However it was a matter of great debate at the time – what sort of James Bond Tim Dalton was. The writer believes that, as do many others, that Dalton really tried to get back to the real James Bond that Fleming had in mind when the wrote the books. Desmond Llewelyn claimed in an interview that,

'Timothy's portrayal of James Bond was closer to Ian Fleming's original novel version of the character than any other Bond actor'

This is not to say that Connery was not charming or Moore was not funny but they are seen by public and critics as more Bondish than Dalton – this is simply not the case. Serious and focused he carried off the role exceptionally well but just couldn’t cope as well as Moore with the one liners. This said – The Living Daylights is still seen as one of the best Bond movies.

When he had signed on to do Bond, it was for three Bond films, but then the unfortunate happened: the entire rights to the Bond films became entangled in litigation. His contract with EON officially expired in 1990, but he stayed loyal to the commitment of the third film, and EON stayed loyal to him, even though their hands were tied to move forward into production. Needless to say it just didn’t happen.

Several years later he was seen again in the role of the dastardly swashbuckler-cum-Nazi spy in the breezy sci-fi film The Rocketeer (1991). His work for the rest of the 1990's was fairly piecemeal. In 1995 he journeyed to Canada to shoot Salt Water Moose (1996).

He made the IRA drama The Informant (1997) and also that year the comedy 'The Beautician and the Beast'. His last sizeable movie project was as the troubled priest in the film possessed. Not the Exorcist but a very believable and troubling story of a young boy possessed by demons in the US. The accent was a little weak at times but the performance excellent. Dalton does well convincing us through very down to earth attitudes and habits that priests are as prone to doubts and failures and the other characters in the film. There is an interesting side plot of his role as a combat chaplain in WW2. Interestingly this is the true story behind Blatty’s version of the Exorcist.

He also gleefully parodied his swashbuckling/James Bond image in 'Looney Tunes: Back in Action' (2003) as a spy playing an actor playing a spy. A year later he provided the voice over for the BBC Docu-Drama 'Dunkirk' which went on to win a number of awards. In 2007 he returned to the big screen with 'Hot Fuzz' where he plays the massively over the top villain Simon Skinner. Tim has rarely had the opportunity to play in a straight comedy film but shows here what skills he has. The film has been widely successful not least to the writing of Pegg, directing of Wright and the acting of Tim.

Looking forward to seeing much more of your work..

Quotes:
{on Daniel Craig as the new Bond} 'He's terrific. I think Casino Royale (2006) is a huge step forward - a leap forward. It's great and Daniel's great'

'Real courage is knowing what faces you and knowing how to face it'

'You can't relate to a superhero, to a superman, but you can identify with a real man who in times of crisis draws forth some extraordinary quality from within himself and triumphs but only after a struggle'

Autobiographies:

 

Suggested films to see:

The Living Daylights (1985)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Possessed (2000)
Hot Fuzz (2007)