A Drive in the Country: 40 Years of For Your Eyes Only (1981-2021)

Though FYEO's 40th is (I believe) June 24th, thereabouts, figure we'll put the marker down now. I say this, as I came into the section, I saw Lazenby. had done a thread for the 30th (can we really have been going that long?). So perhaps I could merge the two.

As it is, FYEO is my favourite Moore film and at some point in the next few months I'll build up to watching it and sticking the review here. Already done a commentary, so that can be left aside.

Until then and after then, feel free to pay tribute or pour derision on this film here. I mean...you don't have to...it's a free forum.

Ish.

Also my favourite Moore entry. Will have to give it a watch (and review accordingly) in the next 12 months.

FYEO was and is a necessary shot in the arm, a return to earth to hit the ground running and return focus to a more grounded two fisted approach. It forms the basis for the entire 80's era of five films and establishes a new main crew behind them.

Does this discourage you?......

Remember, when setting out on this thread, be prepared to dig two graves.

Good a time as ever to revisit this classic composition:



Puts that "WAP" garbage to shame.

Starting to grow on me. Instantly conjures the image of a swimming pool with bimbos and slimey henchmen hanging about.

Hilly wrote:

Instantly conjures the image of a swimming pool with bimbos and slimey henchmen hanging about.

But enough about MI6 Community...

CJB wrote:

Hilly wrote:

Instantly conjures the image of a swimming pool with bimbos and slimey henchmen hanging about.

But enough about MI6 Community...

I love the reactions whenever this Rage track comes on in my car on shuffle mode. Makes a fun song to have come on at a red light with the windows down and you can do your best Roger side nod out the window to the nearby car.

Hilly wrote:

Starting to grow on me. Instantly conjures the image of a swimming pool with bimbos and slimey henchmen hanging about.

Not forgetting the bimbo who used to be a, erm, himbo.

Forward-looking as ever, Bond was all over this trans rights stuff 40 years ago .

As Tim Allen once said, back the truck up, I didn't know that. Ha.

Boots, I suspect if I ever learn to drive motorists would hear some choice tunes my end. This being said, I might only ever drive a 2CV to replicate the Sir Roge nod.

I'd rather do it in a Lotus Turbo, but my legs are too long.

Hilly wrote:

As Tim Allen once said, back the truck up, I didn't know that. Ha.

Boots, I suspect if I ever learn to drive motorists would hear some choice tunes my end. This being said, I might only ever drive a 2CV to replicate the Sir Roge nod.

Tula, I believe the now-a-lady's name was. Caused a reasonable kerfuffle in the Press at the time, unsurprisingly.

I can imagine. Shows how different things are forty years on now.

Good idea Hilly! 40 years since Cubby met Brosnan, too.

Ah yes ... he dropped in to visit the missus. According to him, he did the 'Bond ... James Bond' line in the car on the way home and they had a laugh about it.

If they've not do so already, should be a Broccoli biopic where Brosnan plays Cubby. Rages at Lazenby in '70, plays backgammon with Moore in '72 and then watches Brosnan drive off in '81 with Harris. Thoughtful expression as camera zooms in on face:

"I think that boy has IT."

He then lights a Cuban cigar with PAINFACE. Adjusts tie. Does the HAHA face from the self-inflating TND tires. END CREDITS.

Hello chaps...well here we go, two weeks from university, a little blotto and lacking sleep but FYEO40

What?

Well, yes. I'll partially review this as an 11 or so year old who fancied Diana Rigg, bear with me.

Wait, Bond laying flowers at Tracy's grave? Wait, it's Moore not Lazenby? Double wait it's in England? Why has Draco buried Tracy in England, not say Portugal? To be closer to Bond? Surely not?

Wait, a white cat? Oh come on!

Great shots of Westminster though. As a guide, he says, folk getting pissy about the clocktower being covered up was irksome.

Hang a tick, Bond has gone from Westminster to the East End in seconds!

I love Rietty but fucking pointless here. Got to love how Bond goes into action ASAP. No music though. Would Barry score the PTS better?

Why does it have to be faux Blofeld? Why not some fucking other idiot?

Moore conveyed enough earlier to link his Bond to OHMSS (as he did in TSWLM). Why this shit?

I do like though the chopper flying inside the warehouse as it strikes me as a niche stunt

Aha Conti!

Do love Moore's look of relief as he flies out of the warehouse or whatever.

