Lolita (1962 film)

Based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita is the story of a middle-aged professor who becomes obsessed with a teenage girl as he deals with the consequences of their relationship. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and screenplay by Kubrick, Nabokov, and James Harris, the film explores the world of obsession as it revolves around a man’s relationship with an underage girl. Starring James Mason, Sue Lyon, Shelley Winters, and Peter Sellers. Lolita is a captivating drama from Stanley Kubrick.

Professor Humbert Humbert (James Mason) arrives at a small town in New Hampshire looking for a place to live in the summer as he stops at house owned by Charlotte Haze (Shelley Winters). Haze is a widow who has rooms available at her home as Humbert isn’t sure about living there until he catches a glimpse of Haze’s teenage Dolores (Sue Lyon) who is also named Lolita. Humber lives at the home as he is amazed by Lolita’s presence as he decides to forge a relationship with Charlotte in order to be close to Lolita. Things seem fine in the household though Charlotte is often annoyed by Lolita’s presence as she sends her to summer camp in order to spend more time with Humbert. The two marry as Humbert becomes more infatuated with Lolita where Charlotte makes a discovery in Humbert’s diary.

After a tragic incident, Humbert leaves town to pick up Lolita at camp where the two go on a road trip across the country. At a stop at a hotel, Humbert meets a mysterious man (Peter Sellers) who is bewildered by their relationship. Humbert and Lolita live in another town for Humbert’s tenure as the relationship becomes rocky when Lolita wants to participate in a school play. Humbert refuses until a psychiatrist from Lolita’s school believes that Lolita should be in the play as Humbert finally acquiesces Lolita’s request. Yet, things get more troubling as Humbert and Lolita go back on the road as Humbert’s paranoia leads to health issues for the two of them. Yet, more problems start to emerge where Humbert gets a mysterious phone call that leads to Lolita’s disappearance as he wouldn’t see her until a few years later where would confront the man who picked her up at the hospital.

What happens when a man falls for a teenage nymphet as he tries to pursue a secretive relationship that eventually would cause a lot of trouble? That is the premise of this very provocative story that explore a middle-aged man’s infatuation with this young teenage girl. Professor Humbert is just a man who is intrigued by this young woman who is very unique and has this presence that is just fascinating to watch. Lolita is a young girl who is mature at times while just wanting to be a kid who likes to drink soda pop, chew gum, and do all sorts of things. The two together have this relationship that is strange as they hide it from the outside world yet they would raise question to the people they would encounter during their journey.

The screenplay that its writer Vladimir Nabokov would create explores this strange dynamic between these two very different people. Notably as it revolves around this middle-aged man’s passion with this young woman who feels controlled by her outgoing mother. For Lolita, having Humbert around gives her the chance to be with someone who cares about her and is willing to be attentive to her needs no matter how childish she can be. Then there’s supporting characters like Charlotte Haze who is essentially a widow who has been alone for a long time that is desperate to have a man in her life not just for her own social status but to have someone in her life that doesn’t involve Lolita whom she seems to resent.

Another character that comes into play in the story every now and then is this mysterious man named Clare Quilty. Throughout the film’s reflective narrative that is largely focused on Humbert’s perspective, Quilty is this man who seems to be everywhere as Humbert would only meet this man on a few occasions yet never really come face-to-face except in a confrontation near the end of the story. What becomes more intriguing is what does he have to do with Lolita where Humbert would start asking questions about some of Lolita’s activities in the film’s second half where it is eventually revealed towards the end.

Stanley Kubrick’s direction is definitely hypnotic in the way he presents the film as more than just a typical drama. Instead, Kubrick creates a film that blurs genres where there’s an element of dark humor, some suspense, some eerie film-noir devices, romance, and melodrama all mixed into one entire film. Yet, he opens the film with its ending where it does set-up a lot of what Humbert has to reflect on just as he’s about to commit a horrible crime against this mysterious man who had been around him during this strange journey. Throughout the film, Kubrick creates unique framing devices to present the characters and the situations that happens along some close-ups to help display the mixture of emotions running through these characters.

The direction also has Kubrick taking on some unique ideas of how he frames his actors in a scene. Notably this one moment where Humbert is outside the hotel having a conversation with this mysterious man as Kubrick places Humbert in the background while this mysterious man is almost in front of the camera. It’s Kubrick establishing Humbert’s clueless nature about this man whom is often talked about as he was seen dancing with Charlotte early in the film at a dance. Throughout its first two acts, the film plays off as a bit of melodrama mixed in with romance yet things start to shift towards something darker in the third act as it revolves around a paranoid Humbert and a more indifferent Lolita as their relationship starts to crumble.

This would lead to Lolita disappearing and an penultimate scene between the two that is melodramatic in terms of the revelations that are unveiled as it shows a full-on development between the two and their relationship. Then the film goes back to the very beginning where it would be followed by this epilogue revealed in text over what happened. It would reveal not just moments of tragedy but also the sense of loss that came into this very taboo relationship between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl. Overall, Kubrick crafts a very mesmerizing yet intriguing film about a man’s fascination with a young girl.

Cinematographer Oswald Morris does brilliant work with the stylish cinematography from the lush look of the daytime exterior scenes to more entrancing, noir-like lighting schemes for some of the film‘s interior and exterior nighttime scenes to help set the mood for these moments. Editor Anthony Harvey does wonderful work with the editing by using rhythmic cuts for some of the film‘s emotional moments as well as dissolving transitions to help the film move at a brisk pace. Art director William C. Andrews does fantastic work with the set pieces from the home of the Haze house to the lavish hotel that Humbert and Lolita stay in.

Sound recorders H.L. Bird and Len Shilton do terrific work with the sound from the atmosphere of the dance party Humbert, Charlotte, and Lolita attend to the intimacy of the scenes on the road. The film’s music by Nelson Riddle is amazing for its orchestral-driven score that features dramatic themes and suspenseful cuts along with a playful pop piece that plays to the film’s offbeat dark humor. Additional music by Bob Harris is for the film’s soaring orchestral theme that plays to the sense of romance that occurs in the film.

