Sir Christopher Lee certainly got a platinum trophy in life. He was a Bond actor that was actually related to Ian Fleming, and he was the only Lord of the Rings actor that actually met JRR Tolkien. Also, he was a WWII veteran, a skilled swordfighter, spoke six languages, descended from Italian royalty, Muhammad Ali dedicated a victory to him, he played Count Dracula AND Count Dooku, and released heavy metal albums in his later years! The definition of legend! Rest In Peace.

You’re definitely spot on about the dubbing of Goldfinger. It took me years later to find out that the voice was not the actor’s own. That showed how good a job was done.

Sanchez was by far the most hateable of all the Bond villains, at least for me. His pure sadism is typical of many real life drug lords.

Scaramanga was always my favorite. The idea of this arrogant assassin who exercises by having his henchman hire other super assassins to try and kill him was just cool in my eyes. That bad guy Christopher Walkin played was also pretty good.

The impression I always got from Largo is that he used to be a Main Henchman, sort of like Red Grant, who eventually got promoted. I mean, he *beat* Bond in _Thunderball,_ had him at actual Gunpoint and would have shot him if Domino hadn't intervened in time. He had a strong physical presence and was absolutely not afraid to dirty his hands with grunt work.

Hugo Drax is extremely underated as a villian. His wry delivery of dialogue is almost Shakespearean.

Franz Sanchez is what I would describe as the most grounded in reality. He doesn’t want to end the world, he just want to expand his empire. He doesn’t want his henchmen to die mercifully, he wants them to broil on their mistakes before he brutally executes them. But all and all, Goldfinger is the best, and yet I can barely put my finger on it. Its just… great writing and a great performance.

Sir Christopher Lee was always destined to feature in the Bond series somewhere. Not only was he a cousin of Ian Flemming, he was a British Intelligence agent during WWII. His life and personality were the original template that Flemming used to create Bond in the first place. You could say that Lee WAS James Bond in the flesh.

Alec Trevelyan and Raoul Silva are both my favorite Bond villains. They were once MI6 agents, both of them were betrayed by M and they both wanted to get revenge on her and MI6 for ruining their lives. Only difference is that Alec discovered who his parents were after they committed suicide as M lied to him about his parent’s demise when he was a child which made Alec gone rogue to seek revenge, while Silva on the other hand was taken by China as M exchange him to rescue six of her agents that was held prisoners and got Silva torture for five months. Silva even try to kill himself but failed until he come to realize that he was given another chance as his purpose was to get revenge on M. Both had gone through tragedy which you gotta feel bad for because it was M’s fault for turning these two into monsters.

Elektra King is one of my favourite characters in Bond movies. Sophie Marceau did that role excellent.

Savalis' turn as Blofeld makes me angry that we never got to see him as Lex Luthor

Every time I watch Goldfinger I see more nuance to Gert Frobe’s performance. They’ll never do better. Ever.

One trailer for Goldfinger actually used an undubbed line from Gert Frobe, that being "Choose your next witticism carefully, Mr. Bond, it may be your last." The inflection difference between him and Michael Collins was so subtle, but he oozed menace in his delivery. Given that Connery listened to only Frobe's delivery while on set, his reactions as 007 feel that much more appropriate.

Green is one of my favorite Bond villains. He's massively underrated and what's great about him is that he seems normal but he's very bright, very calculating, very cold, and very efficient. His plans are evil yet reasonable in scale. If there wasn't a writers strike when Quantum of Solace was being filmed, I think we would've seen the script explore more of what the actor was hinting at in his performance.

Looking at Electkra's past, you can see why Bond develops the feelings he does. She was a female victim virtually abandoned by her father and MI6. He's had so many women he'd failed to save, especially Tracy. The idea of her victimized twice really brings out Bond's need to protect. It's why he's so angry when he finds out she's behind everything. As Alex Trevalyen pointed out, the ones he failed to save are foremost in Bond's thoughts. She was lost before he even met her.

Totally agree on Lyutsifer Safin. You can’t hate Rami Malek. But this character made absolutely no sense at all. I didn’t even get why he wanted to destroy the world

Excellent list. It's very important to note that most of the villains gave inspired performances. Gert Frobe was of course fantastic, but geeze Lee and Walker were solar flares in their outings.

