A 007 James Bond film featuring the legendary Sean Connery has sparked debate amongst audiences, with some hailing it as brilliant whilst others dismiss it as ‘overrated’ – and it’s airing on ITV4 this evening.

Thunderball, which hit cinemas in 1965, sees Bond racing against time to locate two NATO atomic bombs seized by the sinister terrorist organisation SPECTRE, who are demanding £100 million in diamonds or threatening global nuclear catastrophe.

The operation is masterminded by the one-eyed villain Emilio Largo (played by Adolfo Celi).

The suave Agent 007, James Bond (played by the late Sean Connery), is dispatched to retrieve the weapons from Largo’s stronghold in the Bahamas, where he encounters deadly underwater assaults from both sharks and henchmen.

His success hinges on persuading the captivating Domino (played by Claudine Auger), Largo’s mistress, to switch allegiances and assist him in averting disaster.

This particular instalment in the 007 James Bond franchise has generated rather polarised opinions.

Some fans championed the film, with one viewer writing: “Although definitely a step down when compared to the previous entries, Thunderball still manages to deliver plenty of exciting Bond moments. It benefits from its beautiful scenery and exotic locations but I think is held back by slow pacing.”, reports the Mirror.

Another added: “Yeah this was just a solid action movie. I did however think the jetpack was a bit much and to have the final battle essentially be underwater didn’t really work for me, felt a bit slow.

“Otherwise just another solid addition to the franchise and Sean Connery is still really good in the role.

“Often underrated and panned for it’s length. A sexy, glossy, aquatic mid-60’s Bond caper with Connery in red-hot form. Largo makes an imposing baddie. Hot ladies, stunning scenery and one of the best one-liners ‘I think he got the point’,” wrote a third viewer.

Another fan said: “I absolutely loved Thunderball, one of my favorites of all time. I’m in my 60’s and I first saw it in the movies when I was like maybe 10, and I can remember sitting there absolutely mesmerized. For kids of my era the Sean Connery James Bonds were as good as gold. I loved the underwater battles, kind of new for the mid 1960’s.

“The had stuff like Sea Hunt in terms of individual fights but nothing like Thunderball. I can see when millennials or what ever they are called nowadays don’t get it, but to have watched it in the 60’s OMG just amazing, magical! I

“can still recall the look on my face and my friends faces after watching that movie and all the bond movies of the era including Goldfinger and From Russian with Love and Dr. No, etc.

“The story does sometimes falter during the first two acts and its length could have been slightly trimmed, but Thunderball is a fun and eventful Bond film with striking set pieces that has the charm, action and wit that these films need and a feel-good performance from Sean Connery,” said another admirer. H

owever, some weren’t quite as enthusiastic, with one viewer posting: “This just about strays into forgettable. Although I still enjoy Sean Connery in this one and a few moments overall nothing in the plot grabs me and makes me care enough.”

Another wrote: “A huge downgrade from Goldfinger. Terrance young returns to make a movie that is, in my opinion, worse than From Russia With Love. This movie does have Sean Connery on top form, but everything else is dull and not done well.

“Would have scored it lower if it weren’t for the recognition of what it took to make the movie and shoot the underwater sequences. The story dragged for me, and I had no real interest in the villain at all,” remarked another.

Meanwhile, one added: “The most overrated movie in the franchise. Of course, it’s not without its merits.”

Thunderball is on ITV4 at 9pm on Wednesday, January 28.