The year 1962 was full of many historic events that are still effecting the people of today, but in my opinion out of all the events that transpired in that year the most important one was the release of the very first James Bond film Dr. No (1962). Over fifty years have passed since the release of that first 007 film and much has changed. We have had six different actors give us their take on the martini drinking womanizing spy and we have had twenty three different films centered around the character, with a fourth one on the way. It doesn't look like this franchise is ever going to slow down. Recently actor Richard Kiel, who is most famous for playing the henchmen Jaws in several Bond films, passed away. His death really hit me close to the heart, so I am choosing to dedicate this editorial to him. He may not have been the world's greatest actor, but he brought laughter and joy to billions of people around the world and as a Bond fan he has always had a special place in my heart. I'm trying to do this editorial in the best taste and in honor of the late great Richard Kiel. So in the end I have decided to rank my personal top five favorite James Bond villains, this list can include any Bond villain not just henchmen. So without further ado here are my top five favorite Bond villains!
5. Alec Trevelyan
GoldenEye (1995) was the first time we as an audience ever saw Pierce Brosnan take up the role as James Bond (the last time we had seen Bond was back in the year 1989 when Timothy Dalton played the character in License to Kill (1989)) and it also happens to be one of the first Bond films I have ever seen. Now in my opinion a good Bond film or any film in general is not complete without a great villain that makes us fear for our hero's life. Alec Trevelyan is just that, he was played perfectly with just the right cunning and malice by the incredibly death prone Sean Bean. In my opinion Trevelyan is one of the reasons GoldenEye (1995) was so great, his character added another layer of depth to what could have been another generic spy thriller. I am a big Sean Bean fan boy too, so that might be another reason why I love this Bond baddie. Alec Trevelyan also has one of the best death scenes in movie history (sorry if I just spoiled that for you, but c'mon the movie came out in 1995. If you haven't seen it yet it's your own damn fault) which is another reason he is a part of this list. He has all the ingredients for a great classic villain and oh boy does he deliver. Would the revenge obsessed Alec Trevelyan make your list?
4. Le Chiffre
In my opinion Casino Royale (2006) is one of the best James Bond films to date, it completely rejuvenated the struggling franchise and it had a darker tone which was closer to the original Ian Fleming novels. It was superbly directed by Martin Cambell who is most know for films like; GoldenEye (1995), Edge of Darkness (2010), The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Green Lantern (2009). Right out of the gate Casino Royale (2006) had many challenges that it had to face; it had to introduce a new James Bond to the audience, reset the franchise off on the right track and deliver a great James Bond film for a new generation. Well let me tell you they did it. Not only is Casino Royale (2006) a great 007 film but it is also a great film overall. In this film we are dealing with a radically different Bond, he is a more aggressive and violent Bond than we are used to dealing with. And yet in the end he is still willing to do anything to get the job done and complete his mission. I'd like to think that some part of this movie's success is due to Mads Mikkelsen's spellbinding performance as La Chiffre. He stole every scene he was in, and gave the movie a really ominous edge. You really felt that in this film their might not be a happy ending maybe 007 and MI6 won't save the day. Also La Chiffre has one of the most unsettling and cruel torture scenes on film, no one should have to go through that! For some reason that I can't place he really reminded me of Blofeld, it might have just been the scar. In the end Casino Royale (2006) was an awesome movie that delivered a mesmerizing villain for James Bond to face off against.
3. Jaws
I bet you weren't expecting this one (insert sarcasm here)! I mean it would be a little weird if the guy I was dedicating my editorial to didn't show up somewhere on this list. The iconic Jaws has only appeared in two James Bond films (The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979)), but he has still had a lasting impact on both the franchise and pop culture. I actually vividly remember the first time I ever saw Jaws, I was about 8 years old and I was incredibly sick. I was so sick that my Mother actually let me stay home from school, when my Dad heard this he drove over and dropped off a copy of this movie called The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). I had never heard of it, but with some urging from my Dad I decided not to watch The Princess Bride (1987) for the twentieth time and instead hesitantly watch The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). I was blown away! I wanted to be James Bond; I wanted to be able to go on adventures and save the world just like him. The best part of the movie by far was the henchman Jaws. That Halloween I actually tried to dress up as Jaws, even if it was a terrible costume. This choice might be a bit swayed by nostalgia but in my opinion Jaws is still one of the coolest villains 007 has ever faced.
2. Ernst Stavro Blofeld
In many ways Blofeld has set the archetypes for the classic evil villain, so much so that numerous of his characteristics (like petting the cat) have become cliches or stereotypes. He is James Bonds archenemies, he is the ying to his yang or the Joker to his Batman. Without James Bond there would be no Blofeld and vice versa, much like the titular hero Ernst Stavro Blofeld has been recast multiple times through out the numerous films he has appeared in. Blofeld has been in over six different James Bond films including; From Russia With Love (1963), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Diamonds are Forever (1971), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and finally Never Say Never Again (1983). The most notable actors to play the leader of SPECTRE are; Telly Savalas, Max von Sydow (with a name like that no wonder he played a super villain), Charles Gray and as seen above Donald Pleasence. In my opinion the best take on the character has been by Donald Pleasence, everyone else made the character just come off as goofy. Overall though this is probably the most iconic James Bond villian, if you need proof just look at the hundreds of parodies based on him. Actually in the novels Blofeld was really similar to Wilson Fisk aka The Kingpin both physically and mentally. What is your favorite incarnation of Ernst Stavro Blofeld?
1. Oddjob
I don't care what any of you guys think Oddjob is awesome! He has a hat that can decapatate people. That's all you need to know! How is that not awesome? He can also crush golf balls with his bare hands! Ahhh I love Oddjob! Ahem... Sorry, but I had to get that out of the way. Let me try to be a tad more professional now that I am done fanboying out over how amazing Oddjob is. Oddjob first appeared in the classic Goldfinger (1964) when he was played masterfully by the amazing Harold Sakata. I really don't know what it is about him, but he is not just one of my favorite Bond villains, he is also one of my favorite villains of all time! I really can't explain why either, he is just the right mix of evil and hat throwing. I wish he appeared in more films, but I suppose I will have to be content with the few spectacular scenes he has in Goldfinger (1964).
Thank you for taking the time to read my editorial! I'm sorry I haven't been more active on the sight, but with School just starting again for me I have had a hectic couple of weeks. I hope when things start to settle down I can begin contributing more to this awesome site we have here. Please feel free to share what your favorite Bond villains are in the comments below and hit that big red thumb if you enjoyed my editorial. Thanks!