Great to see Sophie Marceau's excellent work being respected here. She could have coasted on her very, very good looks and phoned a performance in. But she reeled us in as the innocent girl. And then chllled us as the psychopath beneath. Truly earning Bond's last word to her: "I never miss". One of the best moments in all the Bond films for me. The complete magnificence of Christopher Lee in war, life, film and music has already been amply discussed here. .Two other fun facts about Lee: he considered becoming an opera singer, and he is related to Charlemagne.

Sean Bean was AMAZING as Richard Sharpe, it’s said he does so much in other movies to make up how much he survived as Sharpe

Le Chiffre is my favorite villain from the entire series, Sanchez is a close second.

Scaramanga is my personal favorite. The only villan to act in a not personal or passionate way. I think he's the only villan ever to let Bond go (inthe circus) scene, when he says "I hold no hard feelings agaist you Mr. Bond, and I hope our paths never crosses again". Later he acts as a real gentleman and says "I could have killed you when you arrived, but that would have been ridicolously easy" And finally invites Bond for a fair duel, "the only true test for gentleman"> This is really one of a kind, some we dont see on a bond villan, a man sctrictly cold and professional, trying to be oldschool and fair in his squirmishes. I also would say Emilio Largo should be far up in the list. A complete villan. Rich, sophisticated, bon vivant, polite and at teh same time does scuba diving, shoots clay traps and have no problems to be brutal.

Great list, but opinions vary. For me personally, Drax is Number one. I loved his dryness. "Mr Bond...You continue to defy my attempts to plan an amusing death for you", is one of my favorite ever villain lines.

Really good list, glad you put Sanchez near the top. LTK is such a great underrated bond film/and villain in it.

Carver and Goldfinger are close for me, Carver honestly comes out on top for me just because his entire scheme aged like a fine wine on top of him being a villain who is having genuine fun with what he does. He a villain in a realistic way too because I can fully see someone starting a war for broadcasting rights.

Tell you the truth Alec Trevelyan is better than Blofeld. Also you are spot on with Remi Malek villian. I didn't know what to think about him? He was so forgettable.

That's a sensational top-3. And as I've said in some other Bond videos, I am glad "Licence To Kill" is getting the love it deserves, since I am old enough to recall how it got panned when it was released due to its violence and dark tone. Kudos!

I’ve been watching your video catalog and of those I’ve seen, this has the most entertaining editing. The idea of featuring the voice of the villain prior to the name or face reveal is really very clever, like a silent black screen at the beginning of a preview suddenly grabbing the audience with, say, Darth Vader’s breathing, or the first notes from Williams’ Jaws theme. I also like Octopussy far more than most, but one of the much more personal reasons is because Louis Jourdan is, for whatever reason, the only person I ever heard my mom sort of swoon over. (I’d never even heard of him at the time.) She saw the film initially just to watch him, and I remember she kind of luxuriated his name when she pronounced it, like he was made of silk or something…it was so out of character for her, adorable and very endearing. “Bond films have had a somewhat spotty record when it comes to it’s [their] treatment of women…” must be my 2023’s most understated observation. I strongly agree that Silva’s entrance was the easily the most potent in the series. I knew when I was watching it, however, that I was at a disadvantage. I’d heard that No Country For Old Men had an exceptional villain, but having never seen it, I was unfortunately bereft of any additional weight Bardem’s history probably added. In fact, with Mendes’ so brilliantly crafted introduction, presaged ominously by Severine, I was initially let down when I realized the man coming through the elevator doors wasn’t someone we already knew…it was so compelling, it was like Telly Savalas or even Gert Frobe might have somehow been reincarnated and could be walking towards Bond. But it was just some overhyped clown with bleach blonde hair. Until, of course, he told his little rat story, and the grandiosity of his debut felt, even for someone uncolored by memories of Chigurh, rather appropriate. p.s. At some point I’ll make a case for why I believe you’ve elsewhere severely underestimated, and ranked very unfairly, Skyfall. For someone so self-evidently erudite and perceptive, I have to believe a properly-supported argument will overcome whatever gossamer misapprehensions have engendered your uncharacteristic lapse in judgement. (I’m still reeling a bit from that ranking video. Fourteenth?

