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James Bond - For Your Eyes Only (Ultimate Edition 2 Disc Set) [1981]


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Quick Reviews!
Review date: 2007-12-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

Roger Moore is always seen as the 'funny' or slapstick Bond, as his films featured even more preposterous situations than usual and the overall tone is not as serious as Connery or Dalton's. However, Moore's films are the one's I remember most vividly from childhood as they had the best gadgets and bad guys like Jaws and Baron Samedi. So it is strange then that this film should be one of my favourites, as it is low on gadgets and memorable bad guys.

After the space capering of Moonraker, this was advertised as Bond's return to earth, dealing with more serious subjects and is darker than usual. It takes us back to the early days and themes of Bond. Bond visits the grave of his dead wife during the start of the movie, setting the tone, but also showing us that the Secret Agent will always be haunted by the past, and will never be at peace. Aside from the main plot of Bond trying to race the Soviets to the possession of a powerful device capable of messing with submarines (i think), we have a joint revenge tale. Melina (played brilliantly by Carole Bouquet) is in search of those who killed her parents, the same people who want 'the device', while Bond is on a quest for the psychotic 'Dove' assassin who kills a fellow agent, and one of Bond's women-Lisle (played by Pierce Brosnan's wife at the time, Cassandra Harris). Harris would tragically die before Brosnan picked up the Walther. The scene in which Bond kills the Dove is dually one of the most ruthless and satisfying deaths in any Bond film, and Moore plays the scene with great skill.

Another reason for my enjoyment of the film, and ironically this is a central reason for why many dislike it, is the inclusion of Bibi Dahl. The character may be pointless, but Johnson plays it perfectly, making both Bond and the audience cringe. Plus she is one of the most attractive Bond girls...Topol is charismatic, the one-liners do not get in the way of the film or make us turn away in shame like those in Die another Day, and the stunts and car chases are simple but outstanding, refusing to resort to an over-abundance of gadgets. For Your Eyes Only then is the most Connery-like Moore film, is often bleak and full of anger, but because of the emotional content is one of the best Bond films for involving the audience.

The DVD as with the rest of the series has perfect sound and picture quality, contains all the extras from the special edition as well as new ones- deleted scenes, documentaries etc.

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Reviews


For Your Eyes Only - A Review
Review date: 2007-11-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

In For Your Eyes Only, Roger Moore's fifth appearance as James Bond 007, the renowned British secret agent must locate a weapons system known as ATAC, which controls Great Britain's submarines, after it is sunk on a ship in the Ionian Sea. While he must contend with a formidable foe in the villain known as Kristatos, he does have the lovely and talented Melina, the daughter of a scientist killed by Kristatos on his side. For fans craving their old favourites, Blofeld, Moneypenny and Q all put in appearances. The stunts come fast and furious Making this another brilliant film in the long-running series. Sure it has it's flaws, the title song, Roger Moore's age etc. But don't all Bond films? One of the better Moore's.

Excesses toned down for a superior Bond outing
Review date: 2007-10-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