Gets a bit Austin Powers though

A delicatessen in stainless steel!? What the fuck does that mean? Wait Moore taps him on the head- "keep your hair on!"

Now, I always skip the song. Sorry but it's not my fave. Would I prefer Blondie? Probably as it has a beat. Sue me

Now, we get past the PTS and titles and segue into a vaguely serious film

It's 1981, a year before Argentina thinks it's a good idea to take the Falklands. Does this matter for FYEO? No, but fuck it.

Conti lays a vaguely serious feel to St. Georges. Blondie gets going to his job. Hang a tick it's the ATAC!

Those blasted Greeks, don't you know what a mine looks like!?

Something about the skipper though, I like to think he's old Navy. He's served in the convoys, he's seen shit to turn you white.

"De-struct ATAC system!"

As someone who had a feverish fear of water till adulthood the scene of the crew dying still sends shivers down my spine, especially the shot of the hand trying to reach the destruct lever

"Not deep enough!"

What are the fucking odds!

Ah, here's Gogol and his sex mad sec! I know budgets were tight in the USSR but Gogol always was in this spartan layout.

Here we go, Melina getting a lift, sheepish smile at her pilot.

Jack Hedley! Still with us aged 90 or so

Fucking parrot. I would say it should've been shot early on but it'd have robbed us of a plot device.

Great location though. Say what you will of Glen, his debut film was not too shabby locale wise.

"Hello daddy!" steady

"You left Crete so suddenly!"

yes, well, I'm doing a job for SIS and it's too sensitive, bloody hell how did I produce you!

Ah classic sounds of a plane descending straight out of Thunderbirds.

Melina dives to one side and her parents cop it. Say what you will, that zoom into her face works.

Hello Penny

Cocktails? My place, eightish?

Of all the films Moore did, FYEO feels right for the Bond/Penny dynamic

Now this is one of the PISSED FREDDY films. "As M's away", a twang of feeling for Lee. Even Kenny More was on his way out (died 1982) so even Lee's likely sub (for LALD) is passing.

For his faults, this Tanner has a good way with words: "apply the necessary pressure"

Now, the Essential Bond says the FYEO score is too Rocky-esque. So be it. Conti does a damn good job in my humblest opinion. At least when you compare him to the other non-Barry Moore scores.

Hang on though, we're getting a bit too 80s. What's this shitting song!?

No matter, bit of alrights surrounding the pool.

Gonzalez would be aright without the delivery of the "take him away"

Moore's Bond always had manners. He's trying to escape for his life, grabs that umbrella and "excuse me!"

Conti kicks into gear

Good camera work following Bond as he flees

"Who the hell are you!" pause "whoever you are, you've outstayed your welcome!"
I’m quite sure Bouqet is smiling as they flee for their lives.
Good ol' Bob Simmons. Buys it in the most royal style.
I do like Bond tossing the keys away. "Hope you have a car!"

Bond being as much stunned as we are that the getaway car is a 2CV is all well and good but he stands there long enough…
"Who are you?
-They killed my parents
-The Havelocks? I'm sorry"

Yes, well, a little awkward delivery wise but she found Gonzalez through a shitting detective service. SIS take note!

Classic Moore. Take the low road, not that low!

I do like Bond taking charge plus the locals being subdued by the gun shot.

But we kick into a higher gear.
Great aerial shots of the roads, great camera work on the chase. For 1981 this was the gd balls.
Every damn time I love Moore's look to camera, the doubletake, the nod of salute. I often replay it. Could you imagine Dalton or Craig doing it!? Of course it cuts to he most stereotypical 80s looking idiot.
"Go backwards forwards quickly!" you what? Oh I see!
Now how is it Bond doesn't produce his gun and fire off a shot? I mean he does it in other films. Hilly, don't overthink things.
I must confess there is always something about the 2CV's flight down the slopes and bad guys' spinning about that reminds me of Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (where Herbie flees over a gypsy camp)
the drive in the country line works everytime. She's not expecting it for one
We've not been properly introduced. Sure, I've been shaken to bits but fuck it
The film sort of settles into its mode with Bond and Melina in the hotel room. It sets the pace for their relationship. Any other film Bond might have had Melina in the sack by then but Bond is warning Melina about her quest. Maybe they were conscious of an age gap though when you consider what followed film-wise, probably not.
Q Branch is at its best for the Moore era. Grey and with various hijinks.
If anything dates a Bond film it can be the tech and here of course we get Bond going through the database to find Locque. Nowadays it’d be done whatever.
Somehow I’m still tickled by Q saying he’ll lock up Q Branch. Clearly some parts of SIS HQ are 9-5. Dare we imagine Q doing a Sweetchuk-esque routine from the start of Police Academy 2? Barbed wire, Clint Eastwood cutout, dog barking sounds…?
Now we go overseas. I don’t know about anyone else but I prefer the Lotus in bronze or whatever the hell it is. Gorgeous scenery.
Now Ferrera is instantly a tit. He loves the stupid pass-phrases, ignorant of Moore taking the piss but somehow he’s likeable. I dare say I remark this way based on what happens later.

