was one of the biggest British movie stars of all time. His illustrious career spanned over five decades, taking him from Edinburgh theaters to the heights of Hollywood. While he is best known for originating the role of James Bond, Connery's versatility as an actor allowed him to excel in a wide range of genres, from thrillers and dramas to historical epics and adventures.

With this in mind, this list looks at some of the actor's must-see movies, from to . They're a reminder of just how talented and charismatic he was, embodying effortless cool but also capable of playing darker, more complicated characters.

"The impossible cannot have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances." Among the very best adaptations, is a star-studded whodunit with as Hercule Poirot. Connery is Colonel Arbuthnot, a stern military man with a possible link to the mysterious murder that occurs aboard the luxurious train. After the train is stranded due to a snowstorm, the tension among the travelers escalates.

directs the movie with a ton of style, helped by a talented cast of heavy hitters like ,, , and (in an Oscar-winning performance). Connery, too, is wonderful as always. The production value is lavish, sparing no expense, and the cinematography pays loving tribute to an earlier cinematic era. While 's 2017 version of Murder on the Orient Express is enjoyable, Lumet's remains the definitive version.

"You're the man now, dog!" is a poignant drama about the unlikely bond between a reclusive literary genius and a gifted young writer. Connery plays William Forrester, a once-revered novelist who has retreated from the world into a life of solitude in his Bronx apartment. When Jamal Wallace (), a talented but troubled teenager, accidentally stumbles into Forrester's apartment, the encounter sparks an unexpected mentorship.

Finding Forrester is occasionally a little too feel-good and formulaic, hitting the expected, crowd-pleasing story beats. Still, , even if we have seen it before (there are strong similarities between this film and ;even shows up in a cameo). The highlight is Connery's authentic portrayal of Forrester, heavily inspired by . Also, hearing Connery deliver the line, "You're the man now, dog!" will never not be entertaining.

"A little revolution now and then is a healthy thing, don't you think?" Connery leads this Jack Ryan thriller as Captain Marko Ramius, a highly respected Soviet submarine commander who intends to defect to the United States with the USSR's most advanced nuclear submarine, the Red October. As he makes his way across the Atlantic, CIA analyst Jack Ryan () must convince the U.S. government that Ramius isn't leading an attack but is instead seeking asylum.

Connery is a natural fit for the part. He projects quiet intensity, and his deep, authoritative voice lends gravitas to every scene. With a game cast at his disposal, director (, ) crafts this premise into a blockbuster of tactical maneuvering, political intrigue, and moments of nerve-shredding suspense. The opening stretch is a little too talky, and there are more than a few filler scenes, but the second half is enjoyably tense.

"No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!" is the film that turned James Bond from a cool British spy into a cultural phenomenon. In this third outing as 007, Connery faces off against the gold-obsessed villain Auric Goldfinger (), who has a plan to irradiate the U.S. gold reserve at Fort Knox. Along the way, the secret agent encounters the lethal Oddjob (), the iconic Pussy Galore (), and some of the most memorable gadgets in franchise history.

, almost fantastical, with banter, dry jokes, and charmingly heightened action sequences involving explosions, car chases, relentless sniper fire, and laser beams. This approach resonated with audiences, with the movie grossing an impressive $125m against a budget of just $3m. In this regard, Goldfinger laid a blueprint that the series would repeatedly return to and remains a high watermark for the spy's adventures.

"Books, you see, are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry." Connery appears in this atmospheric medieval mystery as William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar tasked with investigating a series of mysterious deaths at a remote monastery in 14th-century Italy. With his apprentice, Adso (), by his side, William navigates a labyrinth of secrets, religious fanaticism, and political conspiracies, all while uncovering the true nature of the monastery's hidden library.

Adapted from the beloved novel, is. Few movies manage to explore metaphysical ideas while also being thoroughly entertaining, but The Name of the Rose pulls off the trick. It's part detective story, part historical thriller, and part philosophical meditation. Though the ending stumbles somewhat (the author reportedly had mixed feelings about it), there's more than enough to enjoy here to justify a viewing.

"You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun." directed this stylish crime epic about the showdown between lawman () and Chicago gangster (). Connery turns in a fantastic performance as Ness's ally , a tough and street-smart cop. It won him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar (despite the fact that his Scottish accent is still noticeable). He and Costner have a great dynamic.

The film as a whole falls a little short of its potential, aspiring to be great but only winding up at good, with some reviewers criticizing the historical inaccuracies, the portrayal of Capone, and 's script. Nevertheless, , and the main actors are all clearly committed. The cherry on top is the score by Western legend , who lends this tale a sense of soaring grandeur.

"Droll, sir. Very droll." Based on a novella, is an epic adventure that follows two former British soldiers, Daniel Dravot (Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (), who seek fortune in the remote land of Kafiristan. Disguising themselves as locals, they plan to infiltrate the region, build an army, and seize control. However, their scheme takes an unexpected turn when the superstitious inhabitants mistake Dravot for a god.

Despite a few narrative missteps, Caine and Connery have terrific chemistry. The former is very funny here, while the latter does a good job of conveying Dravot's dangerous hubris. On the aesthetic side, the plot is complemented by 's vibrant cinematography and a catchy score by .

"One more word, Roberts, just one more word and I'll kill you!" This military drama unfolds in a brutal British Army prison camp in the North African desert during World War II. The story centers on Joe Roberts (Connery), a rebellious soldier who is sent to the camp for disobeying orders. There, the prisoners are subjected to relentless physical and psychological torture by sadistic staff sergeant Williams (), who forces them to repeatedly climb a punishing man-made hill under the scorching sun.

was also directed by Sidney Lumet, but it's a far cry from the sumptuous charm of Murder on the Orient Express. Instead, , with black-and-white visuals and assured camera moves. The movie has a strong anti-establishment sensibility, which extends to Connery's undignified, refreshingly flawed rebel protagonist. It's a great change of pace from James Bond. The Hill's admirers include , who called it an "extraordinary piece of work."

"Junior, I told you—don’t call me that!" represented the formidable pairing of Connery and , with the Bond star playing the adventuring archaeologist's estranged father, Henry. When Henry is kidnapped by the Nazis while searching for the Holy Grail, Indy embarks on a perilous journey to rescue him. Along the way, father and son are forced to confront their past, rekindle their bond, and outwit the forces seeking to harness the Grail's power.

injects the film with humor, heart, and exhilarating action, but i"I wanted to play Henry Jones as a kind of ," Connery has said. "I was bound to have fun with the role of a gruff, Victorian Scottish father." All these elements add up to one of the most thrilling installments in the franchise - and one of the greatest adventure films of all time.

"Bond. James Bond." While not the best Bond film, remains iconic because it was the first one, forever defining the character of the suave spy. Tasked with investigating the disappearance of a fellow agent, 007 (Connery) is led to the lair of Dr. Julius No (Joseph Wiseman), a villain plotting to disrupt American missile launches. Along the way, Bond encounters danger, seduction, and the original Bond girl, Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), who emerges from the sea in one of cinema's most famous moments.

Connery's Bond is all about effortless cool, and he seems larger-than-life from the moment we see him at the gaming table in London’s Les Ambassadeurs Club. He exudes confidence, charm, and lethal efficiency. The rest of the film is lean and relatively restrained for the franchise, though still serving up humorous moments and feats of derring-do. All these decades later, Dr. No is still the defining showcase for Connery's talents.

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  Goldfinger