Sean Connery
Listen to this BBC Radio 4 extract…
Watch this BBC TV clip….
The summary
Sean Connery sadly died at the end of last month. Like many, Igrew upwatching him play 007 and agree that he was theultimateJames Bond. In the TV clip and radio programme, his life and success are discussed. He’s described as being Scotland’s 'greatest superstar' and 'as important for the Britishexport marketas the Beatles'.
He was born in Scotland and came fromhumblebeginnings. His parents were a lorry driver and a cleaner and before becoming an international film star, he was in the navy and also worked as amilkman. He started his career when hestarredin South Pacific, along with working inrepertorytheatre and appearing in numerous films before helandedthe part that changed his career.
He’s described as the man all men wanted to be and had ‘anindecentamount of sexappeal’,seducingwomenleft, right and centreand having 'a twinkle in his eye’. He apparently evenpulled offlooking young andvirilewhen he appeared in Time Bandits with a darkwigand dyed beard in his fifties.
He did, however, raisecontroversywhen he said that physical force between a man and a women was sometimes the only way to end afraughtargument. It surprised me when he was asked his opinion onslappinga woman and he said ‘he didn’t think it was that bad’. Perhaps Sean Connery had something in common with the violent role he played as Bond after all. It was a different era but I personally don’t think thatdomestic violenceis ever acceptable.
In his favour, he donated a million pounds to a charity that offers educational support to Scottish children fromdisadvantaged backgrounds.
People say that they were‘enraptured'and‘captivated' by the early Bond films. He had‘gravitas' and 'magnetismthatshone out'. He leaves a richlegacyand is being mourned by hisfansall over the world.
Glossary
To grow up (phrasal verb)
Used for talking about things that happened when you were a child
Ultimate (adj)
The best
Export market (noun)
Products that are sold to another country
Humble (adj)
From a low social class
Milkman (noun)
A man that delivers milk to people’s doors
To star in (verb + prep)
To be the main actor in a play/film etc
Repertory
When a group of actors regularly perform different plays during a particular period of time in a theatre.
Landed (verb)
To get something you wanted i.e a job
Indecent (adj)
Shocking/ not acceptable
Sex appeal (noun)
Being sexually attractive
Seducing (verb)
To make women want to have sex with him
Left, right and centre (phrase)
Everywhere
A twinkle in his eye (phrase)
When someone’s eyes seem to shine because they are happy or joking about something.
Pulled off (phrasal verb)
To succeed in doing something that is difficult
Virile (adj)
A man who is strong, active and full of sexual energy
Wig (noun)
Artificial hair that people wear on their head
Controversy (noun)
A public discussion and argument about something
Fraught (adj)
Full of problems, difficulties and stress
Slapping (noun)
To hit someone with your hand when it is flat
Domestic violence (noun)
Violence that happens in the home between family members
Disadvantaged (adj)
People that do not have the same advantages as others
Enraptured (adj)
Filled with great pleasure or joy
Captivated (adj)
To keep someone’s attention by being interesting
Gravitas (noun)
A serious and impressive attitude or way of behaving
Magnetism (noun)
Someone that attracts others to them
Shone out (phrasal verb)
To produce a bright light
Legacy (noun)
Someone that someone has achieved that continues to exist after they die
Fans (noun)
People who admire a famous person
Questions
Are you are Sean Connery fan?
Why? / Why not?
Do you like the James Bond films?
If not, why not?
If you do, what is your favourite film and who was your favourite Bond? Do you have a favourite scene?
Do you think the films are timeless? Or do they seem a bit dated?
Some feminists, dislike the way that women are portrayed in the films. They think it is sexist. What’s your opinion?