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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 Lana G I absolutely loved Thunderball, one of my favorites of all time. I'm in my 60's and I first saw it in the movies when I was like maybe 10, and I can remember sitting there absolutely mesmerized. For kids of my era the Sean Connery James Bonds were as good as gold. I loved the underwater battles, kind of new for the mid 1960's. The had stuff like Sea Hunt in terms of individual fights but nothing like Thunderball. I can see when millennials or what ever they are called nowadays don't get it, but to have watched it in the 60's OMG just amazing, magical! I can still recall the look on my face and my friends faces after watching that movie and all the bond movies of the era including Goldfinger and From Russian with Love and Dr. No, etc. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/25 Full Review Liam D there are some great moments and Connery is once again on top form but the film meanders along for 2 hours and 12 minutes with not much happening, The underwater sequences were beautifully shot but got dull after a while Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/20/25 Full Review Mark J This just about strays into forgettable. Although I still enjoy Sean Connery in this one and a few moments overall nothing in the plot grabs me and makes me care enough. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/25 Full Review Joshua M I like this bond film more then FRWL. Some of the underwater sequences drag on and it's not my favorite bond film per say but uts one of the better Connery Bond Films... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/10/25 Full Review Connor S Not in the top 3 of Bond movies, but not outside of the top 5 either. It's the closest replica of Bond in the books of any of the movies I've seen. And be-be-be-be-be-beautiful women throughout, perhaps more so than any movie I can remember, to counter the action sequences works to this day... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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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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