These films starring the Scottish actor rise above the rest (2023)

KindAdventure, action, thriller

starsSean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman

Directed byTerence Young

The first and one of the best Bond films ever made,Dr.Dois a compelling story of masculinity and espionage that captured this iconic actor. Based onIan Fleming's James Bond books, Bond must confront the evil Doctor Noah before his plans to destroy America's space program come to fruition. Although this wasn't Sean Connery's first starring role, his portrayal of the 1960s super spy and sex symbol was his biggest to date. This performance opened up many more roles for Connery in the actor's future, although he would star in many of the more classic Bond films that make him the best of them all.

KindAction, thriller, adventure

starsSean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Pedro Armendariz

Directed byTerence Young

The second Bond film ever madeFrom Russia with lovepromises more from this action-packed cast of filmmakers. Bond returns and this time he has to face the evil organization mentioned in the first Bond film: SPECTER. Although a Daniel Craig movie with James Bond was supposed to be made laterSpectrum, this classic delves into an evil organization and tells a story that is truly compelling. The big highlight of this film is the train fight between Connery and Robert Shaw, who played the same role, which was more brutal and real than any 1960s fight scene to date.

KindAdventure, action, thriller

starsSean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman

Directed byGaia Hamilton

Awarded by critics as the best James Bond film ever,Golden fingeris "larger than life, kind of funny and [and] totally cool," according toEmpireIan Freer. With his cool Aston Martin, fancy spy gadgets and endless charm, Bond must prevent an attack on the global economy by the vicious villain Auric Goldfinger, who lives up to his name by turning his victims into gold. This film showcases some of the best Bond features of any film: the unforgettable sidekick who throws his steel hat at people to kill them, the theme song by contemporary singer Shirley Bassey that became the gold standard for all his Bond films, the iconic laser beam stage and the fact that it was the first and most perfect iteration of the Bond film formula.

KindDrama, Thriller, Mystery

starsAlbert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam

Directed bySydney Snow

Many younger readers may have seen the 2017 version of this film starring Kenneth Branagh and Johnny Depp, but this first adaptation of Agatha Christie's crime novel is even better! Connery plays one of the train passengers in this murder mystery for years. Other big names are Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam and Ingrid Bergman. It was a nice change of pace for Connery in his James Bond years.

KindAdventure, Drama

starsSean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer

Directed byJohn Huston

After most of Bond's exploits (he later returnedNever say never again1983), Connery's career continued to flourish, butThe man who wanted to be kingis a point worth mentioning. Daniel Drawot (Connery'ego) i Peachy Carnehan (Michaela Caine'a) are two English colonists in India who are tired of taking orders. Driven by curiosity and adventure, the two travel to a remote island where they are welcomed as kings and eventually deities. In a plot that will be repeated in many subsequent films, Connery's character becomes delusional about his new power, which changes him for the worse. He is certainly not the smooth and gentle character that the audience has come to know, but all the same, Connery delights them with an unusual new character full of charisma.

KindFamily, fantasy, science fiction, adventure, comedy

starsCraig Warnock, David Rappaport i Kenny Baker

Directed byTerry'ego Gilliama

It comes from visionary writer/director Terry GilliamThieves of time, an imaginative and eccentric work of which author Chris Wilkinson once said, “…C.S. Lewis may have written after being doused in acid.' A boy is accidentally drawn into an adventure when time rebels magically appear in his room. With their magical and illegally obtained map, they travel to parts of history and steal various items. For anyone who hasn't seen the movie, it goes something like thisMazeandWillowmeets Monty Python, which should delight you if you're a fan of either. Sean Connery's character, although smaller, is as epic and masculine as ever. As Gilliam recalls in an interview withCouch surfing"A Greek warrior would take off his helmet to reveal himself as none other than Sean Connery," then reports that young actor Craig Warnock reacted by saying he "couldn't believe James Bond was in a movie together."

KindCrime, Drama, History, Thriller

starsKevin Costner, Sean Connery i Charles Martin Smith

Directed byBrianna DePalmi

A film about film lessons in careful scenography, costuming, camerawork and editing,The untouchablesis a classic gangster film based on the true investigations of Special Agent Elliot Ness. After Chicago was brought to its knees by notorious criminal Al Capone (Robert De Niro), Ness (Kevin Costner) forms a small but reliable task force to investigate Capone and his criminal organization. Considered one of director Brian De Palma's best works, this film also has amazing performances from the main characters such asCostner in one of his best films. Sean Connery's portrayal of the aging and righteous Irish-American cop Jimmy Malone is intense, but fits the bill as he adds his own twist and makes the secondary character portrayal a true classic.

KindAdventure, action

starsHarrisona Forda, Seana Connery'ego, Denholma Elliotta

Directed byStevena Spielberga

In the third and much-loved part of Indy's cinematic adventures, there is one of themthe best movies of steven spielberg,Indiana Jones and the Last Crusadehe has a lot of support from Sir Sean. Going back to his roots, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) reveals his father (Connery'ego) is alive and well, but the Nazis captured him while he was searching for the Holy Grail. As Indy and his father battle Nazi sympathizers for the Grail of Christ, they are reunited in a grand and comical confrontation. As the father of a famous archaeologist, Connery was a surprising choice as his stern and judgmental demeanor clashes with his late son's, providing plenty of laughs as well as an important plot idea that Connery, as always, makes his own.

KindAction, adventure, thriller

starsSean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn

Directed byJohn McTiernan

Based on the novel of the same name by Tom Clancy,Hunting for Red Octoberis a great film about Cold War tensions set on a submarine that any dad would love. The captain of the newest and most technologically advanced submarine of the Soviet Navy is Marko Ramius (Connery'ego), who takes his invisible ship from the mission, abandons his commanders and intends to defect with his officers to the United States. In addition to great performances from Alec Baldwin as the educated Jack Ryan, Scott Glenn as the American submarine captain and Sam Neill as second in command Ramius, Connery speaks Russian — sometimes — with his distinctive Scottish accent. What's not to love? While this film has remained incredible over the years, Connery's performance is that much more impressive knowing that he was actually hired at the last minute (he only had one day to rehearse).

KindAction, adventure, thriller

starsSean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris

Directed byMichael Bay

As his career progressed, Connery found a way to find himself in roles surrounded by great talent. I'm not saying that Michael Bay is necessarily a great talent, butScaleis probably his best film thanks to the cast and crew that helped make it happen. When General Hummel (Eda Harisha) holds hostages in Alcatraz and threatens to use chemical weapons if $100 million in war reparations are not paid, depends on chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicholas Cage) and former British spy John Mason (Connery'ego) break in and stop the madness. He joined the unusual andExcellent performance by Nicolas Cageand others like Michael Biehn, Connery maintains his status as the coolest of the cool.

KindDrama

starsSean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham

Directed byGuess Van Santa

In one of his freshest and most unique performances, Sean Connery stars as award-winning, reclusive writer William Forrester. I came across the messy writings of a young teenager named Jamal (Rob Brown), Forrester compulsively jots down his own notes on where the young child prodigy could improve, fostering a relationship that will test them both. With some well-placed plots enhanced by dramatic irony, the characters develop seamlessly and honestly in a way that characterizes Gus Van Sant's directorial history. As an old recluse, Connery doesn't differ much in demeanor or manner of speech - brash and outspoken - but he shows a calm side to the character that makes this a must-see.