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The pre-credits sequence is one of the best, showcasing surely one of the best stunts ever made - the ski-jump off the top of the mountain complete with Union Jack parachute. We then get Carly Simon's ballad, which is sweet but set the trend for dull ballads as the theme tunes.

Bond is assigned to find out what has been happening to British and Russian submarines which have been disappearing whilst on manouveres. His trail takes him from Egypt to Sardinia, to shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens). Along for the ride is the Russian agent he's partnered with, Anya Asamova (Barbara Bach, with huge cow eyes).

'The Spy Who Loved Me' saw a return to the directors chair for Lewis Gilbert, who had helmed 'You Only Live Twice'. It's no real surprise he's back, as the plots are virtually identical. Swap submarines for space shuttles, and Blofeld for Stromberg and you're there. What Gilbert brings is an unerring sense of what makes Bond big, and what makes Bond exciting.

After two lesser adventures, the stunts and outlandish plots were back and to great effect. Bond is soon tearing around Egypt beating up henchmen and then doing battle with a helicopter with his weapon-laden Lotus Esprit (a worthy successor to his Aston Martin). It's thrillingly done and good to see a Bond movie giving Roger Moore a chance to stretch his action legs in a film that's actually about global destruction. He also gets a good little bit of acting in as the death of his wife is approached for the first time and he quickly changes the subject.

Gilbert clearly knows his way around an action sequence, as they're the best since 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' and also makes the most of the exotic locations. The design is also superb with Ken Adam's magnificent sets, from a huge tanker to Stromberg's underwater lair an ideal location for the blazing final battle.

Moore relishes this new confidence and gives his definitive Bond performance. His use of humour could often be too much, but it's just right here and he makes for a lithe hero looking the epitome of cool astride a water-scooter riding to the rescue. Bach is a spiky and spirited Bond girl with an amazing pair of, erm, eyes.

Jurgens phones his performance in however, and is a second-rate villain coming across as a cousin of Emilio Largo from 'Thunderball'. This is made up for however with the first appearance of Jaws (Richard Kiel), probably the best Bond henchman ever. Looming over everyone, with metallic teeth he's the perfect Bond villain - outlandish, brutal, but not silly.

Moore's films were also notable for the series regulars always getting in good screen-time. It's no different here and Lee, Llewelyn and Maxwell are as excellent as always, as is the first appearance of Walter Gotell's General Gogol.

It may not be as gritty as 'From Russia With Love' or as grand as 'Goldfinger' but 'The Spy Who Loved Me' remains the definitive Moore Bond. Cocky, big and thrilling (oo-er!), Bond was back on firm ground and having the time of his life.

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originally posted: 07/26/04 10:52:36
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