The casting by James Liggat is superb for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable small roles from Lois Maxwell as a hospital nurse, Marianne Stone as Quilty’s companion Vivian Darkbloom, Shirley Douglas as Lolita’s piano teacher, Jerry Stovin and Diana Decker as a couple of Charlotte Haze’s friends, and Gary Cockrell as a young man named Richard that Lolita would be with late in the film. Shelley Winters is great as Lolita’s mother Charlotte who resents Lolita as she is desperate to cling to Humbert as she tries to woo him in every way while realizing the horrifying truth about Humbert’s fascination with her daughter.

Peter Sellers is outstanding as the very mysterious Clare Quilty who appears in very strange parts of the film such as the film’s opening scene where he tries to chit-chat his way out of a situation while also being very manipulative in every way as it’s definitely one of Sellers’ great performances. Sue Lyon is wonderful as the titular character from the presence that she creates to the complexity she brings as a young woman who is quite mature but also very childish as she deals with Humbert’s infatuation as well as her sense of rebellion. Finally, there’s James Mason in an incredible performance as the troubled Professor Humbert as he falls for the young Lolita as well as trying to ensure that what he’s doing isn’t wrong where he later becomes a man who descends into madness as he’s desperate to cling into the young woman that he’s in love with.

Lolita is an astonishing film from Stanley Kubrick that features marvelous performances from James Mason, Sue Lyon, and Peter Sellers. While it is definitely a very uneasy film to watch due to its subject matter and Kubrick’s approach to create a story that bends genres. It’s definitely a very engaging film that explores the world of taboo love as well as obsession in the eyes of a middle-aged man. In the end, Lolita is an intoxicating yet chilling drama from Stanley Kubrick.

Stanley Kubrick Films: Fear & Desire - Killer's Kiss - The Killing - Paths of Glory - Spartacus - Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb - 2001: A Space Odyssey - A Clockwork Orange - Barry Lyndon - The Shining - Full Metal Jacket - Eyes Wide Shut

Related: (Lolita (1997 film)) - Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures - The Auteurs #18: Stanley Kubrick

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: A View to a Kill

Based on Ian Fleming’s short story From a View to a Kill, A View to a Kill is about James Bond going up against a microchip industrialist who plans to destroy Silicon Valley for financial reasons. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by Michael G. Wilson and Richard Maimbaum, the film marks the seventh and final time Roger Moore played the role of Agent 007. Also starring Christopher Walken, Grace Jones, Tanya Roberts, Patrick Macnee, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, Walter Gotell, Geoffrey Keen, and Robert Brown as M. A View to a Kill is a stellar yet adventurous film from John Glen.

After recovering a microchip in Siberia, James Bond gives the chip to Q (Desmond Llewelyn) who analyzes it as he reveals that it’s a chip that can withstand electromagnetic pulse. Learning that it’s manufactured by an industrialist named Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), Bond joins M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) to the horse racetrack where they meet Sir Godfrey Tibbett (Patrick Macnee) where they make a discovery about Zorin’s horse. After talking to a French investigator at the Eiffel Tower, Bond comes across a mysterious assassin whom he tries to chase as he later goes to Zorin’s French estate with Tibbett pretending to be his driver. After meeting Zorin, Bond notices a beautiful young woman named Stacy Sutton (Tanya Roberts) being given a check for more than five million dollars.

Later that night, Bond and Tibbett break into Zorin’s secret lab where they learn about what Zorin and his henchman Dr. Carl Mortner (Wiloughby Gray) are injecting into the horses. When Tibbett leaves the next day to contact M, Bond goes horse riding with Zorin where things become tense as Bond’s identity was identified by Zorin’s henchwoman May Day (Grace Jones). Though Bond was able to survive Zorin’s attempt to kill him, he later re-appears in San Francisco to meet with CIA agent Chuck Lee (David Yip) who reveals to Bond some information about Zorin. After trying to uncover what Zorin is doing at an oil rig, Bond gets information from Russian agent Pola Ivanova (Fiona Fullerton) who is also going after Zorin since he used to be a KGB agent that’s gone rogue.

Bond then meets Stacy Sutton who reveals about the check Zorin gave her as she helps Bond trying to figure what Zorin is up to. Realizing his plan, Bond once again has to stop another villain from creating chaos.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond trying to stop a psychopathic industrialist from destroying Silicon Valley in order to create a monopoly in the microchip business. Yet, the villain that Bond faces is a man who isn’t just a rogue KGB agent who has grown rich on his own. He’s also a man who is the product of medical experiments performed by the Russians that had gone absolutely mad in his ambitions. It’s an interesting premise that allows Bond to do what he does to stop a madman but not everything about the screenplay works.

Some of the dialogue is a bit cheesy in its attempt to be funny while the Stacy Sutton character is badly written as she is this geologist who despises Zorin for wanting to buy her family’s business. Other issues in the screenplay involves a few ridiculous moments in which a group of police officers try to go after Bond where it feels like it belongs in another movie. Still, the screenplay does play faithfully to the formula as well as creating some interesting characters like May Day who adds some excitement to the story.

John Glen’s direction is definitely engaging for the action sequences, sprawling stunt sequences, and other adventurous moments that is created. Even in the way he builds up suspense as it is still about James Bond trying to uncover a mystery. While there’s moments in the humor that is good, some of it feels forced and off at times where it delves into very silly moments that takes away some of the action. Glen is still able to pull off the moments of thrills and knows when to slow things down in order for Bond to do his job and take his time. Even as he creates scenes to establish more information about Zorin and his plans. Overall, Glen creates a very solid though flawed film that has all of the hallmarks of what is needed in a James Bond film.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the film‘s photography from the colorful locations set in France, London, and San Francisco to some of the interiors set in Zorin‘s estate. Editor Peter Davies does terrific work with the editing in playing up the energy of the action scenes to more straightforward cuts for the suspense and dramatic scenes. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Crispian Sallis and art director John Fenner, does superb work with the look of Zorin‘s estate as well as the meeting room in his blimp. Costume designer Emma Porteus does wonderful work with the costumes such as the lavish clothing that May Day wears.

