Overview

Never Say Never Again is a 1983 spy film that brought Sean Connery back to the role of James Bond after a lengthy absence. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the picture was made outside the long-running Eon Productions series and is therefore often described as an unofficial or non-Eon Bond film. Its existence grew from the unique legal status of material tied to an earlier Bond story.

The movie was developed from material associated with the novel and screenplay of Thunderball. Producer and screenwriter Kevin McClory retained certain rights from that earlier project, which allowed him to mount a new production independent of Eon. That legal history is central to understanding why this film could be made with Connery yet sit apart from the main franchise.

Production, cast and music

Directed by Irvin Kershner, the film stars Sean Connery as James Bond and features Kim Basinger, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Max von Sydow among its principal cast. The score was created by composer Michel Legrand, and the theme song was performed by Lani Hall. It was produced by a team different from the usual Bond company, which contributed to distinct stylistic choices.

Plot and relationship to earlier material

The story revisits elements from earlier Bond work while updating them for the 1980s. Because it reworks material tied to a previous screenplay, commentators commonly call it a remake or reimagining of the earlier movie. Audiences could compare familiar scenes and characters while noting changes in tone and pacing.

Reception and legacy

Upon release the film generated wide attention due to Connery's return and the unusual production circumstances. Critics and fans gave mixed assessments, and the movie performed well enough commercially to be notable in Bond history. Its separation from Eon's catalog makes it a frequent topic in discussions about authorship, rights and the evolving identity of the James Bond film corpus. For more information, see contemporary reports and detailed histories of the Bond films and legal disputes surrounding them: consult a general movie overview or specialized histories.

  • Main cast: Sean Connery, Kim Basinger, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max von Sydow
  • Director: Irvin Kershner
  • Notable fact: one of the few Bonds made outside Eon