The Spy Who Loved Me

Count_Lippe · Post by **Count_Lippe** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:51 pm

What are your views on this film?

It's certainly one of the more important films in the series. It was Cubby's first as solo producer and also saved the series in a way since Golden Gun hadn't been such a great success.

This became the biggest grossing Bond since Thunderball and firmly established Roger Moore as the new 007.

It was also one of the most lavish and spectacular Bonds ever, with massive sets, incredible stunts and lots of exotic locations.

Count_Lippe · Post by **Count_Lippe** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:15 am

My own opinion is that this is a pretty overrated 007 movie.

It's made to look extremely big and beautiful, but other than that it's a very dull Bond movie.

The cast is bad, Curt Jurgen as Stromberg is like a senior citizen, and the Bond girl Barbara Bach is of course beautiful but also rather dull I think.

Jaws is more fun in Moonraker than in this film.

Caroline Munro as Naomi is really sexy though

Moore is ok but he is actually better in Moonraker I think, watch for example when he gets out of the simulator or is spying on Drax's lab, really cool acting!

The score in Spy is also bad!

The script is boring, a lot of scenes also remind you of earlier Bonds, not very original.

The best part of this film is the brilliant pre-credits ski chase, I can watch this over and over

Red Grant · Post by **Red Grant** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:52 am

At first i used to think this was the corniest Bond movie, i liked Moonraker but realized it had many great moments. Moore was at his best under Gilbert. The 70s music didn't date well, though the title song and the Bond remix on the Egypt boat are good. Nice cinematography and epic scope as all of Gilbert's Bonds. Stromberg is great too.

Post by **Kristatos** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:09 pm

Red Grant wrote:Nice cinematography and epic scope as all of Gilbert's Bonds.

Yes, I think that's the reason that it was so appreciated. After the almost TV movie production values of the previous two films, it made Bond seem BIG again. The fact that it was shot in scope when LALD and TMWTGG had returned to the "flat" aspect ratio of the first three films served to emphasise this.

adam · Post by **adam** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:33 am

Kristatos wrote:
Red Grant wrote:Nice cinematography and epic scope as all of Gilbert's Bonds.
Yes, I think that's the reason that it was so appreciated. After the almost TV movie production values of the previous two films, it made Bond seem BIG again. The fact that it was shot in scope when LALD and TMWTGG had returned to the "flat" aspect ratio of the first three films served to emphasise this.

This was the first Bond movie i saw from start to finish. It was the T.V premiere on ITV. A big thing in those days. As a young boy i thought Moore was really cool & looked handsome & youthful. TSWLM got me hooked on Bond. Everyone at school was talking about the film the following day. It was a massive improvement to TMWTGG and the ski jump & underwater car were things that had never been seen before. Jaws was also a great henchman . However Barbara Bach was a poor actress and watching it now it does'nt seem as impressive as the bigger budget Moonraker. TSWLM is a bit overated but in the 70's it did it's job of putting the Bond movies back on top.

Count_Lippe · Post by **Count_Lippe** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:17 am

However Barbara Bach was a poor actress and watching it now it does'nt seem as impressive as the bigger budget Moonraker. TSWLM is a bit overated but in the 70's it did it's job of putting the Bond movies back on top.

I think SPY is still an extremely spectacular Bond movie, Casino Royale looks like a television drama next to it!!

Some things are even too over-the-top in my opinion, like the submarine car for example!!

But it's a pity that SPY had such weak music and boring cast. With a somewhat better script and a more exciting cast and score it wouldn't have been overrated today!!

Post by **Kristatos** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:50 am

Count_Lippe wrote:But it's a pity that SPY had such weak music and boring cast. With a somewhat better script and a more exciting cast and score it wouldn't have been overrated today!!

Sadly, I believe John Barry was ill at the time, which is why he didn't do the score. As for the cast, do you think Lois Chiles would have been a better Anya than Daisy Duke's sister? She was apparently approached, but was in temporary retirement at the time, though she changed her mind when Moonraker came around.

Count_Lippe · Post by **Count_Lippe** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:58 pm

I think Lois Chiles is wonderful in Moonraker, but I'm not sure she would've been as good in SPY as a Russian agent?!

james stock · Post by **james stock** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:39 pm

Now is this is classic Bond Movie, humour, action and great stunts i challenge you to name a better Bond film (Dont say Casino Royale)