With a new 007 film gearing up quickly, as the franchise has just tapped Denis Villeneuve to direct a remake, there’s perhaps no more fitting time to revisit the series’ roots. And MGM has the perfect way to celebrate: releasing the Sean Connery 6-film collection on 4K.

Whilst every fan has the Bond they grew up with — and/or their personal favourite entries across the 25-film saga — there’s no denying the sheer impact Connery had in the role. A commanding, suave leading man who not only embodied the charisma and wit of the era, but was equally as impressive with the action, Connery’s portrayal formed the blueprint for 007. From the slick introduction in Dr No to his subsequent appearances as Bond in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds Are Forever, the collection has them all in a vibrant, textured and crisp 4K transfer – the first of the pre-Daniel Craig era to have the ultra high-res treatment.

Adapting the sixth of Ian Fleming’s 007 novels, Dr No kicks things off in Jamaica with the first ever cinematic introduction to the suave secret agent as he investigates the disappearance of another operative in the area. The trademark ‘Bond-isms’ were present back in 1962 — Aston Martins, shaken not stirred martinis, “Bond… James Bond” — but the narrative is not quite as taut as its sequels. From Russia With Love is a far tighter film, more grounded in its exploration of Bond as a character, which only continues in 1964’s Goldfinger – widely regarded as one of the best – and a perfect blend of the formula audiences still know and love today. It’s an exciting and bombastic masterpiece that looks and sounds grand in the fresh 4K format.

After an impressive three-film run, however, the Connery collection hits a snag with Thunderball which feels like a lesser rehash of the other films. The characters are largely one-dimensional and the stakes are thinly sketched; however, it’s the first introduction of Spectre and the expansive (and expensive) world-building is gleefully big here. Connery is as assured as ever, but is perhaps most comfortable in the role in You Only Live Twice. It’s an effortless turn as Bond that, even in his penultimate endeavour, still brings the charm to the character and a commitment to the action that’s absurdly fun to watch. As James teams up with the Japanese Secret Service against a Cold War backdrop, the set pieces are thrillingly staged alongside brilliant moments of intrigue and espionage. It’s a hard one to follow and Diamonds Are Forever struggles under the weight of its own ambition. Switching gears into comedy, it can verge on parody and it’s clear the era has played its hand. Still, even the lesser Connery films are nothing if not watchable, and it’s delightful to see the actor give it his all one last time.

Not only do most of Connery’s films hold up as pure espionage blockbuster thrills, but the 4K discs are the quintessential way to experience them – whether it’s for the first time or otherwise. The colours are crisp while still maintaining the grain and feel of the 60s and 70s. The upscale deepens the darks, too, and the audio is cleaned up nicely. There’s little in the way of new bonus features, most being pulled over from the Blu-rays. But it all looks great, and it’s a vibrant punch-up of 007 at its best. With more 007 on the horizon soon, the timing of this collection couldn’t be better. Here’s to hoping the rest of the films follow suit.

Sean Connery: 6-Film Bond Collection is available now on 4K Blu-Ray.