SPECTRE has hijacked two NATO atomic bombs and threatens to destroy a major city unless paid a fortune in ransom. With sand in the hourglass draining rapidly, it falls upon James Bond to somehow defeat this evil scheme orchestrated by SPECTRE's Emilio Largo, a charming but ruthless megalomanic.

Back home the MI6 office team is very much in evidence, with both Lois Maxwell's Moneypenny and Beranrd Lee's "M" particularly amusing. The scene when the death-defying Bond boldly enters Moneypenny's office only to be reduced to the status of an embarrassed schoolboy, by one disapproving look from M, is priceless in its understatement.

Thunderball also succeeds on the acting level as well, thanks to a sterling cast. Connery, of course, is the epitome of style and wit, although the 007 character is overshadowed by his arsenal. As usual, the more fascinating roles are those of the villains. Adolofo Celi is an excellent Emilio Largo, rendering a chilling portrayal of a man possessing Bondian wit and seductive charm, masking his obseesion for the subjugation of mankind. Naturally, Bond is not without his allies, and in Thunderball most of them happen to be buxom bombshells. Foremost is Claudine Auger, a former Miss France, in the pivotal role of Domino, Largo's reluctant mistress who falls in love with 007 and risks death to help him.

Bond is also aided and abetted by Felix Leiter, in the shape of Rik Van Nutter, a prematurely gray-haired actor. Van Nutter was envisioned to protray Leiter in future Bond films, but it was not to be and the character does not reappear until Diamonds Are Forever. Mr. Van Nutter does a good job, and displays a camaraderie with Connery that is far more convincing that Cec Linder's Leiter in Goldfinger.

Thunderball was released at Christmas, 1965 and within months, landed on Variety's chart of the top ten grossing film's of all time. Theatres could not accomodate the crowds even with 24-hour screenings. Thunderball was a winner with the crowds and the critics!