68 replies to this topic

[Catching Bullets]

OCTOPUSSY holds a very special place in this Bond fan's heart. It triggered a love of Bond, a lifelong journey with Bond, an obsession or two with Maud Adams and now a book, CATCHING BULLETS - MEMOIRS OF A BOND FAN.

 

I think I will drop out of a hotel balcony wearing only a sari to celebrate.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Catching Bullets, 04 June 2013 - 10:15 AM.

[tdalton]

I guess I'll need to give OCTOPUSSY a viewing this weekend to celebrate its 30th anniversary.  Saw it not too long ago as part of my Bond marathon, and it really is an underrated film in the series.  I'd rank it as a strong second place behind FOR YOUR EYES ONLY in a ranking of Roger Moore's films.

[glidrose]

Best film Roger Moore did, love it, such good fun.

 

 

I love the score as well, beautiful soundtrack, I find 'All time high' to be the most underrated song in the series.

 

Agreed! Fantastic song. Don't know why it's so unpopular. Not enough trademark John Barry kitsch?

[scaramunga]

Octopussy was the first Bond film that I ever saw. I still think it's one of the best!

Roger was great as usual in the film, great locations and one of the best teaser openings of the series.

 

I cannot believe it has been 30 years!

 

The 007 Twitter page has been updated to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Octopussy.

 

https://twitter.com/007

[scaramunga]

007 Twitter has also been updated for the Octopussy 30th anniversary..

 

https://twitter.com/007

[Major Tallon]

I guess I'll need to give OCTOPUSSY a viewing this weekend to celebrate its 30th anniversary.  Saw it not too long ago as part of my Bond marathon, and it really is an underrated film in the series.  I'd rank it as a strong second place behind FOR YOUR EYES ONLY in a ranking of Roger Moore's films.

I agree!

[Hansen]

First Bond and still a great one !

[Dustin]

Some interesting facts about OCTOPUSSY:

 

The initial nine-page treatment (undated, most likely from second half of 1981 but before September; authors probably Glen, Maibaum, Broccoli & Wilson) for this was vastly different. According to Danny Graydon it concerned a return of Blofeld as main villain, locked in a war with a gang of smugglers led by Octopussy. [perhaps efforts were made at the time to buy out Schwarzman/McClory?]

 

Blofeld's plan was to solve his problems by use of the SIS and other Western intelligence services. It included the assassination of M, then to be replaced with Blofeld's mole Villiers. Moneypenny was to be fired, Bond to be framed as double agent. Kamal Khan featured as Bond's school friend and working with Afghan resistance. Over various transmutations the treatment then closed in on what we've finally seen on the screen. Between February and May 1982 George MacDonald Fraser wrote a total of five drafts of the script and was apparently responsible for the Indian element of OCTOPUSSY, mostly due to his own work on his historical Flashman series.

 

It's interesting that back in the day not only did work on a new Bond film start with an idea (or a couple thereof) which is then punched off the wall until it's completely changed. It's also noteworthy how far out there these ideas could be, even back in the 'classic' days.

 

By June 1982 Maibaum and Wilson submitted the final shooting script, yet it was still unclear who would play James Bond in this. James Brolin screen-tested with Maud Adams as late as June 22./23. Curiously the aerial unit started their work on shooting the climactic air-plane fight scene on 6. June. So they must have had already a good idea what Bond would look like in this film. 

 

The Fabergé eggs shown in OCTOPUSSY were of course not real. But neither were they just simple plastic props. Asprey's of London did a remarkable job in producing at very short notice true treasures that were able to withstand even close camera work.

Edited by Dustin, 06 June 2013 - 11:24 AM.

[Hansen]

Some interesting facts about OCTOPUSSY:

 

The initial nine-page treatment (undated, most likely from second half of 1981 but before September; authors probably Glen, Maibaum, Broccoli & Wilson) for this was vastly different. According to Danny Graydon it concerned a return of Blofeld as main villain, locked in a war with a gang of smugglers led by Octopussy. [perhaps efforts were made at the time to buy out Schwarzman/McClory?]

