Why THE SPY WHO LOVED ME is the Greatest Bond Movie | Video Essay

🔵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: / pentexproductions 🔵
The Spy Who Loved Me is widely considered the best James Bond movie. In this video essay, I break down why Roger Moore’s third Bond film is so revered, and why 45 years later The Spy Who Loved Me is still thought of as one of, if not the best James Bond movie ever made. Spoiler alert - it’s not just the Lotus submarine car, or the parachute jump. We’ll analyse both the film itself, and also place The Spy Who Loved Me in its historical context by looking behind the scenes at how this movie ended up saving the entire James Bond series.
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME: In a globe-trotting assignment that has him skiing off the edges of cliffs and driving a car deep underwater, British super-spy James Bond (Roger Moore) unites with the beautiful Russian agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) to defeat megalomaniac shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens), who is threatening to destroy New York City with nuclear weapons. Bond's most deadly adversary on the case is Stromberg's henchman, Jaws (Richard Kiel), a seven-foot giant with terrifying steel teeth.
00:00 - Nobody Does It Better
02:28 - Historical context (the making of The Spy Who Loved Me)
08:39 - TSWLM pre-title sequence
12:19 - The villains (Stromberg and Jaws)
13:26 - The plot thickens (off to Egypt)
16:55 - Bond and Anya
21:09 - The Lotus Esprit (the submarine car)
24:00 - The final act (the Ken Adam set)
26:03 - Keeping the British end up
Pentex’s James Bond video essays playlist: • James Bond video essays
Follow me on Twitter: PentexP
MUSIC
Icelandic Arpeggios, DivKid, KZbin Music Library
www.bensound.com/free-music-f...
SOURCES
Inside The Spy Who Loved Me documentary (Part 1) - • Inside "The Spy Who Lo...
Inside The Spy Who Loved Me documentary (Part 2) - • Inside "The Spy who Lo...

[@PentexProductions]

There's plenty more James Bond videos where this one came from - full playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLGKyAwPbirg9xCsjSvrc_e3N_f887xJnG

[@kirk-daroostergordon9961]

Goldeneye is the greatest Bond movie of all time

[@marcotulio9398]

"Why THE SPY WHO LOVED ME is the Greatest Bond Movie" By saying that, you think people will believe that?

[@lloydkline1518]

Gote my vote no weak spoot in tge movie

[@johnakyle5908]

I was 10 years old as well when it came out , and it was the fist Bond movie I got to see in the Cinema. Hooked me for life , I was aware of Bond films , usual Christmas Day afternoon premieres on TV in the UK . I still think From Russia with Love is the best Bond Movie though .

[@karlbark]

@@kirk-daroostergordon9961 Yes...that is basically 100% correct. (Yes, weell... *only* if you didn't see TheSpyWhoLovedMe when it premiered ) 😎 -Cheers from Iceland 🇮🇸

[@kevinconnor3187]

A wonderful Bond and human being. RIP Roger Moore.

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

Most folks dont know Roger was a strict pacifist...meaning use your brain instead of your fists to solve issues

[@foxmulder4653]

My friends relative was in England, and he saw Roger Moore stressed out. Moore said he needed to get to a reading for a big movie but his lift wasn't there. My mates friend lent Moore his car. Moore then brought the car back and invited him for dinner anytime. A few years later he returned to England and got in touch with Moore and was completely unaware of the success. He said Moore invited him over and dud not hold back on the generosity towards him. I'm still trying to find an interview of Moore speaking on this event. If anyone has heard of him speaking about this please let me know

[@sporkfindus4777]

Yet another example of what a wonderful person Roger Moore was

[@flukeman022]

Have you previously watched the interview? Do you know year/decade it was filmed, Who was the interviewer, TV show and etc?

[@RepentingMan]

Do you like him in The Persuaders? I was a kid when got the Bond role. I was maddened that it meant the end of The Persuaders.

[@IanSRutter]

When I saw this as a kid, it was the look Caroline Munro gave Roger Moore before the final Lotus / Helicopter scene. Sent every kids wet dream into overdrive.

[@lukestrawwalker]

Uh... YESSS!!!! OMG Caroline Munro winking at Bond from the helicopter, she was just the most gorgeous sexy woman imaginable...

[@ransomedavis2208]

I was born in 73 the same year Roger was introduced as bond in live and let die so growing up Roger was my bond and my hero, i was bullied at school but when roger came on tv as bond it took all my fear, stress and anxiety away. Roger took me on adventures and made the world alright. when Roger sadly passed away a piece of me genuinely died aswell i was very saddened.

[@morgan97475]

At 10 years old, this is the first Bond film I remember from start to finish. The ski jump scene is the best Bond opening.....love it.

[@gokhanersan8561]

I was 10, too. The most entertaining Bond film ever, still to this day for me.

[@JC-qx5hd]

I was 13 .Knocked my socks off

[@mikeschaeffer7262]

Mine was for your eyes only. Well, remembering it from start to finish

[@morgan97475]

@@mikeschaeffer7262 I consider that one the best actual spy movie during the Moore era.

[@miaya3898]

I only remember select scenes from movies when I was 10. Even movies I was obsessed with growing up like t2, back to future, etc., And I have above average memory or at least I used to.

