For Your Eyes Only: Thoughts?
Revolver66
Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 470MI6 Agent
So I just finished watching For Your Eyes Only again, and I have to admit to having a particular soft spot for this one. It has its flaws, which come mainly in the character of Bibi, and also in some of the corny humour that seemed to be added to the mix of every Bond film at this point. The talking parrot and the end scene with Margaret Thatcher spring to mind (although I actually don't mind the Maggie send up too much because that scene is just plain bonkers). Overall however I think this is definitely Roger's second best, with The Spy Who Loved Me being his best one. It has some great action, and some genuinely tense, Hitchcockian cat and mouse scenes, with the ski chase segment being perhaps the best example of this. I also quite like Bill Conti's very early 1980s score, which is granted, a tad dated, but still works effectively throughout the film. And besides the unfortunate decision to have Blofeld in the pre title sequence, and the even more unfortunate decision to have him disposed of so stupidly, the overall concept of the helicopter and the setting of the abandoned factories, combined with the spectacular aerial stuntwork makes for a pretty great teaser in my opinion.
I'd probably place this one as 9th or 10th on my Bond list.
What do you guys think of this one?
I'd probably place this one as 9th or 10th on my Bond list.
What do you guys think of this one?
Comments
It's my number 2 favorite (after OHMSS) and agree with most every point but wanted to add the beautiful but very wooden-acting Carole Bouquet.
Fortunately the famous John Glen Humor (I blame him for most of the silliness in that and the following movies) was not full bloom but it was there - unfortunately.
I also don't agree with many people that criticize the score - I think that it's great!
All in all: Roger Moore with a more serious approach - the beautiful locations in Italy and Greece - a brand new Lotus - probably the best ski chase from the series - a pretty but naive Blonde and an even prettier Brunette - many action scenes that have been done "for real" and we have a winner!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Could have left it there, Higgins!
Welcome, Revolver66, please have a look at http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/45180/introduction-how-to-use-the-forum/ and introduce yourself to us at http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/34154/welcome-comings-goings/page/48/
It has a lot of great moments including some that rank very highly in the entire series (Locque's car kick for example).
I think the Bill Conti score sits well and is just perfect for that time period. Love the Lotus (don't see enough of it!) The ski chase is great. Good to see Bond doing some climbing (I wish they would bring this back). And it's a good all round performance from Roger.
The whole film just has a great early eighties vibe and feel. -{
In FYEO ( OP a close second) I like the story and how they managed to work in two of
Fleming's short stories. -{ I too loved the ski chase, very inventive, as for the music.
A couple of tracks I love are Runaway and submarine, I don't even mind the helicopter
Sequence for the PTS.
And welcome to AJB {[]
Thanks
Yes I have to admit that one is damn hard to beat -{
TSWLM
LALD
FYEO
:007)
Overall, it just misses out on being in my top 10.
It has the right Mix of everything :007)
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
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Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I wasn't even a Twinkle in my Dads Eye yet
It has all the elements a good Bond film needs, and seeing Roger Moore slightly more serious again was nice.
I do prefer Roger's cheesier outings personally MR, AVTAK etc. But that's just me and my nostalgia.
FYEO is great Bond film with a good story, a great bond girl and wonderful locations.
Welcome to the group, Revolver66! -{
You can add me to the list of those who consider FYEO to be Moore's best Bond film and his best performance as well. Although Moore is last on my list of Bond actors (Connery is my favorite), I give him kudos for his work in this solid 007 outing.
1. Bibi Dahl- a pointless, annoying character who does nothing to move the plot in one direction or another.
2. Bill Conti score. Dated. Cheesy.
3. Roger Moore is too old. Especially after looking so sharp in Moonraker. There's no way he's doing all this skiing and extreme sports!
4. Boring second half with almost no dialog and long stretches of slow action like diving and rock-climbing.
5. Worst clothing ever in a Bond film! Rog was dressed to perfection in TSWLM and MR and later in OP and AVTAK. (except for that awful tracksuit) Seriously, these outfits in FYEO are embarrassing: The blue snowsuit with striped hat, the aviator jacket with tan slacks, the light yellow pastel shirt, the solid navy blue shiny outfit, the bulky blue vest over a weird sweater for the climbing scene.
I don't even recognize Roger as Bond in this film.
6. The Lotus Espirt Turbo looks like an ugly race car compared to the one in 1977. Bond gets two of these and fails to do anything of interest with them.
7. The bad attempts at humor : Comic Blofeld scenes, talking parrot, hockey fight, Thatcher impersonation, all scenes with Bibi.
All that being said, I do enjoy the Fleming Risico and For Your Eyes Only plus Keel Haul and Identigraph portions of the film. The yellow Citroen chase is among my favorites in the series. The Countess is also one of my favorite Bond women and I wish she would have been the main gal instead of Melina. (Who was the same age as Bibi which is confusing. Buying ice cream one for one and then sleeping with the other girl)
The only way I can watch FYEO is with Sir Roger's commentary track on. It overshadows the score and adds some interest to the tedious second half. Overall, doesn't hold a candle to the high production values and glamour of TSWLM and MR.
(Not that it can be helped, but I also miss Bernard Lee as M)
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
But how about the traditional Douglas Hayward suits? Though casual wear plays a bigger role in this film than the suits do, they are some of Roger Moore's nicest suits in the series. They are considerably better than the wide-lapelled, bell-bottomed suits in his previous two Bond films. And the elegant double-breasted blazer too. The navy blue outfit belongs to Columbo, so I don't think that can be counted amongst Bond's clothes (though I like it anyway, and Fleming's Bond also wore a windcheater, just in black instead of dark blue). I have to disagree with your opinions on the casual clothes as well, as I find them very elegant. All those Frank Foster shirts fit so perfectly!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
It's too blue for me personally, but I think it looks great on Moore. The style is great, and it's a nicer shade of blue than the OHMSS ski suit, which is much lighter in person. It's certainly a lot nicer than the yellow in TSWLM.