Best of British James Bond Baddies
Is Super Spy 007 at his Finest Against Fellow Brits?
Oct 23, 2008
A look at the cream of British acting talent in their roles as ruthless megalomaniacs and twisted evil foes in the Bond films. Baddies so iconic they have even spawned their own set of timepieces with the new Swatch Watch 007 Villain Collection. Yep, fans can actually choose their favourite baddie and buy an accompanying watch!
Do Brit's Make the Best Bond Villains?
Many of Bond's greatest villains were plucked from this sceptred isle's exalted acting talent. There's something delightfully bitter, an extra twist of the knife, in seeing Britain's finest movie hero up against his own. Even if sometimes the British actors are actually employed to portray Johnny foreigner. Although let's face it, nothing can compare with Bond's own dire efforts at disguising his nationality. Sean Connery attempting to pass for Japanese in You Only Live Twice is one of the most cringe worthy moments of any Bond film!
Bond Baddies – The British Super Villains Out for 007
From Russia With Love introduced the first British baddie to the Bond franchise. Donald Grant (known as Red Grant) was the SPECTRE hit man portrayed by Robert Shaw. Shaw's menacing performance created an admirable foil to Sean Connery's Bond. Robert Shaw went on to play other great baddies such as Doyle Lonnegan, opposite Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting, and Mr Blue in The Taking of Pelham 123. Most memorably he also played that grizzled old sea dog Quint in Jaws.
Francisco Scaramanga
One of Britain's very best baddies is the formidable Christopher Lee. From Dracula to Saruman, Lee's ominous frame has dominated the cinema screen. As Francisco Scaramanga in The Man With the Golden Gun, he created one of Bond's most famous adversaries. Perhaps only surpassed by Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Blofeld has featured in some shape or form in seven Bond films. These are From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, For Your Eyes Only and Never Say Never Again. Portrayed by various actors, in early films Blofeld's face was never seen, just his hands stroking the ubiquitous white Persian cat.
Donald Pleasence as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in You Only Live Twice delivers the benchmark Blofeld performance. The one that Mike Myer's parodies as Dr Evil in Austin Powers. As if Blofeld isn't enough, Pleasence is also remembered for his bravura performance in the Halloween series as Dr Sam Loomis.
Another Brit, Charles Gray, played Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever. A film which is also memorable for Blofeld's creepy henchmen Mr Wint and Mr Kidd.
Sir Hugo Drax and General Orlov
Anglo–French actor Michael Lonsdale plays Sir Hugo Drax in Moonraker. Drax is a typical kind of Bond villain. An insane multi-millionaire intent on world domination. He also has a memorable henchman by the name of Jaws. General Orlov is a Russian villain of similar megalomaniac proportions. He was memorably portrayed by British theatre stalwart Steven Berkoff in Octopussy.
Other Brit Baddies - Renard, Trevelyan, Carver etc.
Bond has faced many other baddies played by Brits:
- Aris Kristatos, played by Julian Glover, in For Your Eyes Only.
- Alec Trevelyan, played by Sean Bean, in Goldeneye.
- Elliot Carver, played by Jonathan Pryce, in Tomorrow Never Dies.
- Renard, played by (possible new Doctor Who?) Robert Carlyle, in The World is Not Enough.
- Gustav Graves, played by Toby Stephens, in Die Another Day.
Will Daniel Craig Face a British Baddie?
New Bond Daniel Craig has not had to face a British baddie yet, but surely it's only a matter of time. After Quantum of Solace, Craig is contractually obliged to make a further two Bond films. Hopefully he will have the fun of crossing swords with a fellow Brit in one of them.
Further reading: Read all about the latest Bond flick here in this Quantum of Solace review
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