007 Profile #3 - Roger Moore

The third actor to portray James Bond in the official film series was Roger Moore, who made his debut is 1973’s Live And Let Die. Currently, he has appeared in the highest number of official films – 7.

Moore attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1945, where one of his classmates was future Miss Moneypenny, Lois Maxwell. Moore was contracted to MGM in the 1950s, but it was not until he began to appear in television that he achieved success. His defining role was as Simon Templar in The Saint from 1961-1969. He also starred in The Persuaders with Tony Curtis. He appeared as James Bond on television in 1964, in a James Bond spoof sketch. Moore always looked young, even though he was older than Sean Connery - in his TV appearance, he looks almost boyish.

Moore’s turn as Bond came in 1973 after Sean Connery finally left the role of Bond. Moore’s performance was more light-hearted than Connery’s, and it was decided to have Roger Moore’s Bond avoid doing the famous things that Connery did. For example, in all his 7 Bond films, Moore is never seen ordering a vodka martini, shaken not stirred. Live And Let Die successfully launched Moore, and he returned in The Man With The Golden Gun.

After a brief hiatus, due in part to the departure of Harry Saltzman from the production team, Moore returned in The Spy Who Loved Me – widely regarded as Moore’s best Bond film. Moore also regards it as his best. Moonraker followed, taking Bond into space and beyond the limits of plausibility. For Your Eyes Only was a more serious, harder edged film which Moore handled surprisingly well. Octopussy continued the more serious trend, although it did have some very light-hearted moments.

In between his Bond films, Moore regularly appeared in other films, including several for former Bond director and editor, Peter Hunt. He also appeared in the memorable mercenary adventure, The Wild Geese, along with Richard Burton and Richard Harris.

At the age of 57, Moore made his final appearance as Bond in A View To A Kill. Many felt that Moore was too old by this stage. Indeed, Moore pointed out that the women he was portrayed as sleeping with were sometimes young enough to be his daughter! After retiring as Bond, the focus of Moore’s career has been as an ambassador for UNICEF, and in 2003 he was knighted for his humanitarian efforts.

Roger Moore’s portrayal of Bond has long divided opinions from fans. Some enjoy his tongue-in-cheek portrayal, while other find it too light. Moore was the first Bond that I saw (despite growing up in the Brosnan era), and for a long time he was my favourite. Now, I tend to enjoy the more serious Bond films, but I will always enjoy Moore’s Bonds for their sheer entertainment value.

007 Profile #2 - George Lazenby

George Lazenby is probably most famous as being the guy who only made one appearance as James Bond. Comments are often made to the effect that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service would be the best Bond film if only Sean Connery was in it. Personally however, I prefer the assessment of Martin Sterling and Gary Morecambe in Martinis, Girls and Guns who say that “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service works because of – not in spite of – George Lazenby’s James Bond.” Sean Connery’s invincible aura would not have been right for the story of OHMSS. Lazenby’s more human, vulnerable character works very well in the context of the film, and as a result OHMSS is one of my favourite Bond films because it is so convincing as a story.

George Lazenby’s own story begins in Queanbeyan, Australia. Lazenby worked as a car salesman, skiing instructor and as a bass guitarist, as well as serving in Australian special forces. His work in the mid-to-late sixties was as a model in London. He appeared in television ads for Fry chocolate, one his few screen roles prior to Bond! His first encounter with producer Cubby Broccoli was in a barber shop, where Lazenby had asked the barber to cut his hair like Sean Connery's. He eventually was chosen as Bond after showing his fighting skills in a screen test in which he broke the nose of the stuntman he was pretending to fight!

After appearing as Bond and declining to continue, Lazenby never achieved the success he could have. He appeared in Kentucky Fried Movie, and a few other small movies, including several Emmanuelle films.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has over the years become a favourite amongst many Bond fans, and the film owes much to George Lazenby’s tough, physical, yet realistic portrayal of Ian Fleming’s master spy.

“This never happened to the other fella . . . “

007 Profile #1 - Sean Connery

The first actor to play James Bond in the EON Productions film series was, of course Sean Connery who is still arguably the most popular Bond actor. Indeed, he is my own personal favourite due to the way he captures the character of Bond so well - handsome, but deadly. Charming but with a cold, cruel streak.

Sean Connery was apparently picked out by Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Cubby after he appeared in 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People'. He appeared as Bond in the first film, Dr. No and went on to appear in the first five films. After missing the sixth film, Connery returned for his last hurrah as Bond in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever.

My own personal favourite Sean Connery performance is From Russia With Love. The character is slightly more developed than he was in Dr. No, as well as Sean Connery clearly being more relaxed in the role, which serves to increase the charisma of the character. The film itself has one of the best plots and everything in the film seems to fit in place and work very well. Robert Shaw plays opposite Connery as arguably the series greatest henchman. The fight between the two of them in the railway compartment is one of the classic Bond fight scenes.

While enjoying great success as Bond, Connery was tired of the extreme amount of publicity he received, and he quit the series. His performance in You Only Live Twice is probably his weakest, undoubtedly as a result of his frustrations. He did return in Diamonds Are Forever, and was in fine form, despite having put on a few pounds.

He also acted in the unnoficial Bond film, Never Say Never Again. In my opinion it was a weak film, although this is not due to Connery's performance which is up to the standards of his YOLT and DAF performances.

Connery has appeared in many films over the course of the last six decades, including many of my personal favourite films, such as: The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.