James Bond: The Ultimate Collection (1962-2012) + Volume Collections

[MJD64]

"Where is he?"

"Flat on his coup de grace"

I happen to really enjoy TMWTGG (and, sacrilege, prefer it to Fleming's final novel) and Moore is given some deliciously witty lines, which he delivers with real comic aplomb.

[dan10017]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Only a handful were 4K restored at the time they all came to BD. They have since all been done, but will likely not be doing new releases on BD (or UBD - Spectre still hasn't come out!)

It will likely be quite awhile before all gets released on the UHD 4K format. I noticed on the Bond re-issues and some of the other franchises, the studios wait for a new movie to come out to theaters as that's the best time in going about marketing and maximizing revenues (the old saying: Strike the metal while it's hot). Complicating matters is the sale of the film costs, distribution and marketing of the Bond franchise (still no resolution as Sony, Time Warner, Fox and some others are in the bidding). That's why it took the extra year between Quantum and Skyfall, MGM and EON were in financial flux and still are. Until that gets sorted (the longer that goes the less likely Daniel Craig will be back...perhaps the winning studio want to re-re-boot the story lines).

In short, we're at least 2 1/2-3 1/2 years away from a Bond set UHD 4K box set.

[Stevie81]

Roger Moore's Bond movies are by far my favourites in the series. The craziest plotlines, the most colourful villains and Moore's knowing quips and one liners are perfect. I have watched all 7 films in recent weeks in the great mans honour and have enjoyed them all immensely, even the last three which I previously wasn't the biggest fan of.

[balthazar_bee]

Yeah, Roger Moore is one actor whose loss genuinely makes the world a poorer place.

Even if you're not sold on Moore's Bond, or the zanier directions the films took with him at the centre, he's just such a likable presence. Basically everybody he worked with liked him and, I mean, can't you just tell he's a nice guy?

I think that's why his overt attempts to "butch it up" as it were in, say, The Man with the Golden Gun fall so flat. He's winding up to slap Maud Adams and I'm like, "Sure, Roger -- we believe you'd hit a woman."

[ChromeJob]

I watched a biodoc and I think it was Michael Caine who said, "Sean was a dark sort, very serious, but could lighten up when he needed to. Roger is a light, sunshiney bloke, but he could get dark when required." Or words like that.

Sums up his Bond quite nicely I think.

I actually like his darker moments (like the initial hotel room scene with Adams). He's opening champagne, but he's menacing. It's a little closer to the literary Bond.

There was an interview in which Moore said he'd read the books and found something in one (the beginning of Goldfinger, I'm betting) where Bond was reflecting on his last mission. He'd had to do some killing, but he hadn't liked it. Moore said that was his defining quality of the character. Prepared to kill in cold blood, but not particularly indifferent to it. And yes, though I thought the Mankiewicz scripts were a bit crass and lowbrow, I liked the early performances of Moore.

You can hear an echo of this in the Barry opening of TMWTGG. Instead of the swaggering guitar riff in the Bond theme, he uses strings for a lighter approach. Happens in "Let's Go Get 'Em," too. I think Barry's reorchestration of the Bond theme suited Moore more than George Martin's or Marvin Hamlisch's settings.


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[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by MJD64

"Where is he?"

"Flat on his coup de grace"

I happen to really enjoy TMWTGG (and, sacrilege, prefer it to Fleming's final novel) and Moore is given some deliciously witty lines, which he delivers with real comic aplomb.

How about the exchange with the cab driver in Beirut after having swallowed the golden bullet... "Your hotel mister?" "No, the nearest pharmacy" while he straightens his tie. And later when he remarks to Q something along the lines of "You have no idea what it [the bullet] went through to get here". That's about as wittily highbrow as you can get with scatological humour.

I love TMWTGG. Sure it's a bit low-rent compared to something like Spy Who Loved Me, but there's some great moments of tension such as the scene outside the Bottom's Up Club in Hong Kong, and Scaramanga's island hideaway really captures the imagination. Although I had seen Bond movies before, it was a late night viewing of this film some time in the early 90s that really turned the switch for me into becoming a Bond fanatic or fanboy or whatever you want to call it.

And yes, the movie is far better than the book which is the weakest of all the original Fleming novels.

Originally Posted by Stevie81

Roger Moore's Bond movies are by far my favourites in the series. The craziest plotlines, the most colourful villains and Moore's knowing quips and one liners are perfect. I have watched all 7 films in recent weeks in the great mans honour and have enjoyed them all immensely, even the last three which I previously wasn't the biggest fan of.

