An unsatisfactory underwater climax — Never Say Never Again

Is Never Say Never Again a proper James Bond film? This is the question at the centre of our latest episode of the Oddjob Pod.

Irvin Kershner’s 1983 rebel Bond film based on Kevin McLorey and Ian Fleming's original story for Thunderball was hugely controversial at the time but it was also a critical and box office success. This was, of course, mainly thanks to the return of Sean Connery to the role of Bond but also due to the outstanding cast and crew that contributed to this remarkably polished film, given the challenges that it faced.

Graham, Terry and Gary assess the merits and authenticity of this film and ask if it deserves more respect and recognition. We also put it up against the film it remade, Thunderball and its rival from the same year, Octopussy.

And we ask what impact, if any, the movie had on the official James Bond franchise. Did Never Say Never Again leave a legacy, influencing later Eon Productions.

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