Moonraker- A Feast For My Eyes

FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
I had the pleasure of watching Moonraker on a big screen 42" HD TV the other night and was totally blown away by the huge sets and lavish locations. This is the biggest, most extravagant Bond film ever made. It makes For Your Eyes Only look like a low budget TV show in comparison. In fact most other Bond films crumble under the colossal production value of Moonraker. Seriously, this was made in 1979? It looks more like 2079!

The sets and models are phenomenal! The centrifuge, the orchid lab, Aztec temple and Drax's space station are a wonder. Complementing the stunning visual effects are real locations so beautifully shot it made my jaw drop: Cable cars above Rio, cascading waterfalls in the Amazon jungle, and the canals of Venice have never looked better.

My favorite Bond is The Spy Who Loved Me so I'm already geared towards this type of 007 blockbuster and Moonraker honestly came close to bumping TSWLM off my top spot. Roger Moore is in top form for both, but looks especially cool when he's all frazzled after a 16G centrifuge or falling from a cable car. "Have you broken something? Only my tailor's heart"

The title sequence showcases the the most impressive A-list of the Bond team ever assembled:

Production Design: Ken Adam
Miniatures: Derek Meddings
Editing by: John Glen
Music: John Barry
Title song: Shirley Bassey
Produced by Albert Broccoli and Michael Wilson

Also featuring the reoccurring favorites of Roger Moore, Lois Maxwell, Bernard Lee, Walter Gotell, Desmond Llewelyn, Geoffrey Keen, and Richard Kiel.

Moonraker has it ALL! There's no way that much talent could make a bad Bond film. I'm always shocked to see Moonraker ranked so low by fans. Fleming purists were definitely not the target audience for this one, but there should be some more appreciation for the sheer scope of the film.


Here's a few snippets from wikipedia about the filming of Moonraker:

The massive sets designed by Ken Adam were the largest ever constructed in France and required more than 222,000 man-hours to construct (roughly 1000 hours by each of the crew on average).[3] They were shot at three of France's largest film studios in Épinay and Boulogne-Billancourt.[5] 220 technicians used 100 tonnes of metal, two tonnes of nails and 10,000 feet of wood to build the three-story space station set at Eponay Studios.[5] The elaborate space set for Moonraker holds the world record for having the largest number of zero gravity wires in one scene.[3] The Venetian glass museum and fight between Bond and Chang was shot at Boulogne Studios in a building which had once been a World War II Luftwaffe aircraft factory during Germany's occupation of France.[5] The scene in the Venice glass museum and warehouse holds the record for the largest amount of break-away sugar glass used in a single scene.[3]

And a couple reviews from 1979:

The New York Times film critic Vincent Canby called Moonraker "one of the most buoyant Bond films of all. Almost everyone connected with the movie is in top form, even Mr. Moore. Here he's as ageless, resourceful, and graceful as the character he inhabits."[21] Canby subsequently said the film was, alongside Goldfinger, the best of the series.[22]

Whilst The Globe and Mail critic Jay Scott said Moonraker was second only to Goldfinger. "In the first few minutes – before the credits – it offers more thrills than most escapist movies provide in two hours." During the title sequence, "the excitement has gone all the way up to giddy and never comes down." Scott admired the film's theme song and cited with approval the film's location work. He also singled out Ken Adam's sets, dubbing them "high-tech Piranesi."[23]
My current 10 favorite:

1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
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Comments

  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
    Completely agree! Moonraker has always been one of my favourite Bond films.
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    NeverSayDie,

    I was hoping you would see this thread. You're probably the most experienced filmmaker on ajb.. do you have any additional thoughts on the production of Moonraker? How has Moonraker influenced your own work?
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    I also don't understand the hate for MR.

    The first hour is simply great and all space scenes are much better than comparable Si-Fi movies from that time.

    Moonraker is a feast for the eyes - particularly on a big screen - and 42 " I don't call big ;)
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    Firemass. a great thread on Moonraker. This was my favourite Bond film as a child, nay my favourite film! And I still have a very great fondness for it to this day, despite the small fact of my being a Fleming purist on the staunchest of terms. :)
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    I believe the Earth they photographed in FX shots was the same one Meddings used in Superman: The Movie one year prior to MR.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    I believe the Earth they photographed in FX shots was the same one Meddings used in Superman: The Movie one year prior to MR.

    Interesting factoid there. Some of the Moonraker space station props reappear in the Space: 1999 TV series also.
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    Some of the Moonraker space station props reappear in the Space: 1999 TV series also.
    Doubtful, as Space: 1999 ended a year before MR came out... could be the other way around, though!
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Some of the Moonraker space station props reappear in the Space: 1999 TV series also.
    Doubtful, as Space: 1999 ended a year before MR came out... could be the other way around, though!

    Yes, it was those black inverted tap things on Space: 1999 that they re-used on Moonraker, I think. That said, I'm not at all sure where I remember all of this from at all! :))
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • raptors_887raptors_887 CanadaPosts: 215MI6 Agent
    Just a few problems I had with the movie:

    1. James Bond being in space

    2. Runing a perfectly good henchman in Jaws and all the sillyness that came with his scenes

    3. Bad acting from the Bond girl

    4. Drax had no emotion in any of his scenes and was a pretty dull character

    5. Bond riding in an unknown person's boat and somehow turning it into a hover craft


    The only part I really liked was Bond falling out of the plane trying to get a parachute. That was intense.
    1: Casino Royale 2: Goldeneye 3: Skyfall 4: Octopussy 5: Goldfinger 6: Tomorrow Never Dies 7: The World Is Not Enough 8: The Living Daylights 9: From Russia With Love 10: The Spy Who Loved Me
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    edited March 2013
    Raptors_887,

    I was kind of trying to avoid a critical review of Moonraker and instead focus on the film being a technical marvel. Just appreciating the sheer spectacle and amount of work that was put into it. A crowning achievement for the Bond producers in pushing the limits of their craft as far as it could possibly go. Whenever I hear someone call Moonraker the worst Bond film it implies the film was poorly made, which is clearly not the case.

