28 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Well, between The Spy Who Loved Me and The Spy Who Loved Me, which do you prefer and why?

The 1977 film or Fleming's 'experimental' 1962 novel?

I'll be adding in my own reply soon.

[hrabb04]

Geez, these two are like apples and oranges. You really cannot even compare them.

[Qwerty]

That's why the reasons should be more interesting for this book IMO, than any other.

[K1Bond007]

I'm not really sure how to answer this one to tell you the truth. As previously stated, apples and oranges.

I guess I'll go for the novel here. I love the movie, but I'm kind of a fan to Fleming's so-called "experimental" stories. Well maybe not fan, but I have a profound respect for taking something so established in formula and trying something different and actually making it worthwhile. The movie loses points in this little versus battle in that its novelisation sucked too

[Loomis]

Apples and oranges, like comparing DR. NO to MEET THE FOCKERS. Both book and film are great fun, but neither quite represents a series at its best (I know many would disagree with regard to the movie SPY WHO LOVED ME).

[cvheady007]

I am going to go with the novel, because it is unblemished in my mind. Don't get me wrong - I like the movie and all, but I can picture Connery when I read the book.

Seriously, though, there is something about the book - I would love to see a faithful adaptation to film (though I know it was against Fleming's wishes). I know I have posted this a few times before, but had they done a Jinx spinoff, it would have been nice and easy to adapt some of this novel to that type of story and have Brosnan's Bond come in to save the day.

[TortillaFactory]

I know that TSWLM is many peoples' favorite Bond movie, but honestly, I've always been underwhelmed by it. The book, however, is a rather good story and I enjoyed it much. I liked everything about it - the fast pace, the chemistry between the leads, and the way Fleming characterizes a Bond girl (a bird with a wing - or both wings! - down, which sounds about right).

[David Schofield]

Can we compare Spy the movie with Spy the book by Chris Wood?

[Qwerty]

Can we compare Spy the movie with Spy the book by Chris Wood?

Why not.

I choose the film, even though I love both. It's a case of comparing that film to the others and this novel to the others simply because these two have next to nothing in common with eachother.

[K1Bond007]

Can we compare Spy the movie with Spy the book by Chris Wood?

Wood's novel is absolutely horrible. It's inconsistant and it feels cut and pasted together without much effort in attempting to make sure it all flows. Most of these problems can be blamed on the amount of script changes that the film went through. James Bond and Moonraker for instance turned out as a decent novelisation, but James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me, IMHO is absolutely dismal.

The movie on the other hand is great and one of the best. So.. there you go. My 2 pennies..

[trumanlodge89]

i prefer flemings novel as well. i find this novel, which is on such a small scale, and the short stories the living daylights and octopussy to be the most fun to read, because they are so different from the movies. like a new perspective on the universe of james bond.

[k13oharts]

i prefer flemings novel as well. i find this novel, which is on such a small scale, and the short stories the living daylights and octopussy to be the most fun to read, because they are so different from the movies. like a new perspective on the universe of james bond.

I second that thought.
"New perspective"?
Not quite. Let's just say "additional perspectives"
The info that you get from the book shows you a side of Bond that you'll rarely to never see in the movies. So, yes, I do prefer the novel.
I haven't read the novelization yet so...

[1q2w3e4r]

The book. It's a nice insight into Bond's character. He realises she's in trouble and steps in and helps. It's great we see OO7 in action through the eyes of another.

It also reads like Key Largo with Humphrey Bogart, Bacall and Robinson (which is a top movie)

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I really think its tough to compare the two but the movie wins hands down.

What you have is quite probably the best Roger Moore film (and one of the best Bond films) against an experimental Fleming novel. That isn't to say the experiment was a failure, it just has a rough time competing.

It takes a certain mood to appreciate the book. Though its narrative is wonderful one has to deal with the fact that Bond is something of a side character. Granted we see his compassion and get a great shootout in the end but its nothing more than the compassion seen in OHMSS or the gunplay in LALD or DAF (the books of course).

The problem is that TSWLM the movie needs no introduction. It's classic Bond however you look at it. The book is a little more subjective.

[Major Bloodnok]

Even though I enjoy Fleming's books immensely I think this one was a misfire- and I suspect he did as well. It was handled better in the comic strip, but even there the source story is too weak.

I think the movie is lots better. Let the flaming begin...

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I think the movie is lots better. Let the flaming begin...

No no, no flaming here (most of the time). The movie is indeed better and the book can easily be described as a misfire depending on your tastes.

Welcome to CBn Major!

[Four Aces]

I actually preferred the novel. But the movie is my favorite 007 movie.

4A

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I actually preferred the novel.  But the movie is my favorite 007 movie.

4A

Really? That's quite interesting...a true literary fan...

[Four Aces]

I actually preferred the novel.  But the movie is my favorite 007 movie.

4A

Really? That's quite interesting...a true literary fan...

Yep, I love the books. Good pulp fiction while on the road. If you like Fleming, also try Leslie Charteris' series The Saint.

Cheers,

4A

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Indeed, they excellent on the road... or for quick read on a weekend.

Why not? I'll do so once I've polished off the couple of Quiller books I procured recently, thank you.

[Qwerty]

Even though I enjoy Fleming's books immensely I think this one was a misfire- and I suspect he did as well. It was handled better in the comic strip, but even there the source story is too weak.

I think the movie is lots better. Let the flaming begin...

Welcome to the CommanderBond.net Forums, Major.

[crheath]

I don't recall the opening ski chase and parachute jump in Fleming's novel.

[Qwerty]

I don't recall the opening ski chase and parachute jump in Fleming's novel.

Two totally different stories, the film and the novel.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I don't recall the opening ski chase and parachute jump in Fleming's novel.

Two totally different stories, the film and the novel.

No no, it's right after Viv and Derrick get caught in the movie theater...

[Qwerty]

I don't recall the opening ski chase and parachute jump in Fleming's novel.

Two totally different stories, the film and the novel.

No no, it's right after Viv and Derrick get caught in the movie theater...

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Yeah, I don't know where I was going with that one...

[Qwerty]

Gotcha.

[Gri007]

I like the book because it is unique and different.

But I also like the movie becuase it is a landmark in the Bond Franchise. It's a huge movie and bloody good one aswell.

I don't think dislike one more than the other. they are so fantastic

[Flash1087]

The movie is my all-time favorite Bond film so I'm bound to be a little biased here, but I have to vote for the movie. I never really found Viv to be that interesting of a character, and I would have much preferred to actually have a short story about the mission that brought Bond to the lodge...