For Your Eyes Only (1981) movie review - Sneak Previews with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel

[@babymammoth34]

Moore's best 007 outing and a fine Bond outing at that.

[@RobertWF42]

One of my favorite Bond films! Watched this with my Dad when I was a kid. Two parts of FYEO left me on the edge of my seat as a kid: the sequence where Bond and Melina explore the shipwreck, and of course the end when Bond is climbing Meteora in Greece. 1981 was a great year to be a kid at the movies: For Your Eyes Only, Dragonslayer, Raiders, Clash of the Titans! Plus more adult movies I had to convince my parents to take me to or watch on cable, like Excalibur or Heavy Metal.

[@tristanwalling1388]

I always say the same thing. 81 was magical for movies.

[@Camop-iz9kt]

Great to see the show opening after all these years.

[@timothygrant7266]

A fantastic movie with some amazing stunts. Summer '81 was just great. Raiders, Superman II, and this film.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

In a James Bond movie even the flower shop girls are pretty!

[@KRhetor]

The actress was the winner in a contest sponsored by Playboy.

[@drewjeers815]

Even some of the men at the pools are pretty 🤨

[@gallery7596]

I like the way he sums up the film's strong points and ends it with "that's more than enough for me to recommend "FYEO." I always found that in itself an effectively concise little review. Good job, Gene.

[@ernestolombardo5811]

Siskel saying this is the first Bond movie he's liked since Thunderball because "it's more grounded", sounding like On Her Majesty's Secret Service didn't exist.

[@switchbuckle5th]

A lot of people never saw On Her Majesty's Secret Service when it came out. It was the first Bobd film that did just "ok" at the boxoffice.

[@ernestolombardo5811]

@@switchbuckle5th It was still one of the biggest box office hits of the year. Of course, Thunderball was one of the biggest hits of all-time, so in comparison it did almost flop in the eyes of the producers. But Siskel made a living out of watching all movies big and small, it is inconceivable to contemplate that he never saw OHMSS.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

switchbuckle5th He’s a film critic. It’s his job to see everything. And yes , OHMSS was the most grounded Bind film ever. Almost no gadgets or tricks at all.

[@BestLoserVS]

On Her Majesty's Secret Service was always somewhat (unfairly) maligned up until recently, and Siskel probably disliked it majorly because it didn't have Connery.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

Well being grounded is not the only reason he liked Thunderball. lol He just liked the Connery version better

[@michaelperkowski641]

Great bond film not surprised gene liked it. Roger Moore best James Bond movie.

[@williamhowe1]

Usually he gave Roger Moore a lot of flak but not this time.

[@CaminoAir]

@@williamhowe1 With director John Glen stepping in, Moore gave a more realistic performance as Bond. And it showed what we'd missed his earlier films. He still has his charm and skill with humor, but it's a credible performance instead of an engaging one.

[@michaelperkowski641]

@Jack the Film Fanatic That's my favorite bond movie. The spy who loved me. I also loved the song nobody does it better from the film .

[@switchbuckle5th]

For my money this is the best of the Roger Moore Bond films. It's critically underrated.

[@taylorpayne8269]

I’m still partial to The Spy Who Loved Me, but For Your Eyes Only is great

[@philtimedavidfpw]

It would be great to see the review for Dragonslayer, too. That movie rocks.

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

Saw this at The RKO Theater on Fordham Road in the Bronx back in '81...GOOD MEMORIES!!!...GREAT BOND INSTALLMENT!!!

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

@MetalReign Remember when Scarface premiered at The Capri back in '83....CLASSIC TIMES!!!

[@motorcity7137]

When this first came to cable tv , as kids we watched this over 20 times one summer

[@greatwuta]

Me too, I remember I got in trouble with my parents because I was caught watching this at 2am

[@schaperart]

Me three!

[@stranger8105]

At the end when Gene summarizes their reviews he says "Two strong Yes votes on the latest Bond" ...except Roger was lukewarm. Gene was pushing this release hard for some reason.

[@williamhowe1]

This was the first Bond film he really liked since Thunderball.

[@lenblack1462]

Roger Moore's best Bond film.

