Knife In The Water (1962)
The Model: Jolanta Umecka, a gorgeous music student who had never acted before Knife In The Water . Good spot, Roman…
The Swimsuit: A simple, prosaic two-piece deliberately chosen by Polanski to enhance the sense of boredom that fuels the film’s outlandish turn of events.
Tomb Raider: Cradle Of Life (2003)
The Model: Angelina Jolie, bringing nerd fantasies to life as tiny-outfit-wearing woman of adventure, Lara Croft.
The Swimsuit: More of a wetsuit than a swimsuit, but worthy of inclusion on account of its remarkable figure-hugging properties. Bravo!
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
The Model: Jill St. John, playing Bond girl Tiffany Case. Tiffany… like the jeweller. Get it? DO YOU GET IT?
The Swimsuit: A fetching if impractical bikini, which lands Tiffany in trouble when she attempts to use it to conceal a cassette tape in Blofeld’s lair.
From Here To Eternity (1953)
The Models: Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, sharing a seaside smooch in one of the most famous scenes in celluloid history.
The Swimsuits: A one-piece with a built-in skirt for her, a modest pair of shorts for him. Simplicity is the name of the game here.
Coffy (1973)
The Model: Pam Grier. Don’t let her catch you staring or she’ll smack the taste out your mouth, you jive-ass motherfuckeeeeeeeer!
The Swimsuit: Pristine white bikini, nicely accessorized by that bracelet thingy she’s got on her arm.
Borat (2006)
The Model: You don’t see many hirsute, moustachioed men modelling swimwear these days. This is probably why…
The Swimsuit: The eye-watering frequency with which this one was used in Borat ’s publicity push ensured the mankini stayed burned onto our retinas forever. Gah!
Jackie Brown (1997)
The Model: Bridget Fonda, who spends the duration of the film draped across her couch in a bikini top and tiny denim shorts.
The Swimsuit: Bridget sports several different bikinis throughout the movie, but this multicoloured tie-dye affair best encapsulates her character’s hippy-dippy persona.
One Deadly Summer (1983)
The Model: Isabelle Adjani, pictured here in one of the few scenes in which she actually has some clothes on.
The Swimsuit: A provocative red and blue number, let down somewhat by that ungainly perm. Send for the scissors!
Die Another Day (2002)
The Model: Halle Berry, channelling her inner Ursula Andress to play Jinx. Keep your cool James, keep your cool…
The Swimsuit: An orange variation on Andress’s outfit, including a matching knife attachment. That’s attention to detail for you.
Boat Trip (2002)
The Model: 1997’s Playmate of the Year, Victoria Silvstedt, the one bright spot in this endurance test of a movie. What ever was Roger Moore thinking?
The Swimsuit: A classic bikini in the sort of lavender tone usually favoured by elderly ladies. Have a nice sit-down dear, we’ll fetch you a blanket…
