22 replies to this topic

[Citizen Bond]

This is a Bond movie I've enjoyed since the first time I saw it. It was one of the first I had seen, and I thought it was teriffic. Now, of course, I don't think as highly of it and it is definitely one of the lesser entries but it's one I've always enjoyed.

Here are some things I love about the movie:

1. Christopher Lee as Scaramanga, who is the best villian bar Gert Frobe as Goldfinger. He's the evil side of Bond, cool and ruthless, inimitably smooth with a sexual edge that matches Bond's. His scene wherein he tells Bond of his troubled youth where he kills the circus trainer who abused his beloved Elephant is quite chilling. And along with Nick Nack, they make a wonderful pair of villians in the panteon of Bond Rogues.

2. John Barry's musical score is lush and exotic, much like the film itself. It isn't as robust or epic as say, OHMSS, but it's still memorable, and lends the film a wonderful touch of the always exotic East.

3. Roger Moore at his most cunning and steely. Even more so than FYEO, I think Moore here is teriffic, and memorably tough. The way he handles Andrea, Nick Nack, and Scaramanga's Gunsmith, it's all very Connery. For one of the lighter Bond films, it's surprising that light touch isn't actually leant by the usually light Moore.

4. The girls, for here we get two women from opposite ends of the Bond girl spectrum. First there's Maud Adams as the conflicted Andrea Andres. A complex and vulnerable character whose death is genuinely moving thakns to Adams' sympathetic performance. And then Britt Ekland, who I didn't think was that awful, seeing as she was meant to be inept. At least she's not as ditzy as Tiffany Case, although her ineptitude is rather embarrassing. Still, seeing her in that bikini is quite the compensation.

5. The locations and sets are spectacular. Especially Scaramanga's island, which makes for the perfect setting for the fantastic climax. The inspired duel between Scaramanga and Bond on the beach is one of the best "Bond vs. Villian" sequences. Still, I don't like the way Scaramanga is disposed of so quickly and easily. Yet Bond's battle with Nick Nack makes up for it.

I think alot of people overlook this stuff when thinking of TMWTGG. I agree the humor is somewhat flat and is over-stressed but alot of it makes the film more enjoyable. Especially J.W. Pepper, and enjoyable character whose inclusion here is rather unwelcome but is still alot of fun.

[Roebuck]

There's an edge (to employ an overused phrase) to Moore's performance in TMWTGG that we rarely saw in the later films and it was a nice balance to his tongue in cheek approach. Forget Graves or Trevelyan. Lee is the guy who comes closest to being the 'Dark Mirror' of 007 himself, frequently running away with the film. And what Bond fan hasn't fancied having his own 'Fun House' ? Flawed, yes, but still a terrific romp.

[john007]

I think the reason that i like TMWTGG is because it is a fun Bond film. There are some serious ones, fun ones, and over the top ones. I think that its a movie that you can just sit down and watch and don't have to think that much about it. I guess it depends in what mood i am in, if i want a really serious, plot driven movie i will watch FRWL, OHMSS etc.. if i want fun, i will watch TMWTGG and MR.

john007

[Xenobia]

There are three times we really see an edge to Moore's Bond: TMWGG, TSWLM and FYEO. And each time, he is right up there with Connery in the cold blooded department.

TMWGG is a lot of fun to watch because it has something of an interesting plot, Chrisopher Lee is the man, KnickKnack is very cunning, and Sherriff Pepper is a keeper!

Also, who can forget the car stunt?????

It may not be a corner stone of the series, but it certainly put Moore on the right track to have that edge to his character that he returned to two more times in his run. Some films are just fun, and this is one of them.

-- Xenobia

[DLibrasnow]

TMWTGG is one of my least favorite 007 movies. I think only MR is worse.
A lot of the reason I hate it is the cardboard-like production design that made the movie look too much like a cheap TV movie.
I didn't enjoy the humor that much either. Sheriff JW Pepper (who was fresh in LALD) was just annoying in his TMWTGG reappearance.
The whistle on the slow motion car roll -- it has to rank up there as one of the silliest sound effect, right up there with the Tarzan yell in OP.
Herve Villechez (sp?) -- I never felt Bond was threatened by Nick Nack. I just plain thought his character was annoying and irritating.
Britt Ekland is very beautiful, but how did a government agent that dumb and clumsy get so much trust from M...maybe she used her other assets (other than brains, or lack of) to get to the top??
I hated the playhouse, hated it, hated it, and always have.
I disliked it when I first saw it as a kid, and know I just plain hate it.

[DanMan]

I like TMWTGG because it has some of the funniest moments of the series...

