The Spy Who Loved Me: Is Roger Moore's Third Film His Best?

[@erikdolnack2737]

"Spy Who Loved Me" is easily Roger Moore's best Bond film, and easily one of the top-three Bond movies of all-time, in my opinion. This film hits all the right notes, perfectly. It is a masterpiece.

[@greatwuta]

@@shaduck06 You liked Spectre more than Skyfall

[@pkempy]

'For your eyes only' for me

[@andrewwebster2598]

For Your Eyes only is certainly pretty flawless for a Bond, I think Moore’s second best and I love how it is more stripped down and less larger than life

[@gimj1_8]

The spy who loved me was Moore Best by far imo. The lotus, the base jump off the mountain on skis, Jaws, Atlantis and it also featured what was at the time the biggest set ever made aka the interior of the tanker. What a film!

[@dreyn7780]

The 1 year time limit for discussion about plots is over. you weren't even born. We've all forgotten the film. That hasn't been shown since 1980. DVD's aren't even like the VHS version or Beta tape. The 2020 blu-Ray version isn't even close to the prior blu-Ray version. Its more blu-Ray than blu-Ray ever was. I can touch the sounds from the 2020 blu-Ray version. The images and sounds are all 2020 sounds and 2020 images. Even the 2020 dolby MONO sound is all 2020 boosted versions. None of it is like the original film experience. There's over 1000 + versions of this 1 motion picture.

[@Gwartonium]

@@dreyn7780 What the Hell does this even mean?

[@HoustonSoto]

I think the reason people take shots at Roger’s fashion is they remember the pastel colors, bell bottoms and long dress colors (not to mention the safari suits he dons time to time). But the man was perfectly tailored and rakish regardless. The black long sleeve polo and slacks during his discussion with Anya about the death of her lover is such a clean and sharp look for Sir Roger.

[@dreyn7780]

Male gossip.

[@adamcollins915]

The ski jump was my first wow moment in film.

[@andrewwebster2598]

Fantastic production by Ken Adam, great screenplay and ideas by Maibaum and Chris Wood.

[@colinhanna1640]

Roger's most iconic Bond movie. Love it.

[@adamcollins915]

Moore was fine in LALD & TMWTGG. However they pulled out all the stops for TSWLM & it suited 1977 perfectly.

[@despinagounari7312]

"Spy Who Loved Me" is Roger Moore's best Bond film. Actually, i love all Moore's Bond movies!!

[@JaegerZ3]

My explanation for the girl's "No!" reaction before the shot is not that she suddenly wants to save JB. I think she is scared for her life, she realizes the henchman is about to shoot JB while he is holding her.

[@phila3884]

Interesting take. Slightly different take might be that she got cold feet about being used to lure Bond into the trap right when it was about to go down...

[@andrewbevan4662]

It's definitely his most iconic, his Goldfinger. after the relatively poor performance of Golden Gun they pulled out all the stops for this.. Classic car, the only rival to Aston Martin, classic villain in Jaws.. The first really big pre title stunt, great theme tune.. Came out during the Queen's jubilee year so tied into a sense of British national pride

[@tropicalcatdetective]

I always appreciate the motion graphics and title sequences that Joe puts ahead of the videos. This was another good one.

[@andrewfellows2154]

Is it me or does Jo Darlington got an Orson Welles thing going on?

[@maxbowie6074]

Nice to hear you rightly mention Roger Moore's versatility. Some critics always categorise him as the light/comic 007, but although he did that with aplomb, there was so much more to his screen presence than that. I've just been rewatching his Bond films with my son, and the fact is he carries off all the darker scenes with absolute authority and nuance. He never, ever misjudges the tone of a scene, and I still maintain he was a *very* underrated actor. Problem is he was so self-deprecating he didn't advance his cause, but just watch him in 'North Sea Hijack' or 'The man who haunted himself'. He's masterful in those films, and totally immerses himself in the characters. He was damn good in 'The Wild Geese' too, and easily holds his own against Richards Burton and Harris.

[@hcantrell10]

This is incredibly minute but one quibble I have with us as a Bond community is this notion we and the public hold that Bond only really drinks martinis. Since David started the Fleming Reading Challenge I’ve listened to over half of the audiobooks and Bond’s most frequent drink by far is bourbon. He’ll have martinis here and there and he’ll drink bottle after bottle of champagne, but it seems like every chapter he’s ordering his third bourbon and branch water. Roger Moore drinking bourbon was not a move away from Bond elements, except maybe in the eyes of the public who were only used to Sean Connery ordering martinis.

