A wonderful boxed set collector's edition of "some" of the Bond Films is available just in time for a wonderful holiday gift!  "The James Bond Collection" consists of  7 Bond films, some previously available, but with new supplementary features making them an improvement over pre-existing versions. The collection consists of : Goldfinger,Thunderball, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, Licence to Kill, Goldeneye, and Tomorrow Never Dies.

"GOLDFINGER"-While previously available, the transfer here appears to be the same, bright colors, great contrast, and an overall crisp image.  The soundtrack has fine clarity, although it would've been nice to have had the stereo mix for the opening credit sequence typically available on laserdisc versions.  There are two great commentary tracks.  The first is with Director Guy Hamilton, along with comments by Honor Blackman and a Bond historian.   Another commentary features a different Bond historian and various contributors to the series, including Production designer Ken Adams, composer John Barry and others.   Both the commentaries provide a wealth of information that any die-hard Bond fan will relish!  Add to this two documentaries, filled with great rarely seen footage, including a screen test for Theodore Bikel, and you've got one outstanding dvd!!!!

"THUNDERBALL"-Available for the first time on dvd!!!While the transfer is similar in quality to the last laserdisc presentation, it's a huge advantage to have the film on one side rather than three!!!  Althought the colors on both are clear, the dvd has a more consistent overall image and contrast.  The dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack is magnificent!  Even though there are minimal directional effects, the newly remastered 5.1 mix adds great overall atmosphere as well as boosting the power of the memorable film score.  There are two commentary tracks offered.  While both commentaries are terrific, we prefer the one offering an interview with the late Terence Young.  The track also offers fans the opportunity to hear an alternate opening theme song recorded, but never used, by Dionne Warick. We get to hear this over the opening credits, where it would've been used!  There are various portions of the film wherein we can hear segments in either French, Spanish, Italian or German.  And, there's a continuous French mono version available as well!

"LIVE AND LET DIE"-Marking the debut of Roger Moore, this film is finally available on dvd.  The aspect ratio appears to be more slight than it should be, not quite the "scope" look we remember it to have been.  Still, the image is more crisp and colors are sharper than the recent laserdisc version.  Some of the nighttime sequences appear to have some grain.  The mono soundtrack is fine but unremarkable.   There's a wonderful documentary wherein we get a lot of info. relating to stunt work, as well as some behind-the-scenes info from Jane Seymour and Moore.  Add to this, trailers, commercials and more!  We also get two more commentaries!!! One features one of  the Bond historians featured on the previously mentioned dvd tracks.   Another track offers screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz.  The Mankiewicz commentary is less insightful about the film's production, and more filled with Bond nostalgia, and comparisons between Connery and Moore.

"FOR YOUR EYES ONLY" - Moore appears as Bond again in one of the best films in the series.  The opening sequence lives up to and furthers the well known acclaim of Bond Action pre-credit stunts.  Then again, the entire film has more action than most Bond films.  It's also far superior in picture and sound quality to the recent laserdisc version, offering a near-flawless crisp image and sharp colors.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is a little dated, and unfortunately, the opening theme song sounds subdued.   This is a real shame, as Sheena Easton's hit is one of the best theme songs of any of the Bond films.

A wonderful documentary, focusing on stuntwork is included.   There are also trailers, a music video, and storyboard sequences.  Two commentary tracks are also included!!! The better of the two, features director John Glen and cast.  While it's not scene specific, it allows for some great memories of the film's production to come forth.  The 2nd track fouces on special effects and stunts.

"LICENCE TO KILL"-Timothy Dalton stars as Bond in this entry.  While it's hard not too smile brightly when the Bond theme comes on during the sequence when Dalton improvises water-skiing near the beginning of the film, this isn't one of the better films in the series.  Still, it has plenty of terrific action sequences.   Unfortunately, the magic of the film's scope is hindered by horrible distractions like that of Wayne Newton as the villiain???  The dvd picture is crisp with solid blacks and grays.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is extremely active.  A documentary is included offering some insightful information about the film's troubled production.  Two more commentary tracks are included!!!  One with Director John Glen and cast, and the other focusing on the technical crew's recollections.  There are also two music videos.

"GOLDENEYE"- The previous dvd offering of this title had none of the supplements now available here.  There's a great commentary track with director Martin Campbell and the film's producer giving a complete recollection of the film's production.(This was previously only available on laserdisc)  Also included, a great 45 minute documentary hosted by the beautiful Elizabeth Hurley, titled "The World of 007", offering commercials, a music video and more.  There's also a segment not previously available even on the laserdisc version offering behind-the-scenes footage.   The dvd image appears to be the same as the one previously available, although we noticed an improvement in artifacts(minimal in the previous version too) The picture is crisp and colors are bright.  The dolby digital 5.1 mix is filled with non-stop directional effects.

"TOMORROW NEVER DIES"-This is really the same offering as previously available.  A terrific picture transfer and outstanding sound mix.  Two more commentary tracks, a music video, isolated music score, and a great sequence wherein one can alternate angles to compare storyboards with the scenes playing.