Bestof ... BEST SEAN CONNERY MOVIES

“Marnie” (1964) In and around his James Bond work, Connery diversified by working with Alfred Hitchcock on this melodrama about a businessman with a strong interest in a troubled employee (Tippi Hedren).

“Goldfinger” (1964) Most Bond purists concur this is the first 007 screen adventure that really has it all, including a deftly balanced Connery performance that blends suave charm and rugged action smoothly.

“The Hill” (1965) The long association of Connery and director Sidney Lumet began with this grueling drama of World War II military prisoners forced to do hard labor.

“The Offence” (1973) Connery’s desire to get off the “star” pedestal manifested itself in this gritty police drama, again under Lumet’s direction, about a London police detective whose anger goes too far when he interrogates a suspect.

“Murder on the Orient Express” (1974) One of many familiar faces in director Lumet’s great staging of the Agatha Christie mystery, Connery makes his presence known as one of the suspects questioned by Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney). Turner Classic Movies shows the film Sunday, March 19.

“The Wind and the Lion” (1975) Connery is superb as a Middle Eastern renegade who invites large-scale trouble by kidnapping an American (Candice Bergen).

“The Man Who Would Be King” (1975) Originally envisioned for such stars as Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart, this John Huston-directed Rudyard Kipling adaptation was delayed many years, which was great news for Connery and Michael Caine in playing soldiers of fortune in India.

“Robin and Marian” (1976) This wonderfully mature take on the Robin Hood legend cast Connery opposite Audrey Hepburn (who played, of course, his true love Maid Marian).