Special effects supervisor John Richardson does fantastic work with some of the action sequences that involves explosions and other big things. Sound editor Colin Miller does nice work with the sound from the way the sound is recorded during the oil rig scene as well as the broad mix in the film‘s action scenes. The film’s music by John Barry is very good for its orchestral-driven score from the bombastic arrangements for the action scenes to more lush-driven pieces for the romantic moments. The title song performed by Duran Duran is definitely one of the best theme songs for its mixture of new wave and orchestral bombast provided by Barry.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable small performances from Patrick Bauchau as Zorin’s henchman Scarpine, Daniel Benzali as Stacy’s boss, Fiona Fullerton as KGB agent Pola Ivanova, Dolph Lundgren as one of General Gogol’s men, Papillon Soo Hoo and Alison Doody as a couple of May Day’s assistants, David Yip as CIA agent Chuck Lee, and Wiloughby Gray as Zorin’s scientist associate Dr. Mortner. Walter Gotell is wonderful as General Gogol while Lois Maxwell is very good in her final appearance as the always charming Miss Moneypenny. Bond regulars like Geoffrey Keen as defense minister Frederick Gray, Desmond Llewelyn as Q, and Robert Brown as M are excellent as always with Llewelyn always being the standout. Patrick Macnee is terrific as Bond’s friend Sir Godfrey Tibbett who gives him access to enter Zorin’s estate and stable.

Tanya Roberts is OK as Stacy Sutton where in less chaotic moments, Roberts can give a good performance but her character is so badly written that she is nothing more than just a damsel in distress. Grace Jones is great as Zorin’s henchwoman May Day as she displays a great sense of bravado as a woman eager to kill Bond and help out Zorin in any way. Christopher Walken is phenomenal as Max Zorin by displaying a dark sense of charm to his role as well as a craziness that is restrained. Although the performance could’ve been more campy and out there, Walken does enough to make Zorin a very memorable villain.

Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore displays his usual wit in the role of Bond though it’s obvious that there’s a weariness in his performance as Moore definitely looks old for the part. Still, Moore brings all of the elements that makes James Bond one of films’ great characters.

While it may be among one of the weaker films of the James Bond series, A View to a Kill is still a worthwhile film from John Glen thanks to the performances of Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, and Grace Jones. With some amazing action sequences and thrilling moments, it’s a film that has a lot of things Bond fans can enjoy. In the end, A View to a Kill is a pretty good film from John Glen.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: Octopussy

Octopussy is the story of James Bond who tails a general stealing jewels from the Soviet Union that leads him to a mysterious Afghan prince who plans to aid the general to disarm Europe with nuclear weapons. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by George MacDonald Fraser, Michael G. Wilson, and Richard Maimbaum, the film is based on a short story by its creator Ian Fleming as Bond once again face off against new foes with Roger Moore playing Bond for the sixth time. Also starring Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan, Steven Berkoff, Kristina Wayborn, Douglas Wilmer, Desmond Llewelyn, Walter Gotell, Lois Maxwell, Geoffrey Keen, and Robert Brown in his first appearance as M. Octopussy is a fun and engaging film from John Glen.

After the death of agent 009 (Andy Bradford) in East Berlin after trying to capture a Faberge Egg from a circus, James Bond is asked by M to investigate the matter where Bond attends an auction over the real Egg. At the auction, an exiled Afghan prince named Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan) wins the Egg at the auction but unaware that Bond switched the fake one and taking the real for the government as he travels to India to find out what Khan is up to. After some encounters with Khan and his bodyguard Gobinda (Kabir Bedi), Bond learns that Khan is conspiring with mad Soviet general Orlov (Steven Berkoff) who wants to expand the Soviet borders into Europe much to the dismay of his superiors including General Gogol (Walter Gotell).

After escaping Khan’s prison, Bond learns from his contact Vijay (Vijay Amritraj) about an island that only a cult of women live in where Bond meets its leader Octopussy (Maud Adams). Learning that she’s a wealthy smuggler who also likes to have other business ventures including a circus, Bond believes that Khan is trying to set her up in an upcoming deal where Orlov plans to take real diamonds as part of a ruse. Going to East Berlin, Bond sees what Orlov and Khan are up to as he decides to stop them from deactivating an atomic bomb on a U.S. air base.

The film essentially has James Bond tackling an Afghan prince and a Soviet general in a diamond smuggling operation that will help fund a disarming plan against Europe. It’s a film where Bond goes to India and Berlin to stop another attempt at World War III from happening while he meets a wealthy diamond smuggler whose association with this exiled prince has her unaware of the ruse that is around her. It’s a plot that simple but at times is hard to follow because of the actions of Khan and General Orlov where it takes a while for their plan to finally come into fruition. They’re interesting villains although the Khan character isn’t as well-defined since his motivations, other than profit, aren’t clear.

One character who is compelling is the titular character who is revealed to be this woman that wants to create a safe haven for other women while wanting to do business legally other than her usual work in diamond smuggling. She’s also a woman who can handle her business though she’s unaware that she’s being played by Khan in a smuggling operation that she thinks will go her way. It’s one of the screenplay’s highlights although at times, it is uneven in tone as it wants to be a full-on suspense film with humor. It’s just that the humor leads to moments where things feel too ridiculous at times.

John Glen’s direction is engaging from the thrilling opening prologue scene where Bond infiltrates a base as well as many of the film’s action sequences that includes a chase scene through Udaipur, India. Glen’s direction is definitely big in what is expected in terms of action and suspense scenes while he does try to keep the humor subtle. Yet, there’s moments where the humor doesn’t really work such as Bond in a clown suit and a gorilla costume to evade foes where it reaches to the level of silliness. Despite the flaws the film carries, John Glen does manage to succeed in creating a James Bond film that has all of the sense of adventure and suspense that is needed to make it thrilling enough for its audience.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the film‘s photography from the gorgeous nighttime shots in the Indian locations to the more colorful locations in Berlin. Editors Peter Davies and Henry Richardson does superb work with the editing by creating rhythmic cuts to many of the film‘s action sequences as well as more straightforward cuts to the film‘s dramatic and suspenseful moments. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Jack Stephens and art director John Fenner, does brilliant work with the set pieces such as the homes of Khan and Octopussy that are lavish to complement their personalities.

