78 replies to this topic

[Kingdom Come]

Its unfair to now add more options to choose for For Your Eyes Only.

[marktmurphy]

Can anyone explain to me why Bond doesn't just destroy the ATAC when he finds it in the wreck? It's not as if the British don't have any more of them or know how it works and it would rather prevent the Ruskies from getting it, rather than just strolling around Greece with it under his arm.

[4 Ur Eyez Only]

I put this film number 2 in the series!! I love this film This was the started of the "Big 3" (Glenn,Roger & Cubby) these 3 took on everyone in their prime and basically the invention of the Summer Blockbuster!

This film is edgey, no gadgets bond uses his smarts, goes everywhere, great amazing action & has that perfect 007 blueprint. (that was something John Glenn was just amazing at!!)

[DLibrasnow]

I put this film number 2 in the series!! I love this film This was the started of the "Big 3" (Glenn,Roger & Cubby) these 3 took on everyone in their prime and basically the invention of the Summer Blockbuster!

This film is edgey, no gadgets bond uses his smarts, goes everywhere, great amazing action & has that perfect 007 blueprint. (that was something John Glenn was just amazing at!!)

I would have guessed this would have been your favorite given your username.

[4 Ur Eyez Only]

I put this film number 2 in the series!! I love this film This was the started of the "Big 3" (Glenn,Roger & Cubby) these 3 took on everyone in their prime and basically the invention of the Summer Blockbuster!

This film is edgey, no gadgets bond uses his smarts, goes everywhere, great amazing action & has that perfect 007 blueprint. (that was something John Glenn was just amazing at!!)

I would have guessed this would have been your favorite given your username.

LOL

well no actually Octopussy is

for my username I was just trying to think of something that looked cool.

[Bondian]

For Your Eyes Only is another EON attempt to add in some serious Flemingism.

This film is on a par with Connery's From Russia With Love, Lazenby's On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Dalton's Licence To Kill and Brosnan's The World Is Not Enough.

I agree with Tarl, this is one Bond movie that you can watch, and never get tired of it. I don't think it's boring, in fact it's more 'absorbing' than anything else. It's this that makes it play like a Fleming novel. With little humour and no OTT action.

I love seen Roger being able to act more like himself, and I'm glad he was allowed to do that in Octopussy.

Cheers,


Ian

[Scottlee]

I rated it 12th the last time I ranked the Bond films, but that feels a bit too low a position now.

FYEO scores highly in just about every department going, except perhaps for its non-inclusion of an overt fantasy element (which isn't always necessary anyway). The locations, pre-titles, villains, etc are all as top notch as they usually are in Bond films, and Roger Moore is at his peak here both physically and in terms of how much he is putting into the role.

An added bonus for me is the presence of a Greek leading lady. I once had a past love who was Greek, so watching Melina Havelock's attidude and body language throughout the film is a cool reminder of that. I especially chuckle at the Melina line - "You don't tell me what to do!", because it is exactly what said R.L girl might have said during an argument. Southern Europeans can be temperemental, and Melina is an expertly acted example of that, not least because the actress playing her was actually French.

FYEO has distinctions that should be noted in its favour...

- It is brave enough to pay tribute to Tracey and finally put an end to the Blofeld saga at the same time (although one Bond book I once bought strangely seemed to think the guy was not actually Blofeld)

- The film looks beautiful, especially on the ski slopes and during the underwater sequences. For me this is the most pictureque Bond film since Thunderball.

- The plot keeps you guessing more than usual. Hell, Kristatos stays friend to Bond longer than his best time buddy Alec Treveleyn did in terms of screen time. This is a nice contrast to LTK, if you watch the two films back to back. Bond can secretly dupe a villain (Sanchez) for a good percentage of a film just as a villain can secretly dupe Bond for a good percentage of a film (Kristatos). There are also the surprise early deaths of Gonzalez and Locke when you least expect it. (Unrelated, I also only noticed recently that the villain "Fostis", who falls off the cliff, is also the chauffeur who drops Bond off at the countess' property).

FYEO is a very good Bond film, perhaps not one of the top 3 or 4, but certainly a classic in its own right.