[@fecardona]

You forgot to mention, Carly Simon’s theme song. Also, ranked among the best and most memorable

[@partyboi8773]

Yep, the song adds a whole new level to the quality of the movie. My favorite Bond theme of all time.

[@burnbobquist8999]

Indeed, Simon's voice is one of the most memoreable themes of the whole franchise. What an amazing song.

[@StephenKershaw1]

song, yes, in top 5.... but overall music score Spy was one of the worst.... too bad Barry wasn't available... he is the sound of bond

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

All the time in the world by Louie Armstrong is my favourite but the spy who loved me is a terrific one as well. I would argue all the time in the world is more memorable but that's just my opinion.

[@johntiggleman4686]

It was ok...Dame Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger" is THE best, hands down. Then, "From Russia With Love," and "You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra. Honorable mention to Sir James Paul McCartney and Wings' "Live and Let Die." The rest...pffft.

[@nicholashylton6857]

The skiing base-jump in the movie is still legendary for practical stunts. It blew my little mind as a kid and still blows my mind.

[@franciscodanconia4324]

The Bond stunt that most blows my mind is the corkscrew jump in The Man with the Golden Gun. The fact that they did that practically and got the physics right is amazing.

[@nicholashylton6857]

@@franciscodanconia4324 Yep. That's #2 on my list.

[@dougmoore6612]

The ski-BASE is literally what inspired me to become a BASE jumper.

[@ravenn22]

@@nicholashylton6857 ...and they ruined the car jump stunt in edit by putting in the slide-whistle sound effect.... it was 15 years later I realized they actually did that stunt. they also lucked out with the ski jump as 3/4 cameras failed during the take and the only one that functioned was the the long shot... if all cameras had worked, they would have edited the shot like crazy and it would have lost the impact. like the station wagon jump in Vacation, which you don't remember from the movie... the stunt driver launched the family truckster over 50 yds. but they edited the film so you don't even notice that it was anything special...

[@ahhamartin]

​@@ravenn22Agreed on the corkscrew jump. They used computers to get it right, then... It was like they knew it was TOO awesome and put in the slide whistle to tone it down.

[@southlondon86]

My favourite Bond movie of all time. Great gadgets, villains, Bond girl, locations, the car-marine and of course Roger Moore. 🔥

[@tomburroughes9834]

As a young boy I grew up watching Roger Moore's films, and TSWLM is one of my favourites to this day.

[@pbworld7858]

Same here. I know people say his James Bond wasn't authentic or it was too campy, but I grew up in this era. I even bought a toy model of that car. And this was the first movie with the bad, mean Jaws. Also, Caroline Monro was absolute bad-ass.....until she got shot out of the sky.

[@BenMJay]

my favorite bound film is A View To A Kill. Second is Moonraker

[@dukecraig2402]

Yep, and Carley Simon's theme song is the icing on the cake.

[@StephenKershaw1]

you're not a real bond fan

[@pbworld7858]

@@dukecraig2402 Forgot about that. That's my favourite Bond theme song. In fact, I love all the songs from the Moore era. The only song I really liked after Moore finished his stint was Licence to Kill, but then again, Gladys Knight is a legend.

[@w.camera1204]

In addition to the Lotus submarine-car and Barbara Bach, can't forget it also had an awesome theme song in Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better".

[@topenddean]

Absolutely!

[@Redmenace96]

Before the internet and tweeter, I remember the song and the movie being everywhere. Everyone talked about it. Total saturation of American culture.

[@stefanandreas4705]

Octopussy is far better

[@Cracker130]

This and For Your Eyes Only are just incredible, I find it so hard to decide between the two.

[@smartgenes1]

For Your Eyes Only is terrible.

[@emiramick5305]

Probably not many agree with you on that one but I do. Those 2 would be some of my favorite Bond movies and definitely top 5 on my list

[@maratonlegendelenemirei3352]

@@smartgenes1 What? Brilliant film with decent plot. Beats anything Daniel Craig ever did.

[@B-A-L]

For Your Eyes Only literally brought James Bond back down to Earth after the ridiculousness of Moonraker and had a totally believable plot that didn't involve world domination by a madman. It also had Carole Bouquet in it and that alone makes it a great movie, that and a Citroen 2CV!

[@livingtribunal4110]

@@smartgenes1 Yep. Dull. The pre-credits sequence is the best thing about the film...and the pre-credits sequence is unintentionally funny. This is what happens when a Film Editor gets promoted to Director and proceeds to make 4 terrible movies.

[@MrSatampra]

I saw this film at a smallish art theater about ten years after its first release, and when the Union Jack parachute popped out, the whole place exploded in cheers. As far as I'm concerned, that was THE iconic moment.

[@SolitaryWolf]

Using Lawrence of Arabia was the first time another soundtrack theme was used, but it wasn’t the only. In Moonraker, they used Elmer Bernstein, Magnificent Seven theme briefly as well.

[@ThorstenWieking]

And I think the tonal sequence from Close Encounters of the third kind for the codelock to the laboratory.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

@@ThorstenWieking As well as three familiar notes from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

[@stvdagger8074]

In the non-Eon Bond Film "Casino Royale (1967)", a few snippets of the theme from "Born Free" were used.

