Sir Sean Connery – In Memoriam

Sir Sean “James Bond” Connery passed away on 10/30. He was 90 years old.

Sir Sean Connery will be most remembered (and rightfully so) as the original James Bond – the man who set the template for one of the best and most long-lasting film franchises in history. His influence on the series can be felt even today – each new Bond is naturally compared to the charismatic and easily-likable Scotsman.

I am currently writing this memoriam in a fitting setting – after drinking a bit of scotch. The only thing that would fall more in line with Sir Connery’s natural preferences would be to finish the writing then play 18 holes.

While Film History will remember Sir Connery for James Bond, we at Under the Wheels (or at least I) take a different approach. Yes, he was involved in the foundation of what makes a good Bond movie – the suave, easy going charm and charisma. The hard yet sophisticated look. The natural grace mixed with hard-edge grit. Connery was a former body builder and used his muscular definition and comfort with movement to its full potential from his introduction as Bond in Dr. No, to his final, almost phoned-in EON performance in Diamonds are Forever, and in his reprise of the character in the “unofficial” sequel Never Say Never Again. Yet there was more to it – Connery was able to bring an ease in front of the camera that aided him in all his roles going forward.

Sir Connery would struggle to find work after being Bond – doing his best not to be typecast as the iconic British spy proved hard for him, but it also led to some brilliant, if awkward, choices – a good example being John Boorman’s Zardoz – a fantastic if very strange Science Fiction movie that will have you scratching your head (and potentially laughing) more than it should. If you watch any movie to commemorate the titan of cinema this evening and you have not seen Zardoz, do yourself a favor and watch it.

For me, Connery always made acting in front of the camera look easy. As is often said, Sir Connery was not always in a good movie, but he always did a good job in the movie that he was in. And like all good actors, he was able to elevate his performances when being directed by fantastic directors.

Case in point – Brian De Palma directed Sir Connery to high praise and an Academy Award in his gangster epic The Untouchables. Another iconic performance (and most likely his second-most-popular) – Dr. Henry Jones Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While Connery was always able to bring his charm, grace, and gravitas to every role, these directors were able to help bring a different dimension to his acting and help the world shed their bias and preconceived notions of Connery as merely James Bond. I could say something here about The Rock, but it falls more in line with being good in everything he was in more than everything he was in being good.

Connery was also known for playing men of other cultures while retaining his iconic Scottish accent – he played Irish, Russian, English, Scottish, Draconic, American, Moroccan, and Spanish throughout his varied career (though few people ever believed him other than 100% Scot). An avid golfer, it has been told that he would ask his costars if they golfed – if they did, Connery would be an instant friend. If not they would be ghosted.

Connery continued to be prominent through the 90’s (especially in a cameo as Richard the Lionheart in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, King Arthur in Last Knight, a dragon in Dragonheart), but his popularity would begin to wane in movies. Turning down the role of Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, he would go on to produce and star in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, a move that would drive him to an early retirement. As Gabe prefaces on the podcast, his growing inability to read lines and the critical drumming of League would drive Connery to step away from the spotlight. He would place a capstone on his career the way he was most remembered – by starring as James Bond one last time in the video game From Russia with Love.

As a giant of the industry, he leaves in his wake a void that may never be filled again and will be sorely missed.

Make sure you pour one out for a Scottish icon, and take the day to play some golf in his honor.