| James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1 (The Man with the Golden Gun / Goldfinger / The World Is Not Enough / Diamonds Are Forever / The Living Daylights) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 79 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3656
Category: DVD
Actors: Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams, Herve Villechaize
Directors: Guy Hamilton, Michael Apted
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Brand: CONNERY,SEAN
Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: Arabic (Original Language), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), German (Original Language), Russian (Original Language), Thai (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 614 minutes
Number Of Items: 10
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.6 x 1.8
MPN: 027616060006
UPC: 027616060006
EAN: 0027616060006
ASIN: B00000BLFI
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: December 20, 1974
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
James Bond faces plots to corner the gold market, attacks on an oil tycoon's daughter, a diamond smuggling ring, a million dollar assassin, and the black market sale of Russian arms by a rogue general.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: NR
Release Date: 6-NOV-2007
Media Type: DVD
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| Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 The Ultimate Sets are the way to go! Dump the Special Editions when you can! May 14, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
After waiting for a very long time to acquire the Bond Ultimate Edition sets at a reasonable price, I finally ditched my Special Editions in favor of the new ones. I, perhaps like many others, was always reluctant to give up my Special Editions because frankly I spent a lot of time and money putting the original, Special Edition set together.
After watching the Special Edition and Ultimate Edition of "Dr.No", I finally realized how "ultimate" the new discs are. Gone are the film scratches, imperfections and faded colors that plagued most of the Bond early films such as the Connery & some of the Moore films. The new Dolby & DTS 5.1 surround sound are fantastic! The 1962 "Dr. No" looks like it was filmed yesterday. The special features on "Dr. No" includes a segment on the outstanding work put into the frame by frame restoration. A truly tremendous effort and much appreciated!
I like the slim-line cases for the new sets. My entire Bond collection now only takes up less than half the space on my shelves than it did before. Although I tend to agree with other reviewers that it's kind of cheesy how the booklets for each film are stored in the box and not the individual cases, the overall quality of the DVD's negate any negatives. I spend more time watching the films than browsing the booklets. Forget buying any of the Ultimate Editions individually which are single discs because the DVD's in the Ultimate Edition box sets are double-disc sets. One disc for the feature film for optimized quality and one disc for the special features.
I'm not bothered in the fact that all films in all four volumes are not packaged chronologically, since I went through the same process when I purchased the Special Edition box sets. I understand the studio's logic for "mixing it up", since a chronological DVD order would mean more popular sales for the Connery sets and lower sales for the Moore/Daulton sets. I'm a fan of all the Bond films as I appreciate all of the different actors from Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Daulton, Bronson to Craig and for what each one of them has contributed to the Bond Legacy. Many thanks to Daniel Craig for resurrecting this franchise with his outstanding debut in "Casino Royale". Looking forward to "Quantum of Solace" later this year.
VOLUME 1; This is the volume that will be a safe choice for anyone of some interest for Bond. Perhaps for casual fans that are interested in purchasing only one volume then this is the one to get. "Goldfinger" is clearly one of the most, popular Connery movies with many iconic moments such as Mary Masterson's gold, painted body & the big laser machine that's about to zap Connery's private parts. "The World is Not Enough" is a visual pleasure because it has some of the hottest bond girls, Denise Richards & Sophie Marceau. "Man with the Golden gun" has one of bond's greatest adversaries played by Christopher Lee. "The Living Daylights" has the impressive debut of Timothy Daulton. I thought Daulton was a good Bond as he brought a seriousness back into the role after the frequent comedic moments of Moore. Although it has some humorous moments, Connery's last film "Diamonds are Forever" is nonetheless satisfying.
If you want to own all twenty-one Bond films you must by;
James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set
OR
James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1 (The Man with the Golden Gun / Goldfinger / The World Is Not Enough / Diamonds Are Forever / The Living Daylights)
James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 2 (A View to a Kill / Thunderball / Die Another Day / The Spy Who Loved Me / Licence to Kill)
James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 3 (GoldenEye / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia With Love / On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 (Dr. No / You Only Live Twice / Octopussy / Tomorrow Never Dies / Moonraker)
Casino Royale (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
 No Order to these movies December 13, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I don't like these 007 box sets for one reason only. I would love to have seen these movies in the order they were made, not jumping from one actor to another actor playing the same part in the same box set. It makes it MUCH less enjoyable.
