Is THE SPY WHO LOVED ME Roger Moore's best film?

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  • Posts: 1,879
    Agree TSWLM is better than Conti's FYEO score, but I like better than the others I've mentioned. It is also very divisive for fans and I've always enjoyed it, there's some standout pieces there. Can't say the same for the most part for the others.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,382
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Agree TSWLM is better than Conti's FYEO score, but I like better than the others I've mentioned. It is also very divisive for fans and I've always enjoyed it, there's some standout pieces there. Can't say the same for the most part for the others.

    Conti's score makes my ears bleed.
  • Posts: 7,500
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Interesting the Marvin Hamlisch score is so divisive. He's not Barry, but the score is grand, so much more memorable than anything Kamen, Serra, especially Newman and mostly Arnold have done with their scores.

    Yeah, you can argue the disco-influenced sound, which he admitted to, may sound dated to some, but I love the action theme and although the title theme isn't one of my favorites, it's a classic and lends itself well to the more romantic aspects of the film. These remain in my head long after seeing the film or listening to the soundtrack. I've drowned out Newman and Arnold scores even as they play, they can be that unmemorable.

    It's also a case of the soundtrack album varying from the film in many cases. I'd like to have a TSWLM expanded score as there's more to appreciate.

    It's better than Conti's score, also.

    I beg to differ. I much prefer Conti's version of the Bond theme, and in FYEO the synthesized themes are at least catchy...
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,009
    jobo wrote: »
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Interesting the Marvin Hamlisch score is so divisive. He's not Barry, but the score is grand, so much more memorable than anything Kamen, Serra, especially Newman and mostly Arnold have done with their scores.

    Yeah, you can argue the disco-influenced sound, which he admitted to, may sound dated to some, but I love the action theme and although the title theme isn't one of my favorites, it's a classic and lends itself well to the more romantic aspects of the film. These remain in my head long after seeing the film or listening to the soundtrack. I've drowned out Newman and Arnold scores even as they play, they can be that unmemorable.

    It's also a case of the soundtrack album varying from the film in many cases. I'd like to have a TSWLM expanded score as there's more to appreciate.

    It's better than Conti's score, also.

    I beg to differ. I much prefer Conti's version of the Bond theme, and in FYEO the synthesized themes are at least catchy...

    Each to their own. 90% of Conti's music doesn't work for me at all - least of all his action cues - though I do like his instrumental renditions of the title theme.

    Hamlisch's stuff has a bit more weight to it, and Bond '77 is just straight up cool.
  • Junglist_1985Junglist_1985 Los Angeles
    Posts: 1,006
    If Barry had scored TSWLM and FYEO instead of MR and OP, Moore would have two indisputable top tier Bond films in my opinion. However because his two best outings are dragged down by bad scores, the debate over Moore’s best film continues.
  • Posts: 3,273
    If Barry had scored TSWLM and FYEO instead of MR and OP, Moore would have two indisputable top tier Bond films in my opinion. However because his two best outings are dragged down by bad scores, the debate over Moore’s best film continues.

    Agree 100%.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 776
    Conti’s FYEO score isn’t that good, I agree, but it doesn’t get on my nerves the way TSWLM’s score does. The only times I find Conti’s score fairly good is when it quotes the melody of the title them by Sheena Easton, which is one of my favorite Bond title themes of the whole series. Another point in FYEO’s favor for me (though I think ‘Nobody Does It Better’ is solid, too).
  • GadgetManGadgetMan Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 4,247
    Hamlisch's score is the better score. Not that I totally dislike Conti's score, but the tracks aren't that infectious. I'm not sure there's a Conti track that's better than Hamlisch's Ride to Atlantis before even mentioning the relentless Bond '77
  • Posts: 2,887
    Hamlisch wrote one of the all-time great Bond themes in "Nobody Does it Better" but his score is otherwise spare. I don't mind "Bond '77" but he reuses it too much. The only other memorable track is "Ride to Atlantis."

    Conti's score has more highlights: a superior gunbarrel, the pre-title sequence, "Melina's Revenge," "A Drive in the Country," and "Runaway." I think it also does a better job of folding disco/funk into the Bond sound.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,382
    If Barry had scored TSWLM and FYEO instead of MR and OP, Moore would have two indisputable top tier Bond films in my opinion. However because his two best outings are dragged down by bad scores, the debate over Moore’s best film continues.