[@DavyDredd14]

Nah, that would be : The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

One of the best Bond movies One of the best theme songs 😁

[@acrovader]

In his print review of the film, Ebert gave the film 2 stars and was more negative towards it. In this video, Ebert likes the film enough to recommend it.

[@williamhowe1]

Not all 2 stars are alike it seems. Though I'd give it 3 and a half myself.

[@franksmith613]

He gave a thumb up to Sudden Death with Jean Claude Van Damme. Even though he only gave that 2 and a half stars.

[@jonnybirchyboy1560]

The thumbs and stars are all relative

[@brutallyhonest123]

It’s almost as if somehow payola was involved 🤔

[@howie9751]

I think Gene overlooked "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".

[@jessecoffey4737]

He didn't want to remember that one when it came out: chicagotribune.newspapers.com/clip/41872982/gene_siskel_movie_reviewson_her/

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@jessecoffey4737 Terrible review of an excellent Bond adventure.

[@Fireglo]

@@ricardocantoral7672 I feel it's one that grows on you. I remember I didn't like it the first time I saw it.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@Fireglo I loved it the first time I saw it despite what I thought of Lazenby at the time.

[@Fireglo]

@@ricardocantoral7672 ok

[@zt1053]

Weird Gene didn't like the Spy Who Loved Me. Most critics consider that be Roger Moore's best one.

[@mercuryrising2424]

Gene gets it when it comes to For Your Eyes Only.

[@fijistarproductions990]

The thing is Roger Ebert gave this movie thumbs down in his written review of For Your Eyes Only. Weird..

[@jonnybirchyboy1560]

Roger Moore was such a class act

[@theguardianoftruth3533]

Don't stop there. IMO, I think Gene also overlooked You Only Live Twice (1967), Live and Let Die (1973), especially The Spy Who Love Me (1977) (arguably Moore's best and one of the best of the series), and Moonraker (1979) (yes, I know it's arguably the campiest but it had a lot I liked about it, the FX, set designs, Jaws, Drax, and the Bond in space storyline always intrigued me). I always thought that Gene was way too fussy. If you think I'm wrong, then just consider the fact that he also gave thumbs down to Excalibur (1981), The Dark Crystal (1982), The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985) (he recommends Rambo but not this, go figure), Labyrinth (1986), Highlander (1986) Aliens (1986), Predator (1987), Willow (1988), and True Lies (1994).

[@ricardocantoral7672]

The Spy Who Loved Me was the last classic Bond film, IMO.

[@ForceMaximus84]

The Spy Who Loved Me is definitely Moore’s best, but For Your Eyes Only is a close second. I agree that Gene seemed more uppity about movies than Roger typically was, but honestly, that was the charm of watching them review together.

[@TheHoopyscoopy]

Ebert only awarded it two stars but gave it thumbs up?

[@franksmith613]

The same thing happened with Sudden Death in 1995. He gave it two stars and a half, but gave it a thumb up on the show. Usually movie less than 3 stars gets a thumb down.

[@jamesmitchell8922]

​@franksmith613 A mixed review can lead to a marginal recommendation like Gene gave 2 and a half stars to Wild at Heart in 1990 but marginally recommends it. Roger's rating was the same but gave it a thumb down.

[@williamhowe1]

I think it's underrated.

[@bobthebear1246]

Great Bond film with my 2nd favorite Bond song ever.

[@easyivan1976]

Definitely without a doubt Moore's best Bond film. And in my top three from the 007 franchise.

[@aaronleverton4221]

From a Fleming perspective this is Moore's best, from an Eon perspective TSWLM is Moore's best. I can take either, different flavours but equally good.

[@DoncoEntAgain]

I love For Your Eyes Only. It's one of those movies that I can throw on at any time. The action and stunts were very strong this time around, with the scene on the cliff near the end being wonderfully shot. The harder, grittier tone was needed after Moonraker, which they were never going to top in terms of spectacle. I'm glad that Gene was able to put aside his anti-Moore bias for once and recognize the film's strengths. That said, I'm surprised he complimented the villains. Kristatos is probably the most forgettable Bond villain in history; there's just nothing colorful or quirky about him. Roger was right about the previous villains.