And there’s Bibi. Cor, she’s a bit of alright, what’s that? She tries it on with Bond? Well.
Again, instinctively you warm to Glover’s Kristatos. (What a master of accents. I’ve seen him in things like Professionals, Sweeney whatever and he blends into his role seamlessly). I’ve remarked often now on how in TLD we start off by liking Koskov and loathing Saunders and by the end of their respective screen time, it’s swapped. Well, here is the case again with Kristatos.

Bond fidgets. I don’t know if I want to escort this blonde, she seems a bit much. Plus I’m here to find this Locque chap you know the one who has said bugger all since he first appeared and is now enjoying a hot drink in the stands.

(On the quiet Locque is a great villain. He says nothing in the entire film and yet you hate him and thus his death is all the more satisfying)

So of course, SPOILER, Kristatos is the villain, he’s working on his plan or whatever.

Hang a tick, Melina!? Now if I recall the girl playing the florist won a comp to appear in the film. If
Babs is listening I can play one in the next film albeit with saucy language. “Ere you forget your buggering plant!”

Is it me or bikers in this film are up shit creek without respite? Bond knackers one here and then later.

What’s that? Sorry, I’ll make sense soon, chortle.

“Station please…
Are we leaving?
NO YOU ARE!”

Taxi bloke (I know it’s a sleigh but taxi) must think, ah dad out with his daughter…Hilly, behave
I do like how she keeps saying in English stop or whatever but Bond speaks the lingo. Once more, Moore’s Bond must’ve been the most linguistic/educated. I think only Dalton ever tried language wise in his settings.

“Now I need to get out of the film for a while. I need to punch some folk, have some fun and then I’ll come to you.
-It’s like that is it? I’m no fun.
-You’re fun but the film needs me to do some stunts. Well, I say me, Martin Grace, you should meet him, he’s lovely.”

It’s kinda funny that when making VTAK, Moore realised he was closer in age to his girl’s mother and yet in FYEO, it sort of displays itself in how Bond acts. Bond to his credit is a little nervous I think- this young thing throwing herself at him and it’s just not right.

So…onto the peaks…the slopes…the snow…
Ah Eric Kriegler who I keep thinking is the German driver from Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo but no. I know this is all a combination of drink and lack of sleep!

I reckon Kriegler bats for the other time if you know what I mean.
I think Bibi shall appear in the next Bond film whenever that is. Her denial by Bond has led to a life of crime, a sort of evil Charlie’s Angels set-up. Meh, come on!

Now here we go. “Run, Ski, Jump”…builds best as it can tension and does so well. Of the non-Barry Moore scores this one comes out on top for me.
Hell this German’s a good shot. Bond’s ski thingy (I don’t ski)…but this lovely spin through the air (007 this isn’t the winter games you know!). Locque though is quite smart, straight to the ski jump.

Random though but imagine Sir Roge with Paul Hogan in a Dundee film.
Ah Charles Dance. Who? You know the fella that Glen apparently didn’t like and does the best narration of idiot ‘celebs’ bios on Big Fat Quiz of the Year.

Part of me imagines Bond as he goes higher and higher thinking “I don’t like this…I don’t like this…”, reminds me of when carried away by idiot friends and a crowd behind me, I got propelled onto this float thing in the public swimming pool and ended up in the deep end…and I can’t swim…

Bloke in green, I guess that’s Italian for: “Who the fuck are you sunshine!”
Classic Moore, Italian for: “Is that Sophia Loren!?”

More classic Moore, it’s the stuntman but we get the “oof!” over
Silence, stunt, twang…start of Runaway.
Boom, now we’re going.