[@Charlie_Duz]

I always forget it's coming up and it always makes me laugh out loud.

[@jserien08]

you are absolutely right. No Bond film ever dethroned "The Spy" from its dominant position.

[@gbkiller007]

Always been my favourite. I think the grand scale of the Adams set, the theme music choice (and the disco bond chase theme) the car, the opener, Jaws and Moore in his prime. Just a perfect collaboration of events to make the best bond movie.

[@SteefPip]

I'm not British but the parachute open scene absolutely fires me up. The scene is fantastic.

[@007JHS]

Carly Simon's 'Nobody Does it Better,' one of the best Bond theme songs.

[@OronOfMontreal]

I don't understand how you can devote so much time to this excellent Bond movie, without mentioning, let alone showing scenes with, the amazing Caroline Munro, the other "henchman" in TSWLM. Munro was one of Filmdom's most gorgeous actresses of her time.

[@PentexProductions]

I need to make a whole other video about that wink!

[@normanby100]

One of the biggest game changers from this movie is that Bond's relationships between him and the main girl became more important than they had previously - with the exception of Tracey - and became more central to the plot.

[@francoforte-67]

It was the most important James Bond film of Roger's career. I remember well, I saw TSWLM in the cinema when it came out. His first two roles as Bond (1973, 1974) didn't really go down well with audiences. So it was practically a last chance to establish himself as a Bond actor - and that's exactly what he did with TSWLM. Not an easy film in the middle of the slapstick era. But you could already tell in the first 30 minutes that this film was meant seriously, Curd Jurgens was a fantastic villain, opinions are divided about Jaws but imho Kiel was great in this movie, Barbara Bach was a state o.t. art Bondgirl, the gimmicks were superb. It's definitely a Top 10 Bond and way better than the last one. God I hate NTTD but that's off topic now.

[@PentexProductions]

I enjoyed NTTD but understand why it has been so divisive (have made a couple of videos on it linked in the description). Totally agree on TSWLM - the definitive movie for Moore.

[@francoforte-67]

@@PentexProductions Yes, the new Bond is certainly a controversial topic among fans. I have to admit that I might be a little grumpy about NTTD just because of my age and my attitude towards these films. As a child of the 50's I allow myself such a failure. It's so deeply anchored, so don't blame me ☺

[@crimsondeath7468]

Thats some revisionist BS Broccoli propaganda! Live and let die was a major triumf. Booth audiences and criticts loved LALD and Roger in the part TMWTGG on the other hand was not popular! But there was no worrry regaarding Bonds future. But the propaganda machine was firing on all sylinders since Broccoli had become the sole producer. And this Broccoli propaganda machine has been fully at work since

[@remyscar]

@@francoforte-67 as a child of the 00's i agree TSWLM is far superior to NTTD

[@skuastone9698]

NTTD is a failure for me it messed up the time line, is it meant to before LTK?

[@simonm7133]

I remember going to the Odeon Leicester Square to see this just a couple of weeks after it came out. In 70mm on the big screen it looked spectacular and just what the franchise needed. Whilst all the pre credit sequences of the Bond movies are supposed to grab your attention, this one stands out as one of, if not, the best. It also had a brilliant musical score especially in the ski and car chase where Marvin Hamlisch did a wonderful job of updating the original theme to being very much in keeping with that era of disco and heavy bass. And still one of the best Bond songs ever!

[@Leftfield71]

My father had been going to see the Bond films since From Russia With Love, and The Spy Who Loved Me was the first Bond film he took me too, and it has remained one of my favourite films ever since.

[@WorldsStrongestFan]

R.I.P Sir Roger Moore…Nobody did it better!💪🏼🔫

[@mr.2cents.846]

He was the most english Bond.

[@renekauts8323]

@@mr.2cents.846 He was the only english Bond! Connery was from Scotland, Lazenby from Australia, Dalton from Wales, Brosnan from Ireland.

[@OwlBXpectin]

Or Craig who is from England 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@loydkline]

❤️ Roger Moore only fault was a view to kill movie beyondbad; Sean Connery had diamonds are forever:: another bad 🎬 movies

[@blabbermouth777]

Except for Sean Connery and Daniel Craig. Sean Connery was the most human and realistic.

[@user-xb2pk4lt9b]

The Spy Who Loved Me is also my favorite Bond movie. Just so many iconic and memorable scenes filled in this movie. It's got one of the best Bond cars which can turn into a submarine, the best villain ever Jaws, British flagged parachute jump, portable water top "running vehicle", beautiful views along Nile river, the love and hate mixed emotions between the main characters. I watched this movie on TV when I was young and I couldn't find my chin... especially when Jaws casually bit the shark to death and swam away. I love everything you say about this movie.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Thanks for defending Roger Moore. I have a friend who hates his Bond and I am always passionately defending him. I actually think all the Bonds are just fine. Dalton is my fave now, but I think partisanship on this matter is kind of pointless, really.

[@OldJong]

My two favorites Bond Movies are: "The spy who loved me" and "You only live twice"!

