The Bond franchise has faced its ups and downs, but it’s managed to stay true to its roots while evolving to suit the changing times. Even when a particular film doesn’t quite hit the mark (as seen in movies like “Diamonds Are Forever,” “The Man with the Golden Gun,” and “Die Another Day”), fans can still count on the franchise to deliver high-octane action sequences, featuring impressive practical stunts, as Bond travels the world. The viewer can also expect to see the latest gadgets and a strong female lead who, in today’s more progressive climate, will hold her own in the action scenes just as well as Bond.
jobs harder to do).
Among the series’ many familiar faces, there are two actors who appeared in notably different roles. In one film, they portrayed a trusted ally to Bond, while in another, they were the villainous characters trying to take him down. Interestingly, these dual performances are particularly notable, given that they aren’t typically known for their ability to convincingly play a wide range of roles.
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Charles Gray Portrayed an MI6 Colleague and Blofeld
They weren’t prepared to see him in a more likable role – though it’s hard to tell how much Connery’s Bond can rely on his MI6 colleague. It becomes clear that he can trust him with his life, as Dikko ultimately sacrifices himself during the mission.
For those who watched the James Bond films out of order and saw “Diamonds Are Forever” first, Gray’s appearance is particularly shocking because he played the villain Blofeld in the later film. If you saw the earlier film first, you might initially think that Bond should shoot Dikko the moment he enters (which is a possibility until Dikko’s true identity is revealed), and it’s a testament to Gray’s skill that he never fully convinces the audience in subsequent viewings.
Joe Don Baker Transformed from a Deadly Arms Trader to a Reliable CIA Informant
Although Joe Don Baker became a famous American movie star as Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the 1973 hit “Walking Tall” and the cult classic “Mitchell,” he seemed more natural playing tough, rugged characters in films like “Fletch,” “Junior Bonner,” and “Charley Varrick.” However, the Bond series had already been mocked for introducing a country-like character, Sheriff J.W. Pepper, played by Clifton James, in “Live and Let Die” and “The Man With the Golden Gun,” so it’s surprising that it was believed they could fit a distinctly tough-guy actor like Baker into the series.
Baker’s demise is a fitting end to his over-the-top, humorously menacing portrayal, as he’s dressed in a commanding uniform that would have suited Idi Amin perfectly, and meets his end in a comical and gruesome manner on a small battlefield model of the Battle of Waterloo.
He was surprisingly likable as Whitaker, making his appearance as CIA agent Jack Wade in 1995’s “GoldenEye” all the more unexpected. As a straight-shooting, no-nonsense spy, Wade was a perfect fit for the role, and his performance was so well-received that he returned for the next Bond film, “Tomorrow Never Dies.” Although Baker’s previous roles often featured him as a disheveled Southern character, he was able to clean up nicely for his Bond franchise appearances.
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