Roger Moore, 89, passes on.

Roger Moore is a name that had a lot of impact on me, when I was 10 years old and saw my first James Bond film. It was 1977 and the film was THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.

At first I thought Roger Moore was James Bond. In a few years time, I would read of the other films and the earlier actors involved. But I liked Roger Moore's interpretation because he did not make him a coldblooded killer as Fleming had always described him as. Moore's Bond was much more a gentleman, a lover instead of a killer, a dangerous man with a very sharp wit and sometimes also a dirty mind.

As a film THE SPY WHO LOVED ME has always remained special to me. But when I got to see the other films as well, I enjoyed those too. (The above picture is from THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, which I thought was very good. Of course, the critics ravaged it. Well, I was 11 when I saw it. What did I know? The Top picture is from FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, Moore's last great Bond film. And below, his appearance in OCTOPUSSY.) I will certainly acknowledge that his acting was not method acting, but what does it matter? He got the point across! And he did it with Style ! In every role he played.

Of course, Roger Moore was just an actor who had played many roles. He was IVANHOE on television, Beau Maverick, Simon Templar aka the Saint and Brett Sinclair, all before he was selected to follow in Sean Connery's footsteps. And Roger Moore made the part definitely his own.

Having seen all of the Bond movies many times, having read so much about them, also having read the autobiography of Roger Moore ( "My Word Is My Bond" ), I may think he is not the best of the James Bonds but I do think he was very good in his heyday. 

Thank you, Sir Roger Moore, for all your wonderful efforts on film and television.  You have earned your rest, Sir.  Rest in Peace and do not worry:  You will be remembered !  

Becoming Bond

In the history of the James Bond films, there are many names that will return from one film to the next. Whether you look at the films of the 1960s, 1970s or later. But there was one actor, who only had one opportunity to shine. George Lazenby, who took over the role after Sean Connery had tendered his resignation following You Only Live Twice, only did one film: ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. Lazenby played Bond with a nonchalance ( he certainly did not seem to want to bother copying Connery's acting style ) that accentuated his good looks and gave him a man's man image. But that was also the problem. Lazenby looked good in pictures because he was a model, not an actor. He couldn't project any grief at the essential moment at the end, where Blofeld's associate, Irma Bunt, has shot and killed Bond's wife, Tracy. Still, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is seen by many as one of the best Bond films of the 1960s. In this very entertaining Hulu documentary, we hear from George Lazenby himself how he got to be Bond and also, most surprisingly, why he said no to a 6 movie deal that would have netted him millions of dollars. The film is also very funny and I am sure it has to be taken with a grain (or a pound) of salt here and there but this is definitely something for the James Bond enthusiasts. And seeing Lazenby himself also brings you to the point where you say "Not bad, George, not bad at all !"