Disney's choice for director was Robert Stevenson. Prior to this motion picture, Stevenson had directed among other feature films, Boris Karloff's, 1936, "The Man Who Lived Again", the 1937 version of author H. Rider Haggard's, "King Solomon Mines", starring Sir Cedric Hardwick and Paul Robeson, the 1941 version of "Back Street", starring Charles Boyer, Margaret Sullivan, and Richard Carlson, the classic 1943 version of Charlotte Bronte's, "Jane Eyre", co-written by Stevenson and Aldous Huxley, starring Orson Welles, and Joan Fontaine, and for Walt Disney, both 1957's, "Johnny Tremain", and "Old Yeller", and later, 1961's, original "The Absent Minded Professor", 1964's. "Mary Poppins", and 1971's, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks".
Albert Sharpe portrayed "Darby O'Gill". Shape was a member of the "Abbey Players (aka:The Nation Theatre of Ireland)". His first motion picture was as an "Irish Lord", in the Deborah Kerr and Trevor Howard, 1946, "I See a Dark Stranger". This was the 13th of Shape's 14-motion picture appearances.
Above, Albert Sharpe speaks to "King Brian Connors", portrayed by Jimmy O'Dea.
Janet Munro portrayed "Katie O'Gill". Besides this motion picture, Munro is most remembered for the 1958 British Science Fiction classic, "The Trollenberg Terror" aka: "The Crawling Eye". My article is "Janet Munro: Crawling Eyeballs and Darby O'Gill", found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2023/09/janet-munro-crawling-eyeballs-and-darby.html
Sean Connery portrayed "Michael McBride".
Above, Sean Connery and Janet Munro.
Kieron Moore portrayed "Pony Sugrue". His early work included third billing in the Vivian Leigh and Sir Ralph Richardson's, 1948 version of Russian author Leo Tolstoy's, "Anna Karenina", and portraying "Heathcliff" in a 1948, television production of British authoress Emily Bronte's, "Wuthering Heights".
"Darby O'Gill" and his daughter "Katie", live in the small Irish town of Rathcullen, and "Darby" is the caretaker for "Lord Fitzpatrick's", portrayed by Walter Fitzgerald, estate. However, he is "Retired (Fired)", without his daughter's knowledge, and replaced by a young Dubliner named "Michael McBride", hired by "Lord Fitzpatrick", below.
"Darby" gets "Michael" to reluctantly agree to be introduced to "Katie" as his assistant. Which will lead to the start of a quarreling romance between "Michael" and 'Katie", that neither realizes is happening.
Meanwhile, the main subplot has "Darby O'Gill" attempting to capture "King Brian Connors", the leader of the local leprechauns. Which has everyone in the village thinking he's a little touched in the head.
Chasing what he believes is "Lord Fitzpatrick's" horse, Cleopatra, which isn't real, but a pooka, a ghost image, "Darby" is captured by "King Brian" and taken to the leprechaun's mountain lair, Knocknasheega. This is part of "King Brian's" plan to help his friendly enemy, by preventing "Katie" from discovering the truth about "Michael" and her father. However, this creates a problem for "Darby", as he can't ever leave Knocknasheega.
"Darby" tricks the leprechauns into opening the entrance to their mountain home by playing "The Fox Chase", a song that the "Little People" love, on "King Brian's" Stradivarius.
"Darby" fully expected "King Brian" to come after him and challenges the diminutive King to a drinking game with a jug of poitin, a traditional Irish distilled beverage, and with the rise of the sun, has captured the now powerless, "King Brian". Because "Darby" has caught him, "King Brian" grants him three wishes and suggests he can grant him four, but the old caretaker had a run in with "Brian" before, and knows if he uses a fourth wish, he forfeits the first three.
"Darby's" first wish is for "King Brian" to stay by his side for two-weeks, or until he uses all three wishes. He wants "Michael" to see "King Brian" as he is, but accidentally turns that request into a wish. Looking into the sack "Darby" has "Brian" inside, anyone, including "Michael", only sees a rabbit. As the leprechaun king reminds his friend, he never said he wanted "Michael" to see him as he really looks like.
"Pony Surgrue", the town bully wants "Michael's" job and "Katie O'Gill" for himself. His mother, "Widow Sheelah Sugrue", portrayed by Estelle Winwood, now tells "Katie" the truth about her father and "Michael".
"Katie" very angrily confronts her father and "Michael".
When Cleopatra actually gets loose, "Katie" chases the horse to Knocknasheega, but doesn't come home. "Darby" finds his daughter near the mountain with a very high fever. A banshee appears and summons the death coach, the Dullahan, to take "Katie's" soul.
"Darby" uses his third wish to trade places with his daughter in the Dullahan. Inside the coach, "King Brian" confronts "Darby" and tricks him into wishing he could have him as company in the afterlife.
The fourth wish forfeits his other three, and "Darby" returns to his daughter and her recovery.
"Michael McBride" confronts "Pony Sugrue" at the pub and humiliates him. Leaving "Michael", with "Darby's" approval, to actually fall in love with "Katie".
Among Sean Connery's next eleven-roles, only two were not on British television, that had found the actor portraying William Shakespeare's, "MacBeth", Russian author, Count Leo Tolstoy's, "Count Alexis Vronsky", below, opposite Claire Bloom's, "Anna Karenina", and portraying "Alexander the Great".
Just before the next motion picture I want to mention, came "The Longest Day", and the story of the "D-Day Invasion" of Normandy, France.
