Lewis Gilbert directs Sean Connery, Mie Hama and Donald Pleasence in this fifth 007 adventure featuring spaceship theft and Far East intrigue.

Scripted by Roald Dahl, this is cunning mix of twisty cliffhangers and PC obliterating swagger (dated sexism and racism the way only Bond can seemingly make palatable). It is also one of my favourite action thrillers. There are stylistic risks taken here not quite dared again in the series until Quantum rears its divisive head; the incredible yet minimalist one shot rooftop barney, Little Nellie’s elegant flight, the opening death of the Commander himself, that other shock murder of an untrustworthy character, the pop art grand finale of ninjas versus henchmen in a fucking volcano. Budget excess, sugar rush storytelling and cinematic confidence. Forget Jaws, the modern blockbuster was born here.

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