Never Say Never Again (1983)

Overview

Never Say Never Again is unlike any other James Bond film. Released in 1983, it marked the return of Sean Connery as 007—a full 12 years after his last official appearance in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). But this wasn’t just another sequel—it was a rival production made outside the EON Productions umbrella that controls the official Bond franchise.

The film is essentially a remake of Thunderball (1965) due to a long-standing legal dispute between Ian Fleming and producer Kevin McClory, who retained certain rights to the Thunderball story and characters. That legal loophole gave McClory the opportunity to create his own version of Bond—thus, Never Say Never Again was born.

Plot Summary

The story closely mirrors that of Thunderball. In a high-stakes scheme, SPECTRE agent Maximilian Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer) steals two American nuclear warheads and threatens global destruction unless a massive ransom is paid. MI6, growing weary of traditional espionage, calls the aging James Bond out of semi-retirement to track down the weapons.

Bond's investigation leads him to the Bahamas and later to the south of France, where he seduces, spars with, and ultimately outwits Largo and his seductive partner, Fatima Blush (Barbara Carrera). Along the way, Bond also falls for Domino Petachi (Kim Basinger), Largo’s conflicted girlfriend and the sister of an American airman killed during SPECTRE’s plot.

The mission becomes personal and emotional, especially as Bond confronts aging, bureaucratic frustration, and a new generation of intelligence work.

The Return of Sean Connery

Perhaps the most fascinating element of Never Say Never Again is the return of Sean Connery, widely regarded as the definitive Bond, now playing the role at age 52. Though initially reluctant, Connery was lured back with a generous pay check, creative control, and the chance to outdo EON’s contemporary Bond film, Octopussy, starring Roger Moore, which was released the same year.

Connery brings gravitas, sly humour, and physical presence, but this is a more mature Bond—self-aware, world-weary, and just slightly weathered. The title itself is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Connery’s previous vow never to play Bond again. He’s in fine form—cool, charismatic, and with a palpable sense of command—but he’s clearly playing a more experienced version of 007, both physically and emotionally.

Direction and Tone

Director Irvin Kershner (best known for The Empire Strikes Back) takes a more character-driven and dramatic approach to the Bond formula. There’s less gadgetry and more focus on tension, human interaction, and personal stakes. The tone is somewhat uneven—oscillating between wry self-parody and genuine spy thriller—but Kershner’s emphasis on dialogue and psychology gives the film an edge.

Visually, the film has a more grounded, less stylized look than the glossier EON productions. This gives it a slightly more “real-world” feel, though at times the cinematography and pacing lack the polish and momentum associated with Bond films.

Supporting Cast and Characters

Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo

Brandauer gives one of the most nuanced Bond villain performances of the era. His Largo is unpredictable, charming, and unhinged—less a cartoonish megalomaniac and more a psychological wildcard. His subtle facial expressions and manipulative charisma make him a standout antagonist.

Kim Basinger as Domino

Basinger, in one of her earliest major roles, brings vulnerability and glamor to Domino. While the script doesn’t give her the depth she deserves, Basinger delivers a sincere performance that anchors the film emotionally.

Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush

A clear standout, Carrera’s Fatima is a wildly over-the-top femme fatale—sexy, psychotic, and gleefully dangerous. She’s a campy highlight and even earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role. Fatima is more fun than any Bond villain’s sidekick has a right to be.

Max von Sydow as Blofeld

Sidelined to only a few scenes, von Sydow brings regal menace to Blofeld but isn’t given much to do. He’s more of a symbolic presence here, representing SPECTRE rather than driving the action.

Edward Fox as M & Rowan Atkinson as Nigel Small-Fawcett

Fox’s take on M is more bureaucratic and fussy than usual—a deliberate contrast to Connery’s old-school charm. Atkinson, in an early film role, provides comic relief in a very un-Bondian way, foreshadowing his later spy spoof role in Johnny English.

Music and Score

Perhaps the film’s most glaring weakness is its musical score, composed by Michel Legrand. Lacking the iconic John Barry touch—or even a standout title theme—the music feels soft, jazzy, and out of place, failing to inject the energy or style typically expected in a Bond adventure.

The theme song “Never Say Never Again,” sung by Lani Hall, is serviceable but far from memorable. Compared to Shirley Bassey’s bombast or Carly Simon’s smoothness, it just doesn’t register.

Action and Set Pieces

While there are some memorable action beats—like the underwater sequences, a thrilling motorbike chase, and the high-stakes video game duel between Bond and Largo—the film generally has less spectacle than the EON entries.

That said, the video game sequence, though dated, is symbolically rich—it pits the old world (Bond) against new, computerized threats, highlighting the film’s central tension between aging and innovation.

Themes and Subtext

Aging and Relevance: The film’s entire premise revolves around Bond’s age, his obsolescence, and his ability to stay relevant in a changing world. This gives Connery’s performance a subtle poignancy.

Authority and Bureaucracy: The MI6 Bond returns to is more corporate, more controlled. His clashes with M and modern surveillance methods show how his rogue independence feels increasingly anachronistic.

Female Empowerment (Sort Of): While Fatima and Domino are given more action and agency than in Thunderball, the film still indulges in some dated tropes, especially around seduction.

Comparison to the Official Bond Series

Released the same year as Octopussy, Never Say Never Again was part of what fans dubbed the “Battle of the Bonds.” Though Octopussy won at the box office, critics generally saw Connery’s return as the superior performance.

Stylistically, NSNA is grittier and more mature, lacking the wacky gadgets and over-the-top antics of Moore’s Bond. But it's also missing the signature Bond theme music, gun barrel intro, and consistent tone—elements that make the EON films feel polished and cohesive.

Legacy and Impact

While not part of the “official” canon, Never Say Never Again remains a fascinating side story in the Bond saga. It’s the only time a non-EON production successfully challenged the main franchise, and it raised important questions about rights, continuity, and character interpretation.

It was Sean Connery’s final outing as James Bond, giving long time fans one last chance to see the original 007 in action. And despite its flaws, the film has aged well in some respects—its themes of aging and reinvention feel more relevant now than ever.

Closing Thoughts

Never Say Never Again is a curious relic—a “what if” Bond film that invites comparison rather than full immersion. For fans of Connery, it’s a treat. For casual viewers, it may feel slightly off-brand. But as an experiment, a rivalry, and a return—it’s one of the most intriguing chapters in 007 history.