[@Paul91-]

That cover of Nobody Does It Better at the end is sick!!!!!

[@adamcollins915]

TSWLM was the first Bond film I saw all the way through, on TV. In 1981. It was advertised heavily & was a big event in the days of 4 TV channels.

[@o.comic.g.3796]

TSWLM is my favourite Moore Bond film and my favourite Bond film PERIOD.

[@magnusprime962]

Same, it’s just such a joyously fun movie.

[@markwaldman1079]

Great review. To me, Roger is often maligned but as much a classic Bond as Connery. This and For Your Eyes Only are my two favorite Roger films and both have their pro's and con's. This one is pure action, has all the elements and a memorable Bond lady, in addition to arguably the coolest henchman, who albeit went south thru poor writing in the next film. Roger is pure cool, super comfortable as Bond, the locales are great, the ski sequence, the chase scenes, on and on. Yes, Barbara Bach is wooden as an actress but as a Russian agent, works in her favor. I think this is one of the most purely entertaining of all the Bond films and ranks high up on my list. I agree with Joe on For Your Eyes Only's toughness. Definitely shows (along with key scenes in Spy as well as Live and Let Die) that he is no lightweight and can definitely get dark, when needed. Terrific stuff, keep it up. We pandemic deprived film fans appreciate all your content.

[@jhking8542]

You guys are fantastic together!

[@gregmize01]

Great colab guys!

[@michaelstocklin9080]

These are a lot of fun. If i may, i have another theory. I think you can divide Sir Rogers tenure into two epochs, the 70's and the 80's. There is a big difference in tone between say the Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only, but both are good films.

[@jukeboxjeffrey9102]

Hey David. Also my first Bond film. I saw it as a 5 year old at the movie theatre on the Army base at Ft. Riley (home of the Big Red 1) in 1977. I had much the same reaction as you did. My mom still jokes about how for years I referred to the movie as The Spy Who I Loved.

[@dtuk22]

@24:24...Your absolutely spot on David.👍

[@ryanb6784]

I agree, he seemed to be very comfortable in the role in this film and did superbly. I think his first 3-4 films were really really good, solid movies and he performed strongly. After that he seemed a little too old to be playing Bond in my opinion. Personal favorite Moore movie is Live and Let Die.

[@davewanamaker3690]

Most enjoyable discussion. I liked listening to you over my breakfast this morning. Nice way to start a Sunday. Remember that Moore was a very good bad-ass when he played THE SAINT on TV. He always knew how to throw punches. I look forward to watching more of your talks. Good job!

[@johnrigs6540]

Brilliant opening graphics and intro Joe! You guys look great- the epic beard and the cool sports jacket and turtleneck!👍🏻 The Spy Who Loved Me is just CLASSIC James Bond- filled with iconic 007 signatures- The Ski Jump- The Classic Song-The INCREDIBLY Beautiful Russian Spy Anya-Jaws- The Lotus Car Chase with Cars, Motorbikes, Helicopters and underwater vehicles- and finishing with a great finale with army’s fighting in a giant Tanker. Sure ,FYEO and Octopussy are great, but because of all of these unforgettable elements - The Spy Who Loved Me is- to me -DEFINITELY Rogers best.

[@graemefarquharson465]

Released in 1977 and fits in with the Queens Silver Jubilee. I remember when it was shown in '77 and the Lotus Espirit in the foyer of the cinema when I lived in Plymouth

[@martinrenner2992]

David looks like Kevin Costner here.

[@abhishekpaul000]

The Spy who Loved me is my personal favourite Bond-Film.....

[@conorbrierley1]

Rest in Peace Michael Lonsdale AKA Hugo Drax 1931-2020

[@JaegerZ3]

Some comments I had for this movie: - The music score is outstanding and sooo matching the scenes: the ski chase, the pyramids fight, the Atlantis approach - Caroline Munro not only very hot but combination of Assassin as well - Villain's plan was quite weak; to restart civilization underwater based on only Atlantis; Drax's similar plan looked better - One more goofy behavior of Jaws was attacking the van but not JB or Anya. He actully cut it open and instead of grabbing either one of them he just continues smashing the vehicle

[@armandovalmont9762]

I don't think that the kind of silly comedy scenes depend on Roger Moore. It was just the taste of the time. Many action movies from the 70s have these elements, even serious action movies from Sam Peckinpah like The Getaway. And compared to Diamonds the Roger-Moore-Movies seem almost serious.

