If Dalton was in FYEO

JimmyBond0129 · April 2009

Do you think it would be Timothy Dalton's best Bond film? I think it would probably be better than The Living Daylights but I don't know if it would be his best.

Tilly Masterson 007 · April 2009

I honestly can't imagine him in FYEO!

Bizarre!

JimmyBond0129 · April 2009

Tilly Masterson 007 wrote:

I honestly can't imagine him in FYEO!

Bizarre!

That's one of the reasons why I don't like Roger Moore besides being too old for the part I think he outstayed his welcome. Moore should've hung up his shoulder holster after Moonraker.

I think Tim Dalton should've been the go to guy for Bond back in the 1980's.

Peppermill · April 2009

Do we really have to blame Roger Moore for staying too long? He was practically begged to stay on for FYEO, OP and AVTAK. He had one picture deals at that time, so Cubby could have had another actor play Bond any time he wanted, but they really wanted Moore to come back, and back, and back. Can you really blame someone for taking the deal when everybody is screaming for your return? The money was good and as far as I know, being an actor is still a profession. Roger Moore has said often enough that he got "a bith long in the tooth with playing Bond because it got really hard to find bad guys old enough to be punched knock-out by him." But MGM kept coming back to him and so he stayed on. :007)

On topic.
IMHO Roger Moore was great in FYEO and OP. AVTAK was too much I guess, but maybe with a better Bondgirl it could have been a good movie (JJAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEESSSSSSSS SSAAAAAVVVVEEE MMMEEEE!!!!). If they had turned to Dalton earlier they would have had to change the entire feel of the movies, Dalton would have had other scripts to work with. It is hard to picture Dalton in a Moore movie.

JimmyBond0129 · April 2009

Peppermill wrote:

Do we really have to blame Roger Moore for staying too long? He was practically begged to stay on for FYEO.

It is hard to picture Dalton in a Moore movie.

Well Roger Moore didn't have to come back he could've been very insistant on quiting, and they could've completely rewrote the plot of For Your Eyes Only to Timothy Dalton's liking.

Mister White · April 2009

FYEO was a script for a harder Bond, the way Dalton played him as well. But at that time dalton would have been too young for the role.

I'm not a very big fan of Moore, but I can't blaim him for coming back. At that time it was what people wanted to see.

The atmosphere of the early eighties wasn't ready for Dalton's gritty portrayal of Bond anyway. It is only now that he finally gets the appreciation he deserves.

Sweepy the Cat · April 2009

Mister White wrote:

FYEO was a script for a harder Bond, the way Dalton played him as well. But at that time dalton would have been too young for the role.

35 isn't too young to play Bond.

Mister White · April 2009

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Mister White wrote:

FYEO was a script for a harder Bond, the way Dalton played him as well. But at that time dalton would have been too young for the role.

35 isn't too young to play Bond.

It's not too young now, but at the time people were used to seeing a Bond that was well into his fifties... 8-)

Suave Agent · April 2009

JimmyBond0129 wrote:

Tilly Masterson 007 wrote:

I honestly can't imagine him in FYEO!

Bizarre!

That's one of the reasons why I don't like Roger Moore besides being too old for the part I think he outstayed his welcome. Moore should've hung up his shoulder holster after Moonraker.

I think Tim Dalton should've been the go to guy for Bond back in the 1980's.:007)

I rank Moore the worst Bond just from the way he dressed to the way that he displayed Bond as being unrealistic at all times.
He would constantly be unharmed, also I know it was not his fault but Moonraker was terrible storyline especially with the space station that I can forgive him for.

People target Lazenby as a flop but I think he was a better Bond then Moore-(this statement will cause a riot on these forums.)

Dalton I think was the closest thing to Daniel Craig in the way that he represented a Bond that gets hurt emotionally, such as when Felix is captured and bitten by the shark he is hurt and goes on a similar rampage to Daniel Craig in QOS, acting without considering the consequences of his actions.