[@ForceMaximus84]

This was the second Bond movie I watched after A View to a Kill. The reason being was that my family was about to go on a ski trip and he wanted to prep us for what to expect. As far as the practice of skiing itself, anyway. Afterwards, I watched the other movies on TV, VHS and eventually the theater. I personally think The Spy Who Loved Me is Roger Moore’s best Bond movie, but For Your Eyes Only is a close second.

[@gus4u2c]

For Your Eyes Only and Live And Let Die are my favorite James Bond movies starring Roger Moore

[@FranzSanchez-ky9up]

Did they ever review The Spy Who Loved Me together? Live and Let Die and The Man With the Golden Gun would have been before they started reviewing on-air. Surely, Ebert was positive about TSWLM.

[@CaminoAir]

It's so quaint now to hear 'the 12th Bond movie', when we're waiting for the 25th. There series seemed to be so long running even then.

[@Truthseeker1961]

Agreed, one of the few decent Bond Films...BTW the majority of James Bond Films (minus the Daniel Craig ones so far), are all available to watch for FREE on demand or on a dedicated ''007'' Channel, online on ''Pluto TV'' right now. Yes there are commercials, but so what, they're free ;)

[@CaptainSpalding72]

I vividly recall Roger writing a lengthy review and giving it only 2 stars. Odd.

[@brandoncollins1225]

Even when they both liked a movie they had to argue. You could tell they really loved each other. That's not sarcasm, by the way.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Love this flick!!!!

[@edfelstein3891]

RIP Chaim Topol

[@WinslowLeach1974]

So if Gene didn't like the last few previous James Bond films, he's saying "The Spy Who Loved Me" isn't good? That's just crazy. But "For Your Eyes Only" was indeed a great Bond film.

[@tommartin4089]

A View To A Kill Was Roger Moore's Last James Bond Movie In 1985

[@orbison]

This is historic. The only "Roger Moore" Bond movie Gene liked (any S&E fan knows what he thought of Moore) and the last non-Connery James Bond movie Gene would give a positive review to until Tomorrow Never Dies 13 years later (and there, he mostly gave credit to Jonathan Pryce's Murdoch-like villain.)

[@noahmcclintock5866]

He liked Octopussy. So that makes two Roger Moore Bond movies he liked.

[@Clay3613]

@@noahmcclintock5866 How can he not love The Spy Who Loved Me?

[@michaelperkowski641]

@David Topchiev the bond girl was hot and the action scenes are great the plot was ok

[@chandlerwhite8302]

David Topchiev Sorry, but yes he was.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Contrary to popular belief, Carver was not based on Rupert Murdoch. He was based on media baron Sir Robert Maxwell.

[@nickgagnon3626]

On my top 5 Bond films.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

im finding it crazy how many of these im disagreeing with ebert on but yes he is right about the villains being better

[@davidosterman5016]

interesting how they both like the movie, but argue about who loves it more . . .

[@jayhandron9435]

What I find even more interesting is Ebert only gave two stars to For Your Eyes Only in his print review despite his Yes vote here.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

LMAO at the old mechanical vending machine with the Sold Out light and upside down cup!! Dealt with a few of those in my youth. Also Siskel, may he Rest In Peace, was a true jackass. Haven’t liked a Bond film since Thunderball! 😂😂😂😂

[@rickvinson8324]

Yeah, he was a snob. Moore was my favorite Bond.

[@joshphillips1526]

My first bond film

[@steveprice2718]

Sheena Easton's finest hour for sure!

[@grantmalone]

Ebert: I didn't like it. A strong yes.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Roger's best performance. Behind Live and Let Die and Octopussy.

[@pttn975]

My favorite Bond movie.

[@lukegreen5341]

0:51 Maybe Next Year In 2021. 20th Century Fox Has Announced The Classic 1981 Metro Goldwyn Mayer And United Artists James Bond Spy Movie For Your Eyes Only Will Celebrate It's 40th Anniversary. Thanks Mate. X

[@jamesmitchell8922]

On the CST website, Roger gave it 2 stars. A mistake I think. It might be a 2 and a half star review. A marginal yes from Roger compared to Gene who liked it more.