As far as motion picture's go, there were two Ian Fleming's. The first was an Australian actor remembered for portraying Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, "Dr. John H. Watson, M.D.", in a British film series about "Sherlock Holmes". My article about that actor, is "The Other Ian Fleming"to be read at: https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2023/02/the-other-ian-fleming.html
Which brings me to the Other, Other Ian Fleming, and the story behind the creation of what is seemingly the most "Extraordinary Gentleman Spy in all fiction", and the novel that started it all. My article is "Ian Fleming's 'James Bond': 'Casino Royale' Times Three", at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/04/ian-flemings-james-bond-casino-royale.html
That article begins:
On April 13, 1953 Ian Fleming introduced the World to "James Bond" in "Casino Royale". Since that publication date the story has appeared as a daily newspaper comic strip in Britain's "The Daily Express", on live television, and as two motion pictures. It's the last three this article is about.
Ask anyone who first portrayed Double Oh Seven and 99.9% would say Sean Connery. This group is thinking of the 1962 motion picture "Dr. No" and remembering the scene at the Baccart table. Where the audience sees Sylvia Trench (Eunice Grayon with the dubbed voice of Nikki ven der Zyl) asks the man across from her his name and Connery makes the classic reply: "BOND! James Bond!"
Problem is the other .1% know otherwise.
DR. NO premiered in London on October 5, 1962
The First "James Bond" Motion Picture was based upon Ian Fleming's Sixth novel in the series, published March 31, 1958.
The screenplay was primarily by three writers:
Richard Maibaum, American Maibaum had started writing screenplays in 1936, with "We Went to College". He was the primary writer on the first four Bond films, returned in 1969, and ended in 1989, having written a total of 13 series entries.
Johanna Harwood, adapted, without credit, both Ian Fleming novel's, "From Russia with Love"and "Goldfinger". For Sean Connery's close friend, Michael Caine, she adapted the 1965, Len Deighton novel, "The Ipcress File". She also co-wrote the Bob Hope comedy, 1963's, "Call Me Bwana".
Berkely Mather had been working on British television since 1954. Besides "Dr. No", Mather also worked on "From Russia with Love" and "Goldfinger". His work on the three films was without credit, but he was the main writer in the excellent Viking story, 1964's, "The Long Ships". He also came up with the story for 1965's, "Genghis Khan".
Terence Young directed "Dr. No", he already directed Sean Connery in 1957's, "Action on the Tiger". He would direct Connery as "James Bond", in 1963's, "From Russia with Love", and 1965's, "Thunderball". Among my favorite films by Young in the international spaghetti samurai western, 1971's, "Red Sun", starring Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mifune, Alain Delon, Ursula Andress, and Capucine.
The Five Main Cast Members
Sean Connery became the Second Actor to portray "James Bond", but the first in a motion picture. The original "Bond" was American actor, Barry Nelson, 8-years before, on the television anthology series, "Climax".
Ursula Andress portrayed "Honey Ryder". Prior to this role, she was seen in three movies, and one television show. For her next role, Andress switched Sean Connery for Elvis Presley, and had "Fun in Acapulco", in 1963.
However trivia fans, the producers were after the body, not the voice. At this time Ursula Andress had a very pronounced Swiss accent that made hearing her lines a problem. So, whenever Andress speaks, the audience was hearing German voice actress, Nikki Van de Zyl, and whenever she sang in the movie, the audience heard Yorkshire born actress and singer, Diana Coupland.
Also, her on-screen time was less than a quarter of the overall running time. The exact amount of time was not calculated.
Joseph Wiseman portrayed "Dr. No". He wasn't the first "Bond" villain, that honor went to Peter Lorre, see my linked article. Did you know, that "No's" first name was "Julius"? Wiseman came from Broadway and appeared on stage throughout his career. Only 24 of his 100 roles through 1996 were motion pictures. Among his movies is the 1951, Kirk Douglas, "Detective Story", Marlon Brando's, 1952, "Viva Zapata", Michael Rennie's, 1952, "Les Miserables", and Burt Lancaster's, 1960, "The Unforgiven".
Jack Lord portrayed "Felix Leiter". Character actor Michael Pate originated the role in 1954. Starting on September 20, 1968, Lord first appeared as "Steve McGarrett", for 281-episodes of television's original, "Hawaii Five-O".
Lois Maxwell portrayed "Miss Moneypenny". She's in one of my favorite British science fiction movies, the previously mentioned 1956's, "Satellite in Sky", and was also in 1967's, "O.K. Connery". My article is "LOIS MAXWELL: Not Only "James Bond's Miss Moneypenny" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/04/lois-maxwell-not-only-james-bonds-miss.html
It is only because of my reputation as Bond that the backers put up the money for The Hill
There really isn't a lot of story. It's all character – a group of men, prisoners and jailers alike, driven by the same motive force, fear.
The title character, "THE HILL!", is in the center of the camp. Everywhere a prisoner looks, there is "THE HILL!" The main punishment is to carry heavy sacks up "THE HILL". Turn around, come down, and repeat that action as many times as ordered, or until you're defeated by "THE HILL!"
As Sidney Lumet implies above, this isn't the Second World War prison's seen in director John Sturges's, 1963's, "The Great Escape", or director Robert Aldrich's, 1967's, "The Dirty Dozen". This is a harsh, character study of British soldiers, in a British military prison camp, for British soldiers.
On January 1, 1965, the Hollywood Trade paper, "Variety", called the motion picture a:
- - - - harsh, sadistic and brutal entertainment, superbly acted by an all-male cast, and made without any concessions to officialdom. ... Sidney Lumet's forceful and authoritative direction gives added power to the production, and Oswald Morris's stark black and white lensing adds to the tough realism.