1)Bond: I'm aiming right at your groin. Speak now or forever hold your piece.

2)Who can forget when Roger Moore gives the Sumo wrestler guy a wedgie?

[4 Ur Eyez Only]

I have to say I really love this one.. because of this board People here started to talk about the whole "Book Feel".. I saw that on a few posts and.. I have to say it does have a totally different feel then any other 007 film.. in a great way!!

yes other before and after have had some Book feels.. but most of those are really serious.. nothing wrong with that.. but evry second of a 007 book wasn't serious.. and I feel TMWTGG capture that very well

I love the film now.. I put it #4 on my Roger list:cool:

[BONDFINESSE 007]

it is very enjoyable, except for JW PEPPER, but thats a very small detail...all in all really good bond movie

[4 Ur Eyez Only]

you know I would think usually I would agree with you.. IF you brought back a character.. but JW doesn't really bother me.. He was funny, plus Roger is good playing off him!

But usually I would agree.. I aint into characters making comebacks..

for me JAWS was a little too campy in moonraker..

[David Somerset]

Yes, I like TMWTGG. Scaramangas funhouse gave it a slightly bizarre almost Avengers-style feel. What they should have had was Scaramangas previuos victims stuffed and mounted in shooting poses as well as the waxworks. If the assassin in the pre-credit sequence had turned up again during the final duel all stitched up and preserved, that really would have Scaramanga seem even more twisted.

[Sick Sense]

I consider this a fun movie. I love J.W. and I love Scaramanga. He is a killer, yet suave and he has nicknak. Good film.

[Kingdom Come]

I always likened the film to Bond on holiday. It's unusual feel, is fresh and exciting and all the better for it.

[ChandlerBing]

Here's a mindblower for some of you with too much time on your hands. Run a Bond film festival. Take all the Bonds and their second movies---minus Lazenby, of course.
Run:
From Russia With Love
The Man With The Golden Gun
License To Kill
Tomorrow Never Dies

If that doesn't blow your mind, I don't know what will.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by ChandlerBing
Here's a mindblower for some of you with too much time on your hands.  Run a Bond film festival.  Take all the Bonds and their second movies---minus Lazenby, of course.  
Run:
From Russia With Love
The Man With The Golden Gun
License To Kill
Tomorrow Never Dies

If that doesn't blow your mind, I don't know what will.

Ouch -- I'm not sure I could sit through LTK or TND, certainly not one after the other. They rank as two of my least favorite Bond movies (only TWINE and CR are worse).

[ChandlerBing]

Like I said, a real mindblower, without a Lewinski in sight. If you're up for it, go for it. I have enough trouble when TNN runs You Only Live Twice and Live and Let Die back to back.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by ChandlerBing
Like I said, a real mindblower, without a Lewinski in sight.  If you're up for it, go for it.  I have enough trouble when TNN runs You Only Live Twice and Live and Let Die back to back.

LOL Where is that stiff drink?!

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Citizen Bond

Here are some things I love about the movie:

1. Christopher Lee as Scaramanga, who is the best villian bar Gert Frobe as Goldfinger. He's the evil side of Bond, cool and ruthless, inimitably smooth with a sexual edge that matches Bond's. His scene wherein he tells Bond of his troubled youth where he kills the circus trainer who abused his beloved Elephant is quite chilling. And along with Nick Nack, they make a wonderful pair of villians in the panteon of Bond Rogues.

2. John Barry's musical score is lush and exotic, much like the film itself. It isn't as robust or epic as say, OHMSS, but it's still memorable, and lends the film a wonderful touch of the always exotic East.

3. Roger Moore at his most cunning and steely. Even more so than FYEO, I think Moore here is teriffic, and memorably tough. The way he handles Andrea, Nick Nack, and Scaramanga's Gunsmith, it's all very Connery. For one of the lighter Bond films, it's surprising that light touch isn't actually leant by the usually light Moore.

4. The girls, for here we get two women from opposite ends of the Bond girl spectrum. First there's Maud Adams as the conflicted Andrea Andres. A complex and vulnerable character whose death is genuinely moving thakns to Adams' sympathetic performance. And then Britt Ekland, who I didn't think was that awful, seeing as she was meant to be inept. At least she's not as ditzy as Tiffany Case, although her ineptitude is rather embarrassing. Still, seeing her in that bikini is quite the compensation.

5. The locations and sets are spectacular. Especially Scaramanga's island, which makes for the perfect setting for the fantastic climax. The inspired duel between Scaramanga and Bond on the beach is one of the best "Bond vs. Villian" sequences. Still, I don't like the way Scaramanga is disposed of so quickly and easily. Yet Bond's battle with Nick Nack makes up for it.

