The Spy Who Loved Me!

I write these Bond reviews with the expectation that everyone has seen all the movies, if not read the all the books. So, tread as carefully as it seems prudent. 

The Spy Who Loved Me from 1962 is a very peculiar Bond novel told from the point of view of a young woman who has had several dalliances but is seeking a new life when she gets essentially shanghaied into an insurance swindle to burn down a motel in the Adirondacks. Bond shows up to save the day in the midst of his quest to find Blofeld who escaped after the events of Thunderball. He will save the day and even eventually follow through on the title's promise. It's likely not what most Bond fans expected at the time, nor now, but it's not bad. The perspective is different and that's flavorful to say the least.

The novel is divided into three parts -- "Me", "Them" and "Him". Because of the changes in perspective and the fact that Bond doesn't show up until well into the novel, this one manages to capture the reader with a refreshing take. Fleming was clearly grinding these out at this point, looking for any way to drop a fresh Bond onto the ready marketplace. I like this one quite a bit. 

The 1977 film The Spy Who Love Me has absolutely nothing to do with the novel, save for lifting the title. We are presented with a typical Bond adventure with 007 trying to stay alive long enough to track down a rich madman who threatens the world by capturing nuclear subs and blowing up civilization as we know it. The titular "Spy" is actually a Soviet agent who Bond kills in the very beginning of the movie and later unknown to either of them he is partnered with the lover. Barbara Bach is gorgeous in the role of the vengeful lover while Roger Moore is showing even more signs of creakiness in the part. 

Kurt Jurgens is the master villain, and he's assisted by Richard Kiel in his first turn as the killer Jaws. Jaws is actually quite deadly in this movie, not yet reduced to a clownish echo of himself as will be the case in Moonraker, the next Bond project. (Which I have to say has the exact same plot, save that it's all in space rather on the high seas.) This one isn't a bomb, but the viewer can see the rot in the superstructure. 

The movie is helped quite a bit by the fact much of it takes place in Egypt and the viewer gets a pretty good tour of the most famous icons from that ancient territory. The dry desert contrasts well with the oceans which dominate the finale.

James Bond Returns in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. And Blofeld is back! Who loves ya baby?

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