[@munichbier1167]

Exactly. You can’t compare a 1970’s film to films forty five years later. It was the time of ABBA, Disco and flares.

[@frankb821]

Well done, gentlemen! After viewing this, I do believe TSWLM has creeped into 2nd position in my Moore rankings, after For Your Eyes Only (with Octopussy running a solid 3rd, thx to Calvin and Joe). Had Barbara Bach's wooden performance been more fluid, it would rival the very best of the era! They should have swapped the Bach/Munro characters out...

[@taylordve]

Yep. Easily his best & possibly top 3 of all. What's not to like? Music, scenery, Hello Lotus, helicopter car chase, Jaws, bad guy, Barbara B/Caroline M. ...

[@kallreader7376]

The "bald guy" was Sandor, played by Milton Reid

[@redjones8010]

I did find Stromberg memorable. Curt Jurgens for me was a terrific actor.

[@stevem.1853]

Jurgens' performance was memorable, but the Stromberg character was not very developed. The part he was given was rather one dimensional.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I have seen Curt Jurgens do much better. The Mephisto Waltz for example, he was darkly charismatic.

[@mikecassidy1623]

I think this might be my best Bond film of all time.

[@greatwuta]

I got it ranked #1 overall.

[@AE-Rugby]

Agree 100%..it has all the ingredients !

[@jackhime5628]

This is one of my favorite soundtrack of the 007 films and I love the bond 77 track on the soundtrack I love this film.

[@MarklovesTV]

I much prefer this film to Roger’s other Bond films. I also think it is one of the best James Bond films overall.

[@danielyusay4390]

I love all roger moore james bond series

[@JohnQPublic345]

I remember they played the spy who loved me, on regular TV, back in about '85, Chicago

[@FromVadimWithLove]

I would say that TSWLM is quintessential Bond movie from the 70s. A lot of genuine fun moments, but still not dialing the absurd level up to eleven.

[@anshumistry2617]

Since NTTD was postponed, I rewatched many of the Bond films a few months back and also attempted to do a tentative ranking. FRWL (it is like a period, Fleming's, Hitchcockian 007 film) and TSWLM (a perfect or maybe ironed out Big Bond villain film) ranked at the top.

[@brendanbrookes1805]

Live and let die is my favourite bond film

[@JaegerZ3]

Call me crazy 007 fan but I (try to) schedule watching this movie on August 3rd, to match Max Kalba' appointment with Fekkesh loool

[@billlucas4675]

Yes as I've posted on other sites 3rd is Best. Sir Roger frequently stated in interviews SWLM was his best/Favorite. Proved his 007 was just as good a killer as a gentleman,and the look he gave Anya when she mentioned Tracy... Sir Sean/Goldfinger- the blueprint for franchise ever since. P. Brosnan- The World is Not Enough 2nd best pre title sequence(after Goldfinger),and his final confrontation w/Electra BANG! "I never miss" Daniel Craig- Skyfall- enough said. If only Tim Dalton had did a third...

[@Dohsoda]

While most people say TSWLM and FYEO are Roger's best, I'm more of a Live and Die and Octopussy man myself. But all of his 007 adventures are good fun.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

The latter half of Octopussy is great.

[@camcrown9880]

I always say that the third bond movie of an actor is usually the best. Maybe except Brosnan if ur picky. And those who did not make 3 movies, it is their last that is the best. With Sean Connery, his third movie is Goldfinger and id say it is the best. Lazenby only made one so it's his best lol. Moores third film being well The Spy Who Loved Me. And it is his best film. Dalton only made 2 movies but that means in my opinion that his last is the best movie, being Licence to Kill. Brosnans third was The World Is Not Enough. I think it is his best movie even some might disagree. Craigs third outing as bond being Skyfall is his best. (Sure Casino Royale might be better with some people but I think Skyfall has the perfect mix for a bond movie.)