You know a villain is great when they have a literal Voodoo deity as a henchman.

You did a really good professional review. I especially liked how you used ambient scores from each film to subtlety emphasize the clips. Bravo!

The funniest part about Gustav Graves being a darker image of Bond is that his actor, Toby Stephens, later played Bond himself in a series of BBC radio plays based on the original Fleming books. (He was great, by the way.)

It was always going to be Goldfinger, nice to see Franz Sanchez at number 2. . BUT although I know he's technically a henchman, I really did think would see Robert Shaw's excellent turn as Red Grant high on the list.

I actually liked Maximilian Largo exactly because of his normalcy. He is a selfmade businessman. He probably was never liked in school, or at university. He probably always felt to be the ugly duckling and is constantly working on his return as the beautiful swan. His revenge is his ruthlessness against anyone he perceives as an adversary - not necessary an enemy (that would be too personal), but just everyone who is an obstacle to his goals. He really cares about being admired or respected, not because of his villaincy, but because of his success and his charm. In the same way, if someone betrays him, his own love and admiration for that person turns into the cancellation of that person in his personal balance sheet.

Enjoyed your video and no argument with number one. But I love Curt Jurgens' Stromberg. I don't see him as a weaker villain at all. He was so cold and utterly psychotic, in the opening minutes alone he dispatches his secretary, two scientists and an unlucky helicopter pilot. Julian Glover's Kristatos is also hugely underrated. Arguably the most realistic villain in the Bond series, Glover - very fine actor that he is - does a brilliant job portraying this charming but treacherous character.

Dr No creeped me out the most hands down

Dude, I love your videos! We have pretty much the same top 10 here :) kuddos for mentioning that short scene of Carver sitting by himself in TND, as he just ordered his wife's death. That moment is spectacular and so underrated, it single-handedly elevated Pryce's camp delight of a performance into all time material. It was a brilliant move by the filmmakers to include such a moment of introspection at this point of the film.

Finally somebody sees Safin for what he is, utter disapointment.

Saw Goldfinger in 64 I was 12 and saw it 5 more times that weekend If a movie can change a persons life this was it for me

It's a pity they wasted Julian Glover because he can play a great villain as seen in the Dr Who story City Of Death.

Good choice of music cues. I like what you're putting out here. Thank you for your honesty.

Goldfinger is definitely the best! My list would be; 1. Goldfinger 2. Blofeld 3. Drax 4. Scaramanga 5. Zorn 6. Dr. No 7. Elektra King 8. Kananga 9. Carver 10. Alec

Ian Fleming wanted his cousin, Sir Christopher Lee, to play Dr. No. Unfortunately, the studio disagreed. So, Lee was cast a decade later for "The Man with the Golden Gun" and had a fine performance as Scaramanga that was probably a good deal more impactful in the Bond mythos. Not the first time Lee was sought to play a seminal villain in the first film of a franchise. George Lucas wanted Lee to play Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars. But, Lee could not get out of a commitment. So, Lucas cast Lee's best friend and frequent Hammer collaborator Peter Cushing instead. Of course, Lee later played Count Dooku and has left an even bigger mark on the Star Wars universe as a consequence.

Well done, Stephen! This essay is a big improvement from your Bond Actor Ranking (still gave it a like anyway) Keep up the good work, and thank-you!

Elektra King is a favorite of mine. She's such a unique antagonist for Bond, as she's the only evil female lead in the series, and arguably manipulates Bond's sympathetic side better than any other character (with the possible exception of Vesper Lynd). I also love that M sees Bond shoot her, as Judi Dench's M hadn't really felt much sympathy for Bond at that point, and as she was also emotionally attached to Elektra, her realization of just how cold and detached Bond has to be to do his job is felt even more strongly.