Costume designer Emma Porteus is terrific for the lavish wardrobe Octopussy and her group of women wear to the Indian garb some of the men wear in the Indian scenes. Special effects supervisor John Richardson does fantastic work with some of the effects created in some of the film‘s action scenes such as the opening prologue with the plane. Sound editor Colin Miller does nice work with the sound to play up the atmosphere of the Indian locations as well as the layered work in the action scenes. The film’s score by John Barry is very good for its orchestral score from the thrilling pieces to play up the action to the lush string arrangements for some of the film’s romantic moments. The original song All Time High by Barry and Tim Rice that is sung by Rita Coolidge is a fine mid-tempo song highlighted by its string arrangements and Coolidge’s calm yet soaring vocals.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is wonderful for the ensemble cast that is created as it features some memorable small performances from Andy Bradford as Agent 009, Douglas Wilmer as a MI6 operative Bond accompanies to the auction, David and Anthony Meyer as Khan’s knife-throwing henchmen, Kabir Bedi as Khan’s bodyguard Gobinda, and Michaela Clavell as Miss Moneypenny’s assistant. Bond regulars such as Geoffrey Keen as defense minister Frederick Gray, Walter Gotell as General Gogol, and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny are all very good while Desmond Llewelyn is excellent as usual as the inventive Q as he gets to be involved in the film’s climatic action scene. Robert Brown is terrific as M as Brown brings a very different approach to the character as a more stern version of the character. Kristina Wayborn is very good as Octopussy’s aide Magda while Vijay Amritraj is also good as Bond’s Indian contact Vijay.

Steven Berkoff is amazing as the mad General Orlov who is intent on ensuring the Soviet Union’s power by his desire to start World War III. Louis Jourdan is quite fine as Kamal Khan by displaying a sense of charm to the character although it’s a very un-memorable role in comparison to the other Bond villains of the past. Maud Adams is superb as Octopussy by displaying a sense of grace and determination to a character that just wants to do what is right for herself while being intrigued by Bond. Finally, there’s Roger Moore in a stellar performance as Agent 007 where Moore displays his sense of charm and wit to the role also proving to be very physical in dealing with foes.

While it may be one of the weaker films of the James Bond franchise, Octopussy is still a worthwhile film from John Glen featuring Roger Moore as James Bond. While it’s a flawed film due to its uneven tone, it does have a lot of the elements that makes a Bond film enjoyable to watch. In the end, Octopussy is a very good James Bond film from John Glen.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: For Your Eyes Only

Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, For Your Eyes Only is the story of James Bond trying to recover a missile command object from a Greek businessman who is also targeted by a woman seeking revenge for her parents’ death. Directed by John Glen and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Michael G. Wilson, the film returns to more traditional elements of Bond following a series of genre-bending films as the humor is also more restrained as Roger Moore returns for his fifth of seventh outing as James Bond. Also starring Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Julian Glover, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, Walter Gotell, and Geoffrey Keen. For Your Eyes Only is a suspenseful yet tremendous film from John Glen.

After the disappearance of a secret spy boat and the assassination of a marine archeologist (Jack Hedley) and his wife, James Bond is asked by the Minister of Defense (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate the matter as Bond travels to Spain to confront the suspected assassin Hector Gonzalez (Stefan Kalipha) and find out who hired him to killed Sir Timothy Havelock. While Bond eventually finds the man who paid Gonzalez, Gonzalez was suddenly assassinated as Bond learns that Havelock’s daughter Melina (Carole Bouquet) who is seeking vengeance for her parents’ murder as she wants to go after the man who hired Gonzalez. With the help of Q (Desmond Llewelyn) and his identi-graph machine, Bond learns that a man named Emile Leopold Locque (Michael Gothard) is the man who paid Gonzalez as Bond travels to Cortino, Italy for more information on Locque.

Bond meets Greek businessman Aristotle Kristatos (Julian Glover) who claims that Locque is a hired killer working for his business rival in Milos Columbo (Chaim Topol) as Bond also meets Bibi Dahl (Lynn-Holly Johnson), an ice-skating prodigy Kristatos is sponsoring. After dealing with some of Locque’s henchman including an assassin named Erich Kriegler (John Wyman), Bond later goes to Greece to meet up with Kristatos and see the scenery with Melina who is still trying to find Locque. After seducing Columbo’s mistress in Countess Lisl von Schlaf (Cassandra Harris), Bond later has an encounter with Locque that goes wrong where Bond finally meets Columbo who reveals some information about who Kristatos really is forcing Bond to realize something isn’t right.

After meeting Melina to recover the ATAC decoding machine from the boat, the two finally realize who wants the machine all along and who really hired Gonzalez and Locque to kill the Havelocks. There, Bond realizes what he must do to stop the sale of the ATAC to the KGB as he and Melina would get some help for the mission.

The film is essentially the story of Bond trying to recover a decoding machine that he hopes won’t get into the wrong hands while being entangled into a web of intrigue and lies as he tries to find out who killed a marine archeologist whose daughter is also seeking vengeance for her parents’ death. It’s a story that is simple but filled with lots of suspense and action as well as bits of humor. Notably as Bond has to figure out who wants this device and for what while wondering if he’s being played by these two rivaling smugglers who despise each other and see who is really telling the truth.

Helping Bond in this mission is Melina Havelock, a Bond girl that may have her own agenda but she aids Bond in trying to find out why her father was killed. While her motive may be for vengeance for her parents’ murder, it’s only because she feels she has to do what is necessary to gain justice for what happened as she cites Greek folklore as inspiration. While she may not a completely physical force, she is deadly with a crossbow as well as very determined that makes her one of the most compelling figures in a Bond movie. Especially since she and James Bond do help each other and eventually team up in the film’s second half where they prove to be a strong team.

The screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Michael G. Wilson is successful for not just creating great characters like Melina, Kristatos, and Columbo but for also raising the stakes of what Bond had to do. There is a MacGuffin in the form of this ATAC decoding device where if it was in the wrong hands, someone could control the enemy submarines to shoot nuclear missiles against the enemy. For Bond, it’s something he has to do as he eventually has to realize that the KGB is involved and its ending has him doing something for the sake of world peace.

In his first outing as director, John Glen succeeds in creating a Bond film that harkens back to its roots. More element of suspense and extended action sequences, it’s a film that manages to be engaging and thrilling through the compositions he creates as well as the locations that he manages to have Bond be in. Yet, the film opens in grand style with a prologue that has Bond at a graveyard and then being trapped in a helicopter that is remote controlled by an old enemy. It’s a prologue that doesn’t have anything to do with the main story but it’s a great opening sequence to emphasize Bond going back to his roots while being witty in the way he defeats this old adversary.