Great post, Citizen Bond. I agree with all your points.

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN is wonderful escapist hokum. If you don't like it, you don't like Bond.

[ChandlerBing]

So which is better? Bond Versus Nick Nack or Austin Versus Mini-Me?

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Loomis

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN is wonderful escapist hokum. If you don't like it, you don't like Bond.

Wow, that's a little harsh Loomis...How about if you kinda like it?

[DLibrasnow]

Oooops....I didn't really reguster the there, my apologies.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by DLibrasnow

Wow, that's a little harsh Loomis...How about if you kinda like it?  

As a Moore fan, how can you not love THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN? It's quintessential Roger! I believe you're also a Bernard Lee fan - how, then, can you fail to be thrilled by the large amount of screentime he gets in TMWTGG?

I challenge you, DLibrasnow, to name a Moore Bond film (or a Bond film, come to that) that boasts more wonderful lines than TMWTGG. Certainly, Moore never had better dialogue than in this film.

Check out these memorable quotes (taken from http://us.imdb.com/Quotes?0071807):

James Bond: How will I recognize him?
Andrea Anders: He's tall, dark and thin.
James Bond: So is my aunt!

James Bond: Who'd want to put a contract on me?
M: Humiliated chefs! Outraged tailors! Jealous husbands! The list is endless!

James Bond: We all get our jollies one way or another.
Francisco Scaramanga: Mine has always been killing.

James Bond: I am now aiming precisely at your groin. So speak or forever hold your piece.

James Bond: Miss Anders... I didn't recognize you with your clothes on.

[Bond's waiter shows him the wine label]
James Bond: PHUYUCK!?!?
Waiter: '74, sir

[M stares in shock as Bond relays news of his foul-up]
James Bond: And that's really all there is to it...
M: So if I understand it, Scaramanga got away - in a car that sprouted wings!
Q: Oh, that's perfectly feasible, sir. In fact, Q branch are working on one right now.
M: Oh, shut up, Q! Where is Miss Goodnight now?
James Bond: Well, Communications aren't picking up the signal from the homing device supplied by Q.
Q: Rubbish! They're simply not stepping up the reception sufficiently to enable.
M: Oh, Q, shut up!

Colthorpe: Lazar?
Q: Lazar? Hmm, possible... Yes! I concur.
James Bond: Well what the hell is Lazar?
Colthorpe: Not "what", "who". Portuguese - lives in Macau.
Q: Chap who made the bullet, 007!

James Bond: He couldn't have missed me tonight. Instead, he hit some chap coming out of the club. I got quite a shock when I saw who it was.
M: I should think you did.
James Bond: Our missing solar-energy expert, Gibson.
M: Yes, Gibson!

James Bond: Moneypenny - Fairbanks.
Moneypenny: Alaska.
James Bond: No, Bill Fairbanks. 002.
Moneypenny: [Sadly] Oh, poor fellow. I miss him.
James Bond: Yes, well the man with the golden gun didn't.

Sheriff J.W. Pepper: [To elephant] Get your cotton-picking Schnozz out of my pants, y'know!

Andrea Anders: Ow! You're twisting my arm!
James Bond: I'll break it if you don't tell me what I want.

Francisco Scaramanga: How do you like my island, Mr Bond?
James Bond: A bit off the beaten track isn't it?

Francisco Scaramanga: You get as much pleasure out of killing as I do, so why don't you admit it?
James Bond: I admit killing you would be a pleasure.

James Bond: Pistols at dawn; it's a little old-fashioned, isn't it?
Francisco Scaramanga: That it is. But it remains the only true test for gentlemen.
James Bond: On that score, I doubt you qualify. However, I accept.

[Bond returns having dealt with the murderous Nick-nack]
Goodnight: Oh, James. You didn't!
James Bond: Yes I damn well did!

[Kingdom Come]

Loomis, how on earth could you leave out not only the best line in MMWTGG, but the entire series:

Woman:
"Oh, I've lost my charm."
Bond:
"Not from where I'm standing!!!."

Also, Dlibrasnow what does CR mean? {in your initials of a Bond film. Did u mean, MR?}

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Kingdom Come

Loomis, how on earth could you leave out not only the best line in MMWTGG, but the entire series:

Woman:
"Oh, I've lost my charm."
Bond:
"Not from where I'm standing!!!."

Yes, that's a great exchange. I love the Chew Me scene, too. Classic, classic Moore!

Originally posted by Kingdom Come

Also, Dlibrasnow what does CR mean? {in your initials of a Bond film. Did u mean, MR?}  

I believe DLibrasnow was referring to CASINO ROYALE.