🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Irvin Kershner
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Spy
- Release year: 1983
- Runtime (length): 2h 14min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (75K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Sean Connery gets really old, fights a guy obsessed with video games, and somehow prevents nuclear war…again.
🍿 Never Say Never Again: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Bond’s Re-Activation
James Bond, portrayed by Sean Connery, is shown to be out of shape during a training exercise. M, the head of MI6, sends him to a health clinic to get back in fighting condition. At the clinic, Bond uncovers a plot involving SPECTRE, a criminal organization, and the theft of nuclear warheads.

SPECTRE’s Nuclear Threat
SPECTRE, led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his top operative Maximilian Largo, steals two nuclear warheads from an American airbase. They demand a large ransom from NATO, threatening to detonate the warheads if their demands are not met. Bond is called back into active service to retrieve the warheads and stop SPECTRE.

Following the Trail to the Bahamas
Bond’s investigation leads him to the Bahamas, where he encounters Domino Petachi, Largo’s mistress and the sister of Jack Petachi, the U.S. Air Force officer involved in the theft. Bond suspects Largo’s involvement and begins to unravel his plan, encountering the deadly assassin Fatima Blush along the way. Bond and Domino develop a connection as he works to convince her of Largo’s treachery.

Confrontation and Betrayal
Bond follows Largo to France, where he continues his pursuit and tries to gain Domino’s trust. Largo challenges Bond to a video game duel. Bond eventually reveals Largo’s evil plans to Domino, leading her to question her allegiance. The tension builds as Bond gets closer to discovering the location of the stolen warheads.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- James Bond (Sean Connery): A seasoned MI6 agent, 007 is reactivated to thwart SPECTRE’s plot to detonate stolen nuclear warheads.
- Maximilian Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer): The charismatic but ruthless SPECTRE operative who orchestrates the theft of the nuclear warheads.
- Domino Petachi (Kim Basinger): Largo’s mistress who eventually defects to Bond’s side after learning of his villainous plans.
- Fatima Blush (Barbara Carrera): A deadly and seductive SPECTRE assassin who is tasked with eliminating James Bond.
- Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Max von Sydow): The elusive and sinister head of SPECTRE, masterminding the nuclear extortion plot.
- Felix Leiter (Bernie Casey): Bond’s CIA ally who provides assistance and support throughout the mission.
- ‘M’ (Edward Fox): The new head of MI6 who initially doubts Bond’s abilities but ultimately relies on him to save the world.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Fatima Blush: “You know that making love to Fatima was the greatest pleasure of your life.” – Fatima Blush demands confirmation of her prowess from Bond before attempting to kill him.
- James Bond: “Well, to be perfectly honest, there was this girl in Philadelphia…” – Bond’s witty response to Fatima’s boast undermines her ego.
- Fatima Blush: “SHUT UP! *I* am the best.” – Fatima’s frustrated reaction highlights her narcissistic personality.
- James Bond: “Yes. Yes, you’re right. In fact, I was going to put you in my memoirs as ‘Number One’.” – Bond appeases Fatima with a sarcastic compliment to defuse the situation.
- James Bond: “My martini is still dry.” – Bond’s response after Fatima Blush crashes into him while water-skiing, showcasing his classic nonchalance.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $36,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $55,432,841
- Worldwide Gross: $55,433,185
💥 Never Say Never Again Reviews
Personal Review
I remember being so excited when I heard Sean Connery was coming back as Bond! While it didn’t quite live up to the hype, it was still a fun ride. Fatima Blush was amazing, and seeing Connery back in action, even a bit older, made it worthwhile. The video game scene was a bit cheesy, but overall, it’s a decent Bond flick with a nostalgic feel.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond”
- “Viewers interested in classic spy thrillers”
- “Those who enjoy a slightly more grounded and less gadget-heavy Bond adventure”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Gun violence”
- “Brief scenes of torture”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Connery’s return is welcome, even if the film feels like a retread. Basinger and Carrera add glamour, but the plot lacks the usual Bond spark.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Decent, but not one of the better James Bond movies.