Smorgasbord For Bond Fans July 7, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While it may be assumed that those looking to buy a box set of James Bond films have already seen them all and formed a favorable opinion of them, that's not necessarily true. For instance, I had previously seen none of these, but had seen enough other Bond films to want to acquire them all and so I started with this set.
Like several other reviewers, I was at first annoyed that they were not presented in chronological order. But then, the rightful profit motive of Eon Productions is immediately transparent. If they had been issued in chronological order, then those who preferred one Bond over another might be likely to buy only the set with their favorite in them. By presenting them in seemingly random order, Bond fans will have to get them all. Beyond thirst for profit, Eon Productions has done the fan a favor. The Ultimate Edition series is truly a smorgasbord for Bond fans. In order for the fan to get his money's worth, he will be forced to reevaluate his original opinion of a Bond film by having to watch it a second time. If the viewer follows the sequence of the random order, he can then usefully compare and contrast the films either to reaffirm his old view or form a new one altogether.
I like all the films in this set to varying degrees. Some of them sometimes rely too much on gadgetry and loads of sexual innuendo to carry them, but they all do what they are supposed to do: entertain. While Goldfinger is often cited by critics as the benchmark by which all other Bond films are to be judged, its not my favorite here. Here's my list of favorites from most to least:
1) The Living Daylights: That surprised me because Timothy Dalton is far less famous as James Bond than any except perhaps George Lazenby. Great action, exotic locales, obligitory evil villains and a luscious Maryam D'Abo as Bond's latest love interest. The scenes in Afghanistan are of topical interest because we are now there instead of the Russians. My favorite action sequence is the thrilling chase of Bond and defecting cellist Kara Milovy (D'Abo) through the snow by Czech troops and their subsequent escape into Austria from Czechoslovakia. Next I enjoyed Bond's thrilling fight with his nemesis while clinging to a cargo net dangling precariously from a plane flying high over the Afghan desert. The fight scene in the truck as it careens down a narrow mountain road on Gibraltar is no slouch, either. This one is an under-rated gem.
2)The Man With the Golden Gun: Good story and acting although the martial arts scenes were somewhat cartoonish. Roger Moore makes an excellent Bond here and Christopher Lee as Francisco Scaramanga is delightfully wicked. I was surprised that to see that Scaramanga is not actually played by an Italian, because in the film his character has very classically Italian features. Britt Ekland as Goodnight is attractive, but her character is ditzy and often "dumb blonde". Even when she does something right, she somehow screws up. My favorite scene is the chase through the canals of Bangkok followed by the frantic effort to escape Scaramanga's disintegrating hideaway before it detonates.
Herve Villechaize adds much to the menace of the film with his cunning portrayal of the not-so-loyal Scaramanga flunkey Nick Nack.
3)Diamonds Are Forever: Sean Connery is back as Bond and in top form. Its another good but improbable story. The film is filled with appropriately evil villains who have the wits to nearly match those of Bond, another beauty in Jill St John, and more silly names to snicker at: Blofeld and Plenty O'Toole. My favorite scene is the moonbuggy chase through the desert followed closely by the scene in the mortuary where Bond was nearly cremated. Plenty of gags, a couple of wise-cracking gay assassins and sly innuendo will keep you laughing.
4)Goldfinger: Here's an early look at Sean Connery as Bond. Suave, debonair, a real ladies man yet ever ready to meet danger. Bond insinuates himself into the affairs of super-tycoon Auric Goldfinger and just happens to overhear the name of his masterplan. What that plan entailed, Bond was soon to find out, and what follows is a non-stop sequence of action-packed thrills. There are plenty of interesting gadgets though fewer here than in some of the later films. There are the silly names Auric (=AU=gold) and Pussy Galore which though likely tittilating at the time of the film's release now sounds lame. My favorite scene is the climax of the film when the battle is on for Fort Knox. Auric Goldfinger's plot comes close to succeeding, but you know it won't.
5)The World Is Not Enough: A very improbable story line, but not impossible. The film has great topical appeal even today considering on-going oil supply worries. There is action aplenty, of course. I like the helicopters that use huge saws to cut through every obstacle. The best scenes are the early ski chase and then the later battle on the ramshackle oil piers of the Caspian Sea. Villains abound and who is friend or foe not always clear. And of course, Bond always gets the girl(s) one way or the other.
