The Spy Who Loved Me
Roger Moore’s apex was the twin barrelled rapture inducing combo of ’The Spy Who Loved Me’ and ’Moonraker’ (1979). Moore’s two previous outings paved the way for these two peaches and Bond never really scaled these heights again.
After much legal wrangling, Cubby Broccoli split with his business partner and co-producer, Harry Saltzman and went it alone for The Spy Who Loved Me. He was determined to pull out all the stops and increased the Bond budget to £120 million.
Pre-Credits Sequence
As with Moonraker, the plot foundations are laid down with the capture of the British nuclear submarine. Quick switch to Bond in the field, and yes, he’s with a lady. The ski chase is top notch with a great disco score accompanying it, but this is a mere prelude to the greatest stunt in the entire Bond series. Cubby Broccoli spotted the image in a magazine of a skier jumping off a mountain and decided to replicate it on celluloid. Combined with Carly Simon’s theme song, ‘Nobody Does It Better’ it makes for an unsurpassed opening sequence.
Credits Sequence
Probably Maurice Binder’s best sequence, it’s one of the few to feature Bond in person. It bounces along (literally) perfectly to the opening theme and has all the classic features of the best titles (ie lots of naked women).
The Movie
Barbara Bach is one of the best Bond girls and is Bond’s equal in most ways, although it’s a mystery why she acts so surprised when the underwater car submerges after all, she stole the blueprints. Stromberg, while being ones of the least revered Bond villains, plays the part menacingly well and his suit with no lapels is text-book. Jaws is one of the best Bond henchmen and was so popular here that he was re-called for Moonraker.
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