The latest issue of Infinity magazine, the UK’s leading monthly publication celebrating sci-fi, nostalgia and cult TV and films, devotes an article to the ‘debate’ over Moonraker (1979), Roger Moore’s fourth smash-hit 007 movie, and asks readers: ‘Moonraker: The greatest Bond movie of all time? Discuss’.
Adorned with a glossy Moonraker cover, and containing a centre-page reproduction of the famous main poster for the movie, the 6-page article penned by Roger Crow brings together a 007 expert, a film producer and a first-time viewer to get the trio’s views on the film, which was directed by Lewis Gilbert and grossed more than $210 Million world wide (around $940 million today).
The film has tended to divide opinions over the years, with some fans seeing it as a fine example of Roger Moore’s tenure as 007, while others criticise the film for being too comedy-driven. The Infinity article contributes to this debate, and also looks at the overall impact of the film and the way it was marketed.
Bonding in Space
Loosely based upon Bond author Ian Fleming’s third best-selling novel from 1955, Moonraker was the eleventh EON 007 production, and was a spectacular movie in every meaning of the word. While the late Sir Roger Moore often named The Spy Who Loved Me as his all-time favourite Bond movie, which in many ways had revitalized a flagging franchise, Spy was swiftly followed by Moonraker, as producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli sought to build upon the huge visual and escapist dynamism of Spy and take Bond into ever-more exotic locations, and even into outer space. He was also influenced by the recent success of Star Wars, together with the development by NASA of the space-shuttle.
Roger’s fourth outing as Ian Fleming’s iconic secret agent 007, directed again by Lewis Gilbert (who had directed You Only Live Twice and The Spy Who Loved Me), began shooting in 1978 and co-starred Michael Lonsdale as the space-obsessed villain Sir Hugo Drax and Lois Chiles as space scientist (and undercover CIA agent) Holly Goodhead. The movie also saw the return of Richard Kiel as ‘Jaws’, who had proved to be such a popular feature of The Spy Who Loved Me with cinema audiences that Bond Producer Cubby Broccoli decided Kiel should reprise the role for the next James Bond movie. Originally, Broccoli’s plan had been to follow Spy with For Your Eyes Only but, in a canny move, and with an eye on the latest cinema box office trends, the Bond producer decided to go with Moonraker instead.
As the Infinity article by Roger Crow points out, the film version of Moonraker is not considered by critics to be a classic James Bond epic, as it is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Goldfinger for example.
However, for Crow, who first saw the movie when he was aged 11, it was ‘a perfect mix of thrills, spills, stunts, beautiful women, and a villain with a wit drier than the Sahara’.
And even after 45 years, Crow reckons there is much to be said for the movie. His article then goes on to present the pros and cons of the film. Inevitably, some strong and controversial views are presented, representing both sides of the debate.
In terms of pros (the case for the ‘defence’, so to speak), Moonraker saw Roger Moore at his peak and Michael Lonsdale ‘was glorious’ as Drax, who was also given some brilliant lines (‘You appear with the tedious inevitability of an unloved season’). John Barry’s music was beautiful, while Derek Meddings’ special effects and Ken Adam’s sets were wonderful. In the case of cons (the case for the ‘prosecution’, so to speak), Moonraker has some examples which even today tend to divide opinions dramatically (such as Bond driving a gondola around St. Marks Square in Venice, and over-use of double-takes). It’s a debate that will continue forever, of course. That’s why we love the Bond movies! Crow concludes the article with the following observation: ‘Whether you’re a Moonraker fan or not, for me at least, it’s the gift that keeps on giving’. Infinity magazine has given some very welcome coverage to the Bond movies in recent years, and this latest issue should be popular with Bond magazine collectors.
The new issue of Infinity magazine, no. 98, is on sale now: UK £5.25; Can $16.50; US $12.50.