    Agree 100%.

    Agreed as well. A Barry score would elevate FYEO immensely in my preferences. It would at least eliminate some of the blandness
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    For Me Roger's best performance as Bond was in FYEO, but I still remember the
    Impact of TSWLM way back in 77. It was a blockbuster ! and from chatting with
    Non Bond friends etc "Spy" seem to be the one most mentioned. The one with
    "Jaws" , " The car " and "The ski jump "
  • Posts: 1,314
    Contis gun barrel is one of my faves. Bond 77 is great. Otherwise both suffer from a distinct lack of subtlety and use bombast in place of beauty
  • Posts: 12,506
    In terms of what all the elements that are associated with Bond, probably is yes? But for me LALD is my personal best Moore Bond film. 8-X
  • wintandkiddfaroutwintandkiddfarout Australia
    Posts: 32
    In my opinion Octopussy is Roger Moore's overall best Bond outing, however The Spy Who Loved Me can rightfully be said to be the point at which he comfortably settled fully into the Bond role. I agree with what I once read somewhere that each actor's third movie was when they firmly established their personification of the character and broke in their performance.

    An opportunity that George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton never had.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    edited February 2021 Posts: 5,131
    TSWLM is a pretty great film, but the villain is weak and the music is often obnoxious. I find it often quite overrated around here.

    FYEO largely is a more down to earth entry, it has a better story and I like the Bond girl more.

    I favour LALD and FYEO over TSWLM.

    The TSWLM is let down by some overtly comic scenes and an uneven tone throughout the film.
  • Posts: 6,727
    suavejmf wrote: »
    TSWLM is a pretty great film, but the villain is weak and the music is often obnoxious. I find it often quite overrated around here.

    FYEO largely is a more down to earth entry, it has a better story and I like the Bond girl more.

    I favour LALD and FYEO over TSWLM.

    The TSWLM is let down by some overtly comic scenes and an uneven tone throughout the film.

    Agreed. Particularly in the music department!
  • Yeah, I think with a better score and a more punchy third act (and villain to boot) I could see Spy Who Loved Me being Moore’s number 1. It’s very good as is, but I prefer the grittier and more stunt-heavy LALD & FYEO.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,891
    Yeah, I think with a better score and a more punchy third act (and villain to boot) I could see Spy Who Loved Me being Moore’s number 1. It’s very good as is, but I prefer the grittier and more stunt-heavy LALD & FYEO.

    I agree with these points whole heartedly, but even with these "deficiencies" I still consider it his best, definitely his most iconic.


  • edited May 2021 Posts: 4,400
    Okay, I rewatched this yesterday evening. It was exactly what I needed after a stressful couple of weeks. When I last watched this in 2013, I was disappointed. It didn't live up to my memory of it. However, ridding myself of any expectations and just sitting back, I have to say this movie is seriously entertaining and a proper ride. TSWLM is a sexy, visually impressive, flamboyantly self-aware, lavishly produced mix of a spy romance and a war-mission film. It's a classic and deserves nothing less than ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.

    The-Spy-Who-Loved-Me-Hero.jpg

    I was really taken by the craft of this film. The filmmaking on show is impeccable. All the departments are truly working to the best of their resources and abilities. As a result, TSWLM really wears its age well. Of course, some parts of the film are a little dated. However, the fact that so much was done for real means that this film still looks as spectacular as any modern blockbuster. TSWLM is a lot of MOVIE. For example, I still can't believe they actually filmed an underwater car chase and it that it actually has stakes and is exciting (let alone end the film on a 40 minute siege sequence!). You can see that Nolan was trying to pinch TSWLM's glamorous exoticism with Tenet. There's just something so inherently '70's and cool about seeing speedboats, sports-cars in Sardinia.

    maxresdefault.jpg

    The thing that really struck me were Ken Adams' set (I know, I know), but every set in this film is a SET. Even those scenes that last a few seconds where anonymous officials pick up phones in offices are SETS. So when Adam goes for broke with the big sets, its a bloody joy to behold. Also, a huge bow must be taken by the special effects team for blowing things them up so expertly. The same goes for that gorgeous wide-angle cinematography. Every shot is a SHOT. It's obviously helped by the beautiful locations and pretty people that are being photographed. This film has scope.

