Octopussy

Probably the most underrated Bond film ever. Octopussy is a film that despite it's reputation I still love and enjoy thoroughly.

This is my favourite Roger Moore outing as Ian Fleming's "007". A good, solid adventure story with Louis Jourdan as the ruthless, scheming "Kamal Khan" and Maud Adams as the equally ruthless, but far more glamorous "Octopussy" who are both involved in some seriously high-end jewel smuggling to fund a Soviet nuclear attack on NATO by the rogue Steven Berkoff (“Gen. Orlov"). The action flows quickly and smoothly, with some fun cameos from a racket-wielding Vijay Amritraj and Albert Moses as a sort of lethal "Oddjob" in a turban. Sure, there are plenty of double-entendres but there is also a much better cohesion to the story than with many of the others, less crass innuendo - actually a decent thriller lurking underneath the traditional "James Bond" wrapping that is largely down to strong, characterful, performances for the quartet of baddies and a good script for Moore to deliver with more than a soupçon of glint in his eye. An under-rated theme song from Rita Coolidge (via Messrs. Barry & Rice); some decent aerial photography at the start and cracking locations all contribute strongly too.

Maybe the last of the great 007 films. This one has it all. It has a big theatrical beginning with a clown running for his life from two knife throwing twins. Well, the clown isn't 007, so you know what happens to him. It's an excellent start for an excellent theatrical story. The "plot" is a bit strange. There's a sort of jewel that is really hiding something more important, and it involves a kill crazy Russian general and a classic villain played by Jordan. The wit is great in this one, and Jordan gets to eat up a lot of the lines, as does Moore. The scenery is great, the women are beautiful, the wit is charming, the action is outstanding. What's not to like? Well, the story could make a bit more sense, but the theatrics carry this one through.