Furthermore Dalton has a similar appearance to Brosnan so I liked how Brosnan followed.

shaken66 · April 2009

Speaking as one who saw the films when first released in the 70's and 80's, say what you will (or won't) about Sir Roger's acting, he displayed a certain charm that neither Lazenby or Dalton (who I like in his films) possessed and was perfect for its time. As much as I enjoy OHMSS as a story and film (and Diana Rigg, oh God!) I find GL very monotone, though I do think he may have developed given the chance. FYEO is one of my favorite Bond films just after a couple of SC's classics and DC's, and when Carole Bouquet says the movie title - last line... gulp!

zaphod · April 2009

Although not a fan of Moore I agree that the blame is due to a very lazy Eon rather than to the actor who continues to accept a role.While despite the drops in quality the films still raked in the cash Eon were content to continue.

Loeffelholz · April 2009

I think FYEO would have been an absolutely perfect time for Dalton to have stepped into the tux; it would have given him a nice run in which to develop his portrayal. Perhaps it might have kept a couple of my less favourite scenes---the hockey rink assault, for one

---out of the picture.

Similar,y, for Roger Moore, I think MR would have been a perfect swan song---a serendipitous time for him to have stepped away from what was a very successful four-film run, at the height of his game. Sadly, however, it wasn't to be.

Alex · April 2009

Happily for me he did stay on.

I think FYEO's an amazing piece of pre-CGI entertainment with a light hearted actor throwing in a dirty performance and proving he simply wasn't a one trick pony. Moore's Bond was gregarious and cold hearted all in one. Had mega star quality charm to add to the proceedings, and never showed a trace of dourness. He was a larger then life Bond and was very popular.

There are fewer things better then Moore nodding to the opponent during the country chase or telling General Gogol off at the finale. Much as I like Dalton, I'm very thankful Roger Moore accepted those offers.

Dan Same · April 2009

Alex wrote:

Happily for me he did stay on.

I think FYEO's an amazing piece of pre-CGI entertainment with a light hearted actor throwing in a dirty performance and proving he simply wasn't a one trick pony. Moore's Bond was gregarious and cold hearted all in one. Had mega star quality charm to add to the proceedings, and never showed a trace of dourness. He was a larger then life Bond and was very popular.

There are fewer things better then Moore nodding to the opponent during the country chase or telling General Gogol off at the finale. Much as I like Dalton, I'm very thankful Roger Moore accepted those offers.

I completely agree.

Putting aside my dislike of Dalton's Bond, I thought Moore was superb in FRWL. I also thought it was a great improvement over the fun, but enormously flawed MR.

Sweepy the Cat · April 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Putting aside my dislike of Dalton's Bond, I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

?:)

Barbel · April 2009

Dan Same wrote:

I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

... though not as good as Connery in FYEO. :007)

Dan Same · April 2009

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

Putting aside my dislike of Dalton's Bond, I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

?:)

I hate Dalton's Bond. He's by far my least favourite Bond. I'll be happy to expand if asked, but the major reasons are that I think he was incredibly serious to the point of being boring and I think he lacked a personality. A great guy and a talented actor; however I truly disliked his Bond and IMO his two performances were the worst in the entire series (with LTK being the worst of the worst.)

Dan Same · April 2009

Barbel wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

... though not as good as Connery in FYEO. :007)

True, but couldn't one say that about every Bond film?

Sweepy the Cat · April 2009

Dan Same wrote:

the major reasons are that I think he was incredibly serious to the point of being boring

Come on, the cello-sledging, swordfish-fighting Bond wasn't that bad

)

I always saw Dalton as a more Bond-like version of Craig LOL

Barbel · April 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Barbel wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

... though not as good as Connery in FYEO. :007)

True, but couldn't one say that about every Bond film?

Very true, but I think you've missed the point in both Sweepy's post and mine- take a closer look at the last few posts, Dan!

Seriously, I think FYEO (sic) features Moore's best 007 performance. Being of an age to have caught the film on its release, I remember the pleasure of seeing genuine Fleming material on screen for the first time in ages. Any faults the film may have (the score- title song excepted-, the slightly too long action sequences) aren't Moore's doing, and as stated above his star quality and often underrated acting skills shine through here.

Barbel · April 2009

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Come on, the cello-sledging, swordfish-fighting Bond wasn't that bad )

I always saw Dalton as a more Bond-like version of Craig LOL

Hey, nail on the head, Sweeps!

Dan Same · April 2009

Barbel just Pmed me to let me in on the joke.

) It certainly puts Sweepy's and Barbel's replies in a new light.

