124 replies to this topic

[freemo]

If I want "Fleming"Bond, I'll read a book. Roger is "Cinema"Bond.

[Genrewriter]

My feelings exactly.

[zencat]

If I want "Fleming"Bond, I'll read a book. Roger is "Cinema"Bond.

Amen!

[Tarl_Cabot]

He lights up a cigar. (What! A cigar!?! Bond smokes cigarettes. Never cigars.)"

He's worldly; he enjoys the finer things in life of all cultures and countries.He was in the carribean, where Cigars are made. When in Rome, dude!

[Roger Moore's Bad Facelift]

What a great post.

I can't add anything to what's already been said, but it echoes my sentiments exactly.

I almost feel like we are eulogizing over him to a certain degree. Maybe not over Roger himself, but definately over the Roger era.

Moore's Bond was one of a kind, however, it should be noted that if he continued to play the role the way he did in TMWTGG perhaps we wouldn't be singing his praises so much. Although one can see Roger's comedic abilities lying just beneath the surface during TMTGG (for example, when he says in a southern drawl, "I sure am boy") he didn't really get to use them full force until TSWLM.That's when his true personality begain to emerge and win us all over.

He really is amazingly entertaining and has such a great screen presence. I wish he would do more movies.

Edited by Roger_Moore's_Bad_Facelift, 24 February 2004 - 10:47 AM.

[Mister Asterix]

He lights up a cigar. (What! A cigar!?! Bond smokes cigarettes. Never cigars.)"

He's worldly; he enjoys the finer things in life of all cultures and countries.He was in the carribean, where Cigars are made. When in Rome, dude!

But was he in Rome? I buy Bond smoking cigars in Cuba. But it is well established that Bond smokes cigarettes in the Bahamas and Jamaica, both in the Carribean. So the

[Tarl_Cabot]

I got your point and I agree but maybe Roger just liked Cigars? They are healthier than ciggarettes...He has one in the Beruit nightclub too in TMWTGG...Cuba may make the best Cigars but they aren't the exclusive producer of them in the carribean. Domincian republic makes good ones too...We can talk cigars in the new lifestyle forums when they arrive?

anyway, I think Roger was a great Bond for the '70s.Who else could have worn that woredrobe and not looked ridiculous? Especially the yellow ski outfit!

[Johnboy007]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' date='24 February 2004 - 10:19'] However, that wasn

[Mister Asterix]

[quote name='Johnboy007' date='24 February 2004 - 17:30'] [quote name='Mister Asterix' date='24 February 2004 - 10:19'] However, that wasn

[Loomis]

You know, as I get older (and, theoretically, more grown-up), I find myself liking Roger and his silly Bond outings more, not less. Curious, that. Obviously, all Bond flicks are escapist fantasies, but I wonder whether, having reached a certain age, guys who are into Bond start to take comfort in a 50-something 007 growing old disgracefully and basically having a ball (something they can't draw from watching, say, Connery in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, Brosnan in GOLDENEYE, or Lazenby).

Also, perhaps a lot of fans go through a "serious" phase (in their late teens or early 20s, I'm guessing), during which they tell themselves to concentrate on the "real", "adult", "dark" Bond of Fleming, Amis, Dalton and early Connery.... a phase they grow out of once they realise that all Bond is just so much nonsense, whereupon they gleefully embrace their Inner Moore!

[Genrewriter]

Interesting theory. Funnily enough, I skipped over the "taking Bond seriously" phase. Then again, I never did like going by the status quo.

[DLibrasnow]

I don't care what anyone says - I love the Roger Moore 007 films!

[Tarl_Cabot]

a phase they grow out of once they realise that all Bond is just so much nonsense, whereupon they gleefully embrace their Inner Moore! "

LOL I love Roger Moore but maybe seeing Dalton at 17 and 19, with testosterone dripping out of my ears made me hunger for a more violent, badarse Bond! Now, I'm older and ready to be more simpactico, Like Roger!

"I don't care what anyone says - I love the Roger Moore 007 films! "

Yeah dude, we know.

"But was he in Rome? I buy Bond smoking cigars in Cuba. But it is well established that Bond smokes cigarettes in the Bahamas and Jamaica, both in the Carribean. So the

[Q-Zar]

(...)for us Supergeeks of Bondage?

What I do in m bedroom stays private thank you

I also think Moore was the Bond many people grew up with. Whether he's a faithful Bond or not, he stays very enjoyable. And anyway, none of the Bond actors bother me, I'm open-minded about their performances. (As I haven't read the novels, I can't complain that they aren't playing that Bond.

[007luvchild2]

A few things I have come to appreciate about Roger Moore and his Bond films.
He portraryed a Bond who actually took the foolishness of his antagonist and love interest rather well, and usually try to charm the pants off the femme fatales at any given opportunity.

