Review of The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) by Luke N — 11 May 2014

Even though many fans hate this film, I have always loved it. Roger Moore is funny and I think he settles into the role more comfortably. Ever since I was little, I always hated the scene when James starts beating Maud Adams around, and tries to break her arm then slaps her in the face, while at the same time her own lover (I can't remember if she was married to Scaramanga or not) only pays her attention when he's sticking the nozzle of his gun down her throat.

But you just have to take into consideration the time context of this film, and tell yourself that lots of men were fucking dicks to women back in those days. Anyway, aside from the hero being a piece of shit misogynist, I still think this movie stands well with an interesting villain, a very cool climax (even though most disagree), some nice little comic turns - and as usual, some very good music.

It is crass and stupid, and a far cry away from the grittier tone of Connery's earlier films. But in the end it still makes for a very entertaining Bond adventure, and I will always defend this one as not being as bad as most people think.