The rest of the film maintains its sense of intrigue where Glen allows the audience to follow Bond in his attempt to uncover the mystery through this web of lies where he wonders who is telling the truth in these two rivaling smugglers. Bond is able to charm his way into getting information while having to fend off foes through any means such as this huge chase sequence where he’s having to ski in a sequence that is quite long but investing in how Bond has to evade these assassins. The climatic battle where Bond has to recover the ATAC before the KGB gets it is also filled with suspense where Bond has to mountain climb this secret base as there’s moments where Bond might not be able to succeed. Overall, Glen creates a film that has all of the tropes of what a Bond film is and should be while playing to its strengths by balancing the film with lots of action and suspense.

Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the photography from the soft lenses he uses for some of the nighttime close-ups to the colorful exteriors of the locations from the white snow of Cortino, Italy to the beautiful scenery in Greece. Editor John Grover does superb work with the editing by creating dazzling cuts to play up the film‘s action scenes as well as more methodical pacing for some of the film‘s suspenseful moments. Production designer Peter Lamont, along with set decorator Vernon Dixon and art director John Fenner, does amazing work with the set pieces such as the climatic base near the film‘s end as well as the design of the Neptune submarine that Bond and Melina use to find the ship. Costume designer Elizabeth Waller does terrific work with the costumes from the underwater suits Bond and Melina wear to find the ATAC to some of the clothes that Melina wears socially.

Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does brilliant work with the minimal visual effects scenes created such as some of the underwater scenes and the action sequences in Cortino. Sound mixer Derek Ball does nice work with the sound to capture the layer of gunshots to the crackling of pistachio nuts that Columbo always eats and uses during missions. The film’s score by Bill Conti is stellar for its electronic-driven score that plays to mixture of rhythmic-based themes for some of the film’s action sequences to more lush themes for some of the film’s romantic scenes. The title song by Conti and lyricist Michael Leeson is among one of the best theme songs as it is sung by Sheena Easton who appears in the film’s stylish opening credits sequence.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams and Maude Spector is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features some small performances from Charles Dance as a henchman of Locque, John Moreno as Bond‘s Italian contact Luigi, Jack Hedley as Melina‘s father Sir Timothy Havelock, James Villers as MI6 Chief of Staff Bill Tanner, Stefan Kalipha as the assassin Hector Gonzalez, Jill Bennett as Bibi‘s coach Brink, Cassandra Harris as Columbo‘s mistress Countess Lisl von Schlaf, and John Hollis as Bond‘s old adversary in the film‘s opening prologue. Bond regulars like Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, Walter Gotell as KGB head General Gogol, and Desmond Llewelyn as Q are always a joy to watch where Q gets to have a funny scene where he briefs Bond in Greece. Geoffrey Keen is excellent as the Minister of Defense who briefs Bond in what he has to do as Keen does a nice job in taking the place of the M character.

John Wyman is very good as the henchman Erich Kriegler who is proven to be a formidable opponent for Bond while Michael Gothard is also good as the mysterious killer Emile Leopold Locque. Lynn-Holly Johnson is terrible as Bibi Dahl where it’s a character who tries to seduce Bond as Johnson’s dramatic moments aren’t very good as she is one of the worst Bond girls out there. Chaim Topol is excellent as Kristatos’ former smuggling partner Columbo who makes some startling revelations to Bond about Kristatos as Topol gives a very low-key performance as a man who has a love for pistachio nuts. Julian Glover is great as the shady Kristatos who tries to manipulate Bond into going after Columbo while trying to maintain his role as a fair but corrupt businessman.

Carole Bouquet is brilliant as Melina Havelock, a woman seeking vengeance for her parents’ death as she aids Bond in trying to retrieve the ATAC decoding device. It’s a performance that ranks up there with some of the best Bond girls as Bouquet also has a beauty that is truly intoxicating to look at while proving to be very strong in some of the film’s dramatic moments. Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore gives another phenomenal performance as he displays a more restrained humor to Bond while making Bond more cunning in the way he tries to uncover plots and such.

For Your Eyes Only is a marvelous James Bond film from John Glen that features a top-notch performance from Roger Moore as Bond along with notable supporting work from Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, and Julian Glover. The film is among one of the best films of the Roger Moore era as it goes back to its roots by being more of a suspense film rather than trying to mesh with another genre. In the end, For Your Eyes Only is a brilliant film from John Glen.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: Moonraker

Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, Moonraker is the story of James Bond uncovering a space shuttle theft as he meets its manufacturer who plans to create a society in outer space. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and screenplay by Christopher Wood, the film has James Bond traveling all over the world again as well as go to outer space to face off against another megalomaniacal villain. Also starring Michael Lonsdale, Lois Chiles, Richard Kiel, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and in his final appearance as M, Bernard Lee. Moonraker is a spectacular film from Lewis Gilbert.

After the theft of a space shuttle, James Bond is asked by M and the Minister of Defense Frederick Gray (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate as Bond travels to California to meets its manufacturer Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale). After meeting Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles) at Drax’s lab, Bond seduces Drax’s assistant Corrine Dufour (Corrine Clery) to get information about what Drax is planning as he travels to Venice for further investigation. After dealing with some of Drax’s people, Bond discovers glass vials containing nerve gas put into chambers as Bond later learns that Goodhead is a member of the CIA. After reporting the news to Gray and M about the lab, they discover that it’s gone as Gray is forced to apologize to Drax for Bond’s blunder though M knows something is up.

Going to Rio de Janeiro, Bond meets his contact Manuela (Emily Bolton) to find out what Drax is doing in Rio as he suddenly meets up with Drax’s newly-hired henchman in Jaws (Richard Kiel) as he and Goodhead have another encounter with Jaws when they learn that Drax is moving all of his properties away from Rio. Though Bond was able to escape the clutches of Drax’s henchmen, Goodhead was captured as Bond regroups at a secret base where Q (Desmond Llewelyn) discovers the source of the nerve gas from a rare orchid prompting Bond to go to the Amazon where he encounters Jaws and more of Drax’s men leading to Drax’s secret base where Goodhead is held prisoner. After another escape with Goodhead, the two travel to outer space where they learn about Drax’s big plans to hold a society of a new world and destroy the old one. The news would force Bond to save the world with the help of an unexpected ally.