[@robwalsh9843]

The battle between the US and UK sailors and Stromberg's henchmen is too epic for words.

[@Deebz270]

There were also Soviet submariners fighting alongside the USN and RN submariners.

[@lukestrawwalker]

I love the movies of the mid-late 70's. There's a connection here that NOBODY has ever actually investigated or fleshed out to my knowledge before... and it's a very interesting one, particularly to fans of the Bond villain "Jaws" and the actor who portrayed him, Richard Kiel... Richard Kiel had played a metal-toothed baddie in a completely different movie that came out in 1976 called "Silver Streak", which was based on the movie "North by Northwest" and was set on a cross-country train from Los Angeles to Chicago. Silver Streak was the first movie pairing of what became a number of movies to feature both Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, in this case Richard Pryor co-stars as a petty thief Grover T. Muldoon, who teams up with Gene Wilder's main character of George Caldwell, an LA book editor who gets embroiled in a murder plot on a cross-country train trip on the Silver Streak to his sister's wedding in Chicago. George is befriended by an undercover FBI agent on the train Bob Sweet (Stevens) who is subsequently killed, and has an affair with secretary Hilly Burns (Jill Clayburgh) who's boss Professor Schreiner (Stefan Geirasch) is murdered, hanging off the roof of the train momentarily and seen by George through the window of his compartment. When George goes to check on the Professor the next morning, he's confronted by Mr. Whiney (Ray Walston) who is searching his compartment for some secret papers, who orders his henchman "Reese" (Richard Kiel) to "get rid of this bum". Reese then manhandles George and throws him off the train in what is supposed to be rural New Mexico. Caldwell walks along the tracks to a farmhouse and meets Rita Babtree (Lucille Benson) who offers to let him "ride into town with her" in what turns out to be her small plane, where they pass the Silver Streak and George manages to reboard the train. Upon his return he finds that Hilly is now accompanied by a rich guy Roger Devereau (Patrick McGoohan) and later in a conversation with Bob Sweet, he describes being thrown off the train by this "mountain with a gold mine stuck in his gums" when he stumbled on Whiney in the professor's compartment that morning. They put together the reason for the Professor's murder-- Devereau is a gangster involved in art forgery which the Professor's new book is going to expose, in a press meeting in Chicago. Devereau had his thugs murder the professor to prevent the proof coming out and exposing him. Now he's searching for the proof, the "Rembrandt letters" which George figures out are hidden in a copy of the professor's book in Hilly's cabin. Sweet is murdered by Reese and Whiney soon after, when they think they're shooting George in his cabin in the darkness of a tunnel. When they discover their error, they chase George through the train to the baggage car, George barricades himself inside, and loses Sweet's gun, but manages to grab a spear gun from a display of some conventioneers travelling to Chicago, and then decides to hide on the roof of the train. Reece comes after him and after nearly falling off the roof, George manages to hold Reece off with the speargun, but as Reece goes to shoot him with his .38, George fires the speargun into him and Reece falls off the roof of the train and off a viaduct the train is crossing over, obviously to be killed at the bottom of the ravine from the fall. Now this movie was released in 1976, before production on "The Spy Who Loved Me" began which was the first appearance of "Jaws" in the Bond films. The character of Jaws was virtually identical, and used the same set of teeth or an appliance very much like it, as the character of "Reese" (Reece or Reace, depending on where it was in the credits or story, I've seen different spellings) from "Silver Streak". SO, WHERE did the producers get the idea to cast Richard Kiel as practically the EXACT SAME HENCHMAN from Silver Streak complete with metallic teeth, in the Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me" as an almost identical (though "indestructable") henchman "Jaws"... which of course was brought over into the next movie "Moonraker" as well as a replacement for "Chang", Drax's assassin who Bond killed. It's VERY curious because I can find no direct connection between the two productions, and I've never heard anybody actually connect the two before, nor even comment on it from Richard Kiel in any of his interviews that I've seen. It's an incredibly curious occurrence IMHO, however... was there some other production people involved, in makeup or script writing or something perhaps that decided "hey this guy would make a fantastic Bond baddie" or did Cubby or his wife or someone see "Silver Streak" and think "Gee that guy was amazing, 9 feet tall with metal teeth-- we need him for a henchman in a Bond film!" and decide to copy the character into TSWLM?? I'd be super curious to know! I've heard it said that "Jaws" was supposed to be one of the characters actually written in the original Ian Fleming book "The Spy Who Loved Me", namely one of the assassins "Horror" Horowitz. Supposedly "Horror" Horowitz was a Polish partisan captured by the Russians and tortured after the war, who had had all his teeth knocked out and nearly beaten to death and his jaw destroyed in the process, and he was "rebuilt" with metal plating in his jaw and metal teeth as part of his backstory. He was the only character from the book used in the film, as the other henchman "Sluggsy" was left out entirely (though one could argue he was renamed "Sandor" for the film, whom Bond found a "helpful chap" after tossing him off the roof. At any rate in the novel not much was actually revealed about this and both thugs ended up dead by the end of the story in the novel. I'd STILL like to know the TRUE backstory of how a metal toothed "Reace" from Silver Streak in 1976 ended up as metal toothed "Jaws" in TSWLM in 1977, played by the same actor as more or less the same character (neither had any dialog) and in two totally separate productions by two totally separate production companies...

