AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on June 16, 2025, 06:04:29 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/F5Gsjry.jpeg)
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Rating: PG
Film: 4/5
Plot
THE SEAN CONNERY COLLECTION from Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), a collection of six James Bond films starring Sean Connery as 007, will be available to own on June 10 as a 4K UHD collection for the first time for the ultimate at home movie-watching experience. The collection includes Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever.
My Thoughts
Growing up, Roger Moore was my James Bond and I didn’t realize there was a Bond before him until I was around 10 years old and saw Dr. No on TV. I have to admit, that I didn’t warm to Connery’s Bond until I was older and was able to appreciate what he brought to the character. I own all of the Bond films on Blu-ray and am happy to see them come to UHD with this first 6-Film set that’s available in both a regular and Steelbook release (Warner sent me the regular set for review).
Sean Connery’s Bond defined the suave, gritty template for 007, and this collection honors his legacy with reverence. The films themselves remain timeless, blending espionage, style, and danger, from Dr. No’s genre-defining debut to Diamonds Are Forever’s diamond-smuggling thrills. The 4K remasters elevate these classics to new heights, making every gadget, villain, and exotic locale feel fresh yet faithful. For fans, it’s like revisiting old friends through a sharper lens, while newcomers will discover why Connery’s 007 remains arguably the best of the Bonds—although Daniel Craig should definitely be in the conversation.
Barry gave his take on the set here (be sure to check it out): https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=4554.0
The 4K restorations, sourced from new scans of the original camera negatives, are nothing short of spectacular. Each film has been meticulously remastered, revealing details lost in previous releases. The vibrant colors of Dr. No’s Jamaican locales, the moody textures of From Russia with Love’s Istanbul, and the golden sheen of Goldfinger’s Fort Knox sequence pop with newfound clarity. Dolby Vision and HDR10 enhance contrast and depth, with richer blacks and more saturated hues, particularly in action-packed sequences like Thunderball’s underwater battles. While some films, like You Only Live Twice, show minor limitations due to their original 2K elements, the overall presentation is a massive leap over prior Blu-rays, preserving the cinematic look of the originals. Fans will appreciate the faithful aspect ratios (1.78:1 to 2.39:1), ensuring these classics look as intended.
The audio tracks are equally impressive, offering Dolby Atmos mixes that breathe new life into John Barry’s iconic scores and the franchise’s pulse-pounding sound effects. From the explosive boat chase in From Russia with Love to the volcanic lair showdown in You Only Live Twice, the Atmos tracks deliver immersive surround and height effects. For purists, the inclusion of original theatrical mono tracks (DTS-HD MA 2.0) is a thoughtful touch, although I prefer the much more modern multichannel tracks.
Video 8.5/10
Audio 8.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:
The collection is packed with archival extras that deepen the Bond experience. Each film includes commentaries (featuring directors like Terence Young and Guy Hamilton), behind-the-scenes documentaries, promotional reels, and rare materials like the 1965 NBC special The Incredible World of James Bond. Highlights include From Russia with Love’s “Inside” featurette narrated by Patrick Macnee and Goldfinger’s Aston Martin DB5 tour. Digital copies (via Fandango) add portability, though they’re not Movies Anywhere compatible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roJseYgn9Rw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roJseYgn9Rw)
Conclusion
The Sean Connery 6-Film Collection on 4K UHD is a love letter to the original Bond era, with updated visuals, immersive audio, and a wealth of extras that celebrate the franchise’s roots. It’s a definitive release that belongs in every physical media collection. Highly recommended—Bond, James Bond, forever.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
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I just picked these up. Looking forward to watching them for the first time
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Just watched Dr No. decent. I’m looking forward to the gadgets with Q.
Also funny to see all the style and copy (on purpose) Austin powers used to parody these films. 😊