"The Man With The Golden Gun" has a lot of weaknesses. I don't know why Roger Moore was allowed to make seven Bond Films. Although Moore wasn't as weak as George Lazenby, he still comes across as being bland and mannequin-like. Timothy Dalton was a much more effective James Bond. If Dalton had been given better scripts and more time, he would have been nearly as effective as Sean Connery. Britt Ekland's Mary Goodnight rivals Tiffany ("Diamonds Are Forever") Case as the most ineffectual and irritating Bond woman. Maude Adams is more effective as Andrea Anders, the villain's long-suffering mistress, but this character is given too little screen time. A pre-"Fantasy Island" Herve Villechaize makes an awkward henchman. The return of Clifton James' J.W. Pepper character was also unnecessary.

The weaknesses of this movie also extend beyond the cast. An awesome car stunt is weakened by a poor sound effect. Tacky humor is woven throughout the entire film. The martial arts motif in part of the film also seemed out of place.

Christopher Lee is the saving grace of this film. If Lee weren't in this movie, I would have ranked it with "Moonraker" and "A View To A Kill." He is excellent as the egotistical and cruel Francisco Scaramanga. I am only sorry that the screenwriters didn't further develop this interesting character. Lee is one of the screen's greatest bad guys and can effectively play just about any villainous character. He is a much better actor and greater presence than Roger Moore. Lee's villain is more interesting than Moore's hero.

"The Man With The Golden Gun" is only for big Christopher Lee fans and those who feel that they need to see every James Bond film. A disappointment.

Cast:
Christopher Lee as Francisco Scaramanga
Britt Ekland as British Secret Agent Mary Goodnight
Maud Adams as Andrea Anders
Herve Villechaize as Nick Nack
Lois Maxwell and Miss Moneypenny
Desmond Lleewelyn as Q
Bernard Lee as M
Clifton James as Louisiana Sheriff J.W. Pepper

Directed by Guy Hamilton
Music by John Barry
Title theme sung by Lulu

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James Bond's ninth film adventure stars the most handsome, diabolical and smoothest villain of any Bond film. Christopher Lee as Francisco Scaramanga dominates this film which is based upon the book written by his cousin, Ian Fleming. Mr. Lee especially shines after the action gets moving during the second hour. I am an unabashed Christopher Lee fan so take that into consideration!

In the opening scene, which is the traditional Bond teaser, we see Scaramanga in a swimsuit, revealing the unique identifying physical characteristic of having three nipples. During this sequence Scaramanga kills his first victim, a mob type hit man. Scaramanga makes short work of him in his personal shooting gallery in which Scaramanga knows what to expect but his prey does not. His manservant Nick Nack controls this living nightmare's assortment of mirrors and illusions from a hidden
control room while narrating the slaughter in this fun house turned shooting gallery.

The scene is now set for the coming plot, you never know in Bond movies but this teaser does actually relate to the plot. Scaramanga is the best hired killer in the world and his fee is one-million dollars per hit. He uses a custom made 23 karat gold 4.2 mm bullets fired from a one of a kind golden gun. When not assembled in gun form the golden gun functions as an ordinary cigarette lighter, cigarette case, pen and cuff
links. When assembled it becomes lethal in the hands of Scaramanga. In his youth Scaramanga was a circus trick shot performer, until one day he discovered someone mistreating his favorite circus animal, an elephant. So Scaramanga kills the man and learns that he enjoys it.

One of Scaramanga's famed golden bullets arrives at MI6 (Bond's London headquarters) with the numbers 007 engraved on the bullet. This can only mean one thing. Someone wants Bond dead and The Man with the Golden Gun, the world's best hit man, has the contract. Scaramanga no longer kills for fun. His fee is one-million dollars per contract murder. So someone wants Bond, played for the second time in the series by Roger Moore, dead most badly. This to me is the main plot. The subplot of a "solex agitator" device which efficiently converts sunlight into electricity and how Scaramanga is trying to gain
sole possession of this advanced energy technology is secondary.
Scaramanga uses it to power his island hideaway which happens to be in Red Chinese waters. Bond's assignment is to get the device while taking great care not to get killed by Scaramanga.

A bullet once used by Scaramanga means an Asia adventure for Mr.
Bond. Beginning in Macao, Bond tracks down the gunsmith who crafts the golden bullets for Scaramanga and through the use of a high powered rifle, convinces the man to give him information which leads Bond on in his quest to Hong Kong where he is joined by British agent Goodnight. The resulting whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia takes us to exotic locales but some are in slums instead of the better neighborhoods where Bond usually works. There is a fairly interesting boat chase and plenty
of local color. A Blues Brothers type car chase is also included which involves some comic relief from the vacationing Sheriff J.W. Pepper who first appeared in the eighth Bond film, "Live and Let Die".

Scaramanga is unlike any other Bond villain. He is handsome, toned, fit, educated, charming, civil and has a taste for the finer things in life as does Bond. His lover, Andrea Anders describes Scaramanga to Bond as "Tall, slim and dark. Wearing white linen suits, dark tie and gold jewelry." It is this jewelry that kills his victims when assembled into gun form.

After committing his second murder of the film, Scaramanga uses the gun in it's assembled form to sensuously caress Miss Anders. This is a powerful scene expertly played by both characters and may be the best insight into the depth of Scaramanga's murderous soul.

Scaramanga has the upper hand throughout most of the film! Bond
actually gets very little help from Q-Branch, who provides Bond with his gadgets, this outing. Instead, Scaramanga has all the good toys including a flying AMC Matador automobile, his private island with every conceivable convenience for first class living, and of course the infamous golden gun! Bond has to be content with only his PPK and silencer.

Martial arts fans will also appreciate the long karate and kick-boxing scenes. However, one of these scenes degenerates somewhat into a mockery of the art when two schoolgirls take out an entire Dojo of highly trained men.

Will Bond get both girls? Is diminutive Nick Nack more lethal than the average midget? How will Bond overcome Scaramanga on his own turf where caramanga has every advantage? It is indeed hopeless for Bond. He is outclassed in every regard.

A fine soundtrack effort from John Barry and an outstanding vocal
performance from grammy winner Lulu.

Scaramanga has the line that sums up the entire movie. "A duel between titans. My Golden Gun against your Walther PPK."
This is the best of the Roger Moore Bond films. One disappointment here though is the short screen time for Desmond Lleewelyn whose appearances in Bond films became of increasing duration and importance.

This is the type of role that Christopher Lee was meant to play. No doubt Mr. Lee's cousin, Ian Fleming, would have thought so as well! One of Mr. Lee's most successful performances and a box-office smash! Recommended most highly as one of the great Bond films and for a sizzling performance by Christopher Lee.