 

Blofeld's plan was to solve his problems by use of the SIS and other Western intelligence services. It included the assassination of M, then to be replaced with Blofeld's mole Villiers. Moneypenny was to be fired, Bond to be framed as double agent. Kamal Khan featured as Bond's school friend and working with Afghan resistance. Over various transmutations the treatment then closed in on what we've finally seen on the screen. Between February and May 1982 George MacDonald Fraser wrote a total of five drafts of the script and was apparently responsible for the Indian element of OCTOPUSSY, mostly due to his own work on his historical Flashman series.

 

It's interesting that back in the day not only did work on a new Bond film start with an idea (or a couple thereof) which is then punched off the wall until it's completely changed. It's also noteworthy how far out there these ideas could be, even back in the 'classic' days.

 

By June 1982 Maibaum and Wilson submitted the final shooting script, yet it was still unclear who would play James Bond in this. James Brolin screen-tested with Maud Adams as late as June 22./23. Curiously the aerial unit started their work on shooting the climactic air-plane fight scene on 6. June. So they must have had already a good idea what Bond would look like in this film. 

 

The Fabergé eggs shown in OCTOPUSSY were of course not real. But neither were they just simple plastic props. Asprey's of London did a remarkable job in producing at very short notice true treasures that were able to withstand even close camera work.

Extremely interesting indeed ! thx for sharing

[Sir Godfrey]

Where is it from, Dustin ?

[Dustin]

THE JAMES BOND ARCHIVES, truly a treasure of information on the films. Killing off M and have him replaced with a mole is such a weird idea I wouldn't have thought it could come from anywhere else than fandom. And yet here they started with this back in 1981. OK, it didn't end up in the finished article, but even on the 'Background' treatment it's still nothing less than outrageous.

[Sir Godfrey]

I have this amazing book. But I do not yet finished to read it. Thank you very much !

The return of Blofeld, using the Secret Service was an excellent idea.

 

That's strange because, just before Skyfall was on the screen, i thank Mallory was a vilain exactly like "Villiers" in the script above, working with Silva and that he wanted to kill 'M'...

Edited by Sir Godfrey, 06 June 2013 - 03:30 PM.

[Dustin]

Actually I think I've read about killing M and/or replacing her with the villain a couple of times on the net during the gap QOS - SF. Seeing this pondered over thirty years ago already is quite extraordinary. It also shows how the Eon-verse is one big pond of ideas that keep returning again and again in different guises. And how the powers-that-be can actually show much more creative potential than we usually give them credit for.

I haven't finished THE BOND ARCHIVES myself as yet, much too much to digest in that tome. It's stuff for years and years to dwell on.

[Catching Bullets]

Ditto.

[Dustin]

Mod note: topics merged; sorry, hope I didn't cause inconveniences, reads a bit shaky now...

Edited by Dustin, 06 June 2013 - 04:38 PM.

[coco1997]

Actually I think I've read about killing M and/or replacing her with the villain a couple of times on the net during the gap QOS - SF. Seeing this pondered over thirty years ago already is quite extraordinary. It also shows how the Eon-verse is one big pond of ideas that keep returning again and again in different guises. And how the powers-that-be can actually show much more creative potential than we usually give them credit for.

I haven't finished THE BOND ARCHIVES myself as yet, much too much to digest in that tome. It's stuff for years and years to dwell on.

Dustin, are you paraphrasing the early draft of OCTOPUSSY from the 'Archives' book, or is that all the information provided? I'm curious if the book contains a detailed synopsis of that draft of the script.

[Sir Godfrey]

I have a question : If "M" is killed, how would the movie have finished and is he replaced by a "good guy" ?

[Dustin]

No, that is as far as it goes, the actual 'Background' treatment isn't included. I suppose it may not be that detailed and possibly not too conclusive as far as story goes. That wouldn't make sense for what they knew would be only a very rough and vague paper that would see significant changes with every new version. John Glen in the same chapter stated that Bond was unique in you didn't have a script to start but only a sort of idea that was handled quite flexibly until a kind of frame transpired. And only THEN they got in the writer(s) to develop.

[Dustin]

I have a question : If "M" is killed, how would the movie have finished and is he replaced by a "good guy" ?

