Goldfinger

My personal favourite. It has an excellent adversary in Auric Goldfinger; a fearsome henchman in Oddjob, the hat-wielding assassin; and the sleek Aston Martin that serves Bond so well in Switzerland. Memorable moments include Shirley Eaton being painted in gold, the title song, Pussy Galore, and the exciting climax inside Fort Knox. Set the standards for later films to follow.

From Russia With Love

The second in the series is also one of the best. Bond's mission is to escort a beautiful defector and a decoding device out of Eastern Europe. The long train sequence provides for classic spy action, including a game of cat-and-mouse with the coldly evil Robert Shaw, and culminating in one of the most suspenseful fight sequences ever.

You Only Live Twice

Bond's first Asian adventure offers a fascinating insight into eastern culture. A plot by SPECTRE to bring the US and USSR into nuclear conflict leads Bond to the islands of Japan, where a volcano hides a rocket launching pad. Connery at his charismatic best; the first appearance of Blofeld; and Bond's first marriage (there's trivia for you!).

Moonraker

Though dismissed by many for its cartoonish aspects, I like Moonraker's blend of gadgets, exotic locations, and the return of Jaws. Story concerns a megalomaniac who is trying to poison the whole world, leaving a hand-picked group of genetically superior humans to survive in space. The final space station battle is as outrageous as any Bond action piece. Also contains the most beguiling score in a Bond film.

For Your Eyes Only

The excesses of Moonraker prompted a return to a Bond with little of the gadgetry he's renowned for. Still, lots of great action, including a wild car chase through some winding mountain roads and the greatest Bond snow sequence outside of On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Unique in the Bond annals, not only for George Lazenby's much-maligned performance, but as the only film where Bond actually marries for love. Second appearance of Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who hides in the Alps to develop his next plan for world domination. Slow to get going, but the final 40 minutes is sustained, full-throttle action.

Licence to Kill

The film that almost killed off the series in the late 80s, Licence to Kill is different to most other Bonds by focusing not on a megalomanic who wants to hold the world to ransom, but on a personal vendetta. Bond's CIA friend Felix Leiter is almost murdered by a Latin American drug lord, and Bond vows vengeance. The final tanker chase is brilliant.

Goldeneye

Pierce Brosnan's first film as Bond wisely leaves the successful formula alone. Plenty of gadgets and girls, including a female M (Judi Dench) who chides Bond on his sexist ways. Story again concerns world domination; entertaining action is highlighted by tank chase through the streets of St Petersburg and a finale on a satellite dish. Famke Janssen is deliciously evil as the bone-crunching Xenia Onatopp.

The Spy Who Loved Me

Roger Moore's grandest adventure has him traversing Egypt and the open seas in search of a megalomaniac who's trying to flood the whole world. Russian spy Barbara Bach joins him in his quest; twist is that Bond killed her boyfriend at the start of the film. Introduced the indestructible Jaws, who was so popular he was brought back for Moonraker. The cartoon-like humour Moore brought to the role is especially in evidence here.

The Living Daylights

Timothy Dalton's debut as Bond is overlong and at times confusing, but nevertheless contains some great action sequences and the usual exotic locations. The duel on netting hanging out of a plane in mid-air is a highlight. Dalton brings a more serious side to the spy, a move that ultimately didn't prove very popular.