Reporting For Duty
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Categories
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974) All Talk In Here Please
Let's get it out the way, so Mr Moore can take center stage for a short time etc
This is the last Bond movie I watched, so,
Bond actor ranking 3/5. - Moore's second appearance and not a bad effort, still at an age or certain capability where he can indulge in fisticuffs and not look as cringeworthy as later efforts. Still the odd bits of lame humor arise here and there but are kept to a minimum as to what was to follow in future appearances.
Snooze rating 1.5/5 - This does keep you busy, and I didn't get tired watching it again, usually something to keep the interest going, right from the Scaramanga island teaser, through to Hong Kong and Thailand and beyond
Best parts. - Wanted to say that the re-inclusion of Clifton James was a neat idea, this character makes me laugh out loud sometimes, the tirades at the south east asians at parts was genuinely amusing, especially in the car with Moore while chasing Scaramanga, before the * bridge somersault. (The least said the better). Christopher Lee makes for an intriguing bad guy, although the Villechaize character seemed a bit out of place. Ekland is a fine looking Bond girl, I appreciated Adams more in Octopussy though and Lulu actually does a decent job with the music, although for some reason I should hate it, but one of the more energetic intro themes.
Lousy parts. - Too many stand out errors, from the M16 phone on the Scaramanga boat through to Moore being 60 feet up some scaffold in the dark and being on the ground and in position seconds later, sure they cut some out somewhere. The Karate school bit seems a blatant rip off of the 'Enter the Dragon' craze of the time, just as the end of Moonraker was with Star Wars. The ending on the Lee junk seems a bit dull, Moore scampers around a room with table legs chasing a midget and dodging wine bottles etc.
Overall effect. - I always enjoy watching this, Moore did well in his second outing, a lot of fun and colorful characters, Lee offers some genuine tension, lots of exotic locations, Scaramanga has a neat hide out with lots of tricks, attractive women, Moore humor kept to a minimum, and one of the better pre credits sequences of the Moore tenure, I give it a 4/5
This is the last Bond movie I watched, so,
Bond actor ranking 3/5. - Moore's second appearance and not a bad effort, still at an age or certain capability where he can indulge in fisticuffs and not look as cringeworthy as later efforts. Still the odd bits of lame humor arise here and there but are kept to a minimum as to what was to follow in future appearances.
Snooze rating 1.5/5 - This does keep you busy, and I didn't get tired watching it again, usually something to keep the interest going, right from the Scaramanga island teaser, through to Hong Kong and Thailand and beyond
Best parts. - Wanted to say that the re-inclusion of Clifton James was a neat idea, this character makes me laugh out loud sometimes, the tirades at the south east asians at parts was genuinely amusing, especially in the car with Moore while chasing Scaramanga, before the * bridge somersault. (The least said the better). Christopher Lee makes for an intriguing bad guy, although the Villechaize character seemed a bit out of place. Ekland is a fine looking Bond girl, I appreciated Adams more in Octopussy though and Lulu actually does a decent job with the music, although for some reason I should hate it, but one of the more energetic intro themes.
Lousy parts. - Too many stand out errors, from the M16 phone on the Scaramanga boat through to Moore being 60 feet up some scaffold in the dark and being on the ground and in position seconds later, sure they cut some out somewhere. The Karate school bit seems a blatant rip off of the 'Enter the Dragon' craze of the time, just as the end of Moonraker was with Star Wars. The ending on the Lee junk seems a bit dull, Moore scampers around a room with table legs chasing a midget and dodging wine bottles etc.
Overall effect. - I always enjoy watching this, Moore did well in his second outing, a lot of fun and colorful characters, Lee offers some genuine tension, lots of exotic locations, Scaramanga has a neat hide out with lots of tricks, attractive women, Moore humor kept to a minimum, and one of the better pre credits sequences of the Moore tenure, I give it a 4/5
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
(As a side note, I believe there is a Golden Gun appreciation thread already. Wouldn't it make sense just to put this conversation in there?)