P.S - The long sequence on the ski slopes is superb. It's this kind of varied action ranging from slow (reaching for Walther with his ski stick) to fast (ensuing chase) to slow (huge ski jump drama and walking pace pursuit) and back to fast again (bobsled chase and sequence finale) that really makes you sit up in awe. Compare it to a sequence like the Cavier factory set piece in TWINE, which basically goes fast, fast, fast, stop, without any variety from start to finish. A cut-away from Bond to Valentin/Jones every 2 seconds is NOT varying the pace.

Edited by Scottlee, 24 September 2005 - 08:20 PM.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

FYEO has distinctions that should be noted in its favour...

- It is brave enough to pay tribute to Tracey and finally put an end to the Blofeld saga at the same time (although one Bond book I once bought strangely seemed to think the guy was not actually Blofeld)

- The film looks beautiful, especially on the ski slopes and during the underwater sequences. For me this is the most pictureque Bond film since Thunderball.

- The plot keeps you guessing more than usual. Hell, Kristatos stays friend to Bond longer than his best time buddy Alec Treveleyn did in terms of screen time. This is a nice contrast to LTK, if you watch the two films back to back. Bond can secretly dupe a villain (Sanchez) for a good percentage of a film just as a villain can secretly dupe Bond for a good percentage of a film (Kristatos).

However, FYEO's trailer gave away that Kristatos was a villain so that didn't surprise me at all. The other two points you mentioned are valid. In fact, it was kinda disappointing that none of the remainder of FYEO's villains were as menacing as Blofeld. The locations and visuals are beautiful but I would say that YOLT, OHMSS, TSWLM and MR were also physically gorgeous films as well.

As to the main topic, I vote average. I find FYEO a competent but overrated Bond film. I credit the producers for being willing to go back to Fleming's source material after about a decade. However, that alone does not make a Bond film "great" IMHO. Perhaps, if John Barry had scored it, they'd gotten rid of Bibi completely, milked the whole idea of the ATAC being used to order British nuclear submarines to attack the U.K. a bit more and generated a little more romantic sparks between Bond and Melina I'd probably rank it higher. As it stands, I find it a competent Bond film but hardly one of the best. It's not even the best 1980s Bond film(that award goes to The Living Daylights) or the best Moore film. I find Moonraker, Octopussy and The Spy Who Loved Me all more entertaining than For Your Eyes Only.

[ChronoBreak]

I'll break my thoughts down simply for this one:

The Good:
- Down to earth approach
- Some energetic action sequences
- Topol
- The knee-hauling sequence
- The last time Roger Moore showed legitimate flair as Bond.

The Bad:
- Kristatos is a dull villain
- The storyline is dull
- Melina is dull
- Bill Conti's score is... bad.


Overall, I feel that it's average - Some aspects are indeed very boring, but it all evens out to a middle-road Bond film.

Edited by ChronoBreak, 20 January 2007 - 07:37 PM.

[zencat]

I enjoy FYEO, but it is not my favorite of the Moore Bonds (as it is for some). I remember being a touch disappointed by it in 1981. It just seemed...ordinary. I can remember saying it felt more like an excellent Simon Templer movie than a Bond movie (I hadn't yet read the Fleming stories). At that point, scaling back Bond was not what I really wanted.

But now it feels very much like a Bond movie, just one in the "realistic" sense. Nice that Roger has one of these. But Octopussy is the Moore Bond that got the realistic/fantastic mix just right, IMO.

[DamnCoffee]

My second favorite Moore Bond after Spy, naturaly definatly 'One of the best in the series'.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I enjoy FYEO, but it is not my favorite of the Moore Bonds (as it is for some). I remember being a touch disappointed by it in 1981. It just seemed...ordinary. I can remember saying it felt more like an excellent Simon Templer movie than a Bond movie (I hadn't yet read the Fleming stories). At that point, scaling back Bond was not what I really wanted.

I had a similar reaction when I saw FYEO for the first time. In retrospect, I do respect the producers for being willing to "scale" back and try to be more faithful to the Fleming source material, which they hadn't done in over a decade at that point. That stated, I still think that FYEO, while not bad, could be better than it is. At the very least the elimination of Bibi, a rescoring of the film, and milking the threat of a nuclear attack on the U.K. would have improved the film considerably and still kept it in the "serious, realistic" world of 007.

But now it feels very much like a Bond movie, just one in the "realistic" sense. Nice that Roger has one of these. But Octopussy is the Moore Bond that got the realistic/fantastic mix just right, IMO.

