Happy 80th Birthday, Sean Connery!
I remember watching a documentary about Sean Connery and someone said something like 'When Sean Connery enters a room, people immediately start to act differently, they might hold their breath, they straighten their posture or start fidgeting'. The Sean Connery effect. There is no way you cannot notice him. And you kind of want him to notice you.
Controversies and idiosyncrasies aside - and acknowledging the tiny possibility that the Connery effect might not work on everyone - there's something special and unique about him that draws you in. I believe Sean Connery is on the most charismatic, most amazing and talented actors to ever appear on screen.
It's his 80th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Sean Connery!
Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
To celebrate his birthday, I have put together a list of my favorite Sean Connery movies, including pictures, vids and commentary.
1.) HIGHLANDER
Sean Connery as Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez
"Highlander" is one of my favorite movies, but it also happens to be probably the first movie I saw Sean Connery in. He's just brilliant as Ramirez. Also, for some reason, I still think "Spanish peacock" is the most accurate description of Sean. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It just...fits.:p
Ramirez' introduction
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMRgv11fIjA
"I cannot swim you Spanish peacock."
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbvbIN0nN7A
2. ) THE UNTOUCHABLES
Sean Connery as Jim Malone
Easily one of the best movies ever made. Here's the thing though: I watched that scene - if you've seen the movie, you know, THAT scene - once. And I've fast forwarded through it ever since. Sean Connery as Malone... ♥
"You wanna know how you do it? Here's how, they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way, and that's how you get Capone! Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that?"
"The Untouchables" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIF_WdPUBFo
3. ) THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER
Sean Connery as Marko Ramius
Another one of my favorite movies. Casting Sean Connery as Ramius? Genius. A gift. Russians speak with a Scottish accent...who cares? Also, a better hairpiece never existed.
Sean Connery: "The idea of the hair was the iron grew sort of crew cut but something kinda put me off that. I would have looked sort of like Ernest Hemingway with the beard and short hair and it would have looked American. So I went Rod Stewart but shorter. They had another wig but that made me look like Sting. I really couldn't deal with it. Well, I could deal with it. I changed it."
Alec Baldwin: "I remember when they said Sean was gonna be in the movie I thought 'Oh wow. I'm dead. No one's even gonna notice me in this movie. I'm gonna be invisible.'"
It's true. Did anyone notice there was someone called Alec Baldwin in this movie..?
"The Hunt for Red October" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktky-5jjf7E
4. ) THE NAME OF THE ROSE
Sean Connery as William of Baskerville
I read the novel, and the screen version is perfect. So is Sean Connery as William of Baskerville. I love this particular scene. Whenever I'm in a library where there are old books, I remember William's exuberant joy - and I kind of want to do the same thing. It's so wonderfully acted, I can't get enough of it.
"I knew it! Adso, I knew it!" (starting at ~ 5:50)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEL_6cqoBMw
5. ) INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
Sean Connery as Professor Henry Jones
Nobody, absolutely nobody, could have played a better father of Indiana Jones. And the chemistry between Sean Connery and Harrison Ford is pure magic. This is one of my favorite scenes - one of the best ever, too.
"I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne. Let my armies be the rocks and the trees, and the birds in the sky." (starting at ~4:09)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh-cVHdhTp4
6. ) THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
Sean Connery as Daniel Dravot
Probably the second movie I have watched with Sean Connery. It hasn't been back on television for ages. Why? It's...indescribably good. One of his best works as well.
"The Man Who Would Be King" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNb6SxXcD7g
7. ) ROBIN AND MARIAN
Sean Connery as Robin Hood
Beautiful, beautiful, bittersweet story. Wonderfully acted. I'm just glad it exists. If that makes sense.
"Robin and Marian" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKPVGIdJr-k
8. ) THE OFFENCE
Sean Connery as Detective Sergeant Johnson
I believe this is one of the highlights of his career. It's different. I can't explain it, you'd have to watch it. It's ... uncomfortable, and intense.
The Offence (1972, Sidney Lumet) - Memory Montage. (I couldn't find a better scene, sorry)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnIKI5rlYk
9. ) FINDING FORRESTER
Sean Connery as William Forrester
Sean Connery's last good movie, and his last good role. I adore the bicycle scene. If this is to be the last we have seen of him as an actor... this is a beautiful final shot.
"I'm that one.", plus Sean Connery reading. (spoilers if you haven't seen it, but plan to)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKktZ6ZVozo
"Scotland!" (ditto)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1GqU05DucA
I'd also like to add this quote by Sean Connery...
"I'm fed up with the idiots, the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and those who green-light them. I don't say they're all idiots - I'm just saying there's a lot of them. It would almost need a Mafia-like offer I couldn't refuse to do another movie."
Can't say I blame him. In fact, I wholeheartedly agree.
10. ) THE ROCK
Sean Connery as John Patrick Mason
FUN!!! Just lots and lots of fun! I admit I love "The Rock", but honestly? There wouldn't be any point watching this if Sean Connery wasn't in it. Also: cool hair! :D
"Welcome to The Rock!"
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1GkvHuG-aU
11. ) ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES
Sean Connery as King Richard the Lionheart
My third Sean Connery movie. What? This isn't a Sean Connery movie? Fine, but don't tell me this isn't one of the most memorable appearances ever and one of the most expensive :p.
"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (beginning at 0:33)
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2yBySjf454
12. ) THE PRESIDIO
Sean Connery as Lt. Col. Alan Caldwell
This is just a very good role for Sean Connery, he does this kind of thing exceptionally well. And hello! Mark Harmon! Always a pleasure to see you.
"The Presidio" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgtgvPSDh1c
13. ) THE WIND AND THE LION
Sean Connery Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli
That man can do anything. Anything! Just go and watch this. *nods* At least for me it works.
Beginning of the movie...
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FWKixahBWY
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhcMbuXx5DE
14. ) MEDICINE MAN
Sean Connery as Dr. Robert Campbell
This is another fun movie. And another one of those "If Sean wasn't in it, I probably wouldn't bother" productions. But he makes it worth watching. Him and the music by Jerry Goldsmith. Also: ponytail! :p
"Medicine Man" trailer
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQs9NrHc7qo
HONORABLE MENTIONS....
DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE
Sean Connery as Michael McBride
Or not so honorable...This is awful, just awful! Hilarious, but serious torture. I'm surprised I survived watching this.o0
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTwmjOySDjA
JAMES BOND
Sean Connery as James Bond
He still is, and will very likely always be, the best James Bond ever. Fact.
"Bond. James Bond."
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFZtMWs31oo
INTERVIEWS etc
I think this one is my favorite, if nothing else, watch this. Dame Edna interviews Sean Connery:
Click to view"I was born in 1930 in Edinburgh..." Also, I love Dame Edna..."Possums!".lol
Interview bits. I like the final part, starting at around 2:30. :)
Sean Connery dancing at the Edinburgh FilmFest 2010. I say: keep dancing, Sean!
And finally, I couldn't resist adding a picture of two of my favorite Scots....