The worst excesses of the 70's fatuous Bond's are laid to rest in this superior Bond movie. All the Bonds are entertainment to a certain formula which is always entertaining to a degree.. but the producers decision to `come back down to Earth' after Moonraker pays off handsomely with a more adult feeling script and some genuine drama and subterfuge going on.
When a British spy trawler sinks suddenly, both sides of the Cold War set out to retrieve the coding device known as the ATAC. The first victims are the Havelock's, marine biologists who use their diving as a cover to retrieve the device from the wreck. Their daughter, Melina, sets out for revenge and this brings her into contact with Bond. Their journey takes them from Corfu to Greece, where Bond must find out who is his enemy - the sophisticated oil and shipping magnate Kristatos (Julian Glover), or Columbo (Topol), the smuggler.
It's a neat script, and executed in an able and unshowy manner by John Glen, more than capable of taking the hot seat after editing and second unit directing so many previous Bonds. A neat idea was in having Blofeld eliminated in the opening credit scene - one which introduces the idea of revenge, a theme for the movie, and gets the silliness out of the way, as if to make a fresh slate for the rest of the movie. Moore is, alas, starting to look a little paunchy and wrinkled - he very nearly did not come back for this movie, but was persuaded back for an undisclosed sum. His scenes with the young teenage skater are just a little uncomfortable to watch, with Moore in his 50's. Carole Bouquet is gorgeous and exotic - great Bond girl material. The only downside is that she and Moore never seem to generate any real chemistry - though the plot does not require too much of it anyway.
There is a jarring note, that knocks off a whole star from the rating. The electronic music by Bill Conti was modern in its day, but horribly dated and - dare I say it - amateurish sounding now. Also, in quibble mode, the ending is somewhat anticlimactic - but it sure beats a yawn inducing evil lair exploding yet again.
With the usual stunts, car chases, ski chases, climbing, exotic locations, beautiful women etc all serving the story instead of acting as individual scenes pasted in to make up the formula, this is quite possibly the finest Bond Moore was in, even if not his personal best performance in the role.

The Extras are the most complete imaginable, with the Ultimate Edition once again giving us all from the Special Edition, and a bit more. Some fascinating behind the scenes shots from Cortina and Greece, a deleted scene and multi angle shot of the pivotal scene with Bond killing the henchman in Connery style rather than Moore style for a change, a featurette on the submersible created for the movie, and a new commentary from Sir Roger Moore himself. Picture is perfect, and the sound mix is the best so far for any of the Bonds up to this one.


Not bad - but the music.....
Review date: 2007-09-03 Rating: 6 out of 10

For Your Eyes Only brought Roger Moore's Bond back to earth after the sometimes ludicrous Moonraker. The film isn't bad at all and there are some terrific sequences, including the raid on Locque's warehouse (one of the best scenes ever to appear in a Roger Moore Bond film) and the Rock Climbing scene.

Now the negative aspects - Roger Moore is starting to look too old for the role, so when Bond is skiing down a bob-sleigh run, you start to chuckle. The opening sequence starts well with Bond visiting his wife's grave but the Helicopter scene is pretty dull and doesn't explain much - is that Blofield? But the worst aspect of the film is the truly dreadful Music Soundtrack. I know Bill Conti provided great music for the Rocky films, but his soundtrack does not belong in a Bond film.

So, not a bad Bond film but it could have been so much better. It's worth noting that Topol, Julian Glover and Carole Bouquet are great in the film.....Lynn Holly Johnson's character though is totally pointless.

Bond comes back down to earth after a cheesey Moonraker voyage.....
Review date: 2007-08-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

It's the eighties, and doesn't it just show! Roger Moore starts to gain his middle-aged man belly 'paunch', whilst wearing an array of what is not, mixed fashion sense.
But that asside, this is a Bond film, and we can look back and laugh at such minor problems. Even a short scene in which Bond enters a busy 'Q Branch' to use the Indentograph, then no more than 60 seconds later, its dark, empty, and everyone abadoned it! What's more, Q suggest's he'll "Lock up".. as if Q branch is just a garden shed!
Enough of the slating though, this stands out as a nice film from the rest of the 'Moore' era. For starters, he plays quite a mature role for a change (since he did introduce the humour side to Bond) which is a good diverson, and to me, is the better side of Moore's Bond role, since he does without so many cheesey one liners (don't get me started on Moonraker!)
Whats also interesting, unlike the previous film, is that this is indeed a very believable film, almost true-story like, with its non-fantasy plot. Whats more, theirs plenty of action - underwater fights, car chases, ski-fights (if their is such a thing!) and more.
This is my perfect film for a summers night when I think of the beautiful waters and moments of Greece. It may not have best Bond girls, cars, or gun fights, but this is surely made up for in beautiful scenery, good acting, and funny ending!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Carole Bouquet
Julian Glover
Topol
Roger Moore
Lynn-Holly Johnson

Creators:
Roger Moore (Primary Contributor)
Carole Bouquet (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5035822275492
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-07-17
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 121 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1981
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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