When it comes to the best Bond Girls, the taste differs widely. No wonder! The list now includes over 76 beauties who have appeared on screen alongside James Bond or as his opponents. Thereby, they have come into action sometimes for a shorter time, sometimes for longer over the past 59 years. However, all of them stay in our memories as the breathtaking Bond Girls.
Here we present a survey commissioned by Sky Cinema last fall.
THE BEST BOND GIRLS 2020
1. BOND GIRLS: JINX VS. VESPER LYND
Howsoever, the audience chose Jinx, portrayed by Halle Berry for first place.
“Switch them off, or I’ll be half the girl I used to be!”
The NSA agent Jinx appeared in Die Another Day and was the first heroic African American Bond girl. In discussing her character, Berry described Jinx as “fashion-forward modern and the next step in the evolution of women in the Bond movies. She’s more modern and not the classic villain.”
The famous scene in Die Another Day wherein Jinx emerges from the ocean in a bikini pays homage to Ursula Andress’s. This member of the Bond Girls appeared in the first Bond film Dr. No. Here, she emerges as Honey Rider from the sea in a remarkably similar way.
Thereby, she also holds a knife in her hand. Berry has described the scene as: “splashy”, “exciting”, “sexy”, “provocative”. While the other scenes were produced in Cuba, this sexy scene was shot in Cádiz, Spain. So, no wonder that Halle Berry still leads the league of Bond girls.
The journalists, however, saw more depth in Vesper Lynd. This member of the Bond Girls was portrayed by the French actress Eva Green. Thereby, as Vesper, she has shaped Casino Royale with her presence and deep personal background.
2. PLACE: HONEY RIDER VS. PUSSY GALORE
The audience’s second place went to the very first Bond girl ever, the Swiss Ursula Andress. As Honey Rider, she made the hearts of men beat faster in Dr. No.
Through Dr. No, Andress became a superstar, who played just one year later along with Elvis Presley in “Fun in Acapulco.” With her blend of a helpless girl and a smart vamp, Andress set the bar very high for all Bond Girls.
„You can turn off the charm.“
The journalists voted Pussy Galore in second place.
One reason for this choice could be that the British Honor Blackman wasn’t just a gorgeous woman. Because, at a time when men dominated all parts of life, she represented a strong female personality who could easily rival strongmen like James Bond.
Pussy Galore aka Honor Blackman can be seen as a representative of the feminist movement in film. Unfortunately, the beautiful British woman left us for good this spring at the proud age of 94. However, Honor Blackman will not only live on in our hearts as a Bond Girl.
3. PLACE: TERESA DI VICENZO
Journalists and the audience agreed on the choice of the best Bond Girls in third place. Both parties voted Teresa di Vicenzo on the podium.
„We have all the time in the World”
The multi-layered daughter of the head of the Unione Corse, a powerful Corsican crime syndicate, was played by Diana Rigg.
Besides, like Honor Blackman, Rigg starred before her Bond appearance on The Avengers. The series, which drew millions in front of the TV from 1961 to 1969. Unfortunately, Rigg, too, left the stage of life for good in September 2020 at the age of 82.
QUESTION: What makes the character Teresa di Vicenzo unique?
A BIG MISTAKE OF ALL BOND GIRLS LISTS
Of course, the list of Bond Girls is very long. However, there is one woman, who was a much longer time the partner in crime of James Bond than any other, Moneypenny. And, Lois Maxwell played the secretary of James Bond’s boss M in 14 films.
Moreover, Maxwell could look back on a film career of over 50 years. Lois Maxwell studied along with Roger Moore at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. She debuted in A Matter of Life and Death in 1946. From 1962 to 1985 she played the role of Moneypenny. It probably broke her heart, when she was replaced by a younger actress.
For VALEUR, Lois Maxwell is the No. 1 among the Bond Girls. The beautiful actress died in 2007 in Australia. But, she shouldn’t, no, she will never be forgotten! Thank you Loius Maxwell for giving Moneypenny such an unforgettable face.
