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MI6 Review: Sean Connery ¼
Scale Figure - Sideshow Collectibles
In 2004, Sideshow Collectibles announced the release of
a new ¼ scale range of James Bond figures, starting
with the iconic Sean Connery. If you were lucky enough to
be at Comic Con (USA), New York Toy Fair (USA) or Memorabilia
NEC (UK) last year you would have seen him. MI6 got their
hands on that prototype figure to see if Sideshow have created
something special.
After Connery had a mention in the London Express, he received
a telephone call from Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman
who asked him to attend a job interview, and he was immediately
signed into a long term contract as the first James Bond
007. Connery would appear in five consecutive Bond films
(“Dr. No” - 1962, “From Russia With
Love” - 1963, “Goldfinger” -
1964, “Thunderball” - 1965, “You
Only Live Twice” - 1967) before leaving the
role, only to return in 1971’s “Diamonds Are
Forever”.
Sean Connery Biography
MI6 reviews the Sideshow Collectibles figures...
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James Bond - Sean Connery (¼
Scale)
Item No: 7112
Size: 18 inch (456mm)
Weight: 11.00 lbs (4.75 Kg)
Units: 2000
Artist: Mat Falls
Order
Online - Sideshow Collectibles
Official Description
From the original James Bond, comes Sean Connery's portrayal
of our favourite secret agent: 007!
This semi-articulated figure includes authentic Connery
likeness, polystone head and hands, film accurate costume,
and a James Bond themed base!
Accessories
Not applicable.
Right: Front panel box art
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"Upsizing our scale created a format
that is infinitely more impactful, authentic, and detailed. The
results bear themselves out." - Tom Gilliland, Creative Director
First For Bond
There are a couple of things that surprise you when you pick up
this figure, first the size. If you were lucky enough to have
seen this figure in person you will know how impressive the scale
is - Connery is 2 foot tall and very imposing!
Above: Reverse panel box art |
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The second wow factor is the weight. When
Sideshow say approximate 11.00 lbs (4.75 Kg) they mean it,
the figure is heavy and cold to touch courtesy of the Polystone
material. Polystone is a mixture of marble or porcelain
powder that is blended with polyurethane vinyl. Unlike a
normal setting process, Polystone is created using a cold
process, which enables it to retain greater detail.
The initial description Sideshow issued with this figure
back in 2004 noted partial articulation. Sideshow has instead
gone with a fixed pose - so do not expect any movement.
It becomes clear why after looking over the figure, as sculptor
Mat Falls has created a near perfect classic Bond pose.
This is a straight out of the box figure and it works brilliantly.
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"Attempting to capture the subtle
body language of a classic Connery Bond pose proved to be a great
challenge. The tailoring on the tuxedo obviously had to be razor
sharp. Both of these elements were expertly handled by Greg Mowry,
our Chief 1/4 Scale Architect." - Tom Gilliland, Creative
Director
The Base
With a limited run of only 2000 figures, the underside of the
base is individually identified numerically. Each one is printed
with the sculptor’s name and signature (in this case “Mat
Falls”) and the usual legal text. The silver base is relatively
light and the front sports a simple plate with “James Bond
007” and Sean Connery underneath. The top of the base features
the gun barrel logo that has become synonymous with Bond. Three
metal pegs protrude from the logo, which allow the figure to stand
upright.
Figure - Sculpting
The body has been formed from a three Polystone piece, and
this has resulted in all the detailing and casting being carried
out with extra care on this larger scale. Both arms have been
joined to the main piece that forms the body of the figure.
Head - Sculpting
This is the first ¼ scale figure but fourth Sean
Connery item by Sideshow, which amounts to a lot of practice
for sculptor Mat Falls. The front and side views of the
figure resemble a young Connery as Bond. Very gentle contours
have been used giving him a youthful look in accordance
with his earlier films. Soft crease lines have been added
all over the face creating a life like head. With this increased
scale Sideshow are delivering a lot more detail, and this
can best be seen around the head and ears which are strong
and cleanly defined. The right eyebrow has been raised to
give the impression he’s about to make a ‘shocking’
remark. Layers have been worked into the hair giving additional
detail. The parting’s direction has been carefully
considered and incorporated into the look.
Gun & Hands - Sculpting
The Walther PPK has been moulded fixed into the raised hand,
in the same matte finish as the shoes. It’s simply
detailed and correctly proportioned to the figure, although
the PPK's barrel is solid and has not been drilled for added
realism.