More great camerawork personally, you feel the twists and turns…you’re there, it’s just like Escape from Piz Gloria (to a point). Of course we have classic Moore era stuff like the learner skiers being toppled as Bond and co flash past.

You know it’s going alright with the ruddy cake in face. As for our drunk from MR (I assume so) standing and gawping it somehow works here. It chimes with the music and it’s better than a BLOODY CAKE IN THE FACE!

Now, as the films wore on Moore was less and less on screen for action work (and until then his ‘stunts’ tended to include a kick up the backside of a villain) but it’s great to see him sort of involved, as he skis and the camera is before him. I’m guessing he was on some sort of truck or whatever and just pretended to ski.

Hello a bobsled. Sure, I loved Cool Runnings as a kid and you know it looks dangerous, one slow foot…wait, Bond’s flying onto the course!?

Can’t help but think, much as I love this moment, the stuntman is showing off. Falling back, wiggling, curving…

Moore’s salute to the team works. It’s Moore. Had Dalton done that “hello chaps!” wave, no.
Plus Moore’s pointing: “Eyes on the road dumbass!”

If we have Moore dubbing his calamity, so Kriegler does some manly noises as he crashes through the snow. Tickled still by Bond trying to get his skis sorted and sees Krigeler start to lift the bike. “FUCK!” Bond seems to go and yet Kriegler makes a hash of it.

“Don’t play with any of the switches”. Imagine if he had activated the submarine aspect.

Now the ice rink bit is…well, what is it? Sure Bond is there to get some details but the hockey bit feels tacked on. It has humour I suppose (scoring a point by bagging a bad guy) but after the ski bit and ‘runaway’…well, sorry though I don’t hate it, it’s just a bit much.
Though it’s long enough for poor Ferrera to make his maker. Poor swine.

Well, off to Capri with some Conti music. “James, how did you know I was here?” well, I told you to go home and I’ll meet you. At some point I’d find you…
I’m no fashionista but love Sir Roge’s getup here, the blazer, shirt etc.

Not the best casino scene in a Bond film but not the worst. Ah Cassandra Harris. I wonder what Brozzer said about her scene with Moore.

“How did it go on the film?
-well, I got to kiss Roger…
-You what!? I mean I love Moore, he’s my Bond but what!?”
“You are from the British Narcotics…” oh come on
Our first glimpse of Colombo. Looks a dashing sort of chap. Can’t be as bad as Kristatos makes out…well, he’s listening back to Bond and Kristatos’ convo…that was quick though.

A touching scene, musically and all rendered asunder by the bad guys

Bond’s expression after Lisl is ran down and Dance approaches. Dalton-esque.
“Goodbye countess.” Damn
“I am here Mr Bond of the British Secret Service.”

This is one of the best scenes in a Moore film. Alright not top 5 maybe but for character. There’s that reaction to “my heart” for Lisl. Well, I shagged her but…well…Bond is wary of Colombo believing him to be a villain, Colombo knows where he stands and is nonplussed. Topol has this charisma that the likes of Kerim Bey and Draco had before him. Bond goes with the plot all the same.

It kicks off into utter mayhem. Good to see Moore’s Bond leaping over railings and what have you. Those damn pistachios though. Colombo has a problem.
Only Bond can see a mine is set to go and presses on after the bad guy all the same. That thing goes, James…

In an early episode of TJ Hooker, Shatner runs up several levels of a car park and intercepts the bad guy who had just taken a shot at him and escaped on a bike. I’m not saying this is the same but Moore’s Bond gets there in time.
Great shot of Bond though, silhouetted and taking aim.
Long shot: Conti cue
Do like how Moore just materialises by the car on the ledge.
“You left this with Ferrera I believe.”
Now in spite of what Sir Roge thought, this was one of his best moments. That savage look and kick.
If I recall Bouquet wasn’t quite mad on water in some shape or form and so most of her close-ups are studio based and thus you can only admire whoever is doubling for her in long shots.
Now, as far as the score goes I do like the Bond theme for the approach in the sub. It’s more re-listenable to Hamlisch’s in my opinion. It also some kind of cool-ness to it.
Classic Bond film when underwater with a wreck. We get it in TB with the Vulcan and TND with the Devonshire and so we get it here…the dead body…
Melina though has screamed at the shark and now the body. “Maybe you should go back to the sub…” come on James.

