This scene always bothered me as well, not the technicality of Mason not being English but the Marine having a beef with English or for the literal matter British people overall.
Since the Marine is a dedicated "dog of War" he should be well versed in knowing just which countries stand in tandem with US interests, or in the very least which countries are standard bearer allies with the US of A.
"My Grandfather was Irish" was a stupid line in particular since there are millions of British nationals who can claim the same thing.

It's not a goof. It's just that the guy was an ignoramus. Really, how much intelligence and worldliness do you expect from some thug who willingly signed up to hold a city to ransom with chemical weapons?

What a dumb topic. The Marine didn't have access to any of Mason's files or personal background, all he knew was that he was SAS. Why would it even bother anyone if he called him English? Who gives a toss?

This is a Sean Connery thing.
An absolute moron says something absolutely moronic. Connery smiles and agrees just to get the moron out of his face.
I've seen it here in Entrapment and in League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I'm sure there are others.

I bet you're one of those fascist EDL pricks who goes out with St. George's Cross flags and attacks immigrants in the streets. People like you have no business existing. Here's hoping some anti-fascist activist curb stomps you into a permanent coma someday. As Leon Trotsky once said, the only way to deal with people like you is to acquaint your heads with the pavement.

wow you're insecure but you're a scot its to be expected just remember where your queen comes from. As for connery i think its blatantly obvious he dont care about scotland like someone typed on this board "he'll be fighting for scottish independence from his hollywood mansion"
Makes me laugh when scots think they're on the same level as english sorry but no. There's a reason americans say english when referring to great britain.. its because they know the power here is england. After scotland freed the lockerbie bomber US does not like scotland too much i can tell you that. No one does really.. better learn to live with it.. but i like the anger shown from scots frustrated because deep down you know you're inferior i enjoy seeing scots get angry.. and especially over something as silly as this! hahah i hope you get your independence and then i hope someone tries to take scotland.. and you'll be begging england to help you.. and if i were in charge.. id turn my head.
You scots want to be all angry/disrespectful to english i have no problem with that. It amuses me.

I don't think antagonists really worry about being politically or geographically correct when they are attempting to kill someone.
It most likely was there as an intentional xenophobic insult to Mason by the bad guy.
They call me the wanderer.

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For all means and purposes, that is true. Scotland? Please don't make me laugh.

I pointed out all we know is he was born in Glasgow but if the parents of his character in the movie were English then he'd still be considered English even though he was born in Scotland.
Eh..no..he'd be Scottish. Connery is playing the part of a person born in Scotland, and he is playing that part with a Scottish accent. Therefore safe to assume his character is Scottish.
As said before I think the director is trying to be a bit political but screwed it up, confusing English with British.

"My main point is it's a fictitious movie and not a documentary on the life of his character so we don't have a true background on him."
Exactly! What's this nonsense about the bad guy having his file and should have used the correct expression based upon where he was born? Rubbish! He was trying to kill him and sledged him. It was intentional and was no goof!
BTW! The bad guys didn't have any files on Mason. They just had what he'd told them and I don't recall him telling them that he was born in Glasgow.

Calling me wrong means you didn't read both of my posts obviously, I pointed out all we know is he was born in Glasgow but if the parents of his character in the movie were English then he'd still be considered English even though he was born in Scotland. My main point is it's a fictitious movie and not a documentary on the life of his character so we don't have a true background on him.

Plus i think Connery's face after he killed that guy showed his contempt for that line.
http://media.ifunny.com/results/2015/11/10/4cj4ciw3up.jpg

Connery kills him. That's the best retort of all.
Exactly.
The Marine was so dumb, Mason didn't even think he was worth the breath for a traditional One Liner Epitaph.
Nazis. I
hate
these guys.

Connery kills him. That's the best retort of all.

In case I don't see you ; good afternoon, good evening and good night!

Agreed.

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ZabyPS3, completely agree and I have no idea why Connery allowed this in the movie.
MovieFan6048, you are wrong. As per ZabyPS3, there is no English government. This just highlights the issue being discussed, i.e. that the majority of Americans seem to think English = British and England = Britain. Can almost accept that ignorance but cannot understand why Connery, a proud Scot, allowed this "goof".

Spoken like a true 'Murrican. Heh. Nothing intelligent could be expected from that failed country of hilariously insecure mongrels.

I for one -as a Yank- happen to like Scotland So please don't include us all in your rant. I do understand that you feel defensive. A thousand plus years ago your country was taken over by a bunch of French pirates. Later they reinforced their pedigree with German princes. With people like that with their boot on your throat I can see why you would Kow-Tow to your betters. And you would have to find someone- anyone you can belittle. If Scotland wanted to become a 51st state, that would be cool.

Scotland vs England is like an ant vs a tiger. No comparison.

If your message, and its appalling grammar, is an example of the English education system then I think Scotland would be better to go it alone. I would like my taxes back please because the money spent on your schooling was wasted. ABE!

read my other comment on here.. its aimed at you too. Englishmen dont care about scots you are inferior in every possible way imaginable. The world dont care about scotland england dont even want you anymore.. all this time the scots have been hating the english and you dont know how to be any other way i cant wait till scotland gets its independence you'll see the difference. England is a power scotland..? nope. England has nukes stored in scotland of course just incase one accidentally goes off but they will take them back if scotland "goes free" (its already free but whatever) no nuke scotland with all that oil painting a target on your back dont look to england for help when invaders come

Bond was half Scottish, half Swiss and no self respecting Scotsman would ever allow himself to be referred to as English.