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Thunderball

Play trailer Poster for Thunderball PG Released Dec 29, 1965 2h 10m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
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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Thunderball

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Pablo S Cuarta vez que Sean Connery se viste como James Bond en una cinta espectacularmente rodada bajo el agua pero precisamente eso complica todo al ser difícil de seguir la pelea final bajo el agua Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review James P Often underrated and panned for it's length. A sexy, glossy, aquatic mid-60's Bond caper with Connery in red-hot form. Largo makes an imposing baddie. Hot ladies, stunning scenery and one of the best one-liners "I think he got the point." Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/13/25 Full Review thiago s Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são bacaninhas, a história é mais ou menos, o elenco é mais ou menos, e o 007 ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bons, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review Colin W I had never watched this in its entirety until recently. It's better than I remember it. It's sexy and looks good, but it's pretty dumb and dated, even by 60s Bond standards. The underwater scenes go on too long, and the ending feels rushed. I know you shouldn't try to hold these films to too high a standard, but the overall plot and certain scenes are ridiculous. Other than the usual suspects (M, 007, Q), the acting is wooden and Connery's one-liners are painfully bad. I always thought Connery was too serious in comparison to the material (which is why I have always preferred Roger Moore). It's definitely not my favorite Bond movie, or even my favorite Connery Bond film, but it does have its moments and was worth watching if only for nostalgia reasons. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/01/25 Full Review Obi-wan K Not as good as the first couple but fine Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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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Thunderball

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Kevin McClory
Screenwriter
Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Danjaq Productions, EON 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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