[@redadamearth]

Definitely one of the better Roger Moore Bonds.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

I'm so glad I wasn't alive during the Connery years. I get so sick of morons complaining he was the best one. You arent a Bond fan then, just a Connery fan. I'm a BOND fan first... Moore is my favorite but love all the actors and flicks.

[@ekop1778]

@David Topchiev ROGER SHOULD OF LEFT AFTER EYES ONLY THE LAST 2 HE MADE WERE SHIT

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Connery is the best Bond but that doesn't mean I can't accept others wearing the tux.

[@DavyDredd14]

I'm so glad morons like You weren't alive during the Connery years, negatively complaining about his portrayal of 'James Bond'

[@drewjeers815]

I don't really agree with the other Moore bond films being gadgets-first films. This one had NONE. Is that what it takes to not be a gadgets-first film?

[@craigmeiners6262]

Weird to see Gene singing the praises of FYEO when later he just dumps on every Bond movie that doesn't have Connery.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

The concept of the film was good but the execution left much to be desired. Everything was routine, nothing stood out. Moonraker was silly but I would take silliness over banality any day of the week.

[@claudec2588]

He says it has one great chase scene after another. For me was was wrong with so many Bond movies was too many chase scenes in stupid vehicles. Like the chase scene in a rickshaw or that silly yellow car.

[@doggfacejr]

I think Timothy Dalton should have made his Bond debut in this movie.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

Agreed. You can see Moore was looking long in tooth by this film. They have tried luring Dalton for many years, he was even considered way back in the 60s but was regarded as too young. Dalton as Bond was always a problem with timing.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@Jack the Film Fanatic Completely agree, yea. The sooner the better. Moore was already 47 years old on his first Bond movie(!!!). Much like Dalton, they had been looking to cast him for a long time as the character. He was supposed to take over after You Only Live Twice in 1967 for OHMSS(69) but was not available cause of The Saint. Then they wanted him after Service but he was locked up on another TV show(The Persuaders). The guy is even three years older than Connery which is insane. Age was never much an issue for Bond cause you need a mature man for it but it was more and more troublesome for Moore. It feels like a case of these guys wanting Moore at any cost but they keep missing him and it's almost like it made him even more irresistible to get. And when they got there, he was advanced in age. Another man I would have seen around the time of FYEO that could have taken over is Sam Neil. He already done a TV show in the UK where he played a British agent and he had the good look and that edge that could have washed away the Moore era.

[@robertwiegman1]

Roger changed it to thumbs down later on.

[@geraldparks1621]

Bad idea to have the full show intro when you're only showing a small portion.

[@rmurphy440m]

“give him a hand”...uh huh

[@wcs494]

Ebert is wrong For Your Eyes Only ranks up there with the firs 3 or 4 Bond’s. This is Roger Moore best James Bond.

[@Truthseeker1515]

Seriously, that should have been Moore's last....best to leave on a high.

[@majestyk3337]

Two strong Yes votes? That must have been a mistake.

[@erichaynes7502]

This was good but Moonquaker was better.

[@steveconn]

Moore was more fun in Octopussy and View To A Kill.

[@TheMav41]

Decent Bond film. Lynn-Holly Johnson is better than this brooding chick!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

BLECH !

[@WedgePee]

@@ricardocantoral7672 What do you mean, "blech!"?

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@WedgePee I mean, that film could have done without Johnson. Also, the two dumb sequences that bookend the film.

[@richardcahill1234]

Julian Glover was an awful villain!

[@christinacascadilla4473]

I’m sorry. All those James Bond movies are bad.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Sure, if you're stupid.

[@killboggins]

The perfect antidote to moonraker

[@middlefingermotionpictures4772]

Moonraker isn't nearly as bad we you've been told to think it is.

[@killboggins]

@middlefingermotionpictures4772 it is my friend. Even when I was a child I knew it was bad. That being said, it's not the worst of them all. That "honour" belongs to Die Another Day