James Bond (Roger Moore) #18 Reggie’s Take Movie Franchise Countdown

By Reggie's Take on June 15, 2014

James Bond is one the most definitive and enduring archetype. Times changed, Sean Connery is gone and Roger Moore is the new 007, but remained a part of the public consciousness on the big screen during the 70’s and early 80’s.

James Bond, the Roger Moore era comes in at #18 in my Reggie’s Take Movie Franchise Countdown!

Roger Moore is the longest-serving actor to play James Bond. Spending 12 years in the role from 1973 to 1985, making seven films in a row. Moore is also the oldest actor to have played Bond; he was age 45 in Live and Let Die (1973), and 58 when he announced his retirement in December of 1985.

The James Bond, Roger Moore played was vastly different then what Ian Fleming originally created. Moore’s bond was written more as a seasoned, playboy type who always seemed to have a trick up his sleeve at the right time. This version of Bond also had more of a sense of humor with the one-liners at the ready.

If you grew up during the 70’s and early 80’s watching the Bond films you got that sense that Moore’s Bond cared more about the gadgets and the girls than the mission at hand, more so then Connery. Roger Moore’s Bond knew that trying to control the mission was futile. You just had to go with it and smile.

Not all of the Bond films made by Roger Moore were the greatest ever made, but they had a certain fun with plenty of Bond type action and girls to keep you coming back for more.

Live and Let Die / 1973

Roger Moore first appearance as “James Bond” in 1973’s Live and Let Die.

Bond is dispatched to the States to stem the activities of Mr. Big, who plans to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. The woman in the case is Solitaire, an enigmatic interpreter of tarot cards. The obligatory destructive-chase sequence occurs at the film’s midpoint, with Bond being chased in a motorboat by Mr. Big’s henchmen, slashing his way through the marshlands and smashing up a wedding party.

The Man With the Golden Gun / 1974

Bond must find the missing “Solex Agitator,” a device that will harness the sun’s radiation and give awesome power to whomever possesses it. But, also vying for the prize, is Francisco Scaramanga, a world-class assassin who brandishes a distinctive golden gun. When 007 discovers he is to be Scaramanga’s next target, he is hurled into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, continuing the search as he evades the killer on his trail. Bond must also contend with Scaramanga’s exotic lover, Andrea Anders, and Nick Nack, whose small size belies his lethal abilities. Even as 007 enlists the aid of sensuous Mary Goodnight, he must overcome ferocious odds to survive an explosive showdown on Scaramanga’s remote island.

From Ian Fleming’s last James Bond novel, which had to be published posthumously in “rough draft” form.

The Spy Who Loved Me / 1977

Ian Fleming’s 1962, James Bond novel “The Spy Who Loved Me” is distinguished by the unique idea of telling the story from the heroine’s point of view; in fact, Bond himself doesn’t make an appearance until the book is two-thirds over.

The original plot line of the novel was thrown out altogether in favor of a story involving outer-space extortion. A sexy Russian secret agent Barbara Bach, joins forces with Bond to foil yet another villain, who plans to threaten New York City with nuclear weaponry. After the opening ski-jump sequence, the film’s best scenes involve the seven-foot-two Richard Kiel as steel-toothed henchman Jaws.

Moonraker / 1979

From an adaptation of Ian Fleming’s 1955 novel.

A space shuttle called the Moonraker, built by Drax Industries, is on its way to the U.K when it is hijacked in mid-air and the crew of the 747 carrying it is killed. Bond immediately is called into action, and starts the investigation with Hugo Drax himself. While at the Drax laboratories, Bond meets the brilliant & stunning Dr. Holly Goodhead, a NASA astronaut & CIA agent who is investigating Drax for the U.S. Government.

One of Drax’s thugs, the sinister Chan, attempts to kill 007 at the lab but when that fails, he follows Bond to Venice and tries again there. Bond & Goodhead follow Drax’s trail to Brazil, where they once again run into Jaws, a towering giant with metal teeth.

Escaping from him, they discover the existence of a huge space station undetected by U.S. or Soviet radar, and a horrible plot by Drax to employ nerve gas in a genocidal project! Bond & Holly must quickly find a way to stop Hugo Drax before his horrific plans can be put into effect…

“Jaws,” the steel-mouthed henchman from “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977), returns for a second time in Moonraker.

Bernard Lee makes his last appearance as “M”. Moonraker was the most costly James Bond film of 1970s.

For Your Eyes Only / 1981

This time Bond is on the trail of a shipwreck that holds an Automatic Targeting Attack Communicator or ATAC for short, for all of the British Naval submarine fleet.

Bond must hurry though, as the Russians are also out for the device. On his travels, he meets Melina Havelock, whose parents were brutally murdered. Bond also encounters both Aristotle Kristatos and Milos Colombo. Each of them are accusing the other of having links with with the Russian’s. Bond must team up with Melina, solve who the true ally is and find the ATAC before it’s too late.

The screenplay had very little to do with the collection of short stories that made up Ian Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only.

Octopussy / 1983

Bond must investigate the murder of a fellow agent who was clutching a priceless Faberge egg at the time of his death. The trail leads to the mysterious Octopussy, whose traveling circus features a company of luscious, athletic women.

Bond and Octopussy share a passionate affection, but soon 007 discovers that the elegant Kamal Khan is working with a mad Russian officer to hurl mankind into World War III! As Bond tries to stop the nightmarish scheme, his exploits will include a riveting chase through the streets of India, a deadly brawl on top of a speeding train, and a breathtaking midair knife fight on an airplane wing.

A View to a Kill / 1985

When Bond is sent to investigate a security leak at the high-tech Zorin Industries, he discovers a hotbed of murder and deception. The company’s mysterious owner, Max Zorin has devised a plan to corner the world microchip market, even if he has to kill millions to do it! Before Bond can stop Zorin, he must confront the madman’s beautiful and deadly companion May Day. With help from the gorgeous Stacey, Bond will launch an all-out assault on Zorin’s deadly scheme, climaxing in a spine-tingling duel on the upper spans of the Golden Gate Bridge.