#8: Le Chiffre

“I hope luck is on your side…”

I amazes me that this guy doesn’t get more recognition from fans for his villainy.  Of all the enemies from the James Bond series, Le Chiffre from Casino Royale stands out as the most fearsome.  There, I said it.

Nevermind that silly bleeding eye he has.  That feature of his was simply a gimmick by the screenwriters to make him feel like a callback to Bond villains of old, with their bizarre identifying marks.  It’s the only thing over-the-top about him.  Underneath it, a layer of seriousness and intention.

He’s another one of those guys on this list who smolders his way on and off screen, using nuance and subtlety to communicate terror.  That glare of his is chilling.  His low tenor and exotic accent present his laconic speech with powerful purpose.

The scene he really shines in is the one that reveals weakness.  This guy is so bad, he’s even ripping off his fellow bad guys.  And yet, when he’s called out, he weasels his way out like the slimy snake he is — putting his girlfriend’s life at stake for the sake of his own longevity.

It’s a shame we don’t really get to see him square off against Bond.  He’s dispatched suddenly and unexpectedly — and 007 had nothing to do with it.  Imagine how this mostly forgotten villain could have shined if given just a little more to do and a good deal more screen time.