On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) – Though it marked George Lazenby’s only appearance as 007, it is now generally acknowledged as one of the best films in the James Bond franchise.  Based on Ian Fleming’s 1963 novel, and thrillingly directed by Peter R. Hunt, it revels in chases featuring cars, skis, bobsleds, even delivering an avalanche!  With a fabulous lair hidden high in the Alps, Telly Savalas is the villainous Blofeld.  Yet this is also one of the more realistic Bond films, with Diana Rigg an unusually complex Bond girl.  Not just beautiful and sexy, Rigg brings depth and intelligence to her role, making the film a genuine love story amid the considerable action, all of it enhanced by a truly magnificent John Barry score. But it all starts and ends in Cascais and Estoril.

The Conspirators (1944) – After the phenomenal success of their Casablanca (1943), Warner Brothers couldn’t resist another attempt at amorous WWII intrigue, bringing along a number of Casablanca’s participants, including actors Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre, cinematographer Arthur Edeson, and with the Café Imperial standing in for Rick’s Café Américain.  Henreid, now in the starring role, romances mysterious Hedy Lamarr (who supplies the Ingrid Bergman factor). In neutral Lisbon, anti-Nazi Dutch saboteur Henreid is trying to make his way to England in an atmosphere of agents and double agents. Suffusing the story with black-and-white glamour, director Jean Negulesco created a deliciously preposterous film in which no one is above suspicion.

36 Hours (1964) – Written and directed by Oscar winner George Seaton, this is an ingenious what-if regarding the impending D-Day invasion, the details of which are known by few, including US major James Garner.  When he’s drugged in Lisbon, it kicks off an excruciatingly suspenseful Nazi plot to get the necessary information out of him.  Can he be convinced that he’s suddenly waking in a postwar world?  Along for the nail-biting ride are doctor Rod Taylor and nurse Eva Marie Saint, joining Garner in giving smartly intricate performances.  Elaborately constructed and intellectually vibrant, 36 Hours is among the finest films you’ve never heard of.

Lisbon (1956) – Fighting the threat of television, the Hollywood of the 1950s offered what couldn’t be gotten at home—wider screens, saturated colors, stunning locations—all of which are on display in Lisbon.  Oscar winner Ray Milland not only stars but directed this Cold War mayhem, the first Hollywood movie shot entirely in Lisbon, beautifully preserving the city in mid-century while introducing it to Americans as never before.  Costarring stunning Maureen O’Hara and Casablanca’s own Claude Rains, Lisbon was photographed in a wide-screen process called “Naturama.”  Adding to the European authenticity is Yvonne Furneaux, soon to be part of the estimable ensemble of Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960).

The Boys from Brazil (1978) – World War II may be over but new threats are lurking, none more outrageously shocking than what lies at the center of this unforgettable thriller.  After playing a Nazi in Marathon Man (1976), Laurence Olivier is now in the role of Nazi hunter, gaining Oscar nominations for both performances.  Based on Ira Levin’s 1976 novel, and directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet of the Apes), this masterful piece of cloning paranoia also stars Gregory Peck, cast against type (to say the least) as Josef Mengele.  To see him—so iconic as Atticus Finch—as Mengele is an experience not to be forgotten.  Kudos to Peck for fearlessly tearing into such a monstrous role.  The Boys from Brazil boasts more big names, including James Mason, Lilli Palmer, Uta Hagen, and Steve Guttenberg, with Lisbon standing in for South America.

Casino Royale (2006) – Many scoffed at the notion of a blond James Bond until Daniel Craig’s blistering performance silenced all naysayers.  Both a believable killing machine and a three-dimensional human being, Craig’s 007 was the best thing to happen to the franchise since Sean Connery.  Based on the 1953 Ian Fleming novel that started it all, it became the first of Craig’s five Bond outings, and it’s every bit as exciting and enjoyable as any film in the series, while notably grittier and more adult.  Directed by Martin Campbell, and blessed with the “M” of Judi Dench, Casino Royale gave James Bond the shot in the arm he needed in 2006.