I'll respond to Sweepy's reply but I will also re-respond to Barbel's original reply. I can't believe that I didn't get the joke. ;%

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Come on, the cello-sledging, swordfish-fighting Bond wasn't that bad )

There were a couple of okay action sequences in TLD (such as the fight at the back of the plane) but none were particularly memorable IMO, and nor did they distract me from what I regard as a horrible performance.

To be honest, there were a few Dalton moments I do like (such as the killing of Sanchez in LTK), and I love that Dalton loved playing Bond, but there's a reason I generally stay away from 'Dalton appreciation' threads.

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

I always saw Dalton as a more Bond-like version of Craig LOL

Considering I don't particularly like Craig, that's not exactly a compliment IMO.

Barbel wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

I thought Moore was superb in FRWL.

... though not as good as Connery in FYEO. :007)

) That's a good one.

Barbel · April 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

I always saw Dalton as a more Bond-like version of Craig LOL

Considering I don't particularly like Craig, that's not exactly a compliment IMO.

Agreed; I'm not a Craig admirer, and saying that Connery/Lazenby/Moore/Dalton/Brosnan (hell, add in Nelson/Niven/Holness/Jayston/Stephens as well if you like- well, maybe not Stephens

) is more Bond-like than Craig is for me self-evident. I'd phrase it as "I always saw Craig as a less Bond-like version of Dalton".

Loeffelholz · May 2009

I'll concede that FYEO features one of Moore's better performances---it's just that it led to OP, and then AVTAK

FYEO was written for a new actor, which I think is why some excellent Fleming elements---plus the PTS callback to Bond's status as a widower---were used, and they should have gone with the new actor. Moore's creakiness first began to manifest itself in MR; by FYEO it was worse. After that...

christotheman · May 2009

Cubby Broccoli offered Dalton the role of bond mid roger-moore's era as bond, Dalton refused saying he was too young for the role.

Dan Same · May 2009

Barbel wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

I always saw Dalton as a more Bond-like version of Craig LOL

Considering I don't particularly like Craig, that's not exactly a compliment IMO.

Agreed; I'm not a Craig admirer, and saying that Connery/Lazenby/Moore/Dalton/Brosnan (hell, add in Nelson/Niven/Holness/Jayston/Stephens as well if you like- well, maybe not Stephens ) is more Bond-like than Craig is for me self-evident. I'd phrase it as "I always saw Craig as a less Bond-like version of Dalton".

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Napoleon Plural · May 2009

Loeffelholz wrote:

FYEO was written for a new actor, which I think is why some excellent Fleming elements---plus the PTS callback to Bond's status as a widower---were used

And also maybe accounts for its formulaic nature, as with CR and LALD, both debuts. It's like: sea, sand and sex and straightforward plot to bed in the new bloke, but this backfires when old guy returns and it's nothing new to see...

Alex · May 2009

What a drag.

It's a shame I can't post anything positive anymore on a film I admire.

Napoleon Plural · May 2009

Why not Alex? ?:) Cos you've run out of nice things to add?

As good as Moore's 'dirty performance' is, we'd all rather see Carol Bouquet's 'dirty performance'!

JimmyBond0129 · May 2009

What the hell are you talking about? Sean Connery was in From Russia With Love not Roger Moore.

Loeffelholz · May 2009

Alex wrote:

What a drag.

It's a shame I can't post anything positive anymore on a film I admire.

I wouldn't say that at all, as I thought your defence of FYEO was ably-executed and well-written. I even agree (mostly) with your points; FYEO was an effective course correction for Bond after bringing him back from outer space. I enjoyed the cold-war underpinnings of the story, and the welcome (overdue) return of Fleming to the proceedings---and, unlike many, I'm a fan of the Maggie/Denis Thatcher bit at the end (

)

) ). I rank FYEO 17th overall, but this speaks more to my affection for the 16 films above it than it does to any negative feelings I have for FYEO.

I'm just not a Moore admirer (as James Bond)---although there's no denying his popularity, charm or star quality---so naturally I'd have preferred to see Dalton (or anyone) take a shot at it.

I think a degree of dourness is extremely Flemingesque...and therefore Bondian, which is why I consider Moore's work in The Wild Geese my favourite of his performances. If only he'd played Bond like that...

If Dalton was in FYEO

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