The film is essentially about James Bond stopping another industrialist from destroying the world to create a new one but this time around, it’s in outer space. Yet, it would have Bond doing more investigating and engage into conflict with henchman as he is trying to save the world once again. This time around, he faces off against a man who wants to create a new world that away from all of the decadence and turmoil but also create new species with people who have perfect genes. While there’s nothing wrong with Drax’s ideas, the fact that he wants to destroy Earth just makes him the kind of foe Bond has to defeat. The screenplay succeeds in creating a character as complex as Hugo Drax as well as creating a Bond girl in Dr. Holly Goodhead who is quite intelligent and can kick some ass in order to help Bond.

The direction of Lewis Gilbert is definitely big in terms of the ambition he aims for as much of the film takes place in different locations such as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, California, and parts of Guatemala. Yet, Gilbert ensures that the film has all of the tropes of what is expected in a Bond film through the beautiful locations and thrilling action sequences while taking time to uncover things that is crucial to the film’s plot. While the film does contain humor, at times it goes a little overboard towards silliness where it ends up being a bit of a distraction rather than to help advance the story. Yet, the humor isn’t shown as much as it leads to the climatic scenes in outer space in the third act where Bond takes charge and faces off against Drax and destroy his plans. Despite the flaws the film carries, Lewis Gilbert creates another successful and engaging Bond film that does everything that is expected in a Bond film.

Cinematographer Jean Tournier does a wonderful job with the film‘s photography from the gorgeous exterior shots of some of the film‘s exotic locations to the interiors in Drax‘s mansion and the space station to maintain a very pristine look. Editor John Glen does excellent work with the editing to play up the element of suspense and action with some stylish cuts for the latter. Production designer Ken Adam, with set decorator Peter Howitt and art directors Charles Bishop and Max Douy, does brilliant work with the set pieces from the look of Drax’s mansion and home bases to the look and interiors of the space station.

Costume designer Jacques Fonteray does superb work with the costumes from the suit that Drax wears at the space station to the look of the space suits worn by the U.S. Marines astronauts and Drax‘s astronauts during the climatic laser battle. Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does spectacular work with the visual effects such as the many scenes in outer space that involves zero gravity and anything involving lasers. Sound mixer Daniel Brisseau does nice work with the sound from the way the lasers sound to the array of sound to exemplify the film‘s action sequences. The film’s score by John Barry is terrific for its lush orchestral arrangements and the bombast it has for many of the film’s action sequences. The title song co-written by lyricist Hal David and sung by Shirley Bassey is a wonderful ballad that plays to the tradition of Bond themes while it also has a disco remix played in the film’s final credits.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. and Margot Capelier is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it includes some notable performances from Corrine Clery as Drax’s assistant Corrine Dufour, Toshiro Suga as Drax’s henchman Chang, Emily Bolton as Bond’s Rio contact Manuela, Michael Marshall as the U.S. Marines commander, and Blanche Ravalec as the girl Dolly that Jaws falls for. Bond regulars such as Walter Gotell as General Gogol. Geoffrey Keen as the Minister of Defense, Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny, and Desmond Llewelyn as Q are fun to watch as they each give memorable performances. Bernard Lee is great as Bond’s superior M who backs Bond up following a blunder as it’s a truly gracious performance from Lee in his final outing as M.

Richard Kiel is excellent as the henchman Jaws where he finally gets something to do other than go after Bond where his character falls in love as he gets to display a more tender side to the character. Lois Chiles is wonderful as Dr. Holly Goodhead by providing a calm yet cool performance as a character who aids Bond in the mission while proving to be a very smart person Bond can count on. Michael Lonsdale is very good as Hugo Drax, an industrialist who has ambitions to create a new world as Lonsdale displays a great sense of restraint and prestige as the film’s antagonist. Finally, there’s Roger Moore as James Bond where Moore displays his sense of humor and charm to the character while proving to be more direct once his character has to do investigating and fighting as it’s one of Moore’s essential performances as Bond.

Despite some of the silliness in the story and the unnecessary humor, Moonraker is still a stellar film from Lewis Gilbert. Thanks in part to Roger Moore and Michael Lonsdale, it’s a film that is worth watching for its sense of adventure as well as being thoroughly entertaining. Notably as it has Bond taking on the sci-fi genre with some success as Bond manages to find ways to remain relevant in the age of the blockbuster. In the end, Moonraker is a marvelous James Bond film from Lewis Gilbert.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film)) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: The Spy Who Loved Me

Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, The Spy Who Loved Me is the story of James Bond teaming up with a Russian agent to stop a reclusive megalomaniac from destroying the world and create a new one under the sea. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Christopher Wood, the film is a return to James Bond going back to basics after spending time dabbling with other genres with its two previous films as Roger Moore plays Agent 007 for the third time. Also starring Barbara Bach, Curd Jurgens, Richard Kiel, Geoffrey Keen, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and Bernard Lee as M. The Spy Who Loved Me is an extraordinary and thrilling film from Lewis Gilbert.

Following the disappearance of two nuclear submarines from Britain and the Soviet Union, James Bond is asked by the Minister of Defense (Geoffrey Keen) to investigate the matter as Bond travels to Cairo. He then meets KGB officer Major Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) who is also there to find a microfilm plans about the tracking system that has captured the submarines where they encounter a metallic-teeth henchman named Jaws (Richard Kiel) as they get the microfilm where Bond later meets Amasova’s superior in General Gogol (Walter Gotell) who has decided to team up with M to investigate the submarines’ disappearance where Bond and Amasova suspect a shipping tycoon named Karl Stromberg (Curd Jurgens).

Traveling to Sardinia, Bond and Amasova meet Stromberg posing as a couple where Bond learns about Stromberg’s plans to create an underwater society away from the decadence and chaos of the modern world. After another tussle with some of Stromberg’s people including Jaws, Bond and Amasova realize that an oil tanker from Stromberg might have something to do with it as the two board a U.S. submarine to uncover more about Stromberg’s base known as Atlantis where they’re captured by Stromberg’s oil tanker along with the U.S. sub crew. Realizing what Stromberg plans to do with the two captured subs, it’s up to Bond to once again save the day.

