The Spy Who Loved Me (film)
Production
"The Spy Who Loved Me" is a 1977 British spy film and the tenth in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. It is the third to star Roger Moore as the fictional secret agent James Bond. The film co-stars Barbara Bach and Curd Jürgens and was directed by Lewis Gilbert. The screenplay was by Christopher Wood and Richard Maibaum, with an uncredited rewrite by Tom Mankiewicz.
The film takes its title from Ian Fleming's novel The Spy Who Loved Me, the tenth book in the James Bond series, though it does not contain any elements of the novel's plot. The storyline involves a reclusive megalomaniac named Karl Stromberg, who plans to destroy the world and create a new civilization under the sea. Bond teams up with a Russian agent, Anya Amasova, to stop the plans, all while being hunted by a gigantic henchman known as Jaws.
Plot
The film begins with Bond being sent on a mission to investigate the disappearance of British and Soviet ballistic missile submarines. Bond's investigations lead him to Egypt, where he discovers that a shipping tycoon, Karl Stromberg, has been stealing the submarines to use in a plot to trigger a nuclear war. Stromberg hopes to destroy the world and establish a new civilization under the sea.
Bond teams up with a beautiful Soviet agent, Anya Amasova, who is also investigating the missing submarines. Despite their initial mistrust, they fall in love as they work together to stop Stromberg's plan. They infiltrate Stromberg's lair, a massive supertanker called the Liparus, and free the captive crews of the stolen submarines.
In the climactic battle, Bond and Amasova manage to destroy the Liparus and escape just as the tanker explodes. They then confront Stromberg in his underwater base, Atlantis. After a fierce fight, Bond kills Stromberg and he and Amasova escape in a mini-submarine just as Atlantis is destroyed.
Reception
"The Spy Who Loved Me" was released in 1977 and was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its thrilling action sequences, memorable villain, and the chemistry between Moore and Bach. The film was also noted for its impressive set design, particularly the Liparus supertanker and Atlantis underwater base.
The film's theme song, "Nobody Does It Better" performed by Carly Simon, was a major hit and is often considered one of the best Bond theme songs. The film also marked the first appearance of the henchman Jaws, played by Richard Kiel, who would become one of the most iconic characters in the Bond series.
Legacy
"The Spy Who Loved Me" is often considered one of the best films in the James Bond series. It marked a return to form for the franchise after the less well-received "The Man with the Golden Gun". The film's success ensured the continuation of the series and cemented Roger Moore's position as James Bond.
The film's influence can be seen in subsequent Bond films and in the wider spy genre. Its mix of action, romance, and humor set the template for many future Bond films. The character of Jaws was so popular that he was brought back for the next film, "Moonraker".