The Roger Moore debate

James Suzuki

People was talking about this in another thread, and I thought we might bring it over here. I still can't see how you don't like Moore. He is probably up there in my favourite actors of all time. He's a gentleman, funny, smart and some of his Bonds were perfect for me. Connery, I like connery, but for some reason I dont like him as much as Moore or Dalton, maybe becasue alot of Moore haters are Connery fans. But Connery and Moore didn't want arguments over their diffreences.

Higgins

Sir Roger is without a doubt a very funny and enjoyable person.

His Bonds followed DAF's way to more entertaining and funny parts and imo he performed this much better than Connery.

People looking down on his "clownish" performances forget, that the audience wanted this in the 70s and 80s and Roger could be pretty gritty in the same moment.

Just look at the Backgammon scenes in Octopussy or the cliff scene in FYEO.

Additionally John Glen had a lot to do with the presence of the "elder-men" humor (something I start to understand and enjoy much better now that I am 47).

Maybe in 20 years, people get turned off by the over-brutality of the DC movies from today to the same degree 8-)

James Suzuki

Thank you bond toys.

Mr Beech

I like the man himself, and I certainly wouldn't erase him from the Bond film history. I think he did a fine job in some outings and deserves credit. I like Connery, Brosnan, and Craig more, but that doesn't leave me in any mood to not like Roger Moore or his Bond. When the complete collection hits Blu Ray later this year, I will gladly be watching every single one for celebration's sake.

zaphod

Haven't we discussed this a million times already ?

James Suzuki

i think its a matter of moods.
Do i feel like watching a light moore, OP, TMWTGG, or shall i watch a darker, LTK, CR. Quite frankly Moore and dalton are equal as the best. With craig and connery second.
1. moore and dalton
2. Connery, craig
3. brosnan
4. lazenby

Sir_Hugo_Drax

Huh that's interesting, that your two top favourites are so contrasted in style. I guess that gives us an idea of your Bond pallet. I'm guessing you really don't dislike any of the Bond actors that much? (I mean Lazenby wasn't great, not by a long shot, but he's not loathsome - partially due to OHMSS being SO GOOD!) Kinda like me. BTW I love Rog. for what he is and LALD is one of my all time favourites; it's on my top 5 in fact.

Higgins

Just to add a pov into the discussion which is very long in my head.

The preference for the grittier outings like SC, DC and some say (I disagree 8-) ) TD may have a lot to do how people watch these movies:

I am sure, that many fans know the pre-Bronsnan or even the pre-Craig movies only from TV displays or beamer screens.

Or, who from the Moore-haters has ever seen Moonraker in a cinema?

The Moore movies where made for and worked incredibly well in theaters and many people may not be able to feel their magic at home.

Thunderpussy

We all have our favourites and those actors we Don't like as Much,
I count myself as Lucky, I got to see some of the most spectacular
Bond films with One of my Favourite actors as Bond. Back when a
Bond Film was an event movie.
Girls, Guns, Gadgets, Big stunts and action sequences and even
some great One-liners.
They're now on a different Path, which some are happy with ( and
good luck to them ) Although it's leaving me cold. Still I have the
62-02 Movies to keep me happy, Until Tastes change and the
more spectacular Bond Films return.
IMHO Sir Roger was the perfect Bond for the 70's, the films had
already started to be a bit more Light weight and Humorous. Infact
They are very close to the Matt Helm Films of the 60's.

The Man from CIA

What I loved about Roger's interpretation of Bond was that while he was funny, he was also the cold, ruthless Bond of the novels. Examples of which are the puns, nonchalant smiles and the many, many random Octopussy jokes for the humour, and scenes where Bond whips his tie away from Sandor on the rooftop in TSWLM letting him fall to his death. I see him as a balance, which is what made his movies so gosh darn entertaining

welshboy78

Well I suppose if there were not so many different Bonds then there would not be such a big 007 following, and places like this forum would prob not exist!

There is a Bond or two for everybody, personally it depends what mood I'm in when I go to choose one of the 22 films. That is one of the things that is great about Bond - variation!! Hence why the films can be watched regularly!!