In the same article:
Breaking away from his 007 image, Connery gives an intelligently restrained study, carefully avoiding forced histrionics, The juiciest role, however, is that of the prison regimental sergeant major, and Harry Andrews does a standout job. Always a solid and reliable actor, he has never bettered this performance.
I've given my reader a look at each member of this exceptional cast and just a taste of the reality of this British military prison. My words, or those of "Variety", cannot give my reader the fear and realism of director Sidney Lumet. However, as of this writing, the following link will take you to the complete feature film:
https://m.ok.ru/video/835500706427
Sean Connery followed "The Hill", with the French-Italian 1966, "Un monde nouveau (A New World)", but don't blink, or you'll miss his cameo portraying, Sean Connery. However, there was also the American made, 1966, "A Fine Madness", seen below.
Add in 1967's, "You Only Live Twice", "Mr Bond", and you're in the next motion picture I want to speak fully too.
SHALAKO premiered in West Germany on September 26, 1968
In the 1960's there were two main types of Westerns, one type came from West Germany, and the other type became known as the "Spaghetti Western". This was neither, this was a United Kingdom Western shot at the "Shepperton Studios"in Surrey, England. Except from some location shots filmed in Almeria, Spain, on the Tabernas Desert, used in many of those "Spaghetti Western's".
For those interested in the main two types of Westerns, my article is "American Western's European Style" riding the range of Rome and West Berlin at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/01/american-westerns-european-style.html
This Western was based upon a 1962 novel written by Louis L'Amour, below is the cover of the 1st Edition.
There were four writer's involved in creating the screenplay and one was also known for portraying villains in both television and motion pictures.
The novel was turned into a story to film by Clarke Reynolds. Reynold's started writing primarily for American television in 1951. Although his movie work was international, 1965's, "Genghis Khan", 1967's, "The Viking Queen", and 1977's, "Operation Thunderbolt", are examples.
James Griffith billed as J. J. Griffith, below, between television and motion picture's, portrayed 232 villainous roles as an actor. However this was his 5th of only 6 screenplays he wrote.
Hal Hopper was an actor, writer, and composer. With Griffith, they co-wrote 1965's, "Motopsycho", for soft porn producer and director Russ Meyers.
Scot Finch was an English actor, and screenplay writer, and with J. J. Griffith, the two wrote the Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna, and Leonard Nimoy, Spaghetti Western, 1971's, "Catlow", also based upon a Louis L'Amour novel.
Edward Dmytryk directed the feature, among his work is Boris Karloff's, 1941, "The Devil Commands", the overlooked, Tim Holt and Kent Smith, Second World War propaganda, 1943's, "Hitler's Children", the cult horror film, 1943's, "Captive Wild Woman", the Raymond Chandler, film-noir, 1944's, "Murder, My Sweet", and 1954's, "The Caine Mutiny".
The Seven Main International Actors
Sean Connery portrayed "Shalako". Connery was a Western fan since childhood and being tired of portraying "James Bond", took this role. This resulted in Australian actor George Lazenby portraying "007" in 1969's, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", before Sean returned to the role in 1971's, "Diamonds Are Forever".
Brigette Bardot portrayed "Irina Lazaar". There is a misconception that Bargot's first motion picture was her, then husband, director Rodger Vadim's, 1956, "Et Dieu- - - crea la femme (And God Created Woman)". Actually, that was her 20th picture, including a small, but important role in director Robert Wise's version of the Greek poet, Homer's work, in 1956's, "Helen of Troy". Just prior to this feature film, Brigette Bardot was in the French and Italian, Edgar Allan Poe, 1968. "Spirits of the Dead". She appeared in one of three segments, but the, then, wife of Rodger Vadim, Jane Fonda, and her brother Peter, appeared in a different one he directed.
Stephen Boyd portrayed "Bosky Fulton". Boyd had just been seen in director Val Guest's, 1968, spy thriller, "Assignment K". He followed this movie co-starring with Dionne Warwick and Ossie Davis, in 1969's, "Slaves".
Jack Hawkins portrayed "Sir Charles Daggett". The star and co-star of such features as 1951's, "No Highway in the Sky", 1953's, "The Cruel Sea", 1955's, "Land of the Pharaoh's", 1957's, "Bridge on the River Kwai", 1959's, "Ben Hur", and 1962's, "Lawrence of Arabia", was speaking with a mechanical larynx, because of throat cancer.
Peter Van Eyck portrayed "Baron Frederick Von Hallstatt". Van Eyck left Germany two-years before Hitler came to power. He had a small role in 1943's, "Hitler's Children", after the war he returned to the German cinema and was known for the remade "Dr. Mabuse", criminal series during the 1960's. He portrayed many a German officer and was seen in both 1962's, "The Longest Day", and 1969's, "The Bridge at Remagen" with Robert Vaughn as the German Officer responsible for the bridge's defenses.
Honor Blackman portrayed "Lady Daggett". Blackman had a distinguished career, which included the somewhat forgotten "Catherine Gale", of television's "The Avengers". Sean Connery's, "Pussy Galore"in "Goldfinger", and "Hera , Queen of the Gods", in stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen's, 1963, "Jason and the Argonauts".
