For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Probably one of the best James Bond films ever made, and part of the original Ian Fleming's novel series.
The movie fits in the classic Cold War meets late 70's disco period.
An interesting note is that the movie opens where we are reminded that James Bond was actually once married. He is seen visiting his wife (Teresa Bond's) burial. Teresa Bond was killed in the 1969 Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
The title song performed by Sheena Easton made it in the top 5 pop charts in the USA, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, and in the top 10 in the UK. Easton also appears as the exclusive "Bond girl" in the opening title theme.
Fears from a sunken UK spy ship disguised as a fishing trolley places a race of whether the then USSR will capture an over-sized laptop, called "Automatic Targeting Attack Communicator" (ATAC) that could launch nuclear missiles from UK submarines against friendly allies. Bond (Roger Moore), has to save the world again.
The device name is so cheesy they don’t call a computer a computer; it’s a "communicator." This is what is great about these early films using sophisticated technology. They really don't know what they have. Back then, the personal computer was just getting off the ground. Microsoft just came up with DOS, and Apple was just a few guys in some garage.
Bond’s Lotus sports car comes equipped with an anti-burglar alarm system. Let's just say, there will be no need to place the criminal in jail if he breaks into that car. Justice is served at the time of crime.
Carole Bouquet appears as Melina Havelock, who probably has the prettiest eyes of any woman in a Bond movie. Havelock is a strong, assertive and determined woman seeking to avenge her parent's killers. Havelock's father helped develop the ATAC communicator.
Just go with the fantasy. It's a movie. The movie plot would not work without the ATAC computer. The thinking is that possession of this laptop would allow one to launch missiles. Fortunately security on those things is just a bit tighter than simple possession.
Bond is given a classified folder with details about ATAC. The name on the folder: "For Your Eyes Only," hence the movie title.
The film also depicts Lake Placid, NY, where the U.S. Winter Olympics took place in 1980. We are made to think this is perhaps Switzerland.
The movie also stars Lynn Holly Johnson (Ice Castles, 1978) as Bibi Dahl. Bibi plays a professional American ice skater and flirt to Bond. Unbeknownst to Bibi, her flirtatiousness is also toward a fellow Olympian, who is actually a secret Russian assassin seeking to stop Bond from attempting to recover ATAC.
What makes this Bond movie different from many of the others is, aside from the attractive co-stars, gadgets, subtle humor, and action scenes, the movie has an overall romantic feel to it. It's a little different from the expected "oh, Bond is going to sleep with her." Bond shows more of a caring, personal approach to his love interest, Melina Havelock. It’s not lust that draws Bond this time, except for an interlude with a Countess (Cassandra Harris, Remington Steele). Bond even resists an advance by the very attractive figure skater, Bibi Dahl, and instead offers to buy her some ice cream referring to her youth.
For Your Eyes Only was ranked as the #2 biggest box office revenue for a Bond movie ever [Moonraker, (1979) was #1]. (Note: Film rank data as of original post date). This movie is highly recommended.
Producer: Albert R. Broccoli. Director: John GlennRead full review
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