Never Say Never Again (1983)

Last updated:
August 16, 2025

Never Say Never Again is an intriguing entry in the James Bond saga, notable for being an unofficial Bond film. It stars Sean Connery in his return to the role after more than a decade away, produced outside the official Eon Productions canon. Directed by Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back), it is essentially a remake of Thunderball (1965), but with a distinctly 1980s twist.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Bond’s Return to Active Duty

The film begins with James Bond (Sean Connery) participating in a training exercise, where he’s “killed” during a simulated rescue mission. M (Edward Fox) is unimpressed with Bond’s performance, believing him to be too out of shape for fieldwork. Bond is sent to a health clinic to get back in fighting form, setting up the opening act.

Discovery at the Health Clinic

While at the clinic, Bond stumbles upon suspicious activities involving a man named Jack Petachi (Gavan O’Herlihy), an American Air Force officer undergoing treatment for an eye injury. Petachi’s eye has been surgically altered to match the retinal scan of the U.S. President, allowing him to bypass nuclear weapon security protocols. Bond’s suspicion grows, but before he can fully investigate, he is attacked by an assassin—foreshadowing the larger conspiracy at play.

SPECTRE’s Nuclear Heist

We learn that Petachi is working with the global criminal organization SPECTRE, led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Max von Sydow). Using Petachi’s access, SPECTRE steals two nuclear warheads from a U.S. military base and threatens to detonate them unless a massive ransom is paid. This sets the stage for Bond’s mission: track down the warheads and neutralize SPECTRE.

Meeting Domino and Largo

Bond’s investigation leads him to the Bahamas and then the south of France, where he meets Domino Petachi (Kim Basinger), the sister of Jack Petachi, and the mistress of SPECTRE operative Maximillian Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer). Bond learns that Petachi has been killed to keep SPECTRE’s plan secret, and he slowly gains Domino’s trust.

Action and Pursuit

From high-speed motorcycle chases to underwater espionage, Bond’s pursuit of Largo is classic 007 spectacle. One particularly memorable sequence involves a tense video game battle between Bond and Largo, where the stakes are actual electric shocks for losing. This scene serves as a metaphorical duel between the two men before the final confrontation.

The Underwater Showdown

Bond tracks Largo to the North African coast, where Largo holds Domino captive. In a daring underwater battle, Bond fights Largo’s men and frees Domino, leading to the climactic confrontation.

Movie Ending

In the final moments, Bond and Largo face each other in an underwater struggle aboard Largo’s yacht, the Flying Saucer. As the nuclear warhead countdown looms, Largo attempts to escape with Domino, but she ultimately turns on him, killing him with a spear gun to avenge her brother’s death. Bond then secures the warhead, preventing global disaster. In the closing scenes, Bond is offered the chance to return to active service but chooses instead to retire, riding off with Domino and telling reporters he will “never” return to the spy life—though his wry smile suggests he might reconsider. This ending plays as both closure for Connery’s Bond and a playful nod to the film’s title.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Never Say Never Again has no post-credits scene. Once the ending rolls, that’s it—no secret missions or bonus teases.

Type of Movie

Action-adventure, spy thriller. While firmly rooted in the James Bond formula, it has a slightly different tone due to Kershner’s direction and Connery’s older, more seasoned portrayal of Bond.

Cast

Sean Connery – James Bond
Klaus Maria Brandauer – Maximillian Largo
Kim Basinger – Domino Petachi
Barbara Carrera – Fatima Blush
Max von Sydow – Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Edward Fox – M
Rowan Atkinson – Nigel Small-Fawcett
Gavan O’Herlihy – Jack Petachi

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Michel Legrand, who opted for a jazz-infused soundtrack rather than the traditional Bond orchestral style. This choice was divisive among fans, as it gave the film a lighter, more playful feel in some scenes.

Filming Locations

Filmed across several exotic and iconic locales:

France – Key scenes in Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, adding elegance and European charm.
Bahamas – Classic Bond setting for aquatic action.
Spain – Used for portions of Largo’s yacht and coastline sequences.
Elstree Studios, England – Soundstage work for interiors.
These locations provide the jet-setting glamour expected in a Bond film.

Awards and Nominations

The film did not win major awards but received attention for its high-profile comeback of Sean Connery and was nominated for several minor industry accolades in 1983 for action choreography and stunts.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Sean Connery was heavily involved in the production, even influencing script changes.
Barbara Carrera improvised many of her flamboyant villainess moments, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
Connery did much of his own stunt work despite being in his early 50s.
The film’s existence was due to a long-running legal dispute over the Thunderball story rights.

Inspirations and References

Based on the same Ian Fleming story (Thunderball) as the 1965 film. The title Never Say Never Again was suggested by Connery’s wife after he famously said he would “never” play Bond again.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some early drafts had Bond killing Largo himself rather than Domino doing it. Another deleted scene reportedly showed Bond formally declining a knighthood in the final moments.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie closely follows the Thunderball plot from Ian Fleming’s novel, with modernized settings and more 1980s-style action. The biggest difference is Bond’s age and self-awareness in Connery’s portrayal.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Bond discovering Petachi’s eye surgery plot.
The video game duel between Bond and Largo.
Fatima Blush’s outrageous motorcycle chase.
Domino killing Largo underwater.

Iconic Quotes

Bond: “Well, it’s called the health club. I thought I’d get in some exercise.”
Bond: “Never again? Never say never.”
Fatima Blush: “You know that making love to you was a once-in-a-lifetime experience… and the thrill will never be equaled.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Rowan Atkinson’s role as a bumbling British official foreshadows his future spy parody role in Johnny English.
The name Flying Saucer for Largo’s yacht is a callback to SPECTRE’s eccentric tendencies.
Bond’s retirement ending mirrors Connery’s real-life departure from the role.

Trivia

Sean Connery was paid a record salary for his return.
Kim Basinger was relatively unknown at the time; this role helped launch her career.
This is the only Bond film directed by Irvin Kershner.
Barbara Carrera turned down a role in the official Bond film Octopussy to appear here.

Why Watch?

It’s a fascinating “what if” in Bond history: Sean Connery as 007 in the 1980s, outside the official canon, with a fresh take on a classic story. The mix of nostalgia, exotic settings, and Connery’s charisma make it a unique spy adventure.

Never Say Never Again (1983)