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Thunderball

Play trailer Poster for Thunderball PG 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

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 10/13/2008
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. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 05/06/2008
Slightly bloated Bond, with too much technology for my taste and a climactic slaughter that's a little too mindless to be much fun. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 05/06/2008
There's visible evidence that the reported $5.5 million budget was no mere publicity figure; it's posh all the way. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael McCall's 09/20/2023
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. Go to Full Review Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn 08/28/2022
C-
Sadly though past the editing, in no way is Thunderball a notable outing for James Bond. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 09/25/2021
2.5/4
The most overrated movie in the franchise. Of course, it's not without its merits. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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08/26/2022 Loved it - the longest underwater fight of any film. Jet back pack and great chases - what could be better! See more Ed B @EdLee Dec 31 Thunderball has it all , 007 battling SPECTRE, , Sharks in swimming pool and beautiful women. The underwater photography of fight sequences are top notch. Always great locales and action in a James Bond film. Thunderball has a lot to offer. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Dec 29 Success in 02 hours, 10 minutes, and 30 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Sean Connery as James Bond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Yaaron R @KompetenterMedi Dec 5 Thunderball demonstrates how little suspense invulnerable heroes generate. Thunderball fails primarily because of its weak writing. The dialogue seems empty, and the treatment of women continues to be poor, intrusive and disturbing. Despite rapid cuts, the action remains lacklustre, as Bond is portrayed as so invulnerable that all tension is lost. SPECTRE once again seems implausible because its villains act without clear motivation and constantly betray their own people. The plot remains flat and the characters interchangeable. The grand finale underwater is creative and convincingly executed, but it does not raise the film to a good level; rather, it remains a rare ray of hope in an otherwise disappointing Bond adventure. See more Ray C Nov 28 Although definitely a step down when compared to the previous entries, Tunderball still manages to deliver plenty of exciting Bond moments. It benefits from its beautiful scenery and exotic locations but I think is held back by slow pacing. See more Lanfranco C @Lanfrancobz Nov 1 After so many years it is really an evergreen! See more Read all reviews
Thunderball

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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

Thunderball (1965) Thunderball (1965) Thunderball (1965) Thunderball (1965) Scene from the film THUNDERBALL. Scene from the film THUNDERBALL. Scene from the film THUNDERBALL. Scene from the film THUNDERBALL. View more photos

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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