James Bond: Every Roger Moore Movie Ranked Worst To Best

5. The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

Moonraker Roger Moore 1979
Eon Productions

With Moore’s second film, released only a year after Live and Let Die, the franchise continued to mine 70s culture trends; this time taking advantage of the martial arts craze that swept the globe in the wake of Bruce Lee’s feature films.

TMWTGG revels in its rather beautiful Eastern locations, from Hong Kong and Macau to the islands off the coast of Thailand, making use of the setting to feature as much kung-fu action and oriential obstacles as feasible. It’s a comic delight to see Britain’s premier symbol of wit and sophistication forced to adapt out of his element, navigating Thai canals and battling black-belt warriors.

Of course, his main adversary comes in the form of the three-nippled titular figure in Francisco Scaramanga, iconically portrayed by the late Christopher Lee. The golden gun-toting assassin is built up as Bond’s equal in ability and ruthlessness, and pitting him against 007 is a tantalising prospect.

Unfortunately, the film doesn’t quite make the most of that potential; insisting on throwing as many oddities into the story as possible. Flying cars, third nipples, funhouse-themed lairs, slide whistles and diminutive henchmen are only some of the bizarre elements that prevent the film from being taken at all seriously.

Loved JW Pepper in Live and Let Die? Well, here he is again, coincidentally vacationing in Thailand and threatening to ruin yet another action sequence! The film is littered with such lapses in judgement, logic and baffling writing at every turn. Throw in a hapless airhead for a Bond girl and one of the worst theme songs of all, and you’ve got a film that, while undeniably entertaining, won’t be ranking too highly on anyone’s list of 007’s finest adventures.

Best Moore Moment: After shutting Good Night in a closet while getting busy with the luscious Miss Anders, Bond assures her not to worry: “Your turn will come.” Frankly, James Bond has always been an utter bastard when it comes to women, but nobody took such relish in the characters’ promiscuity and sexual confidence like Roger Moore.

Contributor

Chest thumping James Bond and Haruki Murakami fanatic living in China. Once had a fever dream about riding a rowboat with Davos Seaworth. He hasn't updated this section since Game of Thrones was cool, and boy does it show.