[@Malryth]

I was only 9 years old in 1977 but I recall the metal die cast model of the Esprit and also that iconic song by Carly Simon. Much like Doctor Who, I would say that Roger Moore is "my" Bond. I've seen more of his movies and his roguish charm in how he portrays the character. It just "felt" like James Bond for myself. Thanks for making this video! I will check out more on your channel today. :)

[@HeavyTopspin]

I still have a special place in my heart for this movie - certainly because it was good, but that came years later when I was old enough to understand and enjoy it. Rather, it was my dad buying me, who was really into Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars, the Corgi die-cast model of the Esprit in submarine mode, complete with 007 logo on the hood. No wheels, but still probably my favorite toy car ever!

[@PentexProductions]

I would have given so much to have a toy like that when I was younger!

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

I had something similar, the fins retracted and came out, there were missiles at the rear that actually worked. Wish I knew what happened to it. Saw it in the theatres. I even bought the dvd, such an iconic movie and part of my childhood.

[@greatwuta]

The Spy Who Loved Me is my favorite James Bond film of all time.

[@Humbertusmarius]

I watched this movie at the theater with my friends when it came out. Still my favorite Bond film of them all. RIP Roger Moore.

[@RKelleyCook]

At eight years old, my dad took me to this as my first James Bond Movie. I loved it. It had everything, killing, political intrigue & skiing (which I had just learned). For years dad said the older ones were better and of course I believed him. He's gone now, but I also realize that he was wrong. Although Sean is the best bond this was, by far, the best Bond movie (at least until the Daniel Craig showed up).

[@Inspadave]

My favorite Bond is For Your Eyes Only, but this is a close second. One thing I like about this is seeing Bond in uniform. Moore looks so good as Cdr Bond.

[@PentexProductions]

FYEO is my favourite song, has my favourite car chase, and the ending scene with the rock climbing is truly extraordinary. A fine choice, and definitely a close second for my favourite Moore film!

[@jakecarpenter3124]

The best Moore film imo

[@shaz2761]

Yeah, FYEO and TSWLM are easily his 2 best films.

[@foxtayle683]

Carole Bouquet is my favorite Bond girl.

[@itachiuchiha7728]

@@foxtayle683 my fav is carey lowell or ursula she was the first and made bikinis big so thanks for that

[@doggiehowzer]

That scene when Anya presses the right button on the Lotus and nonchalantly says she saw the plans in the Kremlin years ago.. that was really when she was more than his equal

[@wxwaxone]

I like to interpret that casual comment as meant to suggest that she got the plans from none other than Q. Look how she disregards Bond's instructions to wait well away from the car, saunters forward, and says loudly "Good morning, Major Boothroyd!," and Q's response "Morning, Major" can be interpreted as subdued (and we can't see his face), and Q then is all too happy to get them on their way a.s.a.p. and can't hide his visible resentment of Bond. Note that I'm not insisting that Anya and Q knocked boots or anything like that -- but I can easily imagine that she had had an earlier undercover mission where she sweet-talked Q, besotted with pride in his sub-Lotus gadget, and then snuck off with the plans leaving Q just as alone as Bond left him on the dock. (It hardly hurts my crazy theory that we learn that Boothroyd and Amasova are of equal rank--which, even though they are obviously on opposite sides of the Cold War, could conceivably be a wink to the Armed Forces rule that co-fraternization is only permitted between soldiers of equal rank!)

[@lllordllloyd]

And a neat reference as the Brits finally admit that MI6 was basically working for the KGB from the 1930s onwards.

[@StimParavane]

@@lllordllloyd What is this rubbish?

[@SharpCinema]

Thanks for putting in that footnote about where the ski/parachute stunt was filmed (Canada, Mount Asgard in Nunavut.) It must have been very expensive and difficult to film in such a remote place in the 70's so it goes to show how much care Cubby and the team put into this adventure.

[@HouseholdDog]

It was hilarious to have a henchman who won't die. Especially when the others were dying like flies.

[@Redmenace96]

Excellent observation!

[@IfUfindthisURlost]

... and yet I never classed it as, the now too common, 'plot armour'?????

[@FlorisYoung]

this one of the PERFECT Bond movies!

[@joshmaccallum-stewart2474]

Best bond, best girl, best car, best henchman, best song, end of!

[@callmesnake3785]

Roger Moore, goddamn he was a legend. He was the most entertaining actor I have ever seen. His one liners are legendary. "that'll bring tears to your eyes" when he sees the Q branch sword in the seat. I miss him a lot

[@PentexProductions]

By all accounts he was as funny and charming off screen as he was on screen.

[@kevinn1158]

I was 13 when this came out. My god it was such a spectacle and that ski jump was incredible eps at that time.

[@Mr17051963]

My favorite Bond movie with my favorite 007 ever, Sir Roger Moore RIP 🌟

[@carlrood4457]

I never noticed before, but during the walk through the desert Bond and Anya are walking separately and there's no attempt by Bond to help her. Another example of the fact there's respect and they're competitors.

