Sean Connery, probably my absolute favorite actor, died a few weeks ago. There's something fitting about it all ending in the Bahamas. The acclaimed Scot was 90(!) and had a long storied career but it still makes me sad he's gone. Let's celebrate his life.
Born in Edinburgh in 1930, his given name was Thomas Sean Connery. He joined the Royal Navy at 16 and was discharged by 19 due to a medical issue. As an 18 year old he began bodybuilding but became disillusioned with it, refusing to forsake bulk-shedding exercise like the American competition. Offered a contract with a professional football (soccer) club, he turned it down to pursue acting. Slowly he made his way and got into bigger productions before landing his definitive role as the original James Bond in 1962. Supposedly Ian Fleming, the author and creator of Bond, initially needed convincing on the casting. It was his girlfriend that informed him of Connery's sexual magnetism. Fleming updated the characters backstory after the smash success of Dr. No, making Bond's father from Glencoe.
Connery then, even though reluctant to sign up for a series, starred in six official Eon films (Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds are Forever) plus an unofficial remake (Never Say Never Again). With pure talent and charisma he forever defined the character as suave, witty, completely capable and utterly manly. His Bond was the epitome of cool. Every actor since has to live up to him. (Almost) every man watching wants to be him. You knew all this already.
Wanting to be much more than Bond, Connery resented being recognized only as his character and the pressure of the role. Leaving after You Only Live Twice (replaced by George Lazenby in OHMSS), he was incentivized to return for Diamonds are Forever before quitting for good. While Bond became a worldwide sensation and the peak of his stardom, it seems he was happier afterward and still remained a big name the rest of his career.
I continue to love hearing stories and quotes from him off screen. Before ditching MI:6, he was known to have said 'I have always hated that damned James Bond. I'd like to kill him.' When making Marnie (1964) for Alfred Hitchcock he asked to see the script, wanting to avoid a typecast as a spy. It was an audacious move at the time, especially considering the director. When told Cary Grant, a superstar of the 40s and 50s, had never done this he replied 'I'm not Cary Grant.' Much later during filming for The Rock (1996), Michael Bay tried to critique Connery's acting. His retort: 'Why don't you go blow up a bridge?'
His best roles later in life were as supporting characters, frequently as a mentor or father figure. I can include Highlander, because sure why not, even though it's a really weird story. I'm more thinking about a few top-notch films deserving of repeated viewings. He won his only Oscar for The Untouchables playing a gutsy old beat cop and willing accomplice in the prosecution of Al Capone. His heartfelt performance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as Henry Jones, Sr is completely charming and unforgettable. For The Hunt for Red October he somehow pulls off a Russian submarine commander with a Scottish accent, and I say that in all seriousness. And in Finding Forrester, near the end of his career, he inspires as a shut-in famous old writer who takes in a promising but conflicted young student (leading to an early version of internet memes). Those characters are why I'm so partial to Connery.
Just as an aside, it's crazy to think one more major role could've been added to this list. The first to be offered the role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings, he undoubtedly would've been incredible. At this point, however, picturing the switch from Ian McKellen is impossible and akin to Tom Selleck playing Indiana Jones.
One movie I've seen that many of you probably haven't (unlike everything mentioned above) is The Man Who Would Be King, from 1975 and based on a Rudyard Kipling novella. Connery and Michael Caine, who were great friends in real life, played British ex-soldiers in India at the end of the 19th century, near the peak of British imperial power. Not content with the opportunities there, the two rogues set off on an adventure seeking fortune and glory. They end up in a far-flung and isolated part of Asia where they amaze the locals. One becomes this people's god and ruler, though the lucrative position is tenuous. It's a crazy story and great film. I definitely recommend it.
In the end, the best thing I can say about Connery is that he was entirely bankable in terms of giving a quality and enjoyable performance even if everything around him was subpar (except maybe DAF). He's the only reason to watch The Rock, for example. I keep hearing that he was continuously interested in improving on scripts and was in fact very good at it. He wanted everything he was in to be a high-caliber production and that was plain to see. Always looking forward to what's next, I'd like to check out more from the first half of his career, like Marnie, Robin and Marian and the '74 Murder on the Orient Express.
Rest in peace, good Sir.
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