The biggest question to ask yourself before buying the set is "will I get my money's worth?". The answer to that is a resounding yes. Even if you don't like one of the films, Eon Productions gives you added incentive to buy the set by adding discs filled with extras for each of the movies. This is one instance when you are better off buying the box set rather than each movie individually. Now that I've thoroughly enjoyed the James Bond Ultimate Edition-Volume 1, its on to Volume 2!
Fabulous Restoration Makes Bond Collection a Must! June 9, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Although 'Deluxe' Bond editions have appeared, in recent years, the new 'frame-by-frame' restorations make "James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1" ESSENTIAL, if you are a fan of the 007 films!
The title selections may be head scratchers, but the pristine quality of each film offers a look and sound that is breathtaking!
"The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974), Roger Moore's second outing as 007, suffers from the decline into campiness that would plague many of his films; targeted by hit man Christopher Lee, Bond journeys to Asia to track him down, aided by annoying Britt Ekland and ridiculous redneck sheriff Clifton James. While Maud Adams is lovely, and Thailand, breathtaking, Herve Villechaize is silly, and the attempt to incorporate the kung fu craze, while amusing, turns 007 into a joke. Add an awful theme song, and you have a major disappointment! (2 stars out of 5)
"Goldfinger" (1964), for many fans, the 'perfect' Bond film, kicked off the 60's worldwide 007 craze; piggy meglamaniac Gert Frobe plans to nuke Fort Knox, and it's up to 007 Sean Connery, at his sexiest, to stop him. Fabulous women (Honor Blackman and Shirley Eaton), a superhuman henchman (Harold Sakata), an unforgettable theme song (sung by Shirley Bassey), and spectacular action makes this one solid gold. (5 stars out of 5).
"The World Is Not Enough" (1999), Pierce Brosnan's third 007 outing, is, arguably, his best; assigned to protecting sexy oil heiress Sophie Marceau from terrorist Robert Carlyle, Bond discovers nothing is as it seems! Offering Judi Dench's finest performance as M, and more plot twists than usual, one can almost forgive buxom Denise Richards' one-note portrayal, and the series' decline into derivativeness. (4 stars out of 5).
"Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), best-known as Sean Connery's 'comeback' as 007 after a one-film hiatus (and his final Eon Bond film), the film marks the beginning of the 'comic' Bond films of the '70s. Villain Charles Gray, as a sly, droll Blofeld, launches a diamond-powered laser satellite to blackmail the world. Shot largely in Las Vegas, Connery is graying and paunchy, Jill St. John, sexy, but ditzy, and one-liners and brainless action dominates the plot. Funny, but quite a letdown from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". (3 1/2 stars out of 5)
"The Living Daylights" (1987), Timothy Dalton's debut as 007, is best remembered, today, as the film Pierce Brosnan would have starred in, had NBC not renewed "Remington Steele". The silliness of Moore's Bond is gone, as a more serious Dalton falls for cellist/would-be assassin (Maryam d'Abo), and uncovers an arms plot involving three villains (Jeroen Krabbe, Joe Don Baker, and Andreas Wisniewski). An Afghan/Soviet war subplot 'dates' the story, and the film, released in the same year as "Lethal Weapon" and "Batman", would not be a hit, but time has proven it to be a superior 007 outing. (4 stars out of 5).
Even if you've seen these films, I recommend this new collection; Bond films have never 'looked' better!
James Bond Vol. 1 May 19, 2007
The first James Bond movie that I saw was "Goldfinger". It was great. I wanted to see them all. Now I can with these great box sets. A lot of people don't like them because they're not in order. I like them that way. It gives you a good mixture. Let's get on to the reviews for all the movies in Vol. 1.
Goldfinger- This is the first James Bond movie that I saw. It is great. Sean Connery IS James Bond. If you've never seen a James Bond movie, watch this one first. 5 stars
Diamonds Are Forever- This one is great. It returns Sean Connery as James Bond. 5 stars
The Man with the Golden Gun- This one is pretty good. It stars Roger Moore as James Bond. I've always wanted to see this one. Now that I have, I am very happy. 5 stars
The Living Daylights- This has a weird title, but it is still good. It is the first James Bond movie with Timothy Dalton playing Bond. He is pretty good. 5 stars.
The World is Not Enough- This one is really good. I always like Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. He is excellent in his second to last movie as James Bond. 5 stars.
Overall, this recieves 5 stars.
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