[@jeremiah5342]

The Spy Who Love Me has some of the best cinematography in the series. It's a beautiful looking film.

[@PentexProductions]

I recently got to see it in a cinema and it absolutely confirmed this. It's beautiful.

[@krishshautriya5170]

He may not be the Bond from the books but he was by far the most charismatic Bond.

[@harizonflamingice3167]

A brilliant essay! For Your Eyes Only is probably my favorite of the Moore era, but The Spy Who Loved Me is a very close second and could overthrow it. I pretty much like/love every Bond movie, though I admit some are better than others.

[@satstatchannel]

Great review but forgot to mention a stunning cameo appearance from Caroline Munro. First Bond movie I saw in the cinema & remains my favourite too

[@B-A-L]

Oh come on, she hardly had a cameo appearance in it. She had a major starring role in the movie and featured in one of the most iconic car chases of all time!

[@rosebuddesign635]

I grew up with Roger Moore as Bond and this one has always been my personal favourite.😁

[@bkatbamna]

I love this movie as well. It felt epic. One of the reasons that she doesn't kill him at the end is that he risked his life to rescue her from Stromberg's lair instead of just letting her die from the bombing.

[@ricardomoura3636]

For me, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, Golden Eye and Casino Royale are the most important films of the franchise. They established or saved the franchise in key moments. The Spy Who Loved Me is of course my favorite.

[@PentexProductions]

Agreed, all pivotal films that had to succeed or the series could have ended.

[@rjmacready9828]

Solid list

[@bigneiltoo]

I saw this in theaters when I was seven. First Bond movie. On the way home with my dad we heard Carly Simon on the radio.

[@ClearCritique]

Awesome! I did a couple videos not long ago about Moore's tenure, and rewatching this movie for it was a pleasant surprise. What stuck out to me most was how sleek the production design was, especially in the final set-piece that you discussed. Visually, I think it's one of the best 007 films and I agree that Moore does a great job in it. So glad to see you do a deep dive on this movie.

[@PentexProductions]

I enjoyed your Moore videos - he brought so much to the role and I think his seven films are all so different, but are united by the strength of his performance and his ridiculous charm! I agree that TSWLM is probably the sleekest and best looking of his films (though FYEO is also great, but maybe that's just because it's impossible to make the Greek coast look bad!)

[@davecrowson448]

Nice! The Spy Who Loved Me was the first Bond movie I saw, at ten years old, and has been my favorite ever since. I’ve seen them all, and yes, Connery is the definitive Bond, but I love Roger Moore, and mainly because of this movie. Great video!

[@jackcade68]

This was definitely the best Moore Bond. One of my top 3 Bond films.

[@NasirShahidAbeer]

The spy who loved me is my favourite bond movie. Must have watched it 100s of times over the years, without getting bored.

[@kenpatton8761]

My personal favorite is “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. I love all the Bond movies, but it’s the one which shows Bond’s “human” side. The last film in the franchise even has many references to it Including Louie Armstrong’s song….”All the Time in the World”. It also had the most”Bond” girls….Cheers

[@PentexProductions]

And many other Bond references: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5PPopd6mMetaKM

[@teekay_1]

Plus it has Diana Rigg, perhaps one of the sexiest women ever on TV. She was absolutely perfect in every way.

[@Milordvega]

That jetski was also a great scene since at that time, no one knew of jetskis! It looked like another of his gadgets! Star Wars and The Spy Who Loved Me were my favorite movies from 1977, when I was 12. And I actually preferred the Bond film! In time, Star Wars became my all-time favorite, but in 1977, it was Bond. And TSWLM is still my favorite 007 adventure as well. I also agree about the Lotus Esprit!

[@vancouverpingpong]

I love what you said, “Bond gets away…” That’s why Bond should survive every situations. I have grown up watching every Bond’s movies and I have never get tired of watching Bond movies, except the latest one: No time to die. I am very disappointed of it.

[@elliotness11]

I watched this as a kid and it is still my favorite Bond movie, I think I’ve watched this Bond movie more times than I can count

[@deweylipschitz1516]

Still prefer "Thunderball", but this movie holds up extremely well. Definitely the Roger Moore highlight of 007 When Anya mentions Tracy Bond , Moore's reaction is unexpected and very appropriate. He has a vulnerability and you bring it up at your own risk.

[@TheJoeyboots]

No doubt Thunderball is first or second place from all Bond films. I wanted the movie poster so bad but it is one if the most expensive out there.

[@cheekster777]

One of my favourite Bond movies for sure. Thanks Buddy.

[@PentexProductions]

Thank YOU for watching

[@TT-wx4tg]

Best pre-credit action sequence, best credit sequence with Carly, best script, best etc.

[@rmthull]

It’s been my number one Bond movie for years. It’s a fantastic movie.

[@kevint1196]

Absolutely spot on! My favourite Bond movie. This has so much repeat value, you never get tired watching it. I got the same experience with Casino Royale, my second favourite Bond movie. Daniel's Craig's performance and the movie plot was such a breath of fresh air. A guilty pleasure of mine is Octopussy, even though it pales the others, it's still good fun.

