Other meanings of Never Say Never Again
Film
Never Say Never Again is a 1983 spy film starring Sean Connery as James Bond, produced by Jack Schwartzman's Taliafilm and distributed by Warner Bros. It is a remake of the 1965 film Thunderball, based on the original story by Ian Fleming, and was the result of a long legal battle over the rights to that novel. The film is notable for being Connery's seventh and final portrayal of Bond in the official Eon Productions series, though it was not produced by Eon, and for its darker, more character-driven tone compared to the contemporary Bond films.
The film's existence stems from a 1960s legal dispute. Kevin McClory, who co-wrote the original Thunderball screenplay with Ian Fleming, retained film rights to the novel's plot. After a 1963 settlement, McClory gained the right to produce a remake after 1975. In the late 1970s, McClory partnered with producer Jack Schwartzman, and they secured Sean Connery, who had left the Bond role in 1971, to star. The production was independent of Eon Productions, leading to a legal clash with Albert R. Broccoli, who attempted to block the film. The courts allowed the production to proceed, but Eon's objections shaped the film's marketing and release strategy.1
The plot follows an aging James Bond, now retired, who is recalled to service when SPECTRE steals two nuclear warheads. Bond tracks the villainous Maximillian Largo, a wealthy financier, and his associate Fatima Blush, leading to a confrontation in the Bahamas and a final showdown in North Africa. The cast includes Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo, Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush, Kim Basinger as Domino Petachi, and Edward Fox as M, with Rowan Atkinson in a comedic role as a bumbling British agent. The film's tone is more serious and introspective than typical Bond fare, reflecting Connery's age and the script's emphasis on Bond's weariness.2
Upon release, Never Say Never Again received mixed reviews, with critics praising Connery's performance and the film's style but noting its uneven pacing. It grossed over $160 million worldwide, making it a commercial success, though it was overshadowed by the concurrent Eon film Octopussy. Over time, it has gained a cult following, particularly for its unique status as a non-Eon Bond film. The title, suggested by Connery's wife Micheline, is a playful reference to his earlier statement that he would never play Bond again. The film's rights have since been entangled in legal disputes, preventing a modern re-release or sequel.3
Several details distinguish the film. The score was composed by Michel Legrand, who used a jazz-inflected style, a departure from John Barry's iconic Bond sound. The film features an early video game sequence, where Bond battles Largo in a virtual reality-like game called 'Domination', one of the first such depictions in cinema. The production faced numerous setbacks, including a fire on set and Connery's dissatisfaction with the script, which was rewritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr. during filming. Additionally, the film's rights were later acquired by MGM, but a planned sequel, 'Warhead', never materialized. The film also marks the only Bond appearance of actor Rowan Atkinson, who later became famous as Mr. Bean.4
This article focuses exclusively on the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, not the phrase or other uses.
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