[@deanf8894]

1.On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- From Russia with Love 3- Casino Royale 4- For Your Eyes Only 5- Spy Who Loved Me 6- Skyfall 7- Licence to Kill 8- Goldfinger 9- Thunderball 10- You Only Live Twice 11- Live and Let Die 12- GoldenEye

[@MichaelCorleone654]

My issue with TSWLM was how ineffective and campy Jaws was. He had the presence and appearance and I definitely found him frightening as a kid but the sight of him running in Egypt makes him look far too goofy to be taken seriously. That bit with him dropping the stone on his foot was also pretty weak. If they had portrayed him as being more efficient like Oddjob, TSWLM would probably be my favourite Roger Moore Bond film right now but whenever Jaws runs or looks foolish i sigh at how misused he was.

[@magnusprime962]

Personally, I think they made up for those moments with the fight on the train. Throughout that sequence, you can tell Bond is doing everything he can just to survive. He can’t beat Jaws, he can only escape him.

[@Romans8-9]

He is almost like a cartoon character with how many times he defied death.

[@sawchiefs29]

Darlington, when ya putting out the review of Spectre?

[@roxondex3359]

22:53 love bond girl felicca

[@omardiaz3557]

Fun fact: it's the last movie Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley saw before they died

[@renekauts8323]

They were both alive on 7 July 1977, but did they actually saw this movie???

[@scottprice24]

its definitely Roger Moore best 007 movie he did out of the 7 films

[@maxfieldnuckels9075]

With 7 likes

[@tcraigh1]

Second best! His best is for your eyes only!

[@danbo433]

'When your Dad makes that face' For me, it was mum. Always. When that line what about to be crossed, I got that look and knew to behave...or else.

[@roxondex3359]

23:34

[@roxondex3359]

I always loved bond girl olga bisera aka felicca forever, she was my first crush since i saw this film 20 years ago

[@garethjones2746]

Growing up in the 80s, like all people my age, Roger Moore was James Bond and although now Sean Connery to me is the OG then he was an imposter. But this car to me, when I was a kid (and all my friends) was the coolest car ever after a lambo of course. But that brings me to my point, is Roger Moore the only James Bond who doesn’t get a Aston Martin? He’s almost the alt bond with the alt trademark car.

[@ernierichardson444]

The Spy Who Loved Me is my absolute favorite

[@TheSpecialExecutive]

Interesting observation David, but spot on.

[@andrewsharman8566]

Yes...considerably

[@matthewjay5483]

For a Sci Fi/Fantasy genre type film, The Spy Who Loved Me is perfect. I appreciate for what it is. it's a great film. Though I personally prefer the trotter Bond films

[@jorritbekema386]

Did you guys discuss Goldfinger already? I can't find the video

[@greatwuta]

Yes it's on the bond experience channel

[@rickyj5547]

Yes

[@natgibbard5434]

I think TSWLM ranks so high in ranking lists because of it's iconography (Jaws/Lotus Esprit). It has never been one of my favourites (I think Stromberg is a weak villain and I think its style is too ostentatious for me - yellow jumpsuit etc), but it is definitely one of RM best.

[@rrassoc]

The slight "cartoony-ness" dropped this to my #2 Moore film. FYEO is #1 IMHO.

[@rrassoc]

That's it! Jaws as a Wile E. Coyote destroyed what could have been a great film.

[@ericbonifield768]

I love you guys

[@bonghunezhou5051]

I wonder what the other MooreBond film was re-released shortly after his passing ? (Moonraker? Live and Let Die?) Parts of this purportedly dramatic film is "cartoony". But then, so is A View to a Kill.

[@cklambo]

Yes.

[@9Lando945]

Can't find the World is Not Enough video you allude to at the end of this video. Is it still posted? I like the discussion idea of the THIRD of the tenured Bonds. Please post a link to your Thunderball and Skyfall videso in this series if you see this comment. Thanks

[@leitercia]

Thunderball: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJyVcpWggc9rp6M

[@leitercia]

TWINE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6elnHqsg7R2Z7c

[@leitercia]

Skyfall: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoaTk517btFmh9U

[@9Lando945]

@@leitercia Thanks for the links - I Am looking for the other videos in this series you do with Dave, the Third in each series. I ended up finding the TWINE one, I'll keep looking for Thunderball and Skyfall. Thanks

[@mauriceedwards6759]

The one I've seen more times than any orther I've even seen this in Majorca in Spanish with English sbutitites at 2am in the morning but the real reason is Barbra Bach (Mrs Ringo Starr) she is not a damsal in distress she is gorgeous and is equal to Bond in this.