I had such fun with this, thank you. I haven't seen any James Bond films recently, and some not in at least thirty years, so my ranking was based on the memories of villains who stood out from those I couldn't remember at all. I figured, if I can't remember the villain, he / she wasn't very good / bad. I compiled my list before watching yours, and there is only one enormous dispute for me - that is Maximilian Largo from NSNA, who is in my fourth place. Although Largo doesn't do anything that is extremely villainous, he always looks as if he could tip over at any moment; and that is scary 1 Sanchez, because of what he did to Felix and Della and the guy in the decompression chamber; and because Robert Davi was just so bloody good 2 Goldfinger, because he dominates his scenes, even when he shares them with Bond 3 Zorin Easily my favourite villain, also extremely physical. Hard to take my eyes off him 4 Maximilian Largo as explained 5 Le Chiffre, because he is chilling 6 Rosa Klebb 7 Blofeld YOLT 8 Silva. Hard to keep my eyes on him 9 Drax 10 Elektra King 11 Carver 12 Scaramanga 13 Dr No 14 Trevelyan 15 Blofeld OHMSS 16 Kananga 17 Stromberg 18 Blofeld Spectre 19 Emilio Largo 20 Kamal Khan / Orloff 21 Graves 22 Koskoff / Whittaker 23 Kristatos 24 Greene 25 Saffin 26 Blofeld DAF

I've never tried ranking Bond villains, but this list feels about right for me. I would move Alex Trevelyan and Elliot Carver down a bit, Drax, Rosa Klebb and Elektra King up a bit, but no big discrepancies. The reasoning is solid too. If I go by who is memorable, regardless of role/acting, it would be people like Goldfinger, Sanchez, Blofeld (Pleasance version), Klebb, Drax, Zorin, Scaramanga, Kananga. I always liked Kronstein in From Russia With Love. I can see why he's not on the list, and I always wished he had more to do in the film, but the idea of a chess grandmaster being the Bond villain is a cool idea, even if he supposed foolproof plan is bloody stupid. I generally like later villains less. Many Bond villains are cartoony, but Craig got this weird mix of boring and totally over the top. But I don't like the Brosnan villains much either, except for Elektra King. The video mentioned that the Dr. Kananga / Mr. Big thing in Live and Let Die didn't work because it's obviously the same actor - but I feel that's because people know it now even before seeing the film, like how The Sixth Sense is less well regarded now because everyone claims they can see the twist coming a mile off. Back in the 1970s the Big/Kananga plot twist was masterful. They made him look taller and thinner as Big, and shorter and fatter as Kananga, and Yaphet Kotto really pulled it off.

Awesome video! I hope your channel blows up

Love your channel Stephen. Keep up the great work! Your videos are always a highlight to me. Keep at it

You're very good at finding the positives in all of those negatives! Great Analysis.

Personally, I find that I prefer the older films villains, partially because of the unique minions. It's hard to forget Oddjob, Nick Nack or my personal favorite, Jaws. That odd line between serious and camp has stuck with me stronger than other films, although, that could be rose-tinted glasses playing its part.

As much as I love Goldfinger, Blofeld is unquestionably Bond's arch-nemesis. He's the Joker to Batman basically. But Goldfinger is easily my #2.

I must say, Elliot Carver is the most believable bond villain. I mean, he's inspired by Rupert Murdoch

I'm so upset. I wrote a very detailed comment earlier today and went point by point based on my notes, lol, I took last night when I watched this in delight and I have NO idea why it never posted. This was another phenomenal entry from you! I hope I find the energy to detail it all out again

For me numero uno is Franz Sanchez, drug lord and Sadist but for second place I personality adore Elliot Carver because he is clearly villain of our lifetime.

I think one thing we all can also appreciate about Goldfinger is he avoids the “leave the room” bond cliche. True he’s not 100% paying attention to what’s happening but he’s confident he’s won and he’s still waiting for Bond to die in the same room. And I do believe he’s one of the few early bond villains when shit goes down he’s willing to get his hands dirty.

I really wish we had more Dalton films - he may actually be the best portrayal of bond

" Bond films had a somewhat spotty record when it comes to their treatment of women " The word of the day is : understatement.

Great list !! I would rate Silva higher. I think he was so good as a villain, it would have been terrifying to have him survive Skyfall and continue lurking about. I agree wholeheartedly on the most recent incarnation of Blowfeld. I didn't like the shared history, I thought it was too much... Would love for you do a comparison with Dr. No and Safin...as there seems to some similarities/homages built into Safin...

wait goldfinger was dubbed over?!

Mine is Goldfinger so far. I like my hams “Do you expect me to talk?” “No, Mister Bond, I expect you to die!” *Face of childlike glee. Lol I didn’t expect it to be number one here too!