Woody Strode portrayed "Chato". My article on this "Black Native American" Western actor, and UCLA football player, is "Woody Strode and Michael Pate: Western Stalwarts" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/03/woody-strode-and-michael-pate-one.html
Alexander Knox portrayed "Henry Clarke". In 1944, Knox portrayed "President Woodrow Wilson" in the excellent biography, "Wilson". In 1958, he portrayed "Father Godwin", in "The Vikings", starring Kirk Douglas, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, and Ernest Borgnine. Just before this motion picture, Alexander Knox portrayed "President Madero", in 1968's, "Villa Rides", starring Yul Brynner, Robert Mitchum, and Charles Bronson.
Valerie French portrayed "Elena Clarke". French was a British stage actress and appeared mainly on television in both the United Kingdom and United States. This was one of her very few motion pictures.
A Good Old Fashion American Western with a British Twist:
The year is 1880, the setting is in the New Mexico territory, Statehood was still 32-years-away. An adventurer, cheat, and sometimes killer, out for a fast buck, "Bosky Fulton", is a guide for a party of European aristocrats. That have crossed the Atlantic Ocean and two-third's of the United States. Bringing with them, all of their servants to wait upon them, as if they're still on some aristocrat's estate. Along with the Europeans is a retired American politician and his wife. All of "Fulton's" party are out of their element, hoping to find and kill a bison (buffalo), in the "American Wild West". Which they have read about, and think they known everything, from European novels called "Penny Dreadful's", or in the United States, called "Dime Novel's". "Fulton" knows that the herds of bison have mostly been killed off by 1880, but lies to his marks. Who are treating this American adventure as if it was a fox hunt on somebody's European estate.
'Wandering off from the group is "Irina Lazaar" and she is attacked by a small group of Apache warriors led by "Chato". However, a former United States Cavalry Officer named, "Shalako", appears and speaks to their "Chief", portrayed by Roderic "Rodd" Redwing, born Webb Richardson, an African American actor. Who unlike Woody Strode, took on a fake Native American personality, and agrees to "Shalako" proposal of getting the hunting party off of Apache land. However, the chief's son,"Chato", tells "Shalako", that he intends to kill him in battle,
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Returning to the European's, "Shalako" first confronts "Bosky", who admits knowingly taking the group onto Apache land against a signed treaty. "Shalako" next confront the groups leader, "Baron Frederick Von Hallstatt", who refuses to leave. "Shalako" warns the "Baron" about staying, but "Bosky" doesn't support the ex-Cavalry officer's position. "Shalako" now leaves the group to get the army to force the issue, before the situation blows up into an Apache war. While, "Bosky" and "Lady Daggett" have a teasing sexual encounter.
However, the Apache's led by "Chato" attack and are close to over running the Europeans, at a the ruins of an old church, when a smoke signal causes them to turn back. However, that signal from a distance away is actually by "Shalako", who had observed the event. Back at the ruins, "Bosky Fulton" decides to leave the Europeans to the Apache's, and with his men load their stagecoach with all the guns and ammunition it can carry.
Believing "Fulton" loves her, "Lady Daggett" asks to go along, and gets in the stagecoach and leaves her husband in shock.
"Shalako" now returns, is told of "Bosky Fulton's" desertion with "Lady Daggett". Unknown to "Fulton", "Shalako" had other weapons and ammunition buried as hidden reserves, should they need them, not trusting "Chato". He now leads the group to a plateau that will become temporary safety from the Apaches. On the climb to the plateau, the friction between the "Baron" and the ex-Cavalry Officer turn into mutual respect.
While, "Shalako" and "Irina" realize they love each other.
Meanwhile, "Cato" and his Apaches attack the stagecoach, kill all of "Bosky's" men, and enjoy "Lady Daggett". However, the clever "Fulton" uses the attack to save himself and escapes.
"Fulton" having watched the torture and death of "Lady Daggett", now has rejoined the hunting party.
The group are attacked by "Cato" and his Apaches, but this initial attack is rebuffed. However, this is followed by "Sir Charles" challenging "Bosky Fulton" over the death of his wife. The two men kill each other, reducing the defenses against the Apaches. Immediately, "Chato" and some of his Apaches come up behind this remaining group and he challenges "Shalako" to a one on one fight with spears.
"Chato" is about to be killed, when his father intervenes, asking for his son's life, saying he will guarantee their safe passage, with guides, out of Apache territory in return. "Shalako" agrees, and in disgrace, "Cato" rides away. While the other's members of the party, see "Shalako" and "Irina" ride off into the sunset, sort of, together.
On December 14, 1971, Sean Connery, once again, "James Bond, 007", was in "Diamonds Are Forever", premiering in Turkey, and co-starring Jill St. John. After filming was completed, the actor told his wife he would never appear as "James Bond" again.
One of the tag lines for Sean Connery's first Science Fiction motion picture reads:
BEYOND 1984, BEYOND 2001, BEYOND LOVE, BEYOND DEATH
ZARDOZ premiered on February 6, 1974 in the United States
The motion picture was produced, written, and directed by John Boorman. His work includes the outstanding and overlooked, 1968's, "Hell in the Pacific", a two-actor film starring Lee Marvin and the great Japanese actor, Toshiro Mifune, 1972's, "Deliverance", and 1981's, "Excalibur".
The Three Leads:
Sean Connery portrayed "Zed".
He had just co-starred with Trevor Howard, Vivien Merchant, and Ian Bannon, in director Sidney Lumet's, British Neo-Noir, 1973's, "The Offense". That movie role, which he wanted to play and the studio didn't want to make, had been a trade off for Connery and "United Artists". He would play portray "James Bond", one last time for the studio, in "Diamonds Are Forever", IF the studio let him make the Lumet motion picture.
He followed "Zardoz" with the 1974 version of Agatha Christie's, "Murder on the Orient Express".