    To respond to your comments: 1-4 are just a matter of opinion and you're certainly entitled to them. However, on #5 I believe you are mistaken. The "unknown boat" was infact Bond's Mi6 gondola and the driver was also an agent working with Bond.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • DutchfingerDutchfinger Holland With LovePosts: 1,240MI6 Agent
    Quite a coincidence Firemass. I had just randomly watched Moonraker two nights ago. Have you also been watching the Blu Ray version? (You do sound like it!) I have been watching the Blu ray version as well. Cinematography is really looking great in this one! Come to think of it. Every Bond Blu Ray I've watched so far have been a fiest to the eye. Still very happy with the Bond 50 blu ray box set!
    Better known as DutchBondFan on YouTube. My 007 movie reviews: Recapping 007
    YouTube channel Support my channel on Patreon Twitter Facebook fanpage
  • Agent SidewinderAgent Sidewinder Posts: 223MI6 Agent
    Always great to see Moonraker getting praise around here. Everything you've said is dead on. -{
  • LastRatStandingLastRatStanding ScotlandPosts: 296MI6 Agent
    I personally don't like Moonraker much but I can admit that watching it in Blu Ray is visually fantastic! However much I don't like it.
    Now, they only eat rat.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    It's pretty as heck! -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I agree it's nice looking. Too bad it isn't a better movie.
    I personally don't like Moonraker much but I can admit that watching it in Blu Ray is visually fantastic! However much I don't like it.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    I agree it's nice looking. Too bad it isn't a better movie.
    I could have SO bought the whole Bond in space thing back then if they had just made zero-G seem more realistic, left out the sound in space, and left out Jaws altogether.
    Such a (dare I use an over-used idiotic phrase) near miss. 8-)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Moore ThanMoore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent
    In terms of visuals, Moonraker really is a feast for the eyes. The money is on the screen. The cinematography, sets, and locations are pretty stunning. The model work and effects (very good in their day) have stood the test of time well, IMO. The visuals are complemented by a superb score from John Barry, one of his very best. A feast for the ears as well as the eyes.
    Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    May I ask what make your TV is Firemass? Is it plasma or LCD?

    And what is a good BluRay machine that also doubles as a DVD player?

    The remastered DVD is good but somehow the space station didn't look as bright imo, I think they tinkered with it, as with the pts of OHMSS.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Mostly all BluRay players can also play DVDs.

    A cheap R_R player starts at EUR 100,-- - many people go with a Playstation 3, which also plays perfectly DVDs or B-Rs. PS3 slims go at around EUR 200,--

    Once that you have seen a B-R, you'll hardly want to play your DVDs again :v
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    Bondtoys wrote:
    Mostly all BluRay players can also play DVDs.

    A cheap R_R player starts at EUR 100,-- - many people go with a Playstation 3, which also plays perfectly DVDs or B-Rs. PS3 slims go at around EUR 200,--

    Once that you have seen a B-R, you'll hardly want to play your DVDs again :v

    You mean B_R player, not R_R? Is Playstation 3 a good one then, or are they sort of standard? Oh, and do they play American DVDs too, which are a different region? :) My ageing Dad is a Esther Williams fan, but they are only for sale in the US format.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    edited March 2013
    Yes, sorry, I meant B-R players.

    I am using a PS3 Slim for the European (german) market, which won't play B-Rs from the US but can play US DVDs.

    Best advise is to order one from Amazon.co.uk and if it won't play anything that you have - just return it for a full refund.
    But it should work with US DVDs.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    Cool, thanks!

    Back on topic, the cinematography for MR was done by the guy who did Day of the Jackal, which of course also starred Michel Lonsdale.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Moonraker Looks terrific. Not just beautifully filmed but Ken Adams
    Sets are stunning. One of my favourites is the meeting room Bond
    and Goodhead are put in under Drax's shuttle. I love the way it all
    folds down in to the Floor.
    Also IMHO the special effects have stood the test of time and look
    far better that some of the si-fi films made at the same time but used
    early digital /cgi processing. Because now with age the colours look
    faded to the rest of the Film and really standout.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • KKwheelchairKKwheelchair BathurstPosts: 153MI6 Agent
    yes i must agree that the visuals in MR are great
    "You know what's great about you English Octopussy man I must seen that movie, Twice" -the simpsons
  • BodieBodie Posts: 211MI6 Agent
    Moonraker does look great which just goes to prove you can in fact polish a turd.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I thought that acolade went to QOS. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    no, in the case of QoS they over-polished it so hard, that their fingers got "turd-y" :v
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,420Chief of Staff
    Bondtoys wrote:
    no, in QoS they polished it so hard, that their fingers got "turd-y" :v

    Now am I going to have to step in and give everyone a smacked bum for not only going off topic but for having the temerity to 'diss' the fabulousness that is QoS ? :v
    YNWA 97
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    hey, Thunderpussy started all this! :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I only preempted your Intrusion, My Powers are strong this week. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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