Democracy has won. On behalf of Sky Cinema, the audience and experts took part in the greatest James Bond survey of 2020. But who takes 1st place shortly before the start of the new Bond Adventure among the James Bond actors, Bond girls, and villains?
The pop-up channel Sky Cinema 007 has come up with something special for the holiday season. Since November 20th it has been devoting itself around the clock to the oldest film franchise in film history: James Bond.
For 58 years, the smart, gallant, and urbane agent in His Majesty’s secret service has been taking us on adventurous journeys around the globe. James Bond can, without a doubt, be considered a blueprint for the entire action genre.
Not only when it comes to agent films. Many blockbusters and series, above all of course the Mission Impossible franchise, were significantly influenced by Ian Fleming’s secret agents and his adventures.
But who is the best Bond of all time, and who is the best Bond girl, and who is the greatest Bond opponent?
In cooperation with the Consilium & Co GmbH agency, the German pop-up broadcaster Sky Cinema 007 surveyed film journalists and the public.
After counting all votes, the result is clear. There were no signs of electoral fraud. This means that recounts are not necessary. Daniel Craig officially acknowledges his defeat and congratulates Sean Connery on becoming the best James Bond 007 title ever.
THE BEST JAMES BOND EVER
THE REAL JAMES BOND: SIR SEAN CONNERY
THE ELEGANT AND CHARMING SCOTSMAN
“I am not an Englishman, I was never an Englishman, and I don’t ever want to be one. I am a Scotsman. I was a Scotsman and I will always be one.”
When it is about James Bond, there can be only one! Of course, that is Sir Sean Connery. No one else embodied 007 as perfectly as the actor from Edinburgh, Scotland. Unfortunately, he recently died at the age of 90. Even if he tried to distance himself from the image of the secret agent through many character roles that he played in later years, he is and remains the ideal embodiment of Ian Fleming’s 007.
“Just a drink. A martini, shaken not stirred.”
Sean Connery combined all the character traits of James Bond that make him so special. He was charming, educated, and very handsome, uncompromising, and aggressive. Both were a little macho and arrogant, but consistently urbane and personable. Sean Connery not only gave 007 his first but also a timeless and unmistakable face.
Both parties to the survey considered it that way. 60.4% of the journalists voted for him.
It was a whopping 53.7% of the audience. The small deviation is because the younger generation, more precisely the age group between 18-29 years, grew up with the films of the runner-up and therefore chose Daniel Craig in the first place.
2. BEST BOND: DANIEL CRAIG
THE COOL AND VULNERABLE ENGLISHMAN
„There isn’t enough room for me and your ego.”
Daniel Craig certainly grants his predecessor the triumph. After all, with 19.8% journalists and 11% audience votes, he easily made it to second place.
His mix of brutal strength and vulnerability symbolizes the zeitgeist of the 2000s. The actor from Chester, England, gave Bond depth and gave the viewer deep insight into the secret agent’s mental and emotional life.
For him, the journey as James Bond will end soon and it remains to be seen how it will continue afterward.
“Sometimes we pay so much attention to our enemies, we forget to watch our friends as well.”
3. PLACE: SIR ROGER MOORE & PIERCE BROSNAN
THE BRITISH GENTLEMAN & THE IRISH BEAU
While Sir Roger Moore landed clearly on the podium among the journalists and the male audience, the female audience voted Pierce Brosnan in 3rd place.
Both Sonny boy Brosnan, born in Drogheda, Ireland, in 1953, and the gentleman Moore, born in London, England in 1927, were able to gain experience as a detective even before James Bond.

“I thought Christmas only comes once a year.”
Brosnan impressed as Remington Steele. In the series with the same name an actor looking for work slips into the role of a real detective by chance. Thereby, as a movie enthusiast, he often solves his cases through classic crime films in which he recognizes connections. The series, Remington Steele ran from 1982-1987 as well as multiple reruns on TV.
“Take a giant step for mankind.”
Roger Moore, ennobled by the Queen, played Simon Templar in The Saint from 1962 to 1969. This role was already comparable to that of James Bond, because here, too, Moore represents an elegant cosmopolitan and adventurer who entertainingly deals with tricky cases has to solve.
And, read the next page to see who is the most popular Bond Girl ever.
Pictures: © Universal Pictures, MGM