Classic Moore expression after the “careful it’s 5000 years old”

We climb out of the sub to see Kristatos and the Village People

“The voice of the KGB!” yeah cool your pecks Kriegler

Was the keel-hauling out of LALD the book? Well, here it is.

“We’re not dead yet,” quietly stated but if I may say so, an ‘attaboy James’ line. We’re not finished by a long chalk.

If it was a Barry score would we have music by now? Well, never mind. Perhaps some scenes work best without music.

Classic example of Bond using his nous. He’s not telegraphed it but he’ll get out of this situation somehow, hence the quietly stated reassurance to Melina. She’s shitting herself but Bond knows best.
She’s not entirely stupid though let’s be realistic.
“Ah leave him!” classic villain’s lack of regard for his help.


Now it’s Melina who takes charge with her follow me! I know folk don’t like her but I’ve always liked her. It’s a quietly stated performance. She’s not the best but she’s not the worst. Also that long brunette hair was a thing for me in the day.

Imagine if Kristatos had a lookout on the stern with binoculars. “Hey boss I can see someone climbing into the boat!”

Another good Moore expression, that sort of slow eye-open to Max’s “ATAC to St. Cyril’s” at least he didn’t go further, knowing Moore there’s a deleted scene of: “Shitting bird!”

Personally, this is one of the best exchanges of lines in a Bond film.
“Forgive me father for I have sinned/that’s putting it mildly 007!”

“I know a well informed person to contact about that…,” well if you do why the hell have we dragged Q out?

Had I my way, Topol would’ve been in every Bond film since. I don’t care if it got stale or corny after a while. Imagine when confronted with Octopussy or Zorin…

This scene though, as tense as it is, always makes me think of Moore’s bio (I believe his first one, My Word is My Bond) when he writes he wasn’t keen on heights and this scene rubbed him the wrong way as a consequence. Still, Bond gets up that mountain like Lance Armstrong going up Mount Ventoux.

“I know what you want!” well, Bibi is not entirely dense. Great pins though.
“Bibi, you’re so young…,” with so few words, so few scenes, Jacoba Brink garners my empathy. She’s clearly not on Kristatos’ side or with his plan. Caught up over her head perhaps.
Love how Colombo gestures to Bond to carry on climbing as if he could be made out from that height let’s be honest.

Even now I grind my teeth as Bond hangs by a thread.
Tinkerbell though wants to finish the job. Granted it’s a combination of close-ups in a studio and a stuntman in reality but Bond is entirely nonplussed, at least he’s not showing his fear if he has any.
Must be the only Bond bad guy in a Moore film not to die without a Wilhelm scream
The Bond theme gets a touch cool if I dare say so as Bond gets there at last.
Melina all concerned about the goon then Colombo knocks him out.
Ja, mein herr Bond. Christ have we just slipped into an episode of Colditz?
Ruddy hell Eric calm down
Good punt though by Bond to knock Kriegler out and then over the ledge. I love Bibi’s kind of stunned reaction but Bond carrying on with his mission
And then the old man punch-up between Colombo and Kristatos
All that film and dashed…
You don’t have it, I don’t have it. Boom.
Still what a wasted flight for Gogol, ha
Bibi you are fickle, on Colombo like a rash
Ah, well, here we go…
By now I’m past caring about the late great Janet Brown’s appearance. She was THE Thatcher impressionist in the day so I won’t pass bad judgement. Even the Dennis double looks the part
“For your eyes only darling”…somehow it works that they’ve gone the film without shagging and somehow I doubt they ever did
Freddie…cheeky blaming Q for that cockup at the end. Not his fault the parrot is cocky
And there we have it, my favourite Moore Bond. Does the job.

Excellent stuff. Also my favourite Moore film.

Biggest downside IMO is the frenetic pace as a result of one or two too many action scenes. Worst one, which you alluded to, was the stupid hockey rink dust-up coming right after the already long ski sequence.

Exactly, the hockey rink bit could be left out. Bond could've gotten the details some other way. Maybe when she's trying it on with him in the hotel room. Then as he goes to work on it, you then get the runaway sequence.

That also came in a paperback book version, but I too opted for the magazine, for the Making Of extras in the back.

Comic also had a much harder edge to the PTS, no 'stainless steel delicatessen,' but does have Bond grimly saying 'happy anniversary' as he puts ESB down the silo.