I said before Moore plays it mainly straight faced but there was definite later moments of ill advised humor evident that would become quite a problem in his later years. Chris Lee is great as the lead villain, Scaramanga, the best Bond villain of the Moore tenure without question, and also Herve Villechaize also deserves massive credit for a great performance as his tiny henchman. His facial expressions were amazing sometimes, and he goes so well with Lee in this movie. Maud Adams fails to shine as Miss Andrea 'I didn't recognize you with your clothes on' Anders, and sadly Britt Ekland also fails to impress as Bonds contact in Hong Kong and liason officer, although she is the more alluring. What I liked also was the return of Clifton James as the accident prone Pepper, so pleased they got him back, and some of his lines are genuinely hilarious. I enjoyed every moment he was with Moore in Thailand and the car chase, although it must be stated, the stupid annoying sound effects of the somersault bridge still make one damn irritated
The teaser goes on longer than expected, and is actually suspensful and fun, and it's the prelude to a vigorous Lulu soundtrack that resonates energy. I never understood the scene with Moore in Beirut and the belly dancer and heavies, just wasn't necessary maybe, you're led to believe he swallows the bullet but manages to salvage it and take it back to Q for inspection, maybe I was paying too much attention to detail. Scaramangas lsland hideaway is indeed exotic and interesting as we take a tour round when Bond first lands his seaplane before that gets destroyed -, 'This is the part I really like'. The Dinner scene with Lee, Ekland and Moore really works, you can feel the tension, Moore does really well in this, and Goodnights looks of concern really make it a great few minutes. 'There's a useful four letter word and you're full of it' - one of my favorite sequences of the movie I feel. The ending, as said before, is confusing and over far too quickly for my liking. Bond manages to descend from a construction type set up from some distance up after losing his Walther, and next second is on the ground in place of his waxwork, with weapon in hand, it is a bit strange and spoils the enjoyment a little, the final duel was over far too soon, and I even wanted Scaramanga to stay alive or even kill Bond as I enjoyed his (Lee) performance so much
Why this film gets castigated so much I really don't know, it's one of the best of the 1970s and probably Moore's third finest work after LALD and FYEO. So much to get involved in, great action, impressive scores, suspenseful, outstanding Villains in Lee and Villechaize. The girls are a bit banal and colorless, but the story and action more than componsates for that. A quite enjoyable watch this night
8/10
I liked the girls, both Maud and Britt. I thought Britt was sexy and really cute with that thick British accent.
Villain was tops. I thought he was the best in years.
The boat chase, though not as long or engaging as the one in LALD but pleasing. JW Pepper was funny and his racist comments may have been over the top but I grew up in the south and this is what I expect from southern sheriffs.
The theme song was uninspiring.
I was surprised to see it ranked so low among Bond fans. I liked it better than TSWLM and MR.
http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/777/speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-piece-lets-discuss...-the-man-with-the-golden-gun-1974-poll#Item_45
There's also a reviews thread in which reviews of individual films can go too... ;)
I am aware of the individiual threads also for each release but thought they more suitable for actual fans of the respective movies, i.e DaltonCraig would be first to respond in that space, I've aleady done Live and Let Die in it's own space and so on. There are still a lot of duplicate threads all over the MI6 pages, sometimes it can be hard to put things into proper places. Just thought it might be relevant
@Beast Pleased you enjoyed it when you did. Incidentally there were no Ninjas in Golden Gun, what you saw was a 'Karate school', and a blatant rip off of the previous years release of Enter the Dragon (1973) with it. I will always defend this particular release against those who choose to ridicule or bash it
Roger Moore gives a remarkable more serious performance as James Bond, but of course he doesn't lose his impeccable class and trademark humour. This film, like TB is the perfect Holiday Bond, a must-watch on cold european days that will warm you up watching Sir Rog going about his business in South East Asia.
Straight after a eery PTS and the Opening Credits, happens one of my favorite scenes in the whole franchise: the M briefing scene. It doesn't feature any spectacular action. For me, it's the setting of this scene: M's wooden desk, the padded office, the thick red door. All of this makes me feel incredible cozy in that office with Bond and M. When having a cigarette and a drink during this sequence, I feel like I am right in the middle of a gentlemen's club with Sir Rog!
John Barry once again delivers a stunning soundtrack. Some of the highlights are the oriental version of the Bond theme when Bond arrives in Macau, the Fun House cue, the action track during the car chase and the music during Bond's search of Scaramanga's island.
Britt Ekland is a controversial Bond girl. Yes she is quite light-headed, but she is a major hottie, especially in that bikini, and that is what I first look for in a Bond girl: the eye candy factor. Maud Adams' first (out of 2) performance with Moore is splendid. She really has great chemistry with Sir Rog.
Christopher Lee as Scaramanga is one of my favorite villains in the series. Cool, calm, sophisticated, he is a true match for Moore's Bond.
Sheriff J W Pepper is back, and once again he proves he is one of my favorite secondary characters. Some highly hilarious moments to be spent with him on screen.
Conclusion: A splendid holiday adventure with Sir Rog, coupled with a great down to earth plot, a colourful bunch of secondary characters and the typical Barry strokes of genius. I really think that when TMWTGG 'clicks' for you, you will then forever enjoy watching this unique installment in the 007 franchise.
It's my favourite Moore Bond (followed by Octopussy). Pushing the kid off the boat was SO perfect!