Below, Sean Connery wears what is described by many reviewers as his "Red Bikini".
- - - - genuinely quirky movie, a trip into a future that seems ruled by perpetually stoned set decorators... The movie is an exercise in self-indulgence (if often an interesting one) by Boorman, who more or less had carte blanche to do a personal project after his immensely successful Deliverance.
I am Arthur Frayn, and I am Zardoz. I have lived three hundred years, and I long to die. But death is no longer possible. I am immortal. I present now my story, full of mystery and intrigue - rich in irony, and most satirical. It is set deep in a possible future, so none of these events have yet occurred, but they *may.* Be warned, lest you end as I. In this tale, I am a fake god by occupation - and a magician, by inclination. Merlin is *my* hero! I am the puppet master. I manipulate many of the characters and events you will see. But *I* am invented, too, for your entertainment - and amusement. And you, poor creatures, who conjured *you* out of the clay? Is God in show business too?
Zardoz:: Zardoz speaks to you, His chosen ones.
Exterminators: We are the chosen ones!
Zardoz: You have been raised up from Brutality, to kill the Brutals who multiply, and are legion. To this end, Zardoz your God gave you the gift of the Gun. The Gun is good!
Exterminators: The Gun is good!
Zardoz: The Penis is evil! The Penis shoots Seeds, and makes new Life to poison the Earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the Gun shoots Death and purifies the Earth of the filth of Brutals. Go forth, and kill! Zardoz has spoken.
"Zed" immediately poses a problem for "Consuella", who wants him killed, because he can destroy the order of their lives. For one thing, 'Zed" is a "Brutal", and has the ability of reproduction of the species. "The Eternal" men have lost that ability, because why have children? When no one ever dies, or ages?
Arthur Fryan: You see, our death-wish was devious, and deep. As Zardoz, Zed, I was able to choose your forefathers! It was careful genetic breeding that produced this mutant - this slave who could free his masters! And Friend was my accomplice! Don't you remember the man in the library, Zed?
[a chime is heard]
Arthur Frayn:It was I who led you to the 'Wizard of Oz' book! Ha-hah, it was I who gave you access to the Stone! It was I!
[a chime is heard]
Arthur Frayn: I bred you! I led you!
Zed: And I have looked into the face of the force that put the idea in your mind. You are bred, and led, yourself.
[He strides away, and Friend advances to join Arthur]
Friend: Arthur! We've all been used!
Arthur Frayn: And re-used.
Friend: And abused!
Arthur Frayn: And amused!
Zed: [speaking into the crystal ring on his left hand] Tabernacle - what are you?
Tabernacle: Not permitted.
Zed: Where are you?
Tabernacle: Not permitted.
Zed: Do you know me?
Tabernacle: I have your voice-print, Zed - and your genetic code, but only memory fragments.
Zed: [gazing into the diamond he holds in his other hand] Tell me about the crystal transmitter.
Tabernacle: I cannot give information which may threaten my own security.
Zed: Brain emissions refract low wavelength laser light, passing through the crystal in the brain. They're a code sent to you for interpretation and storage. Yes or no?
Tabernacle: Not permitted.
Zed: A receiver must be like a transmitter. I think you're a crystal - in fact this one! This diamond! In here, there is infinite storage space for refracted light patterns. Yes or no?
Tabernacle: You have me in the palm of your hand!
Now "Zardoz" reaches it climatic battle, as "Zed" divines the true nature of both "The Vortex", and "The Eternal's".Led by "Consuella", "The Eternals" decide to kill "Zed", whom they capture, and age "Friend" to senility, in their mind's, stopping the rebellion. However, "Zed" manages to escape and with the help of "Friend" and "May", "Zed" absorbs all of the "Eternal's Knowledge", the origin of "The Vortex", and how to destroy the "Tabernacle".
During all of this, "Zed" impregnates "May" and several of her followers as he transforms from a vengeful "Exterminator" into something humanity has never seen before, but was foretold. He shuts down the "Tabernacle", as a means of disabling the protective force field around all "The Vortex's" and the perception fields that surrounded it. The "Exterminator's" now enter what was once "The Vortex" and starting killing the "Eternals", who now are finally able to die and welcome it.
"May" leads some of her followers, who bear their children as enlightened beings, now living among what were "The Brutal's", saving humanity.,"Consuella", who is now in love with "Zed", becomes pregnant in the remains of the rock statue called "Zardoz". As their child grows older, "Zed" and "Consuella" grow old. After their child goes out into the world, they eventually die, leaving only "Zed's" pistol hanging on the wall.One other movie, "The Terrorists", followed the Agatha Christie motion picture before the next feature film I am looking at was released. The following is a small look at the actual events that became that motion picture.On May 18, 1904, what became known as the "Perdicaris Affair" started and it would last until June 21, 1904. This was the kidnapping of Greek-American, Ion Hanford Perdicaris and his step-son Cromwell Varley. Perdicaris was an American author, lawyer, painter, and playwright.
Their kidnapper was Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni, an English speaking Sharif and leader of the "Jebala tribal confederacy" in Morocco. Considered somewhat of a pirate and an outlaw by the Moroccan government, Raisuni, was thought of as a "Robin Hood" to the members of the confederacy and foreign newspapers looking for colorful stories, referred to him as "The Last of the Barbary Pirates". Raisuni had heard of a successful ransom of another foreign official and wanted to try it out himself. His initial demand was for $70,000, equal as of this writing to $2, 314,114.29, and total control of two districts of Morocco.
Able to escape was Perdicaris's wife, Ellen Varley nee Rous.
