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Spy Who Loved Me

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Spy Who Loved Me is a 1977 spy film and the tenth in the James Bond series to be produced by Eon Productions, and the third to star Roger Moore as the fictional secret agent James Bond. Barbara Bach and Curt Jürgens co-star. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and the screenplay was written by Christopher Wood and Richard Maibaum.

The movie itself is intriguing with very satisfying action scenes, humor and the most beautiful actress ever to grace the movie screen – Barbara Bach… The movie really has it all and we learn before the main titles that this is going to be a very different 007 movie from the ones that preceded it.

In 1977 audiences rose to their feet to cheer what is still one of the most amazing stunts in motion picture history. Accompanied by a disco beat (that I like) Bond leaves the cabin of one of the EON series’ sexiest femme fatales, is pursued by Russian assassins and then ski’s off a mountain-top, apparently to his death. But no a parachute opens and our hero glides effortlessly across our screen and into the waiting hands of the main titles – perfect.

I’ve never been a fan of Bond in the main titles and this is unfortunately the one that started this trend. My favorite main title sequences are those in which 007 does not appear. The sequence at the submarine base introduces us to a couple of recurring characters, first is Minster Frederick Gray and then Admiral Hargreaves (who would later be promoted to the position of M). These are two welcome additions and Gray’s appearance in particular would help the series four years later when the series lost Bernard Lee.

We also are introduced to Gen. Gogol as head of the KGB. Gogol would return in each of the successive movies until 1987’s THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS when actor Walter Gotell’s health had deteriorated to such an extent that his part was rewritten to a mere cameo, while the chunk of his scenes went to John Rhys-Davies. What follows is a mix of action (the car chase, battle inside the Liparus and train fight stand out), drama (confrontation in the hotel room in particular) and Moore getting to be ruthless (dispatching Sandor from the rooftop – “What a helpful chap.”)

Of course any review of the movie would be remiss not to mention the introduction of Jaws. Jaws is a killing machine who, although clumsy, does not think twice about murdering his prey. Many fans are admirers of Caroline Munro in this picture. For me, the main thing I like about her appearances are the looks it elicits from Bach’s Amasova – are those flickers of jealousy?

Really, everything comes together perfectly, the perfect girl, some of the best action and drama, great locations and all the while Moore’s great humor, it is in this movie that he delivers one of my all-time favorite 007 lines – “All those feathers and he still couldn’t fly!”

BACKGROUND

The Spy Who Loved Me is a 1977 spy film and the tenth in the James Bond series to be produced by Eon Productions, and the third to star Roger Moore as the fictional secret agent James Bond. Barbara Bach and Curt Jürgens co-star. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and the screenplay was written by Christopher Wood and Richard Maibaum.

The film takes its title from Ian Fleming’s novel The Spy Who Loved Me, the tenth book in the James Bond series, though it does not contain any elements of the novel’s plot. The storyline involves a reclusive megalomaniac named Karl Stromberg, who plans to destroy the world and create a new civilisation under the sea. Bond teams up with a Russian agent, Anya Amasova, to stop Stromberg.

It was shot on location in Egypt (Cairo and Luxor) and Italy (Costa Smeralda, Sardinia), with underwater scenes filmed at the Bahamas (Nassau), and a new soundstage built at Pinewood Studios for a massive set which depicted the interior of a supertanker. The Spy Who Loved Me was well-received by critics. The soundtrack composed by Marvin Hamlisch also met with success. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards amid many other nominations and novelised in 1977 by Christopher Wood as James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me.

I will admit up front that this is my favorite James Bond movie. Not only does the movie hit every mark with great stunts (including a pretitles stunt that had audiences around the world cheering, but it also features my favorite Bond girl Barbara Bach who I have long thought to be the most beautiful actress to have ever lived. It should also be noted that Roger Moore went on the record as considering this as his favorite entry in the series.

 

CAST

Roger Mooreas James Bond
Barbara Bachas Anya Amasova
Curt Jürgensas Karl Stromberg
Richard Kielas Jaws
Caroline Munroas Naomi
Walter Gotellas General Gogol
Bernard Leeas M
Desmond Llewelynas Q
Lois Maxwellas Miss Moneypenny
Robert Brownas Adm. Hargreaves
Geoffrey Keenas Frederick Gray
George Bakeras Captain Benson
Shane Rimmeras Commander Carter

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WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:

My favourite Bond film:
The Spy Who Loved Me

My Review

99%

My Favorite James Bond movie - Barbara Bach is stunning This is my personal favorite of the Roger Moore 007 movies. The movie itself is intriguing with very satisfying action scenes, humor and the most beautiful actress ever to grace the movie screen - Barbara Bach!

Script
100%
Acting
99%
Directing
99%
Bond girl Appeal
100%

About The Author

Darren

Born on the English-Scottish border I emigrated to the US after graduating college in 1995 and became a U.S. citizen in 2007. I have served in the U.S. military and my past positions include as an Assistant Managing Editor of The Washington Post Company, a technical writer working on technical documentation for both a construction company and a large government contractor, a graphic designer creating graphics in support of government contract proposals, and as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. which included being assigned as the official writer for the Navy and DoD on the assumption ceremony of a new Secretary of the Navy. I am currently a Web Services Writer for a large government contractor in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

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