With the announcement that Daniel Craig is leaving after No Time To Die, fans of the James Bond franchise can't help but get nostalgic about the beloved super spy, and look forward to a new 007. When thinking about the ongoing series, few names carry as much weight as the man who started it all, Sean Connery.
Though he originated the role, Connery had a lengthy career before and after he donned the iconic tuxedo, and ordered his signature martini. From spy thrillers like The Hunt For Red October, to gangster films like The Untouchables, some of Connery's best films came outside of the 007 franchise and scored well on IMDb.
Murder On The Orient Express (1974) - 7.3
One of the best Agatha Christie adaptations of all time, Murder on the Orient Express aimed to bring the classic novel to life with a stunning cast of Hollywood legends. When Detective Poirot's train gets snowed in by a terrible storm, he is called upon to solve a murder aboard the infamous Orient Express.
One of the quintessential ensemble films, Murder on the Orient Express does an excellent job of balancing its immensely talented cast. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman, Connery's turn as Col. Arbuthnot is subtle and mysterious. While the film may not take too many chances with the book's material, it still delivers a fun mystery with an old Hollywood feel.
A Bridge Too Far (1977) - 7.4
WWII movies usually deliver a certain amount of suspense and excitement, but A Bridge Too Far managed to stand out from the pack. Recounting the events of Operation Market Garden, the Allied forces are tasked with capturing a series of strategic bridges in the Netherlands in order to cripple the German rail lines.
Coming into his own as an authoritative, elder statesman of the screen, Connery shines as the hard-nosed Major General Urquhart. The film excels at capturing the suspenseful energy of the plan, and the audience is left on the edge of their seat by all of the twists and turns. Also starring up-and-comers like Ryan O'Neal, A Bridge Too Far was like a passing of the torch between generations of movie stars.
The Rock (1996) - 7.4
Coming decades into his career, The Rock proved that Sean Connery was still a legitimate box office draw into the 1990s. The film follows a mild-mannered chemist who is called on by the government to join forces with an ex-con to stop a deadly nerve gas attack on San Francisco.
Infiltrating Alcatraz Island, the titular Rock from the title, is a brilliant premise for an action film, and the deadly stakes make it all the more exciting. By casting Connery as the hardened prisoner with all of the expertise, the film utilizes an interesting reversal of roles. Generally considered one of Michael Bay's best movies, The Rock is a gripping thriller that has fun with its over-the-top premise.
The Hunt For Red October (1990) - 7.6
The Jack Ryan series of books has never failed to produce exciting movies and TV, but The Hunt For Red October was perhaps Tom Clancy's finest hour. At the height of the Cold War, a Russian submarine captain attempts to defect from the U.S.S.R. with its newest submarine technology in order to stop an all-out nuclear war.
Unbelievably tense, Red October tells its story on a global scale, but it is ultimately boiled down to the wonderful performances. Connery goes against type by playing the Russian captain, and his mission is counterbalanced by a stunning performance from Alec Baldwin as Ryan. Though the series would continue on in other forms, Red October is still considered to be one of the best outings for the Jack Ryan character.
The Name Of The Rose (1986) - 7.7
Generally considered one of the best obscure whodunnits, The Name of the Rose placed its tale in an unlikely setting. During medieval times, a freethinking monk investigates a series of mysterious murders in an abbey.
Eschewing his usual tough-guy roles, Connery plays William von Baskerville and gives an unusually sly performance. Though the story is dark in tone, Connery's turn is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, and offers a nice balance for the murder plot. Like the best whodunnits though, the film keeps the audience guessing throughout.
The Longest Day (1962) - 7.7
Coming during Connery's iconic run as 007, The Longest Day told a story from WWII on an epic scale. The film attempts to capture the pivotal events of D-Day as told from both the Allied and Axis Powers' points of view.
With a cast of hundreds, Connery blends in as Private Flannigan, despite being a bonafide movie star by that juncture. Anchored by screen legend John Wayne, the three hour epic was one of the most ambitious war movies up to that point. Though it has shining moments, many of the great cast members are buried and don't get a chance to stand out.
The Man Who Would Be King (1975) - 7.8
Making less than subtle commentary about British imperialism in the 19th century, The Man Who Would Be King pitted two great stars against each other. The film follows a pair of British soldiers who set out for Kafiristan in order to install themselves as king of the region.
Connery and co-star Michael Caine have natural chemistry on screen, and it is a treat for audiences to see them duke it out. Based on the Rudyard Kipling tale of the same name, director John Huston delivers an epic that plays out on a small scale between two ego-maniacal soldiers.
The Hill (1965) - 7.9
Though stories of POW camps have been told frequently in film history, The Hill instead chose to focus on a disciplinary prison during WWII. Set in a British disciplinary camp in North Africa, The Hill follows a group of new prisoners who each learn to deal with their commander's sadistic practices.
Bleak and unpatriotic, the film instead showed a darker side of military life that reflected the current state of affairs in the mid-1960s. Connery shines as Joe Roberts, and his triumphant rebelliousness offers hope for the other characters in the film. The Hill may not be brought up frequently amongst the ranks of great WWII movies, but it certainly offered a one-of-a-kind perspective on the conflict.
The Untouchables (1987) - 7.9
Most gangster films glorify the crime sprees of notorious mobsters, but The Untouchables harkened back to the classic era of G-Men films. Eliot Ness is a prohibition-era Federal Agent who assembles a crack task force in order to take down Al Capone.
Recreating the dirty streets of 1920s Chicago, The Untouchables is a feast for the eyes with its beautiful set design. On top of that, the performances are excellent and Sean Connery steps perfectly into the role of the wise elder Jim Malone. Stuffed with enough action to keep any viewer happy, The Untouchables was one of the most unique mob movies in recent history.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) - 8.2
Stepping into another established franchise, the former 007 added his star power to the biggest Indiana Jones film yet. The Last Crusade sees Indie on the trail of his missing father after the elder Jones went on the hunt for the legendary Holy Grail.
Playing Jones' father, Henry, Connery is anything but a stock side-kick and practically steals the show. Harrison Ford and Connery play off of one another brilliantly, and their father and son relationship feels very real. As an original send-off to the iconic adventurer, The Last Crusade had higher stakes and more excitement than any of its predecessors.