[Jaelle]

Great thread.

No, Roger isn't my idea of the best cinematic Bond. But I have a great fondness for him. I was too young to see the Connery movies in the theaters but I grew up watching them on TV as a young child. My first was DN around 1969 at the age of 9. I was hooked (I just LOVED Joseph Wiseman's voice and look!).

Roger was part of my high school and early college years. When I was finally old enuf to see a movie without adult supervision, it was TMWTGG that I wanted to see. He gave me so much enjoyment and I always thought he was just so damn cool, sophisticated, smart and had a lovely voice. And his films were just so much damned fun, with fantastic music, incredible stunts that were unmatched at the time. Today it's impossible to shock anyone anymore. Those of you who are my age and older will remember that you couldn't get away from the cultural impact of Roger's films at the time even if you never saw them. The impact of their *MUSIC* was extraordinary, they were constantly on the radio, they constantly won Grammys. Jaws was hyped all over the place, the character was all over the news, TV variety shows, yadayadaya.

The thing with Roger is that he simply refused to take his films and himself seriously. All he intended for his audience was this: "Look, you and I know that the idea of a celebrity spy is ridiculous, we can't take this seriously, so just come along with me and let's have some fun with great music, great locations, wild stunts and characters and gorgeous women." Roger *never claimed to be the authentic James Bond.* He only claimed to play an entertaining version of himself playing Bond. There is absolutely NO pretention in Roger's entire attitude as Bond. And for the most part he delivers what he promises. And he also surprises you with occasional moments of understated yet effective seriousness and emotion. It is far easier to forgive someone if they never intended anything more than simple, unpretentious fun.

Brosnan for me is more difficult to overlook precisely because he and the people around his Bond films *do* promise and intentionally plan to "go deeper" and "explore Bond's angst" or whatever. And fail. His films consciously promise to please everyone, to cover all bases in interpreting Bond---fun yet serious, suave yet vulnerable. His films are, imo, very pretentious. His Bond is pretentious. I can count only a handful of authentic moments in his films. His films (as is common with most films today) and his Bond reek of knowingness, far too much self-awareness. They promise you just simple escapist fun yet also promise scripts with social or political relevance. The result is schizophrenic and superficial films. Only in GE do I have some semblance of an understanding of the point of the film. I like some of TND but those last three films are generally a confusing, incoherent, schizo, pretentious mess.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

I love the Roger Moore 007 films!

You.
Don't.
Say.



Roger isn't my favourite Bond, but he did a commendable job. I respect his idea that he just wanted to have fun with the series, and give the audience a good time.

Still, I'm a little disappointed that he took out a lot of the "Brit Grit" that Connery brought to the role, and instead substituted it with OTT Englishness(?).

Maybe I'm in that situation that Loomie described. I'll have to wait and see whether my inner Moore will emerge later in life.

This thread would be the perfect opportunity to tell the Moore-bashers to give in and get a good Rogering every one in a while, but I'll refrain.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Roger is adored for his off camera/post Bond life's work for benefiting the world's poor and suffering via UNICEF...That could be why he has so many fans who are "easy" on him for being a flawed but very appealing 007.

[Loomis]

The thing with Roger is that he simply refused to take his films and himself seriously. All he intended for his audience was this: "Look, you and I know that the idea of a celebrity spy is ridiculous, we can't take this seriously, so just come along with me and let's have some fun with great music, great locations, wild stunts and characters and gorgeous women." Roger *never claimed to be the authentic James Bond.* He only claimed to play an entertaining version of himself playing Bond. There is absolutely NO pretention in Roger's entire attitude as Bond. And for the most part he delivers what he promises. And he also surprises you with occasional moments of understated yet effective seriousness and emotion. It is far easier to forgive someone if they never intended anything more than simple, unpretentious fun.

Brosnan for me is more difficult to overlook precisely because he and the people around his Bond films *do* promise and intentionally plan to "go deeper" and "explore Bond's angst" or whatever. And fail. His films consciously promise to please everyone, to cover all bases in interpreting Bond---fun yet serious, suave yet vulnerable. His films are, imo, very pretentious. His Bond is pretentious. I can count only a handful of authentic moments in his films. His films (as is common with most films today) and his Bond reek of knowingness, far too much self-awareness. They promise you just simple escapist fun yet also promise scripts with social or political relevance. The result is schizophrenic and superficial films.

Agreed 100%. Brilliantly put, as usual, Jaelle.

[AAMD11]

hmmm well I think Roger is the best Bond to date. I like that suave thing he had going on!

