Thunderball

PG

Released Dec 29, 1965

2h 10m

Action

List

85%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo's lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo's mistress, to become a key ally.

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Critics Consensus

Lavishly rendered set pieces and Sean Connery's enduring charm make Thunderball a big, fun adventure, even if it doesn't quite measure up to the series' previous heights.

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TIME Magazine

If Thunderball's gimmickry seems to overreach at times, Actor Connery gains assurance from film to film, by now delivers all his soppiest Jimcracks martini-dry.

Oct 13, 2008

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Slightly bloated Bond, with too much technology for my taste and a climactic slaughter that's a little too mindless to be much fun.

May 6, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

There's visible evidence that the reported $5.5 million budget was no mere publicity figure; it's posh all the way.

May 6, 2008

Full Review

Pauline Kael

McCall's

Thunderball is, at least, itself: the male fantasy mixture as before -- but perhaps a little lighter, less sadistic than Goldfinger, without the spectacular sequences but constantly in entertaining motion.

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Sadly though past the editing, in no way is Thunderball a notable outing for James Bond.

Rated: C-

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The most overrated movie in the franchise. Of course, it's not without its merits.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 25, 2021

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Rachael H

Loved it - the longest underwater fight of any film. Jet back pack and great chases - what could be better!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/26/22

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

If there's one thing I can't deny about Thunderball, the money is undoubtedly onscreen with plenty of lavishly rendered if repetitive set pieces. Unfortunately, this is also one of the most dreary and bloated 007 outings with over a quarter of its runtime dedicated to overindulgent and mindless underwater action. Mostly notable nowadays for being the one that caused a myriad of rights issues thanks to producer Kevin McClory, I always felt this one suffered from coming straight after the high point with Goldfinger, it's often overly long, in desperate need of some editing and dragging its feet for the bulk of its runtime. That being said, Connery and the other regulars are still fantastic, however, there's a standout villainous performance from Luciana Paluzzi as Fiona Volpe. Ted Moore's photography is still lovely and colourful, Barry's score has the same brassy punch that his other efforts offer and there's even a healthy dose of witticisms that made Goldfinger so endearing, but it's the way Thunderball comes together that marks it out as one of the more overrated Bond adventures. The ambition is evident throughout, but the execution just doesn't have enough energy or plot to sustain it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

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William Joseph B

My favorite Bond movie as far as entertainment value goes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

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Daniel G

A huge downgrade from Goldfinger. Terrance young returns to make a movie that is, in my opinion, worse than From Russia With Love. This movie does have Sean Connery on top form, but everything else is dull and not done well

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Rami A

Although, not as good as Goldfinger and From Russia with Love, Thunderball is still a terrific adventure movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Ethan G

Looking past its flaws, "Thunderball" is original, led by a stellar cast and filled to the brim with fun 007 action.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/23

Full Review

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Terence Young

Director

Sean Connery

James Bond

Claudine Auger

Domino

Adolfo Celi

Emilio Largo

Luciana Paluzzi

Fiona Volpe

Rik Van Nutter

Felix Leiter

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Synopsis

Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo's lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo's mistress, to become a key ally.

Director: Terence Young
Screenwriter: Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Danjaq Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1965, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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