Remembering Roger Moore’s Greatest Bond Moments
To play James Bond is to join a small but select club, and while debating the best 007 is pretty much a guaranteed way to start a bar fight, there’s no arguing this: no one – not even Sean Connery – did it for longer, or had more fun doing it than Sir Roger Moore.
The 89-year-old actor passed away following a brief bout with cancer earlier this morning, and tributes have been pouring in for the man who brought a rakish charm to playing Ian Fleming’s iconic super-spy. Stepping into Connery’s shoes was no easy task (just ask George Lazenby), but Moore managed it with flair, along with a raised eyebrow and a healthy dose of winking self-deprecation.
Here’s a look back at some of the actor’s finest onscreen moments, one for each of Moore’s seven 007 movies.
Live and Let Die (1973)
Bond villains are notoriously, painfully overconfident, but honestly, you’ve got to figure stranding a dude in the middle of a pond of hungry crocodiles is good enough. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Honourable mention: Who needs an Aston Martin?
The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)
Probably one of the most iconic, don’t-try-this-at-home car stunts in film history*. And almost completely ruined by a sound effects guy and a slide whistle.
(*Non-Fast and the Furious edition)
Honourable mention: Do not disturb.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Moore does the impossible in what’s got to be one of the best Bond openings of all-time: make skiing in a bright yellow jumpsuit actually look cool.
Honourable mention: Just one of the coolest cars/gadgets in the franchise.
Moonraker (1979)
No parachute? No problem. One of the worst Bond movies, saved by one of its best villains.
Honourable mention: 007… in space!
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Moore’s 007 got knocked for being “too light-hearted” compared to Connery, but this shit is straight cold-blooded.
Honourable mention: Bond meets MacGyver.
Octopussy (1983)
Tom Cruise may have done this stunt on his own, but Moore still did it best.
Honourable mention: Probably Moore’s best fight scene.
A View to a Kill (1985)
James Bond versus Christopher Walken on top of the Golden Gate Bridge. How much more do you really need?
Honorable mention: Bond turns wedding crasher.