[4 Ur Eyez Only]

The Creator of the Books.. the man who was all alone.. sitting with a pen & paper.. before anyone got involved.. Ian wanted Roger Moore to play 007 first! When he closed his eyes he saw Roger! he saw the range! he saw that he can play every aspect of the character!

so far he is the only one to do that! .. and why should any of us disagree with the man who created the novels?

Roger is clearly the best 007 on screen & a decent man to the crew,writers, stuntmen,directors, cubby & his family!

The guy is a class act and made the sets a fun place to work! He didn't bad mouth in the 1960's or sue Cubby like Sean did in 1984! The other actors didn't have enough time to make an impression.

Roger played the character with the most range & his movies were in the prime of the well oiled machine which was 007!

[brendan007]

The Creator of the Books.. the man who was all alone.. sitting with a pen & paper.. before anyone got involved.. Ian wanted Roger Moore to play 007 first! When he closed his eyes he saw Roger! he saw the range! he saw that he can play every aspect of the character!

so far he is the only one to do that! .. and why should any of us disagree with the man who created the novels?

Have another look at OHMSS. Lazenby imo is the only Bond actor to pull of all aspects of Bond's personality properly. All the other Bond's excelled by focusing on a certain part of Bond's personality, but Lazenby is the only guy who tried (and succeeded) in showing all of them.

[AAMD11]

4 Ur Eyez Only I couldnt agree with you more. Roger wasnt the first Bond cause of his involvement with the Saint if im not mistaken. Roger is just THE Bond in my humble opinion. Speaking of which why did Sean sue Cubby? I know there was some ruckus between them just dont know what it was exactly!

[DLibrasnow]

If I want "Fleming"Bond, I'll read a book. Roger is "Cinema"Bond.

Amen....

[Loomis]

It's pretty obvious that we have Moore to thank for saving the Bond series. I can't imagine people like John Gavin and Burt Reynolds doing remotely as well. Moore was exactly the right man at exactly the right time.

[Lady Templar]

Roger is clearly the best 007 on screen & a decent man to the crew,writers, stuntmen,directors, cubby & his family!

The guy is a class act and made the sets a fun place to work! He didn't bad mouth in the 1960's or sue Cubby like Sean did in 1984! The other actors didn't have enough time to make an impression.

Roger played the character with the most range & his movies were in the prime of the well oiled machine which was 007!

I totally agree with this. I think "Cubby" Broccoli even called Roger Moore a "friend". I don't think he said this for the other actors who played Bond...

[Goldenpussy]

Roger Moore is the coolest James Bond ever!!!!! His Bond went everywhere in fact his Bond had a really great sense of adventure. I regard Connery and Moore the true Bonds. Every actor except for Moore tries too hard to be like Connery so I respect the direction Moore took. From the beginning of LALD to the end of AVTAK Moore gave us a hell of a ride as 007. In fact I grew up with Brosnan as Bond but I dont like his films-why? Because Brosnan's films are action films whilst Moore's films were Bond films and the stunts and gadgets were very Bondian and real. I admire Moore's Englishness cuz it invokes a style to Bond that everyone wants to have. I mean who wants to be the Bond who grabs machine guns and shoots a thousand guards and end up with a girl like Jinx? I would rather be the Bond that escapes a heat seeking missle in a minijet and bed Octopussy with my eyebrow raised. Moore defined the cinematic Bond that is why he is so so so loved. Look at Dalton what a horrid thought, he was too much like Fleming's Bond so that is why no one accept his role. Audiences want to see a small portion of Fleming's Bond but the overall they want to see the cinematic Bond. Dalton was far far too serious and I just look back and see how cool and confident Moore was in the role. In fact Moore has the best line delivery and hell he makes stupid sayings look cool. I really respect him simply because he brought Bond to An All Time High!!!!!

[Loomis]

Moore defined the cinematic Bond that is why he is so so so loved.

Not sure that Moore "defined the cinematic Bond", as such, although I most certainly agree that he is "loved".

I don't think Connery is loved, and neither are any of the other Bond actors (although all have their fans, obviously). But Moore mostly definitely is (almost universally) loved.

[DLibrasnow]

Easy? There has been some harsh criticism of his portrayal but I think one thing is certain -- he was the right actor for the role in the time he played it - even Connery fans seem to admit that fact (and Connery himself if memory serves me correctly). It's also pretty much accpeted that wirhout Roger's stewardship of the role the character could well have died out on the movie screens (like so many other 60s pop icons) and we would never have had Dalton and Brosnan as 007.

[Loomis]

It's also pretty much accpeted that wirhout Roger's stewardship of the role the character could well have died out on the movie screens (like so many other 60s pop icons) and we would never have had Dalton and Brosnan as 007.

Right, exactly.