Imagine how boring it would be if all 22 films were 1 actor (of course that is impossible)

James Suzuki

Sir_Hugo_Drax wrote:

Huh that's interesting, that your two top favourites are so contrasted in style. I guess that gives us an idea of your Bond pallet. I'm guessing you really don't dislike any of the Bond actors that much? (I mean Lazenby wasn't great, not by a long shot, but he's not loathsome - partially due to OHMSS being SO GOOD!) Kinda like me. BTW I love Rog. for what he is and LALD is one of my all time favourites; it's on my top 5 in fact.

yeah, I guess so, Hugo.
I wish dalton was in more, like if Mclory made warhead 2000 with dalton I would of watched it. I would like another company making Bond movies, thatmeans we would get some more coming out. And, I would of probably liked Lazenby more if he did more films, its just that I can't really see his style with only one film.
oh and welcome to our AJB007, The man from CIA, its cool that we can get some more members

Blackleiter

Sigh.....here we go again. First let me say that although Roger Moore is my least favorite Bond, I am not a hater. I have seen EVERY Bond film in a cinema when they were first released (except Dr. No and From Russia With Love, which I saw on a double-bill when they were re-released several years later). That includes EVERY Roger Moore Bond. I am a James Bond cinema fan first and foremost, so even Roger Moore's films hold a certain appeal for me. BUT....Moore's performance as 007 lacked a few qualities that I enjoy most in my Bonds, i.e. a sense of menance and the physical prowess to convince me that I am watching a man who could be truly dangerous, as well as charmng and sophisticated. Moore has charm and sophistication to spare, but the other elements are simply missing in my opinion. All of the other actors had those other elements in varying degrees. They may have lacked Moore's charm and sense of humor (Dalton, Craig), and his poise and intellect (Lazenby), but those deficiencies don't bother me as much. My favorite onscreen incarnation of James Bond is Sean Connery because I feel he was best at combining all of the characteristics I enjoy, and Moore is my least favorite because he lacks certain elements that are crucial for me. Simple as that.

Bondtoys wrote:

Just to add a pov into the discussion which is very long in my head.

The preference for the grittier outings like SC, DC and some say (I disagree 8-) ) TD may have a lot to do how people watch these movies:

I am sure, that many fans know the pre-Bronsnan or even the pre-Craig movies only from TV displays or beamer screens.

Or, who from the Moore-haters has ever seen Moonraker in a cinema?

The Moore movies where made for and worked incredibly well in theaters and many people may not be able to feel their magic at home.

jeffch

zaphod wrote:

Haven't we discussed this a million times already ?

Yes but there are probably several newer members who havent. Including me And I thinks its better to start a new thread rather than to bump an older thread thats probably 10+ pages long. I don't want to end up replying to a comment that was posted 3 years ago. lol

Moore is probably my least favorite Bond, but still I enjoy his movies. He's always though of as the light-hearted goofy Bond. But 2 of my favorite "badass" Bond moments came from him:

In TSWLM when Sandor was hanging off his tie and as soon as Bond got the info he wanted, he smacked his tie up and let Sandor fall to his death. Or in FYEO when Locque was teetering off the edge of a cliff in his car and Bond kicked him over the edge.

The Man from CIA

xboy614 wrote:

oh and welcome to our AJB007, The man from CIA, its cool that we can get some more members

Why thank you {[]

Mrs.Bryce

Roger is my favourite Bond; that's not saying I thought he was the best, but he's definitely and undoubtedly my favourite. And he is my favourite for many reasons; his movies, I deem, the most enjoyable and fun outtings, and it doesn't even matter if they're implausible, most of the time. . He's got an affluence of charm, he's oozing with charisma and he's practically the definition of sophistication. So he isn't built like Craig or Seannie, but I don't think that Bond is built like that, in fact I think Bond should be a bit scrawnier. His position isn't usually filled by GI JOE types anyway. I've got no problem with him being a bit more lovey, because he balances it out with cold moments such as (mentioned above) the killing of Sandor, the cliff-kick and I'd like to add the death of Drax and Stromberg. He lays way more shots into Strombergthan he needs to, and may I say in the groin. And Drax gets a poison tip dart to his heart before being sent out into space, which I'm assuming would hurt, WITH a pun. By the way I think the puns make the deaths worse; like an utter disregard for their life almost. :v
No problems with Rog here :x

Mrs.Bryce~SL

nms75

Bottom line its all down to personal taste/choice. I actually like Roger Moore and see him as a very good actor BUT I just didn't like him as Bond. To me he was just too cheesey in the role BUT that is only my personal opinion. We are all different.