The film is essentially the story of James Bond teaming up with a KGB agent to defeat an industrialist tycoon who is hell-bent on destroying the world in order to create a new one under the sea. It’s a plot that is simple yet screenwriters Richard Maimbaum and Christopher Wood create a script that is complex in terms of the motivations of Karl Stromberg as well as fleshing out both James Bond and Anya Amasova who team up to stop Stromberg. Especially since Bond is the one who kills Amasova’s lover early in the film during a mission where she would eventually find out that would cause some tension between the two.

Anya Amasova in some ways is Bond’s equal as she is a spy who is just as cunning, intelligent, and is able to get the job done though she may not be as physically superior as Bond. Still, she is someone who understands Bond as well as the fact that she is someone who is loyal to the KGB and wants to ensure that she gets the job done. Then there’s Karl Stromberg who is an interesting villain that stands out from the rest. All he wants is to create a new world under the sea where things are simpler as there’s no politics and decadence that he feels is ruining the modern world. While he may not be a villain who can match Bond physically, his ambition and willingness to face anyone who will get in his way does make him a compelling antagonist.

Lewis Gilbert’s direction is definitely big in terms of the set pieces that are created as well as the locations as the film is shot in Egypt, Canada, Switzerland, and Sardinia, Italy. Yet, it’s also intimate for the way it explores the relationship between Bond and Amasova where they have to work together despite being part of different factions as they’re away of the bigger picture in order to maintain a good British-Soviet relationship. Through some amazing compositions, close-ups, and tracking shots, Gilbert’s direction is always engaging for the way the suspense is built and the payoff that comes in afterwards. Notably in the climatic action scenes involving submarines and possible nuclear Armageddon where Bond would have to use his own intelligence to save the world. Overall, Gilbert creates a truly magnificent and engrossing film that stands up there with some of the great Bond films.

Cinematographer Claude Renoir does spectacular work with the film‘s photography from the beauty of the exteriors in its locations to some of the interiors with some amazing light schemes that features un-credited work from Stanley Kubrick. Editor John Glen does excellent work with the film‘s editing by playing up to the film‘s suspense and action with methodical and rhythmic cuts to maintain its leisured pace. Production designer Ken Adam, with set decorator Hugh Scaifie and art director Peter Lamont, does superb work with the set pieces such as the Atlantis home base as well as the secret meeting rooms Bond and Amasova meet to pull their sources together.

Visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings does amazing work with the miniatures created such as the exterior of the Atlantis base as well a few key visual effects shots. Sound recorder Gordon Everett does terrific work with the sound to play up some of the action scenes with heightened sound as well as the way the narrator speaks during the Egyptian pyramids sequence.

The film’s score by Marvin Hamlisch is brilliant for its lush orchestral pieces mixed in with a bit of funk and disco for the some of the film’s action sequences. With a soundtrack that includes classical pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Camille Saint-Saens, and Frederic Chopin along with Maurice Jarre’s theme from Lawrence of Arabia. The film’s theme song Nobody Does It Better by Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager and sung by Carly Simon is among one of the best Bond theme songs ever recorded.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. and Maude Spector is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features notable appearances from Michael Billington as Amasova’s lover Sergei Barsov, Shane Rimmer as the U.S. sub commander, Edward de Souza as Bond’s Egyptian contact Sheikh Hosein, Robert Brown as Admiral Hagreaves, Milton Reid as Stomberg henchman Sandor, and Caroline Munro as Stromberg’s assistant/assassin Naomi. Bond regulars such as Lois Maxwell as the witty secretary Miss Moneypenny and Desmond Llewelyn as the inventive but unappreciated Q are a joy to watch. New Bond regulars in Geoffrey Keen as British defense minister and Walter Gotell as General Gogol are also great to watch as the latter is a great character who serves as an authority figure Bond can trust. Bernard Lee is superb as Bond’s superior M who always keeps Bond in check while ensuring that he does his job.

Richard Kiel is excellent as the silent but deadly Jaws where his tall figure and big metallic teeth makes a great impression as one of the most memorable henchman of the Bond franchise. Curd Jurgens is great as the villainous Karl Stromberg who displays a low-key sense of intimidation to his character as well as devilish charm to a man who likes to show off his ideas. Barbara Bach is wonderful as Major Anya Amasova aka Agent Triple X as she displays an intoxicating beauty but also determination as a woman keen on doing her job as well as deal with someone as charming as Bond. Finally there’s Roger Moore in a phenomenal performance as James Bond where Moore maintains his low-key sense of humor for the role while bringing a wit to the way he handles business as it’s one of Moore’s best performances as Agent 007.

The Spy Who Loved Me is a remarkable film from Lewis Gilbert as it stands as one of the best films of the James Bond franchise. Thanks to an ensemble cast led by Roger Moore as James Bond, the film is highlighted by high production values, amazing visual effects, and a compelling story. It’s a film that does everything that is expected in a Bond film and more. In the end, The Spy Who Loved Me is an outstanding film from Lewis Gilbert.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: The Man with the Golden Gun

Based on Ian Fleming’s novel, The Man with the Golden Gun is the story of James Bond facing off against an assassin who has created a device that can harness the power of the sun during an energy crisis around the world. Directed by Guy Hamilton and screenplay by Richard Maimbaum and Tom Mankiewicz, the film has Bond traveling to Hong Kong and Thailand as he faces a man who can kill someone with just one bullet with his golden gun as Roger Moore plays James Bond once again while Christopher Lee plays the titular character in Francisco Scaramanga. Also starring Britt Ekland, Maud Adams, Herve Villechaise, Soon-Tek Oh, Clifton James, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Maxwell, and Bernard Lee as M. The Man with the Golden Gun is a thrilling and comical film from Guy Hamilton.