- IMDb: “Although Connery was perhaps not quite a good here as he was in some of his earlier films in the role, this ringing the changes on the familiar theme makes this one of the more memorable Bonds.
Audience Reactions
Many fans appreciate the return of Sean Connery, feeling he brings a certain gravitas to the role.: Connery’s performance and the strong female characters are frequently cited as highlights.
Overall Consensus: A mixed bag, but generally considered an enjoyable, if flawed, Bond outing, mainly due to Connery’s presence.
Awards
- Golden Globe (New Star of the Year – Actress)- 1984
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This film marked Sean Connery’s return to the role of James Bond after a 12-year absence, leading to much anticipation and media attention.”
- “The film’s title, ‘Never Say Never Again,’ is a nod to Connery’s previous statement that he would ‘never’ play Bond again after ‘Diamonds Are Forever.'”
- “Due to legal issues, this film was not produced by Eon Productions, the company behind the official James Bond film series, leading to some differences in style and tone.”
- “The plot is a remake of ‘Thunderball,’ also starring Connery, which created a unique situation where the same actor played the same character in two different versions of the same story.”
🖥️ How to Watch Never Say Never Again?
Never Say Never Again is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on any subscription streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Never Say Never Again, you might like these similar films:
- Thunderball (1965): Direct remake of Thunderball, sharing the same core plot and characters.
- Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015): Features a similar plot involving a rogue organization stealing weapons of mass destruction, with thrilling action sequences and international espionage.
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): A comedic parody of the James Bond films, poking fun at the tropes and clichés of the spy genre.
- The Ipcress File (1965): A Cold War spy thriller from the same era with a more gritty and realistic take on espionage, offering an alternative to the Bond glamour.
- Casino Royale (2006): A more serious and modern take on James Bond, with intense action and a focus on character development, appealing to fans who appreciate a grittier Bond.
🛒 Never Say Never Again Related Products
- James Bond 007: Never Say Never Again [Blu-ray]: Own the iconic film on Blu-ray and experience Sean Connery’s return to the role.
- 007 Sean Connery Never Say Never Again Movie Poster: A high-quality print poster of the original movie artwork.
- Never Say Never Again: Fatima Blush Action Figure: A collector’s edition action figure of the memorable villainess Fatima Blush.
- James Bond 007 – The Duel – A Never Say Never Again Inspired Card Game: Experience the thrill of Bond in this never say never again card game.
🎧 Soundtrack
Never Say Never Again features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Never Say Never Again is not part of the official Eon Productions James Bond series. It was produced by an independent company due to a legal dispute over the rights to the Thunderball storyline.
Sean Connery returned to the role of James Bond due to a combination of factors, including a lucrative offer and the opportunity to work with writer/producer Kevin McClory, who co-wrote the original Thunderball story with Ian Fleming.
Yes, Never Say Never Again is essentially a remake of Thunderball (1965). Both films share the same core plot involving stolen nuclear weapons and the SPECTRE organization.
Never Say Never Again was filmed in various locations, including France (Côte d’Azur), the Bahamas (Nassau), Spain (Almería), and the United Kingdom.
🔥 Bonus Content
55 Greatest James Bond One-Liners
Want to relive the best James Bond zingers? This video has them all, including a classic from “Never Say Never Again”! Some of these are so bad, they’re good, and it’s a laugh riot to watch.
Barbara Carrera – Never Say Never Again
Fatima Blush is one of the most unforgettable Bond villains! Check out this video showcasing Barbara Carrera’s amazing performance. She absolutely stole the show, and it’s a blast to watch her in action.
10 Thing’s You Didn’t Know About Connery’s James Bond
Think you know everything about Sean Connery’s Bond? Think again! This video reveals some surprising and fascinating trivia, including behind-the-scenes details from “Never Say Never Again”. Prepare to be amazed – I definitely learned a few new things!
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