I haven't had a Moore marathon yet, but I probably will soon. I don't like doing that right after an actor dies because then I just zone out and think of how sad it is that he's gone. I like to give it a bit of time so later this summer I'm probably going to have a Moore marathon with the Bond films and a few other films of his that I own. While there were some periods of silliness that went a bit too far, overall his films were a lot of fun.

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

Yeah, Roger Moore is one actor whose loss genuinely makes the world a poorer place.

Even if you're not sold on Moore's Bond, or the zanier directions the films took with him at the centre, he's just such a likable presence. Basically everybody he worked with liked him and, I mean, can't you just tell he's a nice guy?

I think that's why his overt attempts to "butch it up" as it were in, say, The Man with the Golden Gun fall so flat. He's winding up to slap Maud Adams and I'm like, "Sure, Roger -- we believe you'd hit a woman."

I posted earlier just after he died but it bears repeating that of all the Bonds, Moore was the one who really seemed to love the role of Bond. While he was often self-deprecating about his own skills as an actor, he never once badmouthed the character or the series or its fans. Even after he retired from the role, he still stuck around and became a sort of "Bond Emeritus". He would happily answer questions from fans about Bond, he would continue to show up for promotions and celebrations about Bond, he helped to promote the Bond 50 blu-ray set when it came out, he hosted the Bond 25th Anniversary Special in 1987 which helped to introduce Dalton as the new Bond.

That just goes to show what a really nice, truly classy guy Roger Moore was and more than just being a former Bond, as a person he will be missed.

[MJD64]

There is a bit of a "low-rent" quality to the first two Moore outings, which is certainly a result of their budgets but I also find attributable to the lack of Ken Adam and even shooting in the 1.85 aspect ratio (Bond was made to be shoot in 'scope). Though TMWTGG disappointed somewhat at the box-office (which would have given so many producers pause), I loved how Broccoli doubled-down and provided a grand and elaborate Bond adventure next with TSWLM and provided a boffo hit; it certainly showed his faith in the series as well as his faith in Roger Moore, when there were certainly quite a few naysayers at the time (think about it: LALD is a hit, which can be chalked-up to moviegoers curious to check out a new actor playing Bond, and the immediate follow-up falters, leading to the belief that Moore hadn't won over audiences).

Like so many Bond fans, I lament the recent passing of Sir Roger who, as others have pointed out, seemed a genuine and considerate human being who almost nobody seems to have had an unkind word for (the same is also true of the recently deceased Bill Paxton). That's a rare thing in a movie star, where arrogance and selfishness seem the norm.

It's also rather refreshing that Moore's relationship to playing the character was so unsullied compared to other Bond actors. That he recorded audio commentaries for not just one or two, but ALL his Bond films speaks volumes.

[Shillingbury Tales]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

The stuff with Maggie and Denis makes me cringe every time I watch that film. He had planned to have a scene with lookalikes of Charles and Diana in The Living Daylights. Thankfully that didn't happen.

I do actually laugh at that bit although I am of a certain age and I do realise how out of place it looks today.
The main bit that sticks out in my mind is where Bond is being pursued by a car load of villains with guns and as they pull up alongside him within easy reach of a shot he turns, smiles and gives them a wave.
How to ruin some tense action in one cockup

[Stevie81]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

How about the exchange with the cab driver in Beirut after having swallowed the golden bullet... "Your hotel mister?" "No, the nearest pharmacy" while he straightens his tie. And later when he remarks to Q something along the lines of "You have no idea what it [the bullet] went through to get here". That's about as wittily highbrow as you can get with scatological humour.

I love TMWTGG. Sure it's a bit low-rent compared to something like Spy Who Loved Me, but there's some great moments of tension such as the scene outside the Bottom's Up Club in Hong Kong, and Scaramanga's island hideaway really captures the imagination. Although I had seen Bond movies before, it was a late night viewing of this film some time in the early 90s that really turned the switch for me into becoming a Bond fanatic or fanboy or whatever you want to call it.

And yes, the movie is far better than the book which is the weakest of all the original Fleming novels.



I haven't had a Moore marathon yet, but I probably will soon. I don't like doing that right after an actor dies because then I just zone out and think of how sad it is that he's gone. I like to give it a bit of time so later this summer I'm probably going to have a Moore marathon with the Bond films and a few other films of his that I own. While there were some periods of silliness that went a bit too far, overall his films were a lot of fun.