After receiving a bullet with his name, James Bond learns that renowned assassin Francisco Scaramanga is after him. After traveling to Beirut to retrieve a bullet from a belly-dancer (Carmen du Sautoy) who kept it as a souvenir from an agent killed by Scaramanga. Bond then travels to Macao to find the man (Marne Maitland) who created the bullet for Scaramanga where he sees Scaramanga’s mistress Andrea Anders (Maud Adams) taking a box back to Hong Kong where she was staying. After getting answers from her, Bond goes to a club to see if he can find Scaramanga only for another man killed who had a solar device object called the Solex stolen. After a briefing from M about retrieving the object to help solve the ongoing energy crisis, Bond teams up with Hong Kong agent Lieutenant Hip to go back to Macao for further investigation with Bond‘s aide Mary Goodnight (Britt Ekland).

Going to the home of industrialist Hai Fat (Richard Loo), Bond pretends to be Scaramanga to discuss the death of a man who has the Solex device as the plan later backfires as Scaramanga is at Fat’s home. With the help of Lt. Hip and his nieces, Bond is able to escape as he later meets Anders who reveals some information about Scaramanga and the Solex device. At a kickboxing arena, Bond gets the Solex device but gets a bigger surprise when he meets Scaramanga and his assistant Nick Nack (Herve Villechaise). After Bond secretly gives the Solex to Lt. Hip who gives it to Goodnight, Goodnight sees Nick Nack get into a car where she tries to put a homing device only to be put in the trunk by Scaramanga leading to a car chase that involves a visiting J.W. Pepper (Clifton James). After finding where Scaramanga is hiding out, Bond confronts him to learn what Scaramanga is up to as it leads to a duel between the two men.

The film is about James Bond dealing with a top assassin who plans to monopolize the solar power energy in the wake of an energy crisis as the assassin also wants to face Bond in a duel over who is the best killer. That’s pretty much it since it is typical of the schematics of what is expected in a Bond film. Yet, what makes it so interesting is the villain itself in Francisco Scaramanga. A man who is always offered a million dollars to kill someone due to his reputation and always gets the job done. The film’s opening scene establishes who he is and how good he is by knocking off a gangster (Marc Lawrence). Yet, having James Bond killed in his own hands would be the centerpiece of his killings prompting Bond to find him first before Scaramanga has him killed.

That’s the set-up of the entire story as Bond has to do whatever he can to find this assassin before he gets killed yet he would face numerous challenges as he’s also trying to finish a mission that concerns a solar device that could help bring solar power to the world. While the screenplay does manage to get that story be used as a nice subplot that eventually comes together with the Scaramanga plot. The script’s drawback is due to the fact that it’s not linear as it could’ve been while some of the comical elements involving J.W. Pepper were really unnecessary as if it was another film.

Guy Hamilton’s direction is definitely vast in terms of the locations that is set in the film such as Macao, Bangkok, and Hong Kong where it has Bond exploring another world. There, he delves into the world of martial arts where Bond is sort of an expert as he has to face up against numerous enemies while it the martial arts sequences do have a sense of humor. While the humor of the film is certainly engaging, it does go a little overboard as the presence of J.W. Pepper really bogs the film down where he may have been funny in Live and Let Die. In this film, he isn’t really needed as he’s nothing more than a distraction from the main story of the film. Despite the flaws the film has, Guy Hamilton does manage to succeed in creating a Bond film that has all of the entertaining value as well as carrying the air of suspense that is needed.

Cinematographers Ted Moore and Oswald Morris do excellent work with the photography such as the beautiful exteriors of the city locations and the large wide depth of field shots of the sea along with interior shots of the sets including the casinos in Macao. Editors Raymond Poulton and John Shirley do superb work with the editing by keeping things straightforward including some rhythmic cuts to play out the suspense and action. Production designer Peter Murton, along with art directors John Graysmark and Peter Lamont, does brilliant work with the set pieces such as M‘s office in the RMS Queen Elizabeth ship as well as the home base of Scaramanga.

The visual effects work of Derek Meddings and special effects work of John Stears do terrific work with the special effects work such as the miniatures for Scaramanga‘s islands and home base along with the solar laser. Sound recorder Gordon Everett does nice work with the sound to play up the atmosphere of the crowd scenes as well as more intimate moments in the climatic duel scene. The film’s score by John Barry is fantastic for the way the suspense is build up as well as the action that occurs. The title song co-written with lyricist Don Black and sung by Lulu is a wonderful song that plays to the bombast of the film with its orchestral flourishes and swanky rock arrangements.

The casting by Weston Drury Jr. and Maude Spector is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it includes appearances from Carmen du Sautoy as the belly dancer Bond tries to woo, James Cossins as the arms expert Colthorpe, Marne Maitland as the arms maker Lazar, Marc Lawrence as an ill-fated opponent of Scaramanga in Rodney, and Richard Loo as Scaramanga’s boss Hai Fat who tries to outwit Bond. Bond regulars such as Desmond Llewelyn as Q and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny are excellent in their roles while Bernard Lee is great as usual as the stern but always resourceful superior M. Soon-Tek Oh is excellent as Lt. Hip who aides Bond in his assignment while Clifton James as J.W. Pepper isn’t as funny due to the fact that he’s just repeating the same schtick he did in Live and Let Die.

The late Herve Villechaize is fun to watch as Scaramanga’s assistant Nick Nack who helps Scaramanga do dastardly deeds while proving to be a challenge for Bond. Maud Adams is superb as Andrea Anders, Scaramanga’s mistress who gives Bond information about the Solex as well as revealing some revelations about Scaramanga. Britt Ekland is quite terrible as Mary Goodnight for the fact that Goodnight is a total dimwit who either puts herself in a bad situation or will accidentally do things that just causes trouble as she is definitely one of the worst Bond girls in the history of the Bond franchise.

Christopher Lee is incredible as Francisco Scaramanga where Lee displays a great sense of charm in his role as the assassin while proving to be a man who displays a big ego that only Lee can bring as he definitely creates one of the franchise’s great villains. Roger Moore is excellent as James Bond where Moore maintains his low-key sense of humor while showing more restraint when it comes to the action and suspense as he makes Bond more about getting the job done and not get killed as it’s one of Moore’s finer performances as Agent 007.

While it may not be ranked among the list of the best Bond films, The Man with the Golden Gun is still a thoroughly fun film from Guy Hamilton. Thanks to the performances of Roger Moore and Christopher Lee, the film does have enough adventure for fans to enjoy despite its flaws. In the end, The Man with the Golden Gun is a stellar film from Guy Hamilton.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012