In 1987, Sean Connery said slapping women isn’t ‘that bad’ if the situation ‘merits it’
Barbara Walters asked the James Bond actor about his previous comment saying that it’s better to slap women with an open hand rather than a closed fist. “I haven’t changed my opinion,” Connery told her. Walters asked if he thought it was “good” to slap a woman, and the actor responded, “No, I dont think it’s good. I don’t think it’s that bad. It depends entirely on the circumstances and if it merits it.”
Then, in 2006, he appeared to claim his previous remarks were taken out of context. “My view is I don’t believe that any level of abuse against women is ever justified under any circumstances. Full stop.” He may only have spoken his mind on something he found perfectly normal, but sadly at that time, he was far from alone in holding such opinions.