Great video. Been a 007 fan since the 1980s. Tbh i like them all none i find bad.

GREAT JOB

I disagree about Klaus Maria Brandauer; handsome, elegant and pretty evil. I think he is doing a terrific job in Never Say Never Again; but maybe I am having a soft spot for that movie. The rest of the list seems okay to me… enjoyed watching your post! 🌈

Raoul Da Silva was the most intimidating one to me.

This was a fun video! My list would be very similar.

One of the best thing about Bond villains is their evil plan, and one of the reasons Goldfinger is among the best is that it's memorable for what people thing about it. Arguments have been raised over whether any of their plans would've ever worked, and Goldfinger's Operation Grand Slam is among the most-discussed, to the point where I recall someone revealing on TV Tropes that while Fort Knox's gold would not have been hopelessly irradiated, there would have been a change in molecular structure IN the gold that would have *destroyed it.* To that end, I propose a new Bond Villain video: Bond Villain Plans Ranked, based upon how intricate, stylish, and effective they would have actually been. This means that while a number of later films would get points for their gritty realism, they would also *lose* points if they were not especially interesting. Hope you take an interest in this one, as many a fan love to talk about it.

Your take on Blofeld was masterful. Maybe I should spend more time down at the local bar.

One thing I'd like to see in future movies is see new spins on classic villains and Scaramanga has quite a bit of potential. Since he's younger and hispanic in the book, there's fresh territory. Say he's hired by Spectre to kill Bond/someone but Bond causes him to miss and they develop a rivalry that spans over several movies. Also I always thought that Gary Oldman should've played Blofeld since the characters a master of disguise in the books and Oldman certainly is that.

That is an excellent and well argumented list.

I totally agree with you on 1) Goldfinger, 2) Sanchez, and 3) Scaramanga. But for me I would have to put Carver at #4 and then Trevelean at #5. Personally, I don't think Pryce gets enough credit for his role as the Rupert Murdock/Ted Turner type media magnate who is willing to start a global war to boost his ratings and readership.

Zorin and Sanchez my no 1....

WOW! Until now I did not know that Fröbe did not actually voice Goldfinger in the final rendition.

'He disagreed with something that ate him!'

Excellent Commentary! Didn't agree totally with the placement but the top 10 were solid

I have to say the ultimate Bond villain is Albert Broccoli.

Totally agree with your top nine! Too, I really liked the recognition that you gave Franz Sanchez in Licence to Kill - probably the most ruthless of the Bond villains. I agree with Blofeld at #7. Neither the older Bond movies nor the new ones do him justice. They completely ruined his story arc in the older films and then the plot twist in the new films, making him Bond's "brother," was just weird. Otherwise, he should be higher. I thought Dr. No should be number 10, even though the film did not include much screen time for him. Great video!

oh misseur.. don't forget how great Nick-Nack is with Scaramanga! So good!

Did anyone notice that the outfit Bond wears talking to Blofield in OHMSS was then imitated in Austin Powers? Brilliant.😮😮😮

I like that Christopher Lee's character doesn't really understand the Solar Agitator, it makes him feel more relatable in a way.

Gert Fröbe in "It happened in broad daylight" omg goosebumps.

This was a very fun watch and a great thought exercise to ponder who the best villains are. I have to admit i really like bond films I'm not as huge a fanatic as lots of others are but i do like them. One thing that always gets me grief from friends is i am a massive fan of Timothy dalton as bond he might even be my favorite i wish he would have done more. My least favorite bond without a doubt is pierce Brosnan i never watch his bond films i find him totally wrong for the role. The living daylights, license to kill and a view to a kill are 3 of my top 5 bond flicks of all time. The living daylights and a view to a kill are my 2 favorite theme songs as well. Thanks for this cool upload i have spent a bit of time thinking about this since watching it so cheers to you for the food for thought

One of most crazy part of skyfall, is when he takes out the Prosthetic out of his mouth, changing his whole face

But overall, a good list. Nice to see Koskov not ranked at the very bottom because I think a lot of people misunderstand this character. The charming deceiver/cowardly "chickenshit heel" villain is a nice change of pace and compliments Dalton well.

