The Man With the Golden Gun [DVD]

 

 

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ok we know this is not the greatest of the series. moore is not as 'cool' as connery, nick nack is crazy and it can be far fetched in places. BUT it is an enjoyable film. It just feels like bond. Moore is my second favourite (Sorry daniel didnt quite displace him) he is funny, charming, whitty even though he wears those shirts! its about a 7.5/10 for me. Buy and enjoy

Following the success of Live And Let Die in 1973, which had introduced Roger Moore as James Bond, the next Bond film was quickly entered into production, emerging just a year after the previous film had hit the cinemas. Although the series finally had a new Bond for the 1970s, who was accepted by the public in the same way as Sean Connery had been in the previous decade, the stability of James Bond was under threat. Man With The Golden Gun was made under difficult circumstances, with producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman now barely on speaking terms, this was apparently related to Saltzman's interests outside of the Bond films. There is no doubt that the Man With The Golden Gun, was affected by the on going backstage disputes. Indeed Broccoli once claimed that if he could alter any aspect of the Bond films, he would re film segments of Golden Gun. Despite sometimes being mooted as the worst Bond film however, Man With The Golden Gun is certainly superior to Moonraker and the worst entry in the series, Die Another Day.
As with Live and Let Die, and for only the third time in the series history, Bond does not feature in the pre title sequence. Early film From Russia With Love also did not feature James Bond in the opening sequence, but rather a Spectre agent disguised as the agent. Instead the sequence introduces Scaramanga, who on his Island near China, is preparing for a duel against a gangster Rodney played by Marc Lawrence and possibly the same character as the one played by Lawrence in Diamonds Are Forever.
Scaramanga win the duel, using his famous golden gun, although as his midget servant Nik Nack comments, Rodney was a good opponent. James Bond meanwhile receives a golden bullet with his name on it, suggesting that Scaramanga is out to kill him. Bond is sent to investigate this. The energy crisis that occurred during the time that Golden Gun was made is also referred to in the film, and it becomes a part of the plotline.
Despite its premise, Golden Gun, is one of the lighter entries in the series, although Moore is probably at his toughest here. There is a sequence in which Bond hits Scaramanga's girlfriend and it does not feel right. Although Connery's Bond could get away with such an action, it does not sit Moore's lighter portrayal.
Christopher Lee as Scaramanga, a role originally offered to Jack Palance, is probably the best villain in the series. Bringing to the role, charm, sophistication and a steel ruthlessness that is always there just under the surface, Scaramanga is as often said, the dark side of James Bond. His duel with Bond is the highlight of the film. Although another key sequence is the famous car roll, in which Bond drives a car on to a broken bridge and then performs a 360 roll across a river to get it to the other side, during a pursuit of Scaramanga. Following the success of Live And Let Die in 1973, which had introduced Roger Moore as James Bond, the next Bond film was quickly entered into production, emerging just a year after the previous film had hit the cinemas. Although the series finally had a new Bond for the 1970s, who was accepted by the public in the same way as Sean Connery had been in the previous decade, the stability of James Bond was under threat. Man With The Golden Gun was made under difficult circumstances, with producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman now barely on speaking terms, this was apparently related to Saltzman's interests outside of the Bond films. There is no doubt that the Man With The Golden Gun, was affected by the on going backstage disputes. Indeed Broccoli once claimed that if he could alter any aspect of the Bond films, he would re film segments of Golden Gun. Despite sometimes being mooted as the worst Bond film however, Man With The Golden Gun is certainly superior to Moonraker and the worst entry in the series, Die Another Day.
Alongside Moore, director Guy Hamilton returned to the helm for the last time. In addition Q is back, having been much missed in Live And Let Die, and the stereotypical Southern Sheriff JW Pepper also makes a return having left New Orleans for a holiday in Thailand. In one of the most silly sequences in the entire series, Pepper decides whilst on holiday to test drive the incredible dull Hornet car, only for Bond to get in and promptly drive it through a window. The sequence is only made bearable by the car chase that follows and the incredible stunt mentioned above.
The film has a relatively small cast, with Scaramanga having only his henchman and one technician on his island, alongside his mistress played by Maud Adams. Adams is very good in her role, it is apparent why she was later asked back for the title character in Octopussy. In comparison, Britt Eckland is less successful as Mary Goodnight, playing a somewhat irritating and unlikely secret agent.
The title song is one of the weakest and certainly campest Bond songs and the score is not John Barry's best, something the composer has acknowledged. The energy crisis gives the film a somewhat dated feel as well, and the Hornet car that Bond drives does not quite rival the classic DB5, although it comes very close. Only joking here.
Despite the misgivings Man With The Golden Gun still has some memorable sequences and this DVD features some great extras, such as a documentary on the film and a new commentary by Roger Moore himself.

