Diamonds are Forever: Sean Connery's Bond Returns… in a Terrycloth Shirt

By Nick (luckystrike721) on August 25, 2024

Sean Connery and Denise Perrier in *Diamonds are Forever* (1971)

Vitals

Sean Connery as James Bond, British government agent

French Riviera, Spring 1971

Film: Diamonds are Forever
Release Date: December 17, 1971
Director: Guy Hamilton
Wardrobe Master: Ray Beck
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair

Background

Born 94 years ago today on August 25, 1930, Sir Sean Connery rose to stardom as the first actor to play James Bond in the official EON Productions series, from Dr. No (1962) through Diamonds are Forever (1971).

Connery first retired from the role after You Only Live Twice (1967), resulting in Australian actor George Lazenby's sole shot in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). After Lazenby too hung up 007's shoulder holster, Connery was persuaded back for one last official performance as Ian Fleming's iconic secret agent, commanding a record-setting $1.25 million salary to return as Commander Bond... which he then donated in its entirety to the Scottish International Education Trust.

Despite the somber ending of On Her Majesty's Secret Service that set Bond out for revenge, Diamonds are Forever began a lighter era for the series as the stories diverged from Fleming's source material with an increased emphasis on comedic elements and spectacle.

After a few faceless vignettes in exotic locales like Cai-Cai-Cairo, Connery's Bond makes his long-anticipated on-screen reappearance during the pre-credits sequence of Diamonds are Forever, striding down onto the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc's stunning beach in Cap d'Antibes, where he makes his iconic introduction ("Bond, James Bond") to Marie, an even more stunning bikini-clad brunette portrayed by Denise Perrier, the French-born Miss World 1953.

Marie: Is there something I can do for you?
Bond: Yes, as a matter of fact, there is... there is something I'd like you to get off your chest.