Both hands have been sculpted at this larger scale with
great skill, with fine details including joint lines, raised
veins and fingernails that have been brought over and improved
from the smaller 1/6 scale. This ¼ scale boast more
definition, however the gun hand has suffered slightly with
too much sculpting being lost after detailing and being
covered by the gun.
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Above: Connery is fixed in a classic
Bond pose. |
"The 1/4 scale Sean Connery is definitely
one of the most rewarding. I got to correct some of the things
that didn't satisfy me regarding the 1/6 scale portrait. Connery
really has a complex face. It was a challenge to get it right
from all angles." - Mat Falls, Director of 3D
Shoes - Sculpting
The shoes have been carefully and clearly moulded, resulting in
lots of detailing. Pegs on the stand fit into three holes in the
shoes, and the fit is tight and allows for no loose movement.
Detailing can be seen on the seams of the shoes and laces.
The shoes have been moulded straight out of the Polystone and
have not been painted, thus the figure has no socks like the recent
Sideshow Bond figures. A small detailing on the sole of the upturned
shoe would have added a nice visual value to the figure.
Above: Side panel box art |
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Head - Painting
The hair is a single dark brown with no highlights or detailing,
which is the only aspect of the figure that lacks detail.
The hairline is clean yet slightly ragged which adds to
the realism.
The skin is alive with warmth through well blended light
and dark hues. Creases and wrinkle lines are slightly darker,
adding to the figure’s dimension. The lips, nostrils
and ears are all detailed using slightly off skin tones.
The sculpted bushy eyebrows are the same colour as the
hair. Combining the sculpting and paint appears to thicken
and add more coloration, which helps sell the figure’s
expression. Similar in appearance to the smaller 12-inch
Sideshow figures, the eyes are clear brown and the correct
size.
Gun & Hands - Painting
Bleed is visible on close inspection inside and between
the index figure and gun in small amounts. Both hands have
lots of detailing including the obscured palms.
The detailing emphasises the sculpting and brings out the
Fall’s skills to full effect. However, the fingernails
are the same colour as the flesh and this could have been
defined with a slightly off hue.
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Tuxedo
The trousers (pants) fit perfectly for the pose and the length
is down to the shoes on both legs. A gloss strip has been added
on both the outer seam lines, which helps create illusion of a
tuxedo rather than a suit.
The shirt is comprised of several smaller parts. The cuffs are
separated, and the feature gold coloured cufflinks, which are
a very nice, add a nice touch to the figure.
The chest of the pleated shirt has three visible metal buttons
holding it fast to the body. The collar is where things go wrong.
It is a separate item, like the cuffs, and can easily move out
of place by straightening the jacket, causing exposure of the
back of the neck. The bow tie also does not look right, as it
appears a little too small for the figure.
The jacket and breast pocket with handkerchief are well placed
and scaled. All the pockets are seamed as the lapels use the same
gloss material as the trousers (pants). A join line on the cuff
of the gun hand is visible, although it is not fully completed
on closer inspection. Three buttons on the cuffs of both sleeves
is the finishing element on this beautifully tailored tuxedo.
"If you look closely, you can see
pores. That's where we are trying to takes these pieces, a new
level of detail and accuracy." - Mat Falls, Director of 3D
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Overall
This 1/4 scale Sean Connery figure from Sideshow captures
his likeness throughout his era as 007, rather than a specific
film, and perfectly encapsulates his iconic image as the
original James Bond. On the whole the figure has been beautifully
created with lavish attention to detail, and is only let
down slightly by a couple of minor oversights and tailoring
on the gun arm and collar.
This is a great entry figure into the new ¼ scale
James Bond market. A quarter
scale Pierce Brosnan is due next from Sideshow, which
is bound to build on the success of this Connery figure.
At $225 this is one of Sideshow’s cheaper ¼
scale figures and is a must for any James Bond fan with
deep pockets.
MI6 Rating
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Related Articles
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Interview - Creating Sean Connery
Sideshow
Interview - Sculpting James Bond
Sean Connery "Thunderball"
Sideshow Figure Review
Sean Connery - James Bond
Images courtesy Sideshow
Collectibles. Original content is copyright mi6-hq.com ©
1998-2005.
Bond materials © Danjaq and United
Artists. Bond trademarks ™ Danjaq.
