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Book Review: 'Roger Moore as James Bond 007'

The actor kept a diary during the making of his James Bond debut, 'Live And Let Die'. It's a remarkable read.

By Andrew BeasleyPublished 7 years ago 3 min read
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We've all read shoddy autobiographies by disinterested movie stars, or books about the making of films that may inform but not entertain. Roger Moore as James Bond 007 avoids the pitfalls of both these types of problematic tomes. It's a riveting read throughout.

It may seem odd to review a book which came out in 1973, but there has been a resurgence of interest in Moore since he died earlier this year. There's also the rarity value of the paperback itself. Copies currently start at £40 on Amazon in the UK, largely due to the fact that the book has never been reprinted.

Why that is remains something of a mystery, though the honesty Moore displays when criticizing the film makers must play a part. And that says nothing for his JFK conspiracy musings, the letter he received from a racist which is included (which he doesn't agree with, just to be clear) or Moore's general grumblings about his wife, the food, and countless other seemingly trivial issues.

More than anything, it's an enjoyable read in part as it's patently obvious that such a book would never be produced today. Even if the star of a massive movie could be convinced to keep a diary of the entire experience these days, then any one of an agent, publicist, manager or lawyer would put a lid on it.

Take Moore's relationship with the Bond producers. He spoke at length over the years of his fondness for Cubby Broccoli. The two got on famously, and would play backgammon during breaks in filming.

Yet he barely gets a mention in this book. No, it's Broccoli's partner Harry Saltzman who Moore talks about, and it is not positive. Perhaps the stresses and financial strains which caused Saltzman to sell his stake in Bond after the following film (The Man With The Golden Gun) were already starting to show during this period?

For a Bond fanatic, the book is a real treat. We learn of Moore's first lines as Bond, what he thinks of his co-stars, and the nicknames he had for the crew (including director Guy Hamilton).

The book also explains how the climactic fight in the film was originally supposed to unfold. Fans of the James Bonding podcast will certainly be interested to see that Live And Let Die wasn't always going to finish with a certain balloon.

Moore was certainly a fan of the film's theme song; his verdict should have been used on posters for the soundtrack: "It's not last year's music, it's not even this year's music, it's next year's." Quite a claim to be making in mid-January, too.

Roger Moore as James Bond 007 also contains plenty of insight into Moore's private life, with plenty of conversations with his wife included in the text. The star remained married to Luisa Mattioli for a further 23 years, perhaps in part due to him keeping the details of the love scenes away from her, as he talks about doing here.

Though she did accompany Moore as he "stoically sat through two hours' striptease" as a favour for Harry Saltzman who was searching for a "busty beauty" for the film. Was Luisa keeping him company or keeping an eye on him?

Everything Moore said in public was accompanied with a raised eyebrow or a grin, but he seems genuinely sad when describing how his children barely recognise him at times as he is so busy. Maybe he is emphasising the fact for comedic effect, but it seems like genuine dismay.

I found the endless name-dropping a little tiresome, but equally it's no doubt an accurate reflection of Moore's lifestyle at the time. Plus as a Bond fan, it's fun to read about which future Bond ally he dines with on his first night in America.

This book may not be the easiest find, but it's a must read for any lover of James Bond.

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About the Creator

Andrew Beasley

Freelance football (soccer) writer. I also like to write about other things which take my interest.

There are links to my work here: https://wakelet.com/@AndrewBeasley

For any enquiries, please email: [email protected]

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