I agree that Octopussy is an improvement over For Your Eyes Only. John Barry's back, Prince Kamal Khan's and General Orlov's threat brings a Tom Clancy-ish tension to the film that FYEO could have used, and Maud Adams and Kristina Wayborn generate more sparks with Moore than Carole Bouquet and Lynn Holly Johnson did.

Here's a review of FYEO that I think validly points out some of its shortcomings, a good counterbalancing to some of the overpraise I think it tends to receive IMHO-

http://www.geocities...oryoureyes.html

[CJB]

Although I think most of Moore's films are enjoyable, FYEO is the only one that I actually consider a good Bond movie. The action is great and I love the mountain climbing scene. It's so tense! The only thing I don't like is Bibi. I really didn't see the point of her. Was she there to show that even teenage girls can love a 53 year old man?

[Shadow Syndicate]

I ranked it number six on my favorites list. Columbo was the best ally ever. Bibi was like J.W Pepper. Completely worthless. Overall i like the seriousness of the movie. And how dark it was, i.e deaths of Sailors, That Italian agent, Lisl ect. Loved Melina. One of two Moore Films i can stand(The other Being LALD)

[Turn]

I enjoy FYEO, but it is not my favorite of the Moore Bonds (as it is for some). I remember being a touch disappointed by it in 1981. It just seemed...ordinary. I can remember saying it felt more like an excellent Simon Templer movie than a Bond movie (I hadn't yet read the Fleming stories). At that point, scaling back Bond was not what I really wanted.

But now it feels very much like a Bond movie, just one in the "realistic" sense. Nice that Roger has one of these. But Octopussy is the Moore Bond that got the realistic/fantastic mix just right, IMO.

Good description and very much on target on how I feel.

[Hitokiri]

Personally, it's my favorite Moore film in the series. More realistic even dark at times (Bond kicking Locque's car off the cliff, visiting Tracey's grave), but still with its fair share of great action and humor to keep the story moving along.

Columbo was a good Bond ally, but I can't help but think of Fiddler on the Roof every time I see him.

[DaveBond21]

Love it. And I am pleased to see it's getting some good votes in this poll. See also my thread on this movie.


I love everything about it, and would only take out the scene with the parrot talking to Margaret Thatcher!

I've been to Meteora where the final rock-climbing scenes were filmed too.

[Thunderfinger]

The parrot stays!
But they could have cut out the ice hockey scene.

[FlemingBond]

Wasn't Bond going to destroy the ATAC , but that's when he got attacked, and then when they surfaced they were captured.
I don't get tired of this movie either, it's one of my favorites, maybe top 5.

[Bondian]

After watching For Your Eyes Only again, last week. I'd forgotten how much there is in this movie. It's a very good 'all round' Bond, and very entertaining.

This is Rog at his most serious, and best.

Cheers,


Ian

[Moore Not Less]

The parrot stays!
But they could have cut out the ice hockey scene.

Indeed, the parrot stays!

As for the ice hockey scene. They should have cut out the "humour" of the attacking players all ending up in the net. A shame they didn't because the attack begins in a brutal and effective manner.

[Agent 0015]

I adore For Your Eyes Only, it stands in my ten favorite Bond flicks. So it might have some dull parts, but it is a very above average Bond Film.

[mrsbonds_ppk]

Good Bond film . It's one of Roger's best. I like the locations, the music, the relationship with Melina. Roger gets tough when he kicks the car overt the edge. Not crazy about the theme song. Not a bore and not overratted. It used to be my favorite.

[Sheriff J.W. Pepper]

I thought it was one of the worst Bond movies. I have only watched 3 or 4 times because I cannot sit throught it. I would also like to know why Bond is speaking Spanish to the Greeks. But I do like Bibi. I think this script would have been better suited to Dalton's Bond. I think if it was Dalton as Bond in this picture it would have been better. I was expecting a fun romp like the other Moore movies, but I got a very serious Dalton-like movie. Either should have had Dalton as Bond or should have been re-written to be more like Roger's other outtings.

Edited by Sheriff J.W. Pepper, 09 February 2007 - 04:16 PM.

