Sean Connery In From Russia With Love

Cannes Film Festival bosses are to mark 50 years of the James Bond franchise by screening five classic 007 movies at the event.

The suave superspy first burst onto the big screen in 1962's Dr No and went on to become one of the icons of modern cinema.

To celebrate the franchise's 50th birthday this year, officials at this month's French film festival will screen 007's debut cinema outing along with its follow-up From Russia with Love, George Lazenby's sole turn as the spy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Sean Connery's swansong in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, and current Bond star Daniel Craig's debut in Casino Royale.

The films, which have all been digitally enhanced, will be shown free to the public at an outdoor theatre on Cannes Beach. The screenings mark the start of a year-long series of global events celebrating the franchise's anniversary.

In a joint statement, MGM and Sony executives said: "The screenings in Cannes mark a year-long celebration, including a return to theatres worldwide of some of the classic Bond films."

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