The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Lewis Gilbert
Bond, James Bond: Roger Moore
Arch Rival: Karl Stromberg (Curt Jürgens)
Bond Girl: Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach)

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

After creating a good impression as Bond in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), Roger Moore delivers a one-two punch with the next film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). As usual two submarines, one each of the Soviet and Britain, vanish and it is found out that someone has devised a tracking system that hunted down these submarines for their use. So each country sends their best agents – 007 James Bond and XXX Anya Amasova – who jointly track down the cause behind the hijacking of the subs. They meet shipping tycoon Karl Stromberg. They also discover his plans of destroying the world (yawn) so that the whole of humanity has to go underwater for survival which – don’t ask me why – Stromberg’s intention. Can Bond and Anya stop this? (Wanna guess?)

The Spy Who Loved Me marks the return of Bond to his old charming ways – one without too much extravagance or compulsion. The film reminds one of From Russia With Love (1963) with its female Soviet spies, minimal body count (well, for most part!) and powerful henchmen. Richard Kiel as the metal-teethed Jaws is a great find and is the most impressive baddie since Goldfinger. Anya is one of the most effective Bond girls. Great stunts, especially the opening ski chase which culminates in a over-the-cliff jump. But does not give the knockout showdown with the boss one expects.