Every Main James Bond Villain Ranked Worst To Best

7. Max Zorin (A View to a Kill, 1985)

The genetically engineered Nazi experiment Max Zorin feels like a Frankenstein’s monster of established Bond villain characteristics: outrageous wealth, ingenuity, charisma, and megalomania stitched together with an added dollop of madness. And, largely thanks to Christopher Walken having an absolute blast with the role, it works.

Zorin helps define the term “supervillain”, with scientifically enhanced capabilities and an utter psychopath to boot. The sight of a laughing Zorin mowing down his own men with a machine gun will live long in the memory of fans. His energetic, volatile presence make him an instantly memorable Bond villain, and his fondness for violence without a drop of remorse make him a worthy foe for 007.

He’s easily the best thing about one of the worst Bond films. Well, him and Duran Duran. Indeed, it’s unfortunate that he has to appear in a film that seems to hope we’ve forgotten Goldfinger exists, with its pale imitation of the villainous scheme featured in the latter.

Best Moment: I’m torn between his delightful chuckle upon reading on his find-a-spy program that 007 is “extremely dangerous”, and his delivery of “I’m happiest in the saddle” which, without hyperbole, must rank among the greatest line readings in the history of cinema.

Worst Moment: With a plot that’s basically a poor man’s Goldfinger, Zorin having his bizarre, fearsome henchlady May Day execute a dissenter who refuses to join Zorin’s scheme, before asking a room of potential investors “anyone else wanna drop out?” is perhaps the most egregious of scenes all but lifted straight from the much better Bond film.