 

Haven't the faintest really. It's not addressed in the OCTOPUSSY chapter and I actually doubt they had that worked out. From the few sentences given by Graydon I get almost a revolutionary vibe, as if this was indeed meant as a kind of reboot. Blofeld back, at a time when the rival production - that had already been a pain in TSWLM's schedule, not to mention behind... - loomed on the horizon, it's really a mystery what this was meant to achieve.

 

M's death of course was already a reality in 1981, so I guess they may have intended to show this only from a distance, or by use of old footage. Moneypenny sacked is another difficult idea, but one that probably came naturally by the time of OCTOPUSSY's early pre-production. Finally Bond framed as double seems pretty unthinkable with Moore's Bond, not in his usual charming self. I could see any Bond actor doing that except Moore, who to me is the impersonation of the one-of-us guy.

Another difficulty would have been pulling Villiers as M's chief-of-staff out of the hat, a new character the audience has no history with.

 

All in all it definitely was an enormously intriguing first treatment.

[jamez007]

i think octopussy was a great film but i get what you mean about the title song "all time high" rubbish

[Agent 76]

Well all this love for Octopussy and being that it is celebrating its 30th anniversary gave me a desire to give this a view.

 

Despite having a few mistakes, it's a fun/entertaining Bond movie all around. Roger gives a good performance, he looks good and fit for his age, and charming as always.

 

I too don't like the theme song so much. It's not awful but it's pretty weak.

[MooseWithFleas]

Watched Octopussy this weekend in honor of its 30 year anniversary. Much better than I remember. Still one of the weakest in my opinion, but a lot of the stunt work is incredible and it is certainly not boring. 

[lazenbyland]

My favorite Moore Bond film. The Tarzan yell and 'Siiiit!" I wish weren't there; but I can forgive Vijay for playing the Bond theme as it appears in the background in other films or echoes of it.

 

FYEO was ruined by the Blofeld scene and Thatcher ending.

 

Octopussy has much more hitchcockian elements. I would compare the circus to his "Strangers on a Train" fairground scene and some of the dialogue ("Let's go!".. " No. Let's stay!") was just great.

 

It was also much better than NSNA which came out that year.

 

This trailer by Tom Waldek does justice to the mood of the film IMO.

 

Edited by lazenbyland, 09 June 2013 - 11:15 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

'Octopussy' ties in perfectly with my current Bond 50 Blu-ray marathon, as that is the next film due tonight! I can't wait to revisit this, my second favourite Moore film.

 

As others film on viewing have changed in my appreciation of them, I look forward to what I will take from this.

[Hockey Mask]

My first theater Bond. My personal game changer.

[tdalton]

Some interesting facts about OCTOPUSSY:

 

The initial nine-page treatment (undated, most likely from second half of 1981 but before September; authors probably Glen, Maibaum, Broccoli & Wilson) for this was vastly different. According to Danny Graydon it concerned a return of Blofeld as main villain, locked in a war with a gang of smugglers led by Octopussy. [perhaps efforts were made at the time to buy out Schwarzman/McClory?]

 

Blofeld's plan was to solve his problems by use of the SIS and other Western intelligence services. It included the assassination of M, then to be replaced with Blofeld's mole Villiers. Moneypenny was to be fired, Bond to be framed as double agent. Kamal Khan featured as Bond's school friend and working with Afghan resistance. Over various transmutations the treatment then closed in on what we've finally seen on the screen. Between February and May 1982 George MacDonald Fraser wrote a total of five drafts of the script and was apparently responsible for the Indian element of OCTOPUSSY, mostly due to his own work on his historical Flashman series.

 

It's interesting that back in the day not only did work on a new Bond film start with an idea (or a couple thereof) which is then punched off the wall until it's completely changed. It's also noteworthy how far out there these ideas could be, even back in the 'classic' days.

 

By June 1982 Maibaum and Wilson submitted the final shooting script, yet it was still unclear who would play James Bond in this. James Brolin screen-tested with Maud Adams as late as June 22./23. Curiously the aerial unit started their work on shooting the climactic air-plane fight scene on 6. June. So they must have had already a good idea what Bond would look like in this film. 

 

The Fabergé eggs shown in OCTOPUSSY were of course not real. But neither were they just simple plastic props. Asprey's of London did a remarkable job in producing at very short notice true treasures that were able to withstand even close camera work.