[@PentexProductions]

I really enjoy Octopussy, I just disliked the production decision to set the climax in a circus (I understand what they were going for with the serious situation/bomb diffusion while Bond is dressed as a clown, but it's too much for me personally). But I think overall the film is excellent. Roger's chemistry with Maud Adams is outstanding, and the backgammon game is pure Fleming.

[@maratonlegendelenemirei3352]

Octopussy is brilliant! Casino Royale? No way, over rated and Bond was such a SIMP telling a bird he knew for only 5 minutes "I love you" WHAT?????

[@chrispalmer9838]

"What a helpful chap" Priceless 👍

[@earthdog7900]

the Lotus Esprit is my favorite Bond car of all time. As a kid loved it. This movie is why Roger Moore is my James Bond.

[@SavedByFaithInJesus]

Thank you for this. It has been MANY years since I watched a bond film and I forgot how funny Moore was.

[@carlrood4457]

Before watching the video: This was the first Bond movie I saw in a theater. It was the summer before my 10th birthday. I'd been aware of the character due to previous films getting rerun on TV, but I don't think I have saw one all the way through. While I don't consider it the best Bond movie, I do think it's the best Moore film and it's in my top 5. As a little kid, the car turning into a submarine was on of the coolest thing I'd seen. I know I was a bit late seeing Star Wars, but I honestly can't remember which movie I saw first. I find that as I age, my Bond tastes age with me. Most notably, From Russia With Love seemed kind of boring in my youth, but is now one of my favorites since it's the closest in the franchise to a classic Cold War spy movie. Kerim Bey is a favorite and Pedro Armandarez is a treasure. However, The Spy Who Loved Me has always been near my top. My only real gripe came after seeing You Only Live Twice and it was apparent that a lot of this movie was a retread of it.

[@PentexProductions]

One of my favourite things about the Bond series is how each film can be so different depending on when in your life you watch it, and as you grow and change so too do your preferences in the films. I was exactly the same with FRWL, now it's among my favourite Bonds.

[@alexmartin3143]

License to Kill is my favorite Bond movie but this is definitely the best Moore Bond movie…

[@PentexProductions]

Strong choice; Dalton is excellent in the role

[@haydnjames9158]

Likewise, but I will say that TSWLM is the perfect Sunday afternoon Bond film. Particularly at this time of year as the nights grow longer.

[@ronstewtsaw]

I despise that movie, and have not seen Bond since. They killed Felix, and then it was just a revenge piece. Chacun a son gout.

[@shaz2761]

Very underrated. Much like Dalton as Bond. I loved both his films. Wished he did GoldenEye.

[@thomasffrench3639]

I like Dalton, but his movies let him down. He should have been in better films.

[@marksmodellingmadness]

I first saw this movie in the cinema in Kampala, Uganda (I'm from there :) and when Bond skis over the cliff and the parachute opened the cheer that went up in that cinema was ... immense! Standing ovation and all that. We loved it :) Still to this day my favourite Bond film. edit- This would have been circa 1977 or 78.

[@rv2167]

I agree that this one is my personal fav, next to Goldeneye. It has the best story, villain, sequences....it was great and very rewatchable.

[@johnfleet235]

This was my first Bond film that I saw growing up. My friends and I talked about it at school. All of us thought it was cool. The ski jump was amazing. I have enjoyed all the actors that have played Bond, but I always thought Roger Moore did a great Bond. One thing the video points out that this was first time the writers did not have a Fleming book to reference. Moving away from Blofeld was smart as it brought a freshness to the series.

[@heeeeeresrossy]

This gem, Star Wars, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Saturday Night Fever, Annie Hall, Eraserhead...all came out in 1977, and what a year to be born (me) Saying that, Exorcist 2 was also released then. But we'll just forget about that one 😫😉

[@PentexProductions]

An outstanding year for cinema

[@randywhite3947]

@@PentexProductions arguably the best

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Smokey And The Bandit and A Bridge Too Far as well.

[@ayerox]

I always thought I was alone in thinking this was the best bond film. I loved its travel, action and the acting was as quality as I’ve seen in a bond film.

[@martynm.449]

Any Bond film with Roger in, is the best! 👌

[@jamesbond_and_friends]

This was a truly fantastic video essay. As good as or better than anything you might watch in a ‘Making of’ type DVD documentary included with a Bond film. Last time I watched TSWLM, I felt so grateful for its existence. To think that it all could have ended after the lacklustre reception to TMWTGG

[@mattshore711]

Fantastic video - the only thing missing was some discussion over the tremendous Bond song and similar outro sequence

[@PentexProductions]

I would have loved to - sadly KZbin's copyright rules make it almost impossible to use music from films, so it would have been too challenging to talk about it properly without being able to reference bits from it. But it's an outstanding song, for sure!

[@GenX1964]

Summer I turned 13. Saw this a whole bunch more than I saw Star Wars. I couldn't sit for 6 hours waiting for Star Wars to cycle through 2 or 3 times. Eventually I did. But in the mean time I saw this like 5 times. Fantastic take. Then it kept on giving as the theme song bacame a local Chicago NFL football icon named Walter Payton's theme song that same year. "Nobody Does It Better".