[00Twelve]

Well, I put FYEO in my top 5. Probably at 4 or 5. Definitely my fave Moore film. Mostly because I love the short stories included therein, and the borrowed LALD scene. And the climbing scene is, in my opinion, the best and most tense action scene Moore ever did, by far. Not that there isn't plenty at which to poke fun, or that the film is flawless. I loved the suspense of the PTS as Bond climbs out of a flying chopper and re-enters in the front seat, ad I'm glad they tied up Blofeld, but it was for too lighthearted for me, especially considering Bond was just at Tracy's grave. And I wish I'd seen a shot of his face as he replied, "It usually is." I always have to laugh at Ferrara's clever "secret agent disguise," which should be the defining picture of "Captain Obvious." The ski chase, while very entertaining, loses suspense after the distance jump, and while I love Bill Conti and regard him as a masterful composer, the ski chase music hits a little too close to "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous," also by Conti. However, the silliness is balanced well by the serious tone in the Havelocks' murder and the sinking of the St. Georges. A marriage of fun and tension at which AVTAK failed miserably to match. Overall, great film from Moore and Glen.

[dodge]

Interestingly enough, as my fondness for Moore has grown and my enthusiasm for TSWLM has grown, FYEO has taken a big dive for me. The former seems to have gotten the Moore blend down just right. In the later too many films now leave me cold, including anything involving a car--even one kicked off a cliff.

[Major Tallon]

I would also like to know why Bond is speaking Spanish to the Greeks.

In point of fact, he isn't. The scenes around Gonzales' villa, though actually filmed in Greece, were set in Spain. So if you notice, the bus has a large "Madrid" destination sign in its front window.

But I think it's a great movie. A serious story with a bit of a light touch, a very interesting heroine, luscious scenery, and a good performance by Moore. It's one of the best.

[B5Erik]

FYEO - one of the BEST of the series. Just a great Bond movie, and Roger Moore's finest moment in the role.

[Harmsway]

I recently picked this one up again and watched it, and I gotta say, I wasn't impressed by a long stretch.

First off, Roger Moore. Well, he's getting older, and it shows. Unfortunately for him, the fashions he's given in this film are mostly grandpa-esque. Bond has never been less cool than he is in this film (yes, Bond's cooler in OCTOPUSSY and A VIEW TO A KILL than he is here). Still, he does turn in solid work, and has a number of moments to remember.

Then there's the supporting list of characters. We have some good ones (Colombo and Liesl and Locque), and then we have terrible ones (Kristatos and Bibi). I mean, has there ever been a more irritating Bond girl than Bibi, or a more boring villain than Kristatos? And it's not like there's some great story to hold this all up. It's really somewhat boring, all things considered, and it isn't given a whole lot of urgency or drive.

There are a few good moments along the way (Liesl's death, Locque's death, the keel-hauling, and the rock climbing are really the four good moments), but most of it is just deathly dull material that has no real creativity or distinctiveness to it. So much more could have been done with this to craft something genuinely unique, instead of serving up bland a hundred different ways.

This movie also has problems acting as any sort of thriller. This movie is so jam-packed with moments of silliness that it ultimately renders it ineffective as any sort of serious Cold War spy flick. If you're going to make a spy thriller, make a spy thriller. Don't throw in things like a very jokey pre-title sequence, Bond using an umbrella to jump down, exploding car security systems, a ridiculous chase in a little yellow car, or a cringeworthy hockey scene.

Honestly, I do really think that FOR YOUR EYES ONLY is one of the most boring Bond films, edged out only by the interminable THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (which suffers from similar problems across the board).

[B5Erik]

I LOVED the exploding car security system! It was goofy, but fun - and, actually, you could say it was installed for that very situation - where the ONLY people that would try to break in were the "bad guys" and you wouldn't want them getting their hands on any of the technology inside, so blowing up the car and killing the bad guy makes sense.

The Umbrella? Pure Bond ingenuity.

The little yellow car chase? Silly, but Bond uses anything he can (or has to), so it's not all that outlandish.

The hockey scene? Unnecessary, but not all that bad. Sure the ENDING of the "hockey" scene is silly, but it IS a Roger Moore Bond movie, and that stuff just plays to his strengths.

You've got to remember, this is coming STRAIGHT off of Moonraker - one of the jokiest movies of the entire series, and compared to that this really IS FRWL. It's the most serious Roger Moore Bond film, and it's extremely well done, all things considered.

And I love the ski chase scene, the underwater stuff, Topol, hell, I love almost everything about it. Heck, you could even say that Kristatos is so bland only because he's pretending to be a good guy and is trying to fly under the radar!

FYEO is in my top 5 or 6 Bond movies - ABOVE CR!