Mission Summary

A British and a Soviet submarine have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, escalating tensions between the world powers. James Bond (Moore) is dispatched to Cairo to follow up on a lead, where he discovers it is not the Soviets behind the abductions, but shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens). In a rare display of Anglo-Soviet cooperation, Bond and Russian agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), code-name XXX, work together to find the submarines and stop Stromberg from using them to destroy the world.

Analysis

Rank: 9

Ian Fleming's novel "The Spy Who Loved Me" was a radical departure from the series, as it was told in first-person by Vivienne Michel, Bond's flame in the book. While the 10th Bond film doesn't offer such a radical shift, it does create some memorable moments nonetheless. As usual, it isn't anything Roger Moore does to improve this film, but rather unique gadgets, an imposing henchman and probably the quintessential pre-title sequence in the series.

Early on, this film has the feel of the typical Cold War plot: Soviets steal something of importance and hold the West hostage until Bond saves the day. Yet by the late '70s, these stand-bys were starting to disappear, and having 007 and XXX work together was refreshing and a welcome change. Ultimately, Stromberg's plot to destroy the world is never adequately explained and seems somewhat of a disappointment in the climax of the film.

As I mentioned in the intro, the pre-title sequence is nearly perfect. Bond is called to duty from the arms of a woman in the Alps, and she begs him not to go and says she needs him. Bond's reply: "So does England." As he is chased by goons down the slopes, he uses his ski pole to shoot one of them. Then the show-stopper: Bond skis of a cliff, only to open a Union Jack parachute as it cuts to the titles. Classic. There are other action sequences in the film that are good (such as Bond driving the Lotus Esprit underwater), but everything else pales in comparison afterwards.

The best henchman since Oddjob appears for the first time in this film, the steel-toothed Jaws (Richard Kiel), who becomes the first repeat henchman when he returns in "Moonraker." Although Jaws always seems to avoid any bodily harm throughout the film, he does carry himself as an equal to Bond. To Moore's credit, one of the few times he ever shows any emotion is when he grimaces when fighting Jaws. Amasova is an interesting character, in that we learn more about her than the average Bond girl (her lover dying, she was trained in Siberia, etc.). In the first half of the film, she trades one-liners with Bond and they compliment each other well, especially keeping Moore's ego in check. But in the second half when there is the attack on Stromberg's headquarters, she is relegated to a supporting character. This is also the first appearance of General Gogol (Walter Gotell), head of the KGB.

There are several nit-picks that keep this film from being among the greats, but its memorable opening and Jaws have become icons for the series and overshadow all the minor annoyances. The balance between Bond and Amasova makes the banter much more enjoyable than Moore rambling on by himself. Add in a great theme song by Carly Simon and you have all the trimmings of a solid bond adventure.