For superspy James Bond's ninth big screen outing we were given quite a treat. In Christopher Lee, who plays the titular villain, the producers finally gave Bond an adversary worthy of him. There are two aspects that come together to make Scaramanger the greatest Bond villain. Firstly, it is a well written part, and allows us to get to know the man and what makes him tick, giving him a depth not usually seen. Secondly, there is the excellent performance from Christopher Lee. Lee has showed time and time again with his horror films that he is capable of wringing a decent performance from the most unworthy of material, but when he is given something meaty to work with, as here, he really rises to the challenge and excels.

In this outing, Roger Moore and his eyebrow is warned that renowned hitman Scaramager might beout to get him. Bond sets off to get the man with the golden gun first, and soon gets tangled up in a plot involving a device which can convert the sun's energy to electricity with incredible efficiency, and which will end the world's dependence on oil. The plot resonated back then due to the energy crisis, and still does today with our environmental problems.

Scaramanger regards Bond's involvement as a game, a meeting of two sportsmen, a challenge to be overcome. It is interesting to see Bond in comparison, ruthlessly determined to get the mission completed with no room for sportsmanlike games. The face off between the two men over dinner, where Scaramanger tries to make out that he and Bond are just two sides of the same coin is as good as it gets.

Packed full of stunts (including the most difficult car/bridge jump ever filmed) and some great doses of humour to leaven the unusually good plot and serious character development, it's a thoroughly entertaining film. Added into which is the usual excellent score from John Barry, including the innuendo laden title song delivered by Lulu. This is the height of the Roger Moore years as Bond.

This digitally restored edition really is the best version of the film I have owned. The picture has been lovingly restored and cleaned up, and looks amazing. Really, I am not just saying that. It looks superb. The sound has been similarly treated and there is an option to listen to it in 5.1 DTS surround, which is truly exceptional.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Not a golden film
This is probably the weakest in the series of Moore films, certainly weaker than Moonraker, which I happen to like. Read more

Published 4 days ago by J. I. De Beresford

5.0 out of 5 stars toytown
well wrapped good delivery service dont like james bond movies but dad bought it said one of the best made

Published 2 months ago by toytown

3.0 out of 5 stars The Weakest of the Early Roger Moore Bond Films
The Man with the Golden Gun was the second of Roger Moore's outings as James Bond but it fails to match both the preceding film Live and Let Die or the succeeding one The Spy Who... Read more

Published 4 months ago by HBH

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man With the Golden Gun, 2006 double disc Ultimate Edition - Bond finally has an adversary worthy of him.
For superspy James Bond's ninth big screen outing we were given quite a treat. In Christopher Lee, who plays the titular villain, the producers finally gave Bond an adversary... Read more

Published 17 months ago by Victor

4.0 out of 5 stars A duel between titans... my golden gun against your Walther PPK.
I have seen all the James Bond films on television but years ago used to actually go to the pictures to see them. I realised that I stopped going about 1969. Read more

Published 17 months ago by Peter Wade

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Roger Moore Bond Movies!!
I think this bond movie is one of the best Roger Moore ones, its action packed with a great car chase in. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Mr. Joel S. Greenhalgh

2.0 out of 5 stars entertaining rubbish
More of the same formulaic, escapist rubbish -- just the thing for cold nights in.

Published on 8 Oct 2009 by B. Tierney

2.0 out of 5 stars Why The Man With The Golden Gun Is The Stupidest Movie Ever Made...
Why The Man With The Golden Gun is the stupidest film ever made.

Bond says "good girl, Goodnight", and "goodnight, Goodnight". Read more

Published on 15 Aug 2009 by Magnum Valentino

5.0 out of 5 stars Triple-nippled assassin goes gunning for Bond
Roger Moore's second outing as the suave super-spy sees him up against Christopher Lee's equally smooth hit man, Scaramanga. Read more

Published on 14 July 2009 by Captain Pugwash

2.0 out of 5 stars Junk Bond No. 4
Roger Moore's second film in the series is possibly the very worst; like Diamonds Are Forever, it forsakes plot logic and any attempts at realism for lowbrow comedy, daft homage... Read more

Published on 28 Jun 2009 by Matthew Mercy

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