James Bond is one of the UK's biggest exports. The 22 official films – nearly all filmed in Britain – have grossed over $5.6billion since Dr No was first released in 1966, and the MI6 spy continues to be one of the biggest ambassadors for British culture. Here's five of his best cinematic outings – and what they say about the Brits.
MI6 Building, London
Goldeneye
Why it's one of the best:
Brosnan's debut in the role was the perfect transition film, post-Cold War. After the Berlin Wall fell, many questioned whether there was still a place for 007. Brosnan silenced doubters with a towering performance and asserted Britain's place as a country still willing to kick some considerable ass.
Bond/Villain rating:
Pierce Brosnan as Bond: 8/10
Sean Bean as 006: 7/10
A location you can visit:
The grand courtyard of Somerset House in London doubles as the central square of St Petersberg, and is open to the public all year round.
Brosnan's debut in the role was the perfect transition film, post-Cold War. After the Berlin Wall fell, many questioned whether there was still a place for 007. Brosnan silenced doubters with a towering performance and asserted Britain's place as a country still willing to kick some considerable ass.
Bond/Villain rating:
Pierce Brosnan as Bond: 8/10
Sean Bean as 006: 7/10
A location you can visit:
The grand courtyard of Somerset House in London doubles as the central square of St Petersberg, and is open to the public all year round.
Casino Royale
Why it's one of the best:
Daniel Craig defied critics who thought he looked too blonde/short/pouty with a blistering first appearance. Once again, Bond has to reassert himself in an ever-changing world, and meets his intellectual match in Eva Green's Vesper – a Bond girl for the 21st century.
Bond/Villain rating:
Daniel Craig as Bond: 9/10
Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre: 7/10
A location you can visit:
Some scenes with M are set in the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster – an essential stop on the tourist trail for visitors as well as study abroad students taking an English course at a London school.
Daniel Craig defied critics who thought he looked too blonde/short/pouty with a blistering first appearance. Once again, Bond has to reassert himself in an ever-changing world, and meets his intellectual match in Eva Green's Vesper – a Bond girl for the 21st century.
Bond/Villain rating:
Daniel Craig as Bond: 9/10
Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre: 7/10
A location you can visit:
Some scenes with M are set in the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster – an essential stop on the tourist trail for visitors as well as study abroad students taking an English course at a London school.
The Spy Who Loved Me
Why it's one of the best:
Roger Moore was one of the more playful cinematic Bonds, and that is perhaps epitomised best in this classic pre-credits sequence, where 007 skis off a cliff and opens a Union Jack parachute. A perfect blend of over-the-top action and cheeky patriotic fun.
Bond/Villain rating:
Roger Moore as Bond: 7/10
Richard Kiel as Jaws: 9/10
A location you can visit:
Pinewood Studios – where nearly all Bond films were shot – can be visited as part of an organised James Bond tour.
Roger Moore was one of the more playful cinematic Bonds, and that is perhaps epitomised best in this classic pre-credits sequence, where 007 skis off a cliff and opens a Union Jack parachute. A perfect blend of over-the-top action and cheeky patriotic fun.
Bond/Villain rating:
Roger Moore as Bond: 7/10
Richard Kiel as Jaws: 9/10
A location you can visit:
Pinewood Studios – where nearly all Bond films were shot – can be visited as part of an organised James Bond tour.
Goldfinger
Why it's one of the best:
Perhaps the quintessential Bond film, Goldfinger has everything. The gadgets, the cars, the women, and the ultimate villain in Auric Goldfinger, played by German actor Gert Fröbe – whose lines had to be dubbed due to his thick accent.
Bond/Villain rating:
Sean Connery as Bond: 10/10
Gert Fröbe as Goldfinger: 9/10
A location you can visit:
Stoke Park House – now a country club and hotel resort – played host to our first encounter with legendary henchman Oddjob, who beheads a statue with his steel-tipped hat.
Perhaps the quintessential Bond film, Goldfinger has everything. The gadgets, the cars, the women, and the ultimate villain in Auric Goldfinger, played by German actor Gert Fröbe – whose lines had to be dubbed due to his thick accent.
Bond/Villain rating:
Sean Connery as Bond: 10/10
Gert Fröbe as Goldfinger: 9/10
A location you can visit:
Stoke Park House – now a country club and hotel resort – played host to our first encounter with legendary henchman Oddjob, who beheads a statue with his steel-tipped hat.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Why it's one of the best:
Upon release, Australian actor George Lazenby was widely panned as a paltry replacement for Sean Connery, and he never returned to the series. But recent years have seen his single entry re-evaluated, and many consider it one of the greatest.
Bond/Villain rating:
George Lazenby as Bond: 6/10
Telly Savalas as Blofeld: 8/10
A location you can visit:
The Royal College Of Arms building, the official repository of British coats of arms, can be visited at Queen Victoria St in London's financial district. This district is close to many of the top language schools like www.malvernhouse.com, so you could go for a visit after class and see the building Bond entered back in 1969, to be given his own coat of arms.
Upon release, Australian actor George Lazenby was widely panned as a paltry replacement for Sean Connery, and he never returned to the series. But recent years have seen his single entry re-evaluated, and many consider it one of the greatest.
Bond/Villain rating:
George Lazenby as Bond: 6/10
Telly Savalas as Blofeld: 8/10
A location you can visit:
The Royal College Of Arms building, the official repository of British coats of arms, can be visited at Queen Victoria St in London's financial district. This district is close to many of the top language schools like www.malvernhouse.com, so you could go for a visit after class and see the building Bond entered back in 1969, to be given his own coat of arms.
Resource box
James Bond Tour of London
A guided tour of locations, including Pinewood Studios.
The best Bond films
The Telegraph's writers pick their favourites.
Live like James Bond
Visit Britain lists some glamorous 007-esque activities.
James Bond Tour of London
A guided tour of locations, including Pinewood Studios.
The best Bond films
The Telegraph's writers pick their favourites.
Live like James Bond
Visit Britain lists some glamorous 007-esque activities.
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