Sean Connery as 007: 12 Candid Images of Bond at His Finest

      Here are 12 behind-the-scenes photos of Sean Connery — the original and finest James Bond, also known as 007 — featured in films.

      From his first appearance in Dr. No to his unexpected return in Never Say Never Again, Connery embodied Ian Fleming’s charming and witty super secret agent, establishing the benchmark for all future James Bond portrayals.

      Below are the behind-the-scenes images of Sean Connery as 007.

      A Working-Class Spy

      United Artists

      In Nicholas Shakespeare's remarkable new biography, Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, the author explores the life of the creator of James Bond, as well as the process that led to Sean Connery being cast in the role.

      Shakespeare remarks, “Connery’s background as a naval boxer, lifeguard, and model was a marketable advantage. He grew up in a Scottish slum, just like Ian’s grandfather. His father was a truck driver, and his mother worked as a cleaning lady.”

      He continues, “Among the notable biographical facts: He had delivered milk to Bond’s secondary school, Fettes, and performed as an aristocratic diplomat in Pixardello’s Naked at the Oxford Playhouse.”

      In the image above, Fleming is seen on the left with Connery on the right, on the set of the first Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No.

      The Right Man for the Job?

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      Shakespeare’s book highlights that Fleming’s film agent, Robert Fenn, reported that Fleming was initially taken aback, as Connery “couldn’t speak the Queen’s English.” Fleming expressed, “He’s not what I envisioned as Bond; I just want an elegant man, not this roughneck.”

      Later in the book, it is mentioned that Fleming referred to Connery as an “over-developed stuntman” and questioned whether he possessed “the social graces” necessary to portray his character.

      In the image above, Connery is being fitted for 1962’s From Russia With Love.

      License to Kill

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      Fleming evidently required a female perspective. His friend Ivar Bryce’s cousin, Janet Milford Haven, was recognized for her keen judgment of people — particularly men — and provided her insights after sharing lunch with Fleming and Connery.

      Her impression of Connery?

      “I remarked, ‘I think that guy is wonderful. He’s not overly handsome; he looks masculine, like a real man accustomed to that lifestyle. He has the air of intelligence about him, someone who could handle anything, including killing,’” Haven shared, according to Shakespeare’s book.

      Above: Connery and Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger.

      A Real Charmer

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      Shakespeare notes that Fleming eventually became persuaded that Connery was the suitable Bond, writing to his muse and lover, Blanche Blackwell: “the man selected for Bond, Sean Connery, is a genuine charmer — relatively unknown but a fine actor with the right appearance and physique.”

      Above: Sean Connery with Ursula Andress and Fleming in a promotional image for Dr. No.

      Athleticism

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      Regardless of the “over-developed stuntman” label, Connery’s athleticism was crucial to his portrayal of 007.

      In the image above, he enjoys time on a Jamaican beach with Ursula Andress, who portrayed Honey Ryder in Dr. No.

      Here are 13 Behind the Scenes Images of Ursula Andress in Dr. No.

      Chemistry

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      His chemistry with Andress in Dr. No played a significant role in the first Bond film's success, serving as a model for Bond's interactions with future “Bond girls.”

      This chemistry was evident even though Andress’s voice was dubbed in the film. (Andress speaks multiple languages including French, German, and Italian, but her English had a noticeable accent.)

      “He was very protective of me; he was charming, fantastic,” Andress stated in a 2020 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera following Connery’s passing at 90. “He had a great appreciation for women. He was undeniably very much a man.”

      Friends

      United Artists – Credit: C/O United Artists

      Andress, who was married to John Derek during the filming of Dr. No, added in her Corriere della Sera interview:

      “We shared many evenings together, and he would invite me everywhere—from Monte Carlo to London to New York. Since our first meeting, we have always remained friends. Friends, friends.”

      Good as Gold

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      Connery starred as Bond in a total of seven films. What’s the best? In our opinion, it’s 1964’s Goldfinger, where Connery shared the screen with Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore.

      In the image above, they