Yes! Terrific list, with Goldfinger rightly at the top. In an alternate universe, I would have loved to see Christopher Lee cast as Blofeld in YOLT. Pleasance did what he could, but was a late replacement. Lee would’ve been much more in line with the glimpses of the character in FRWL and Thunderball. Then if he could’ve returned for OHMSS and Diamonds … As for who would’ve played Scaramanga in this counterfactual fantasy of mine, apparently Jack Palance was in early discussions for the part. It would’ve been a very different Scaramanga, but Palance exudes menace.

I think the main problem with Safin is that the movie was trying to make him be all the villains of the last three Fleming novels (OHMSS, You Only Live Twice and The Man With the Golden Gun), and his motivations got very muddled as a result. Otherwise, I think he gets the job done, and Malek really does portray a villain who manages to very nearly succeed with what he does.

I think Largo is the ultimate dark reflection of Bond in the book. This works because both men act way more grounded and are less comical (no eye patch) and because the story makes Bond rely more on his knowledge and training than on luck or obscure gadgets. Largo gets to rely on his position in society and social skills way more, and Largos position is the main factor keeping Bond and his allies from getting to him in the first place. The finale is also way more fitting, pitting them against each other as leaders of their respective scuba diver units, fighting each other with spearguns and knives around a sharp coral reef and around a atom bomb, reducing their battle to a way purer form of combat than we see in the movie, where they put in that sloppy action sequence on the boat.

I didn’t even realize Goldfinger was subbed until years later.

18. Le Chiffre 17. Elektra King 16. Zorin 15. Scaramanga 14. Baron Samedi 13. Wint & Kidd 12. 006 11. May Day 10. Dr. No 9. Onatopp 8. Silva 7. Oddjob 6. Rosa Klebb 5. Jaws 4. Goldfinger 3. Red Grant 2. Blofeld 1. Sanchez

I quite agree, the only thing I really don't agree with is Emilio Largo's position so low; but I can't be completely objective because I love the great actor that was Adolfo Celi, so I understand that his performance in Thunderball may appear to me better than it actually is.

Good job making such a list, even though I disagree with most of the order.

Great list. My list: 1. Scaramanga 2. Carver 3. Silva 4. Savallas Blofeld 5. Zorin 6. Le Chifre 7. Dr. No 8. Sanchez

my top 5 is Alec Trevelyan, Electra King, Le Chiffre, Auric Goldfinger and Franz Sanchez

My short list: #1 and coolest by far, Dr. Julius No; a very, very close at #2 is Donald Pleasence's Ernst Stavro Blofeld, head of SPECTRE; at #3, the man with the Midas touch, Auric Goldfinger; and #4 #2 in SPECTRE, Emilio Largo.

No Hank Scorpio?

FRWL gives two great baddies in Grant (Robert Shaw) and Klebb (Lotte Lenya). Also Blofeld and Kronsteen. The main reasons it stands up so well despite age.

I'd love for you to do a video ranking the defeats/deaths of the villains. Would be a very interesting video to watch.

Goldeneye has always been my favorite Bond film, and I believe it was mostly because of its villains. Not necessarily Trevelyan though, I always though Xenia and Ourumov were incredibly fun. Natalya was a great Bond girl too, with a good mix of vulnerability and skill, and a really good chemistry with Brosnan.

Funny thing - I grew up in the 70's/80's so that Roger Moore was James Bond to me. I refused to watch Sean Connery as Bond, because Roger Moore was Bond. When Dalton took over the role, I watched and I liked him, so I broke down and watched the Sean Connery Bonds. Have not looked back since. I still like Roger Moore, Dalton, Craig, etc. but the real James Bond is Sean Connery. From Russia, With Love and You Only Live Twice are my favs, followed closely by Goldfinger. Next would be The Spy Who Loved Me, which has my favorite Bond Girl, Barbara Bach. I probably didn't watch my first Sean Connery Bond until 20 years after it came out.

Scaramanga and Alec Trevelyan are the best villains in my book. Both are actually capable of defeating 007 in his own game.

Goldfinger 🐐❤️‍🔥

I like that you put Christopher Walken fairly high up, but I would have put him at the top. He's the best villain IMO. But I get these lists are subjective. Great list and a good idea for a video, thank you for sharing it.