Poll: M!

Results of 1,108 votes:

1. 1.
   

   Judi Dench in Skyfall (2012)

    

   Judi Dench's M from Skyfall (2012), etc....
2. 2.
   

   "Goldfinger" Bernard Lee 1964 UA **I.V.

    

   Bernard Lee from Goldfinger (1964), etc....
3. 3.
   

   Ralph Fiennes in Skyfall (2012)

    

   I'll give Ralph Fiennes' Garith Mallory a chance to work his brand of bureaucratic magic after he took the position during Skyfall (2012) as he takes the mantle in Spectre and possibly beyond.
4. 4.
   

   Robert Brown in The Living Daylights (1987)

    

   Robert Brown's M from The Living Daylights (1987), etc....
5. 5.
   

   David Niven in Casino Royale (1967)

    

   I liked David Niven's managerial style during his relatively short stint as M at the end of Casino Royale (1967).* *Bond—played by David Niven—becomes the new M[58] and proceeds to order that all MI6 …
6. 6.
   

   Charles Boyer and John Huston in Casino Royale (1967)

    

   John Huston was after all a film director. He had the most leadership experience, so his era as M during Casino Royale (1967) would be my choice to lead such an intelligence agency.
7. 7.
   

   Geraldine Chaplin and Edward Fox in The Mirror Crack'd (1980)

    

   Edward Fox's contemptuous M during the unsanctioned controversy that was Never Say Never Again (1983)