“Shaken, not stirred” is a catchphrase of Ian Fleming’s fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond and describes his preference for the preparation of his martini cocktail. The man who implemented this sentence with an outstanding amount of charm, is the 007 legend, Sean Connery. Read a bit about this special actor who passed away yesterday.

Sean Connery: An 007 legend

Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas (one of the locations of his Bond film “Thunderball”). Connery acting career spanned five decades and he won an Oscar in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables for the Best Supporting Actor. His phrase, “Shaken, Not Stirred”, was first mentioned twice in the first Bond film Dr. No (1962). When Bond has presumably ordered a drink from room service to his hotel room, it is mixed by a waiter, who says “one medium dry vodka martini mixed like you said, sir, but not stirred.” Later, Dr. No presents Bond with a drink – “A medium dry martini, lemon peel. Shaken, not stirred.” From then, this phrase has transformed into a familiar classic slogan, especially in 007 films.  There was no one who said it better than Sean Connery, who passed away yesterday (Saturday) after marking his 90th birthday last August. Connery played seven times the character “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and each time he has tried to retire and express himself in different roles, he was called back to the flag.

James Bond: 1962–1971, 1983

The beginning of the career

Connery, which will be recognized forever for being the ultimate 007, has not accepted the role without any hesitations from the producers. For instance, when he was cast in the first film in the series, “Dr. No”, in 1962, he was then a young unfamiliar actor appearing mostly in TV and supporting roles. However, playing 007 immediately made Connery a star, but clashed with his desires to present a wider and more diverse range of acting abilities. As early as 1964, after starring in “From Russia with Love,” he starred in the film “Woman of Straw” directed by Basil Dirden and played a dark and cunning character who plans to murder a wealthy heiress. That same year he also starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Marnie, in the role of a millionaire trying to redeem a beautiful and elusive kleptomaniac (played by Tippi Hedren) from the trauma that haunts her.

The continuation of serving under Majesty’s Secret Service

For his first appearance as a Bond, Connery received only $30,000. However, in the following years, he was earned about $750,000 for a film.  After five Bond appearances (in addition to the films mentioned there were also “Goldfinger”, “Thunderball” and “You Only Live Twice”), he announced his retirement. But the roles offered to him were far from satisfying his expectations. According to critics, in ”Diamonds are Forever” (1971) Connery was looking tired and devoid of charisma. In return, he received a salary of $1 million and 12 percent of the incomes. This time the retirement was final. At least until the next time which happened 12 years later, when Connery was persuaded for a considerable sum to appear in a film whose title said it all: “Never Say Never Again” which was his last 007 film.

These are Sean Connery’s 007 movies:

1. Dr. No (1962)
2. From Russia with Love (1963)
3. Goldfinger (1964)
4. Thunderball (1965)
5. You Only Live Twice (1967)
6. Diamonds are Forever (1971)
7. Never Say Never Again (1983)

Here’s a rare behind the scenes footage of Sean Connery shooting a scene for Diamonds Are Forever:

Post 007

Connery starred in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), playing Henry Jones, Sr., the title character’s father, and received BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominations. His subsequent box-office hits included The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Russia House (1990), The Rock (1996), and Entrapment (1999).  Connery’s later films included several box office and critical disappointments such as First Knight (1995), Just Cause (1995), The Avengers (1998), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003); however, he received positive reviews for his performance in Finding Forrester (2000). He also received a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.

Final thoughts

Undoubtedly, Connery brought to his roles a captivating smile, a deep, warm, and caressing voice, a fatherly embrace, and a bastard spark in his eyes. As a bond, we will be remembered as charming, dangerous, and sophisticated. James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli released a statement saying: “He revolutionized the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him”.