 

While I really like Octopussy, and rank it as a Top 10 Bond film, I have to say that this is a film I would have been very interested in seeing.

[Dustin]

While I really like Octopussy, and rank it as a Top 10 Bond film, I have to say that this is a film I would have been very interested in seeing.

I am in two minds about this. While this definitely is a mouth-watering early concept that would have been the rage with some fans I still suspect it would have come twenty years too early - at least - and success with audience would have been highly doubtful.

Two contradictory elements appear. One would be the death of M, acknowledging Bernard Lee's passing, thus creating the demise of a 'real'/'original' M and an element of stability within the series' universe. It probably wouldn't have made sense introducing another actor into the role as the audience wouldn't care for the new guy, so the death of this character would lose impact. I don't really see how they would have tackled that dilemma.

The second is Bond being framed as double agent and Moneypenny being sacked, both threads concerning the bigger motif of deconstructing the Secret Service's infrastructure and our trust in this institution. If the Service - and thus HM Government - doesn't know Bond is THE agent to be trusted with literally everything - after saving the world several times over - then all bets must be off. That's in my view a plot line you cannot have within the 'original' series and with the firmly established Moore as 007. The audience would not have bought it at the time. I even daresay the idea to have M replaced with the villain's mole within the SIS would have been easier to swallow than that of serious doubt about MooreBond's allegiance.

All in all that early background concept paper was simply too far ahead of its time and the series as a whole. The colourful but much less ambitious OCTOPUSSY was what the audience expected and valued at the time.

[thecasinoroyale]

'Octopussy' done, and a wonderful watch for the 30th.

 

Glady my appreciation and view on this film hasn't changed, if anything it just brought back to me the wonderful array of vibrancy, spectacle and location scouting used to really make this a memorable Bond. From the exciting chases and meetings in India, to the highlight of espionage and action in Berlin, this is a solid Moore entry of what Bond should be about - fun, yet serious with a firm story and great characters.

 

Loved Louis Jordan in the role as Khan, even more wonderfully sly and smooth, and it's easily Maud Adam's best Bond girl role, beating Andrea Anders in looks, personality and pathos.

 

Just a wonderfully entertaining film overall and a solid Bond film with lots of excellent production design and stuntwork - the Tuk Tuk chase and Berlin steam train sequence are always standout for me.

[ViperSRT87]

'Octopussy' done, and a wonderful watch for the 30th.

 

Glady my appreciation and view on this film hasn't changed, if anything it just brought back to me the wonderful array of vibrancy, spectacle and location scouting used to really make this a memorable Bond. From the exciting chases and meetings in India, to the highlight of espionage and action in Berlin, this is a solid Moore entry of what Bond should be about - fun, yet serious with a firm story and great characters.

 

Loved Louis Jordan in the role as Khan, even more wonderfully sly and smooth, and it's easily Maud Adam's best Bond girl role, beating Andrea Anders in looks, personality and pathos.

 

Just a wonderfully entertaining film overall and a solid Bond film with lots of excellent production design and stuntwork - the Tuk Tuk chase and Berlin steam train sequence are always standout for me.

I pretty much agree with your statement thecasinoroyale. When I first saw Octopussy after watching Dalton and Craig I thought it was goofy and a weak film. Once I rewatched the rest of the movies and put it into perspective, I had not seen any Bond but Craig and Dalton for years before this, it really is a fun, entertaining movie with a decent story and good characters. Definitely an underrated film. I may have to rewatch it for the anniversary as well. 

[Agent 76]

My favorite Moore Bond film. The Tarzan yell and 'Siiiit!" I wish weren't there; but I can forgive Vijay for playing the Bond theme as it appears in the background in other films or echoes of it.

 

FYEO was ruined by the Blofeld scene and Thatcher ending.

 

Octopussy has much more hitchcockian elements. I would compare the circus to his "Strangers on a Train" fairground scene and some of the dialogue ("Let's go!".. " No. Let's stay!") was just great.

 

It was also much better than NSNA which came out that year.

 

This trailer by Tom Waldek does justice to the mood of the film IMO.

 

that is one awesome bond trailer.