20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

11. “Ever Get The Feeling Somebody Doesn’t Like You?”

The Lotus Esprit S1 - the most memorable car that James Bond had driven since the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger (1964) - was difficult for the stunt team to handle during the car chase sequences set in Sardinia.

It not only stalled very easily, but it also held the road far too well, failing to create the necessary skidding indicative of a high-speed chase.

When the car’s stunt driver proved unavailable to shoot a sequence in which the Lotus drives up a hill and swerves on a bend, the filmmakers approached Lotus employee, Roger Becker to perform the scene without the cameras rolling so that they could see what he could do.

Not only did he tear up the hill and perform the swerve, but he also spun the Esprit a full 180 degrees at the top, bringing it to a controlled stop. Having more than adequately proven himself, Becker became the stunt driver for the remaining scenes featuring the Lotus.

Contributor

I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.