THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN

I'm on something of a 007 kick at the moment - and after being left feeling conned by the new James Bourne thriller, Quantum of Shite - I've decided to console my 007 fanboy cravings with some of the old DVD's. I re watched all the Connery entries recently and so I'm on the Roger Moore's now and am watching one a night.

It amazes me that Roger Moore's tenure as Bond is often overlooked, most people citing the Connery movies as the real thing and they often knock Roger's acting and say the movies became too ridiculous. And although one or two of Moore's later one's may seem lame, and Moonraker was a step too far into fantasy, none of the movies are boring. Which is a damn site more than can be said about the latest Bourne (sorry Bond) blockbuster.



*************************************************************************************



*************************************************************************************

This film is wildly enjoyable escapism and although it seems small by the standards of the 1970's Bonds it does feature a far more confident performance from Roger Moore as James Bond 007. The success of Live and Let Die had obviously laid the ghost of Connery to rest and Moore's Bond became the definitive portrayal for the times. For many people Roger Moore is Bond and always will be.


The plot takes Bond to the East in the search for a new solar power device, all the while trying to avoid a golden slug from the gun of hitman, Scaramanga played with Dracula'ish relish by Christopher Lee who was actually a cousin of Bond author, Ian Fleming.

There are the usual set pieces - the 360 flip in a car, the flying car, the fight at the martial arts school and Moore's portrayal of the character as a lounge lizard with a false nipple is excellent. This was also the period of the safari jacket and shirt collars that must have added pounds in weight to the garment.

The only downside is that the film doesn't seem quite as spectacular as earlier entries and the entire thing seems too small for a 007 movie. The reintroduction of Sheriff Pepper used to grate with me and didn't seem as successful as the character's role in the previous movie, but it's improved with age and these days I very much enjoy the slapstick the character provides.

The best DVD edition to go for is the 2006 special edition which features, among stacks of extras, a commentary recorded by the Rogerster himself. The actor recorded one for each of his films which is another reason to love the actor in the role. While Connery ignores the fans, preferring to dream of being King of Scotland while relaxing on some tropical island. And refuses to return to the world of 007 for the sake of supplemental DVD material, Roger embraces every chance he gets to talk about his time as cinema's most famous super spy. The remastering is also superb, clean colours and a clarity to the picture that is such the print looks brand new. The DTS 5.1 mix is expertly done and with a decent rig the sound scape envelopes the viewer.