She contacted American Consul General Samuel R. Gummere, who in turn notified the United States government:Mr. Perdicaris, most prominent American citizen here, and his stepson Mr. Varley, British subject, were carried off last night from their country house, three miles from Tangier, by a numerous band of natives headed by Raisuly. . . I earnestly request that a man-of-war be sent at once. . . situation most serious.
President Theodore Roosevelt was up for re-election and might have been said to over react to this incident.
On May 30th, two United States Navy cruisers, the "USS Brooklyn" and "USS Atlanta", arrived in Tangier, Morocco. On May 31st, the "USS Marietta" and "USS Castine" arrived in Tangier's. On June 1, 1904, Rear Admiral Theodore Frelinghuysen Jewell arrived in Tangier's with the "USS Olympia", "USS Baltimore", and the "USS Cleveland".
In all, President Roosevelt and Secretary of State, John Hay, sent seven American warships to sit in the bay of Tangier's. While back on May 30th, Hay received a letter that Perdicaris was no longer an American citizen, as he had taken Greek citizenship. However, the President went forward with the negotiations with Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni, over what had captured the minds of American's in their daily newspapers, and might affect his re-election.In other countries, the actions of Roosevelt and Hay created a fear that the United States might claim Morocco for its own and control entry to North Africa by the sea. Based upon this imagined fear, other nations sent war ships, on June 2nd, the Italian cruiser, "Dogali", had arrived. On June 6, 1904, the Spanish battleship, "Pelayo", accompanied by the ironclad, "Numancia" had arrived. The following day, the British "HMS Prince of Wales", left Gibraltar for Tangier's.On June 15th, Raisuni increased his demands for the father and son's release. He now wanted control of six, not two districts, of Morocco.In the end, the Sultan of Morocco, gave in to Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni's demands. On June 21, 1904, the kidnapped father and step-son was released. While the ransom money was deposited, on June 22nd. June 24th, saw Ion Perdicaris and his step-son home in England at their British estate, not Greece, or the United States either. Part of Raisuni's money went to building a palace, nicknamed the "House of Tears", and he continued to kidnap and ransom foreigners as he went into Moroccan legend.THE WIND AND THE LION premiered in New York City on May 22, 1975
Writer and Director John Milius, the main writer for 1979's, "Apocalypse Now", writer and director for 1982's, "Conan the Barbarian", and director and co-writer of 1984's, original, "Red Dawn", got his idea for this film from and article by historian and writer, Barbara W. Tuchman's, August 1959's, "Perdicaris Alive or Raisuli Dead", at:According to Richard Thompson, in his article in the July-August 1976 issue of the bi-monthly magazine, "Film Comment", entitled "STOKED", my reader will find that John Milius wanted to change the kidnapped Ion Perdicaris to his wife with two grandchildren, a boy and a girl. He wanted her portrayed by actress Katherine Hepburn. In Milius's mind, she would be either 50, or 60, and Sean Connery's "Raisuli" would be of equal age. John Milius explained his story concept:Her husband has died years ago, she's a stern, rich old woman, and she has a last romantic fling with this stern, rich old Berber, the Sultan of the mountains, who can't really do all the things he used to do but pulls it together one more time to save her from the Blue People. A very heroic character. And of course the children would look at such a character as being even greater than Sean Connery – this old man would be the greatest old thing they'd ever seen, and they'd have great admiration for their grandmother for standing up to him, the way old people can snipe at each other and love each other because they have the common bond of age. That was the purest form the movie ever had. Roosevelt was a very young, visceral presence, a vibrant man who represented a new world, who understood Raisuli's world very well but was forced to change it.
However, if he wanted to make the motion picture, the producer's said the wife could stay, but her age was to be much younger, as was Connery's character.
The Four Leading Roles:
Sean Connery portrayed "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni". Connery would follow this motion picture co-starring with his good friend Michael Caine, and Christopher Plummer, in Rudyard Kipling's, outstanding, 1975, "The Man Who Would Be King", directed by John Huston.
Candice Bergen portrayed "Eden Pedecaris (based upon Ion Perdicaris)". Bergen was 13-years away from hit television program, "Murphy Brown". She had just appeared in the 1975 Western setting, "Bite the Bullet", co-starring with Gene Hackman and James Coburn. She followed this feature with the Conspiracy Thriller, 1977's, "The Domino Principle", co-starring with Gene Hackman and Richard Widmark.
Brian Keith portrayed "President Theodore Roosevelt". Keith was starring in his shot lived television series, "Archer". He followed this feature film with the 1976, made-for-television, motion picture, "The Quest", co-starring with Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson.
John Huston portrayed "John Hay". Actor Huston just had 17th-billing in the Charles Bronson, 1975, "Breakout", director Huston, had just directed the previously mentioned 1975, "The Man Who Would Be King", writer Huston, had just co-written the same feature film.
The John Milius Version of the Above Facts:In 1904 Morocco, there is a mini-war for colonial rule, or at least influence, of the country by France, England (the British Empire), and Germany. At the same time there is a group of so-called "Insurrectionists", opposing the current and young Sultan, "Abdelaziz", portrayed by Marc Zuber, and his "corrupt and beholden to the Europeans" Uncle, the "Bashaw of Tangier's", portrayed by Vladek Sheybal. The insurrectionists are led by "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni".The Moroccan Patriot, "Raisuni", now kidnaps "Eden Pedecaris", and her two children, "William", portrayed by Simon Harrison, and "Jennifer", portrayed by Polly Gottesman, from their home. During the raid, Sir Joshua Smith", portrayed Billy Williams, was killed in "Eden's" house.Now, "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni", demands an outrageus ransom, specifically to embarrass the Sultan and trigger an international incident. "Raisuni's" actions are aimed at causing a civil war and bring down the Sultan and his Uncle.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, United States President Theodore Roosevelt is seeking re-election and "Politically Speaking", Raisuni's action could not be more fortunate to him, He now coins the phrase, spelling is different as should already be noted:Pedecaris Alive, or Raisuni Dead!
