Famous for his suave persona as secret agent 007, Sean Connery is known as one of the world’s most distinguished and distinctive leading men (Photo: MGM)
The world of cinema recently lost Sir Sean Connery, knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 for his services to film drama, who leaves behind an illustrious legacy in film-making after being unwell for some time. With an Academy Award, two Baftas and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B De Mille Award, to his name, Connery enjoyed a long, varied and distinguished career.
Starting out in the 1950s with backstage work and small roles, Connery finally got his big break after the success of the first James Bond film, Dr No in 1962, which paved a brilliant path all the way through to his last acting role in 2003 in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Whether you adored him as 007 in the Bond franchise or as a professional art thief in Entrapment, which was partially filmed in Kuala Lumpur with the Petronas Twin Towers featuring extensively, it’s clear that the actor’s legacy as one of the world’s most distinguished and distinctive leading men is as indelible as he is unforgettable.
DATO’ OH CHONG PENG
Director of Dialog
My memory of James Bond is the way he liked his martini – shaken, not stirred. I was given a set of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels as a 14 year-old teenager to read in 1958 and my favourite story was Moonraker. My favourite Sean Connery Bond film, however, was his first – Dr No. Who can ever forget the iconic scene where Ursula Andress emerges from the sea?
DATUK SYED MUSTAFFA SHAHABUDIN
Founder of Tanarimba + Old Malaya
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Two of my favourite movies are Never Say Never Again which just happens to be Sean Connery’s last Bond movie as well as The Name of the Rose which propelled him back from the Bond legacy. Connery remained relevant in his career even after his 007 days. He's one of the best actors we have ever seen and I have followed his career loyally. But the thing I respected most about him were his personal convictions. He remained a Scottish nationalist at the same time earning a knighthood from the Queen of England. He's a true legend!
SASHI AMBI
Head of corporate communications, BMW Group
My favourite Bond Connery film would be Never Say Never Again, which I saw at the Cathay in Miri as part of a boys’ night out with my dad. Personally, I preferred his role as Capt Marko Ramius in The Hunt for Red October as well as Juan Sanchez-Villalobos Ramirez, the teacher in the Highlander franchise. That was also a good role.
IGNATIUS ONG
CEO of TNG Digital
My personal favourite Bond was Roger Moore but I really liked Sean Connery in You Only Live Twice. Why? Because of one particularly corny line where he explained why women liked men with hairy chests: “There is an old Japanese proverb that says bird never make nest in bare tree”. That really cracked me up!
TAMMY TOH
Director of communications, Astro
Sir Sean Connery is the personification of James Bond, the quintessential Bond – extremely talented, intense and utterly virile. Other Bonds come second to Connery’s. I loved him in all his Bond films and also when he was much older, in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. RIP, Sir.
V U KUMAR
Owner of Villa Sielen Diva
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Connery’s Bond brought a new perspective to espionage movies, with style and presence and even fighting and dispatching foes with elegance. My favourite movie would be From Russia with Love.
DATO’ LARRY GAN
Chairman Fatfish Group Limited
Goldfinger! From the theme song by Shirley Bassey to the golf game, Auric the titular character who was cheating in the high-stakes gin rummy game and trendsetter Honor Blackman playing Pussy Galore (my heart is still beating fast!), not forgetting Oddjob’s lethal razor-edged bowler hat and the many laughs around a not-so-smart Bond.
I am an ardent fan of Sean Connery and think he is the original and best 007 agent of all. I reckon Dr No is my favourite and Sean’s best performance. The movie depicted the creative macho personality of James Bond which many men wanted to emulate in the 1960s. To them, Bond’s lifestyle was an exciting adventure compared to the struggles of overcoming difficulties and moving forward in life.
Stay tuned for more in the upcoming print issue of Options.