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

The score is absolutely fantastic - the plot is a little bit of a retread of the central theme of You Only Live Twice but it’s fantastic! For Your Eyes Only is great too

[@drlee2]

I grew up with Roger Moore’s Bond and The Spy Who Loved Me is easily his best Bond film and a top 3 Bond movie. Barbara Bach is a top 5 Bond girl, imo.

[@martinbeaumont-pike9438]

Thanks for the Firefly reference. The American captain was played by Shane Rimmer who voiced Scott Tracy in another great TV series - Thunderbirds.

[@PentexProductions]

As a fan of Thunderbirds, that's a great little fact!

[@martinbeaumont-pike9438]

Happy to help. 🙂

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

Shane is in other earlier Bond film,, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever & Live & Let Die

[@mikeyboy3054]

As a young boy of the 70's the Bond Movies, in particular this one, inspired my love of travel as an adult and the scenes in Egypt on the Nile and at Karnak took me there in 2010.

[@FaceInTheCrowd]

Just finished watching this. Very well presented and I found myself grinning and laughing at the clips and commentary. You've done a top job on this and won your channel another subscriber. Thank you :)

[@rj6404]

The Best Bond Movie , hands down , awesome stunts , great gizmos , amazing scenes , the coolest dude with a smokin hot gal .

[@michaelproctor8100]

The movie was just a remake of You Only Live Twice, with Lewis Gilbert directing both.

[@nobbynobbs8182]

I think this might have been the first, or one of the first, Bond movies I saw as a little kid. It's a great adventure that includes all the typical Bond tropes. Certainly one of my favorites

[@simbriant]

You gotta love the Jaws character. If they tried to create a character like him in the franchise today they wouldn't be able to accomplish the same audience reaction with him. :D

[@TheRip72]

There are lots of reasons to like this one. The story is easy to follow without being too complicated & keeps moving along at a nice pace. Jaws is entertaining & in places quite threatening. Until this point, the confrontations between Bond & Henchmen have been hinted at for the end of the movie but in this one, we see him battle Jaws several times. The locations look amazing, the Egyptian ones in particular having an eeriness about them. The Lotus is a great gadget & breaks with the Bond tradition of introducing its tricks first before you get to see them in action. The 2 main women in it, XXX & Naomi brighten up the screen. It is also nice to see Shane Rimmer (Scott Tracy) with a bigger role as the US sub captain. Ken Adam's sets are always great but the specially built 007 sound stage moved them up another level. The ski jump at the start is amazing & the humour helps to make it an enjoyable 2 hours.

[@teekay_1]

Which Bond film has a complicated plot line?

[@TheRip72]

@@teekay_1 All of the Craig era ones. The earlier ones established the reason for the mission early on then the action supported it.

[@charlesmarsh316]

Wonderful review! It's my favorite Bond film and I think one of the very best in the series. Your observation about the success of the travelogue component really resonates - this film uses its locations so very well. Ken Adams' designs are fantastic.

[@stiffrichard2816]

This one, Moonraker and A View To A Kill, in that order, were his best. I'm glad I'm old enough to have seen these in the theaters, the good 'ol days.

[@jiraiyasama2837]

This is my favorite movie in the franchise followed by For Your Eyes Only. I like your description of the movie, well done. The Spy Who Loved Me is the perfect Bond movie the best henchman i Jaws, best Bond girl, best opening, best movie by itself, best locations, best director, best theme music, best credits sequence, best stunts and of course the best Bond ever Roger Moore. When I think in 007 Moore is what means to be Bond. Nobody does it better than him.

[@jerryrehard7711]

No mention of Caroline Munro as the helicopter pilot?

[@lmiddleman]

For real.

[@darkwolf-22]

Loved her in the Movie Starcrash.

[@beelinebrett2077]

I liked some of Daniel Craig's Bond films but after Spectre, I found myself wanting to see Moore's take on Bond again. Then some fan made a trailer for Spectre replacing Craig with scenes of Moore and it worked!!!

[@thechairman74]

This film does resonate with me the most of all Bond films because it came out in 1977 and that was one of the greatest years in film history and it was also when I was three years old and in a couple years I started to become aware of Bond and of course TSWLM was the most prominent film and it was on TV.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

I'm the same age, a half century. Cheers

[@thechairman74]

@@buckodonnghaile4309 Yep, turned 50 this month.

[@gechgr1850]

Bond formula, par excellence. I remember watching this when I was 4. Holy s***!! From start to finish! OMG!!

[@arnuph1s]

Easily my favorite Roger Moore 007 movie and in my top three of James Bond films. I hope the reboot goes back to this perfect balance of action, gadgets and humor.

[@B-A-L]

Nah, it'll go all woke like it's already started to become.

[@saint.vitus.7775]

I hear what you are saying about Barbara Bach's acting - but to be honest, her other attributes elevate her to my favorite all-time Bond girl.

[@DigbyOdel-et3xx]

In the end her soaking wet in the red dress was well err very erotic.🤪😜🤪😛

[@dennisearle]

Simply the best stunt in the history of cinema. One mistake, an unwelcome breeze and he's dead. What more can one say about that jump.

[@alanmountain5804]

The spy who loved me and moonraker are my personal favourite bond movies