Roosevelt views the kidnapping as a means of "Demonstrating the Military Strength of the United States", against the advice of the cautious "Secretary of State John Hay". The American Consul to Tangier, "Samuel E. Gummere", portrayed by Geoffrey Lewis, hasn't been able to negotiate a peaceful return of the three hostages.
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In response, the President sends the "South Atlantic Squadron", under the command of "Admiral French Ensor Chadwick", portrayed by Roy Jenson. He is charged with only two alternatives, "Chadwick" will either get from "Raisuni", "Eden Pedecaris" and her two children, or force the Sultan to meet "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni's" demands to free them. In this screenplay, "President Theodore Roosevelt" is finding himself gaining respect for "Raisuni" and considering him an honorable man.
With the help of one of "Raisuni's" men, the three escape, only to be captured by betrayal, and given to some desert brigands. However, they have been followed by "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni". who proceeds to kill their new kidnappers with a sword and rifle. Then reveals he has no plans of harming them, this is only a bluff to cause an incident that will unite Moroccans against the Sultan's evil Uncle and bring them down.
Back among "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni's" followers, "Eden" starts to open up and perhaps starts to fall for the "Robin Hood" of Morocco, as her children start to admire their kidnapper.
They are being held captive in the "RIF Mountains" of Morocco. Raisuli" now reveals to "Eden", that he was once held prisoner by his brother, the "Bashaw of Tangier's", and was kept in a dungeon for several years.
Meanwhile, "Samuel E. Gummere", and "Admiral French Ensor Chadwick", have become tired of the Sultan's deceitfulness, and untrustworthiness, and the pickering of the European powers. They decide to take action in their own hands to force real negotiations between the Sultan and "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni". "Chadwick's" aide, "United States Marine Captain Jerome ", portrayed by Steve Kanaly, based upon the real John Twiggs Myers, will lead a "military intervention" and seize the "Bashaw's" palace in Tangier's.
The Exciting Climax:
Under coercion from the American's, the "Bashaw" finally agrees to accept the demands of his brother,"Raisuni".
However, during the hostage exchange, "Raisuni" is betrayed and captured by Moroccan and German troops under the command of the German "Von Roerkel", portrayed by Antoine St. John.
"Raisuni's" friend, the "Sherif of Wazan", portrayed by Nadim Sawalha, organizes the Berber tribe for an attack on the Moroccan's and European's."President Roosevelt" had promised that "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni" would never be harmed, and now to the surprise of "Captain Jerome", "Eden Pedecaris" wants "Jerome" and his small contingent of Marine's to rescue her kidnapper from the German. "Captain Jerome" starts to refuse, but "Eden" pulls out a pistol and at gunpoint gets him to agree.
A three-way battle takes place and during it, the Berber's and the Marine's join forces against the European's led by "Von Roerkel", rescuing "Raisuni". "Eden", "William", and "Jennifer" are now safe back in Tangier's.
Later, back in the United States, "President Theodore Roosevelt" receives a letter from "Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni":
To Theodore Roosevelt - You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you, like the wind, will never know yours. - Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Rif, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates.
The following is a 15th-Century print of the legendary English folk hero, "Robin Hood".
"Robin Hood" first appeared on-screen in a 1908, in the short, "Robin Hood and His Merry Men". Probably the two best known feature film's are Douglas Fairbanks, Senior's, 1922, "Robin Hood".
Above, Enid Bennett portraying "Lady Marian Fitzwalter", and Douglas Fairbanks portraying the "Earl of Huntington/Robin Hood".
The second best known motion picture is 1938's, "The Adventures of Robin Hood", starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.
Above, Olivia de Havilland portraying "Lady "Maid" Marian", and Errol Flynn portraying "Sir Robin of Lockley/Robin Hood".
In the 21-films, and the 4-television programs, prior to the next motion picture. "Robin Hood", "Maid Marian", and his "Merry Men", are portrayed as young and athletic. That concept was turned on its head with:
ROBIN AND MARIAN that premiered in New York City on March 11, 1976
The motion picture's director was Richard Lester, who had directed "The Beatles" 1964, "A Hard Days Night", and 1965's, "Help!". In 1976, Lester's 1st-half of Alexander Dumas's "The Three Musketeers", with just a touch of humor, was released, starring Oliver Reed, Rachel Welsh, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York, and Christopher Lee. In 1977, part two, "The Four Musketeers" was released.The screenplay was written by James Goldman, in 1968, he wrote "The Lion in Winter", starring Peter O'Toole portraying "King Henry II", and Katharine Hepburn portraying "Elenor of Aquitaine", a look at the two in the elder years. An unknown Anthony Hopkins portrayed their son, "Richard". Just prior to this screenplay, James Goldman co-wrote the screenplay for the 1971, "Nicholas and Alexandra". This screenplay is close to the concept of "The Lion in Winter", with "Robin", "Marian", and the "Sheriff of Nottingham" imagined in their elder years. This screenplay, as I will point out, plays with actual events.The Five Main Actors:Sean Connery portrayed "Robin Hood". Connery would follow this feature film in a political thriller portraying a major Arab leader who becomes the target of assassination plots, because he wants to make peace with Israel and have them join "O.P.E.C.", in 1976's, "The Next Man".