I posted earlier just after he died but it bears repeating that of all the Bonds, Moore was the one who really seemed to love the role of Bond. While he was often self-deprecating about his own skills as an actor, he never once badmouthed the character or the series or its fans. Even after he retired from the role, he still stuck around and became a sort of "Bond Emeritus". He would happily answer questions from fans about Bond, he would continue to show up for promotions and celebrations about Bond, he helped to promote the Bond 50 blu-ray set when it came out, he hosted the Bond 25th Anniversary Special in 1987 which helped to introduce Dalton as the new Bond.

That just goes to show what a really nice, truly classy guy Roger Moore was and more than just being a former Bond, as a person he will be missed.

Great post.

What I love about Roger, is his embracing of not only James Bond, but the James Bond world, he's so proud of it (unlike Sean) and even after leaving the role he was unstinting in his ambassadorial role in supporting the series. As has been said above, EVERYBODY loved Roger Moore.

And people will have their opinions on Moore's performances as Bond, many people have the go-to opinion that Connnery and Craig are the only two Bond's who nailed it and the rest didn't, for me, Bond is about escapism, fantasy and fun, and Moore's Bond movies for the most part has that in spades, if you think of all the legendary moments and characters...most of them are in Moore's films, and he acts just fine, that part in the Spy Who Loved Me when Anya mentions that he was married and he shuts her down...I just love that, he wasn't the actor who played Bond when he married Tracy, but it still felt that he was defending the honour of his late wife by not allowing her to be referred to in that fashion. There are many, many other subtle nuances that makes Moore's Bond so enjoyable, the most enjoyable Bond, hands down, for me.

[drush9999]

I always find it interesting that Moore seems to be the only Bond that didn't fall out with the Bond producers in some way (Not sure about Dalton). Even Craig seems like a reluctant Bond now. Moore just get kept on going while they chose the next one, despite all the aging jokes.

Although I'd put Dalton and Connery down as my favourites, Moore is definitely in the top 3 Bonds for me.

[Stevie81]

Originally Posted by drush9999

I always find it interesting that Moore seems to be the only Bond that didn't fall out with the Bond producers in some way (Not sure about Dalton). Even Craig seems like a reluctant Bond now. Moore just get kept on going while they chose the next one, despite all the aging jokes.

Although I'd put Dalton and Connery down as my favourites, Moore is definitely in the top 3 Bonds for me.

I think there's something in that. Moore probably should have stopped after For Your Eyes Only, but the producers didn't want to break up a winning formula, and he was so easy to work with.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by drush9999

I always find it interesting that Moore seems to be the only Bond that didn't fall out with the Bond producers in some way (Not sure about Dalton). Even Craig seems like a reluctant Bond now. Moore just get kept on going while they chose the next one, despite all the aging jokes.

Although I'd put Dalton and Connery down as my favourites, Moore is definitely in the top 3 Bonds for me.

Dalton still remained on good terms with the Broccolis after he left the series and has often appeared at Bond related functions and premieres. It's just that he's a much more private person than Moore was.

There were a few times when Moore was close to quitting and would often come back when he was offered more money. He was never meant to do Octopussy for example but when Eon faced the prospect of going head to head with Connery in NSNA with a new guy, they moved heaven and earth to get Moore back. But I think in all of those instances, it was nothing personal, just business (read that in a Franz Sanchez voice if you want). Connery on the other hand seemed to take great personal exception to getting messed around over money during the 60s so he doesn't have the same fondness for Bond.

[ChromeJob]

Craig put his foot in his mouth when asked right after the marathon of production if he'd do it again. He later recanted.

Dalton was on standby while legal issues dragged on and on and on for years, and when Goldeneye was finally ready to go, it had been too long. And lo and behold, that actor they wanted for The Living Daylights was available again (with no TV network yanking his leash).

Connery …*well the differences he had with Saltzman are legendary. I suspect that although Bond made him a huge star, he was justified in feeling that they were reeling in beaucoup bucks while barely giving him cab fare (due to his 5 picture contract). It must be hard to reconcile opportunity that a plum job like this gives you, versus the toil and pittance that your original deal limits you to.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by ChromeJob

Craig put his foot in his mouth when asked right after the marathon of production if he'd do it again. He later recanted.

Dalton was on standby while legal issues dragged on and on and on for years, and when Goldeneye was finally ready to go, it had been too long. And lo and behold, that actor they wanted for The Living Daylights was available again (with no TV network yanking his leash).

Connery …*well the differences he had with Saltzman are legendary. I suspect that although Bond made him a huge star, he was justified in feeling that they were reeling in beaucoup bucks while barely giving him cab fare (due to his 5 picture contract). It must be hard to reconcile opportunity that a plum job like this gives you, versus the toil and pittance that your original deal limits you to.