When Daniel Craig was announced as the new Bond actor I thought I just can't see it, it won't work. Yet now I think he is one of the best in the role (second only to Connery who will always be number 1 for me) - BUT again that is just personal taste/choice.

Whoever takes over from Craig will be liked by many and dislkiked by many and we will be having the same debate when that happens.

Blackleiter

I agree on all points.

nms75 wrote:

Bottom line its all down to personal taste/choice. I actually like Roger Moore and see him as a very good actor BUT I just didn't like him as Bond. To me he was just too cheesey in the role BUT that is only my personal opinion. We are all different.

When Daniel Craig was announced as the new Bond actor I thought I just can't see it, it won't work. Yet now I think he is one of the best in the role (second only to Connery who will always be number 1 for me) - BUT again that is just personal taste/choice.

Whoever takes over from Craig will be liked by many and dislkiked by many and we will be having the same debate when that happens.

zaphod

jeffch wrote:

zaphod wrote:

Haven't we discussed this a million times already ?

Yes but there are probably several newer members who havent. Including me And I thinks its better to start a new thread rather than to bump an older thread thats probably 10+ pages long. I don't want to end up replying to a comment that was posted 3 years ago. lol

Moore is probably my least favorite Bond, but still I enjoy his movies. He's always though of as the light-hearted goofy Bond. But 2 of my favorite "badass" Bond moments came from him:

In TSWLM when Sandor was hanging off his tie and as soon as Bond got the info he wanted, he smacked his tie up and let Sandor fall to his death. Or in FYEO when Locque was teetering off the edge of a cliff in his car and Bond kicked him over the edge.

Good point.

For my money the jolly Roger was too smarmy, and his awkwardness makes me cringe in any form of action. It's also worth noting that he took some convincing to kick Locque off the Cliff by claiming that " I don't do that sort of thing" he was persuaded by the argument " I know that Roger, but James Bond does !" That particular scene is also noteworthy as the kick itself was so poorly executed that if he had done it like that the only person exiting the cliff would have been
Roger!

For me the physicality of Bond is a non negotiable component, where the actor has to be credible as a minimum. The pendulum has probably gone to far as Bond currently is in danger of being an over buffed Superman. Lazenby probably hits it right, and Brosnan is interesting as although not the most physical of Bonds was at least credible.

DaltonFan1

I have no doubt that Moore is a gentleman in person.

However I find some of his Bond outings tiresome.

To get an idea of what a good Bond he could have been, I would recommend watching The Wild Geese, a fantastic film with Moore giving an excellent Bond-like performance.

James Suzuki

The wild Geese is a good film, my father said he remembered watching it as a kid, and he remembered that he never played war movies for a couple of months afterwards becasue it had some sort of affect on him. He found it once, bought it and got all of us down to watch it. It has aged well, and Moore is at his best.
Anyway, Moore was the first one who actually realised the humour in Bond. He said himself,that any man who is suppose to be a secret agent is recgonized in any club or casino and that his drinks are shaken not stirred. He realised the formula, and he took it as a spoof becasue Bond is suppose to be funny. That is what alot of people around me say. :007)

Blackleiter

Allow me to take a bit of exception to the notion that Moore was the first to appreciate the humor in Bond. The creators of the cinema Bond obviously understood that humor should be a part of the equation, thus the reasons for the quips and asides from the very beginning. An early example occurs in Dr. No. Bond is driving and he is chased by some baddies who ultimately plunge off a cliff. As Bond peers at the buring car, a bystander runs up ad askes what happened. Bond replies "I think they were on their way to a funeral." Nice retort that didn't really diminish the seriousness of the unfolding spy story. And very typical of the Connery Bonds until he went over-the-top in Diamonds Are Forever. My simple point is that the humor has always been there, but preferred in smaller doses. The Moore films were too much.

xboy614 wrote:

The wild Geese is a good film, my father said he remembered watching it as a kid, and he remembered that he never played war movies for a couple of months afterwards becasue it had some sort of affect on him. He found it once, bought it and got all of us down to watch it. It has aged well, and Moore is at his best.
Anyway, Moore was the first one who actually realised the humour in Bond. He said himself,that any man who is suppose to be a secret agent is recgonized in any club or casino and that his drinks are shaken not stirred. He realised the formula, and he took it as a spoof becasue Bond is suppose to be funny. That is what alot of people around me say. :007)

Halcon

Mrs.Bryce wrote:

Roger is my favourite Bond; that's not saying I thought he was the best, but he's definitely and undoubtedly my favourite. And he is my favourite for many reasons; his movies, I deem, the most enjoyable and fun outtings, and it doesn't even matter if they're implausible, most of the time. . He's got an affluence of charm, he's oozing with charisma and he's practically the definition of sophistication. So he isn't built like Craig or Seannie, but I don't think that Bond is built like that, in fact I think Bond should be a bit scrawnier. His position isn't usually filled by GI JOE types anyway. I've got no problem with him being a bit more lovey, because he balances it out with cold moments such as (mentioned above) the killing of Sandor, the cliff-kick and I'd like to add the death of Drax and Stromberg. He lays way more shots into Strombergthan he needs to, and may I say in the groin. And Drax gets a poison tip dart to his heart before being sent out into space, which I'm assuming would hurt, WITH a pun. By the way I think the puns make the deaths worse; like an utter disregard for their life almost. :v
No problems with Rog here :x

Mrs.Bryce~SL

Sir Roger's Bond films ARE very entertaining. and in the sophistication 'match', Sir Roger makes all the other Bonds look like pathetic uncultured neanderthals. (in other words, he's in another stratosphere)

interestingly, i find myself watching his films more often than any other Bonds, though Connery is my fave.

thesecretagent

A lot of films in the seventies and early eighties were light-hearted and contained silly humour. Just look at anything with Burt Reynolds in it, well, most of his films anyway. To coin the box-office, appeal to the widest audience and to be current, Moore's films were the victim of the studio accountants as much as anything else. It's a shame because old Rog was pretty good in Seawolves & The Wild Geese. Some of his Bond moments were some of the very best IMO. However, his films are largely lightweight. He also hung on two films too long.

lotus

I am 49 ,as a ten year old my first film was live and let die,this is my favourite bond film but Connery is still the best bond.ohmss and George are both fantastic too ! The worst two bond films are moonraker and octopussy but that was not Rogers fault it was the film makers at fault there .but I must say roger should have quit after for your eyes only but I did like him.times change people change ,time for realism ,that's why mr Dan does a good job.but all the bonds where of their time .the only one who came as a shock to the system was Mr Dalton,he was very good but after Rogers light bond Daltons bond was too early.now they have it sorted Daniel craige is perfect ,

Martin Aston

As a child of the 1970's Moore was my first Bond. His best Bond film, in my opinion, was my first: The Spy Who Loved Me.

I also think FYEO was also a strong film for him. He did have some poor Bond films but is it fair to lay the blame at his door? There were some awful adaptions and in all honesty Cubby Broccoli should have got someone in to replace him a lot sooner and, for me, that's why the series lost a lot of its credibility. I would have liked to have seen Dalton brought in sooner but without the humour that followed Moore.

Moore Than

As a Roger Moore fan and a James Bond fan I am obviously pleased that he appeared in as many films as he did. Perhaps he should have left after OP which would have been a more fitting finale. Ironically, it may well have been the return of Sean Connery in NSNA that extended Roger's tenure as Bond. It would have been quite a risk for Cubby Broccoli to employ a new actor to compete with Sean, especially as Roger was still generally popular and good box office.

Thunderpussy

"I'd give my right arm for your Job "

welshboy78

When was that taken??

Thunderpussy

Sorry to say I don't know welshboy78, It's from a french web page and I can hardly get by with English.
Hopefully someone will know.

Moore Than

Thunderpussy wrote:

"I'd give my right arm for your Job "

And who says Roger cannot do fight scenes. Look what he has done to poor Daniel.

Great find, Thunderpussy. Unfortunately, I do not know when this picture was taken. My guess would be around the time of QoS.