Audrey Hepburn portrayed "Marian". Hepburn was last seen portraying a blind woman being terrorized by a trio of men believing a heroin filled doll is in her apartment, in 1967's, "Wait Until Dark".
Robert Shaw portrayed the "Sheriff of Nottingham". Three films earlier saw the actor in 1975's, "Jaws", before this picture, Shaw co-starred with Richard Roundtree, in the crime drama, 1975's, "Diamonds", and followed this picture with a great, seldom seen, comic pirate movie, 1976's, "Swashbuckler", co-starring with James Earl Jones, and Peter Boyle.
Nicol Williamson portrayed "Little John". Williamson followed this motion picture by portraying "Sherlock Holmes"in 1976's, "The Seven-Percent Solution", but is probably best known to fans of director John Boorman, for portraying "Merlin" in 1981's, "Excalibur". Four-years later, he was "Dr. Worley/The Nome King", is the Walt Disney Company's, 1985, "Return to Oz".
Richard Harris portrayed "Richard the Lionheart/King Richard". Harris followed this feature with the first of the two-sequels to his 1970, "A Man Called Horse", with 1976's, "The Return of a Man Called Horse", the second sequel would be, 1983's, "Triumphs of a Man Called Horse".
The Basic Story Line:All the "Robin Hood" movies you have seen, and stories you may have read, are, here, turned upside down. As this screenplay doesn't fit within them, or historical fact. This adventure reworks the character's we know, is on its own timeline, but enjoy the love story it contains.The film opens in France in 1192, at the end of the "Third Crusade". "Robin" has been a trusted "Captain" fighting for "King Richard" against "Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Atyyub" aka: "Saladin".The "King" orders "Robin" to take a heavily fortified castle. It turns out to be defended by only a one-eyed-man, portrayed by Esmond Knight, who is protecting a young woman and her children. "Robin" also was told, that there is a solid gold statue the "King Richard" wants, but it turns out to be made of stone.
Both "Robin" and his right-hand man, "Little John", refuse to attack a man protecting a woman and her children. In anger, "King Richard", order's the two executed for disobeying his direct order. He then orders a full scale attack on the castle, but the old man shoots a fatal arrow at the "King".Historical facts: On March 26, 1199, Richard besieged the small and almost vacant castle of "Chateau de Chalus-Chabrol". This was over the rumor of a treasure trove of Roman gold within it. Richard was hit in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt. Who had shot the bolt is actually unknown to history and several names including a boy who claimed the King had killed his father and two brothers are mentioned. To that story, Richard let the boy go.
In "Robin and Marian", "Richard" is dying in the arms of his faithful "Captain Robin". "King Richard" in his dying breathes, resends his death order on "Robin" and "Little John".
Historical facts: The wound from the crossbow bolt became gangrenous and "Richard, Coeur de Lion", died on April 6, 1199.
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Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, based upon their own comments, reimagined the leading character and the basic plot idea of "The Secret of the Incas", released June 1, 1954 in 3D. Their reimagined character and plot idea would be transferred to the writing of the screenplay for, 1981's, "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK".
My article is "CHARLTON HESTON: The Original 'INDIANA JONES'?" available to read at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2019/07/charlton-heston-original-indiana-jones.html
INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE released in the United States and Canada on May 24, 1989
The motion picture was directed by Stephen Spielberg, who had just directed 1987's, "Empire of the Sun", and would follow this feature with 1989's, "Always".
The characters were by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, who is credited on all the screenplays since 1981's, "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
This story was by George Lucas and Menno Meyjes, 1985's, "The Color Purple", and 1987's, "Lionheart".
The screenplay was by Jeffrey Boam, 1983's, "The Dead Zone", and 1987's, "The Lost Boys".
The Seven Main Cast Members:
Harrison Ford portrayed "HENRY 'Indiana' Jones, Jr." . Ford was just in director Mike Nichols, 1988. "Working Girl", co-starring Sigourney Weaver and Melanie Griffith. His next motion picture was 1990's, "Presumed Innocent".
Shane West portrayed author Samuel Clemens, as "Mark Twain's", "Tom Sawyer, Detective", but in this screenplay, now working for the "United States Secret Service".
When the film came out I watched it and all I can say is that they made the film they set out to make. That was what they saw League as. It's nothing to do with our [League] and I'm not sure if Alan has ever seen anything more than a clip from it. It's not respectful to the source material and frankly if Sean Connery is going to end his career playing Allan Quatermain, then Alan Moore's Quatermain is an infinitely better part.
They changed the whole balance by marginalising Mina and making her a vampire. I mean, what the hell is she doing there, why is she there? - Quatermain is in charge. The whole thing falls apart and lacks cohesiveness. But God knows, there are worse comic book movie adaptations out there.
The worst thing about that experience was the repercussions afterwards were far greater than a not very faithful movie coming out. There was a law suit, there were all kinds of other crap that had nothing to do with comics or us but which we got tangled up in.
Norrington was apparently more comfortable working on the VFX of The League of Extraordinary Gentleman than he was with actors. In an L.A. Times article about the movie's release in 2003, a source stated that while a talented visual filmmaker, Norrington wasn't "a people person". This clearly infuriated Connery, who told the New Zealand Herald in 2005 that he was "fed up with the idiots ... the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and the people who greenlight the movies." As he hadn't worked on a movie since League, it's likely that Connery was referring to his difficult relationship with Norrington and the studio.