    In many respects, TSWLM feels like a culmination film. This is the movie they have been trying to make since Dr No back in 1962. They now have the money and the technical skill to pull it off.

    The strongest element of the film is the one-upmanship between Bond and Anya - a cat-and-mouse game that takes an interesting turn when the whole killing-her-boyfriend thing comes out. I used to think that Bach was bland in this role. But it's clearly a choice, she's playing a cold Russian spy with zero empathy (I actually know a Ukrainian girl and Anya's demeanour, at times, felt familiar). She also looks beautiful. Her hair, make-up and costumes are brilliant. In fact, she was probably my favourite character of the film....

    nesuqcj.jpg

    Then you have Roger. He's in fine form. He's a little steelier than I remember in this outing. He's also allowed to play the 'action hero' a little more in the final act of the film and rises to the occasion. He's very convincing (more so than in his 'karate' fight scenes earlier in the film). He's also so pretty and works excellently as the elegant, gentleman spy. His costumes in this film are also beautiful! Though I wouldn't discount the arguments that Moore is a bit of a cardboard-cutout hero. He has the anonymous aplomb of a male model and can - on occasion - play second fiddle to the sets and action.

    FittingAcidicEuropeanpolecat-small.gif

    Sure, you can nitpick (the plot is threadbare/the characters could do with perhaps a little more scripting/Jaws is a bit of a cartoon character/corny sexism), but none of this takes away from the sensory pleasure and sheer joy this film elicited from me. The film, shot in seven countries, is so rich in fantasy, so filled with beautiful scenery, gorgeous women, preposterous villains and impossible situations that's it easy to suspend disbelief entirely and escape inside the gadgetry and glamour.
  • Posts: 1,879
    Nice review. While it was a huge hit upon release, I've often wondered how much more positively received TSWLM would have been had Star Wars not been released before it in the summer of 1977.
  • Posts: 1,469
    I agree, great to see how you reviewed it. It's my favorite Moore film at #7. FYEO used to be my fave, but tastes change, I suppose. While I think it certainly has some weak points (some here might say more than just some), it does a great job of balancing all the different elements and keeping the story, action and some suspense going. I particularly like the scenes in Egypt and the location shots there. You're right, Roger was in fine form, from the more relaxed and posh scenes at the Mojaba Club to the fight scenes on the Liparus. Jaws is more threatening here than in MR. And yes, the women, plus even some Gogol.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    TSWLM definitely one of Roger's Best.
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Haydock, England
    edited May 2021 Posts: 254
    TSWLM is Moore’s best along with LALD and FYEO, without a doubt. After TMWTGG flopped big time, it was time for something bigger and better. But in my humble opinion, this was Sir Roger’s peak before he began to go downhill (save for FYEO proving a decent back to basics outing) with Moonraker being nothing more than an cynical Star Wars cash in.
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Haydock, England
    Posts: 254
    In my opinion Octopussy is Roger Moore's overall best Bond outing, however The Spy Who Loved Me can rightfully be said to be the point at which he comfortably settled fully into the Bond role. I agree with what I once read somewhere that each actor's third movie was when they firmly established their personification of the character and broke in their performance.

    An opportunity that George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton never had.

    Agreed. A third outing for Dalton would of cemented his legacy if it weren’t for all the ongoing legal disputes.
  • MalloryMallory Do mosquitoes have friends?
    Posts: 2,036
    It’s not my favourite RM film, nor do I think it is his best, but I understand why it is to a lot of people. For many it was either their first 007 experience, or the one they most remember, at it certainly has lots of enduring iconic moments in the series - the union jack parachute, Atlatnis, the Lotus submarine, Jaws etc...
  • It always flip flops with FYEO for me, but it’s been a few months since I saw the film last. My last viewing was incredibly enjoyable so for right now, I’ll say yes it is.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384

    TV spot with Roger for TSWLM
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    I've always liked his look in that ad: his hair is a bit cooler than in the film.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,729
    mtm wrote: »
    I've always liked his look in that ad: his hair is a bit cooler than in the film.

    Yes, he looks a little more slick in that ad than he does in the film.
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