[@davidclarke1731]

In my top three a great moore film .

[@angelomaiorana2091]

The Lotus to me had Always been my favourite.

[@poihpioakarp8845]

Yes, yes it is.

[@greatwuta]

28:15 Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to

[@garethsmith6611]

man with golden gun my favourite.

[@IdiocyShow]

I think FYEO’s Moore’s best but TSWLM’s my personal favorite of Moore’s!

[@DavyDredd14]

Nobody does it better..

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Not only is Spy Moore's finest, the film is the last classic Bond film. Nothing in the series has approached that level of quality since.

[@greatwuta]

Dang I want to disagree but The Spy Who Loved Me is my favorite 007 film of all time.

[@greatwuta]

P.S. I'm glad to see that you are a subscriber to Being James Bond.

[@kb9072]

For me a Bond film has to have a great gadget laiden car to be complete. The Lotus in this film is Bonds best car.

[@owenwatson8863]

I like jaws in this film rather than in moonraker but it is one film I don’t watch that often

[@roxondex3359]

22:53

[@kimi88cz]

Why don’t you two do a review of every Bond movie? You already got the first, last and now the third

[@phila3884]

Re: the woman Bond uses to take the bullet- Remember, it was HER who was part of the plot to set Bond up in the first place.. Whether she had a change of heart at the last minute or not, too bad.

[@roxondex3359]

Poor felicca she was so beautiful sexy she didnt die in the movie 😂😢😭😭😭

[@TheSpecialExecutive]

Morning everyone

[@fatsnbul]

Is the British press right about Tom Hardy? We need a vlog to discuss....

[@neilmarktaylor4386]

On the audio commentary Lewis Gilbert said about the men working for the bad guy ( men in jump suits ) who tells there wife's that there husband been killed

[@markymark2819]

16:56 Joe almost looses an eye

[@GameAGuy]

Moore's best Bond's are Live and Let Die and View to a Kill, and Octopusy, Man with Golden Gun, Spy Who Loved Me.

[@MichaelCorleone654]

So all of them except for Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only

[@eabcool]

i never noticed the web fingers before !

[@user-ik4kh9lt6d]

Is Roger Moore’s third film his best? Yes.

[@thelookuplookdown]

... in many ways a remake of "You Only Love Twice"????? think about it......

[@jebiniv]

That, Moonraker, Die another day, Thunderball, and this one: the five biggest movies of the franchise.

[@johnmoore2910]

Octopussy with my first James Bond. I really like it. I think it’s pretty great except for the Tarzan yell and stuff in the jungle. I wish I had seen for your eyes only in the theater, because I liked bond back then, I just missed it. Thank you for the review on the spy who loved me. I think it’s a pretty fantastic movie

[@dereklewis4321]

If i could get an edit that removes the Tarzana yell and the zooming in on tits that would be great. Other than thoes two moments I love the film. Top notch action, location and villains. It has a great mix of campy and serious. The "sit" moment is hilarious, brief and works perfectly for the film. Then the end where he has to make a split second decision and shoot the russian soldier in the head is one of the most intense moments of any bond film.

[@DeltaDemon1]

37 minutes to say 'yes'...an exercise in inefficiency.

[@simonpayne8252]

It's hard to choose but SPY would be a good choice for Roger... Connery best is Goldfinger Dalton best Living Daylights Brosnan best is Goldeneye Craig best is Casino Royale

[@mastroia0077]

for me ,stromberg is one of the biggest and cruelest villains of all 007 films. remember me the globalists today.

[@daxtonmounger3445]

1. For Your Eyes Only 2. Live and Let Die 3. Octopussy 4. The Spy Who Loved Me 5. Moonraker 6. A View to a Kill 7. The Man With the Golden Gun

[@bradstanley116]

So that base rising out of the water doesn't make anyone else think of the evil base the Superfriends cartoon has?

[@eddherring4972]

Mayday, no coyote moment, did Gobinda have a coyote moment? Erich Kriegler?

[@billlucas4675]

Define coyote moment