Well he more than compensated for that when he did Diamonds Are Forever. Connery taking a prickly attitude towards Bond doesn't do any damage to the people he had a grudge with, they are long dead. It's the fans that get hurt. A lot of us would LOVE to hear more about his thoughts and feelings about his experiences back then, both what he was feeling then and how he feels about it all now.

That's why Moore was awesome. I followed him on Facebook and every month he would answer about 5 or 6 questions posed to him by fans. And of course about 90% of them were about Bond and a lot of the questions were posed by younger fans or fans from non-English speaking countries and I can't tell you how many times, for example, I read Moore tell the story about Cubby cooking spaghetti for the whole crew on the set of TSWLM, but it was awesome that he would tell that story every now and then because a new set of fans would get to hear that story and connect with him. He truly appreciated what it meant to be in that sort of position.

[StingingVelvet]

I never thought Live and Let Die felt "low rent" but I did think that about Man with the Golden Gun, when I was a kid. It definitely feels like a poorer Bond movie (though still lavish and big budget compared to most 'action' movies of the time).

[Shillingbury Tales]

Originally Posted by Stevie81

I think there's something in that. Moore probably should have stopped after For Your Eyes Only, but the producers didn't want to break up a winning formula, and he was so easy to work with.

I'm sure that helped but the real reason was they actually could not find anyone to replace him. There really were no candidates at the time.
I think Moore and the producers agreed FYEO should be his last but they got desperate and again after Octopussy so when they could find nobody they threw money at him that he could not refuse.

I think Craigs current ramblings are a bluff to get a massive payday and it will likely work as Craig is not too old so he doesn't need to be changed although I really will be glad to see the back of him

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Shillingbury Tales

I'm sure that helped but the real reason was they actually could not find anyone to replace him. There really were no candidates at the time.
I think Moore and the producers agreed FYEO should be his last but they got desperate and again after Octopussy so when they could find nobody they threw money at him that he could not refuse.

As I mentioned earlier, the primary reason why Moore returned for Octopussy was Never Say Never Again. Eon wanted an established and proven star to go head to head with Sean Connery. That being said, some of the leading candidates to replace Moore at the time are pretty uninspiring. There's a reason why guys like Michael Billington or Lewis Collins never made it to the big time. And I really cannot imagine a Bond film with James Brolin as 007 - I just think of his scenes in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and start laughing.

Originally Posted by Shillingbury Tales

I think Craigs current ramblings are a bluff to get a massive payday and it will likely work as Craig is not too old so he doesn't need to be changed although I really will be glad to see the back of him

I think it's partly that and partly just him being frustrated and fatigued with the constant inane questions stars like him get asked during the endless press junkets they do in the wake of major films. I wouldn't be surprised if that comment he made was more to do with the press stuff than the actual filming of the movie itself. I think one more film with Craig would be appropriate because it still seems like there's a few loose threads that need to be tied up following Spectre, and then they can move on and maybe go with a more "fun" Bond after that.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Shillingbury Tales

I'm sure that helped but the real reason was they actually could not find anyone to replace him. There really were no candidates at the time.
I think Moore and the producers agreed FYEO should be his last but they got desperate and again after Octopussy so when they could find nobody they threw money at him that he could not refuse.

I think Craigs current ramblings are a bluff to get a massive payday and it will likely work as Craig is not too old so he doesn't need to be changed although I really will be glad to see the back of him

I preferred him as an anonymous stormtrooper.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I never thought Live and Let Die felt "low rent" but I did think that about Man with the Golden Gun, when I was a kid. It definitely feels like a poorer Bond movie (though still lavish and big budget compared to most 'action' movies of the time).

Live and Let Die seems pretty low-rent when compared to most of the other films in the series. There's no elaborate Ken Adam sets, the film isn't shot in scope, we go from watching films in which SPECTRE tries to conquer the world to a Harlem gangster trying to muscle in on the American heroin market, the locations aren't particularly glamorous or exotic (though some of the scenes of squalor in Jamaica are kind of interesting to see), there's no dramatic pre-title sequence in which Bond escapes from danger at the last minute in some spectacular fashion. I mean the film still has high production values compared to a non-Bond film, but it's doesn't seem to have the same spectacle of a film like Moonraker or Octopussy.

[imsounoriginal]

A lot of LaLD takes place in the US, which always looks less exotic compared to the other locations Bond tends to visit. That might explain why it could seem low-rent, although I never really felt that way due to the complexity of some of the sets and that awesome boat chase.