Review of Spy Who Loved Me, The: Special Edition (James Bond)

Introduction

In this action packed James Bond 007 adventure a billionaire shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (played by Curt Jurgens) plans to eliminate the world as we know it using the `tools of armageddon`, 2 nuclear submarines which he manages to capture. His dream is then to create the shape of a civilised world again but this time underwater, which is where he resides within his lair called `Atlantis`.
Bond is paired off in a Soviet-Anglo relationship with Anya (played by Barbara Bach) who works as a Soviet Agent and is also investigating the missing submarine from her country as Bond is with his. Will Bond trust her during the mission or will there be any double crossing involved? Jaws (played by Richard Kiel) also drops in for a bite and assists as Stromberg`s metal toothed henchman by eliminating any one who knows anything, or is trying to meddle in Stromberg`s diabolical plan.
This movie has it`s key moments which are remembered once anyone mentions "The Spy Who Loved Me", the white Lotus Esprit car which Bond puts to very good use, the opening sequence ski jump and the amazing interior set of the `Liparus`, Stromberg`s super tanker which was filmed on the new 007 soundstage at Pinewood Studios.

Video

This movie is presented in anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 and stated on the box as enhanced for widescreen TVs. The colours and contrasts of the transfer are well defined with no blur around skintones and edges, the black colours are bold in all scenes too although the movie was made in 1977 and some dropout in the picture can be seen, for example on the opening scenes around the sub and credits and also in Stromberg`s dining room to name a few, but is very minimal and doesn`t affect the viewing.
Some of the optical effects are not done too good and don`t seem to blend together well during some scenes, an early example of this kind of work is during the ski chase and other noticeable parts follow ahead: Bond and Anya are being winched down from helicopter to a sub, the sub hatch opening and Bond and Commander Carter looking at the demise of Stromberg`s tanker and some interior shots inside the Lotus (but these are better and aren`t as bad).
One aspect of a 007 movie is the fact that you will expect to see some brilliant sets and locations, this one isn`t any different and has plenty to feast your eyes on. Making the most of widescreen the early ski chase scene has some nice visuals in the way of mountains and snow covered landscape, at the warmer end of the spectrum in Cairo, the camera panning over the buildings is impressive and sets the scene well, as does the sun rising in the scene where the van is driving over the desert.
Egyptian stone columns are put to good use and become a maze in the scene where Jaws is luring Bond and Anya through them, as they are closely built Jaws becomes just a mirage and disappears within the structures during the stealthy chase. At one point Jaws is high above on a walkway which is cut off in the pan and scan versions during this scene. Locations are presented well during camera zoom out shots of the Lotus car sweeping normally through the winding roads, lots of foreground and background scenery featured, in contrast to The Lotus chases which feature multiple angles like side, rear chase, interior and front angle adding `speed` to the scenes. Not forgetting the underwater shots which unfortunately looked a little murky as if the scenes were underlit.
Interior sets are also visually impressive and it looks like a lot of thought and time went into the layout and design as with all 007 movies. Chapter six of the DVD introduces Stromberg in his huge dining room, it is warmly lit and presented although grand in scale, large paintings decorate the room but also lift up to show that the room is actually underwater, a brilliant widescreen shot once the camera pulls back and all openings are visable. Other views of Stromberg`s lair feature throughout the movie, examples like the shark pool, low tunnels and big chambers all serving the purpose of each scene well. The golden egg of this movie has got to be the stunning interior set of the Liparus supertanker dominating the whole `007 Stage`, designed by Ken Adams and which measures 374 feet long, 160 feet wide and 53 feet high! This is where during the end portion of the movie the 3 submarines are docked.

Audio

The English audio track is Dolby Digital 5.1 and also features a subtitle option. The dialogue is clear and crisp as is the ambience effects of crowds, animals and flutes exampled in the scene when Bond docks from a supplies boat in Cairo, all can be heard well. During the ski jump scene quietness is used to make the jump more intense once 007 is airborne, it is at this point though where you can pick up a slight hissing/interference noise which is enhanced more through the quiet scene. It also pops up again when Bond is on a camel on the approach to his Egyptian contact and it can still be heard through a low or high volume setting, never the less it is a minimal downpoint.
I found that the sub effects were used in a variety of ways during the movie, the obvious would be the explosions, either the small grenade and missile explosions or the larger ones for complete destruction like for example the Liparus going up in smoke, or the biker`s missile capsule igniting the truck during the Lotus chase. Another way was to emphasise menacing size and making the key scenes dramatic, take the part where the Liparus is bearing down on Commander Carter`s sub and slowly swallowing it whole, or even as Jaws is about to bite into Max Kalber in the phone booth.
There are sub effects present at the start of the movie within the submarine on interior and exterior scenes as it is being forced up to the surface, this usage is more on the audio effects side representing the submarine tracking device at work. All gun shot sounds are a bit on the `tinney` side but realistic enough, but do differ in quality compared to other effects.
This movie has a good variety of music and score to it including a favourite of mine "Bond 77" (as it`s titled on the soundtrack), this track features a `popping` cowbell, pitched strings and brass and pieces of electronic synth which makes this tune really `007/Spyish`, it is quite catchy also and is included over the ski chase and once Jaws gives chase to the Lotus along side Naomi`s helicopter, around this scene though it does alter slightly and has a quicker pace to it to match the chase speed. It also pops up again once the Lotus has submerged under water and is involved in battle once again.
Stromberg`s lair, `Atlantis` has it`s own title theme and can be heard once Bond and Anya are on the boat with Naomi taking a visit to Stromberg himself, it kind of sounds similar to a fairground attraction. The Egyptian Pyramids show presents some dramatic and operatic music, which goes well with both the Egypt theme and the actions of Bond during his chase after Fekish and his small fight with Anya`s `mates`, it has a certain `Sinbad` theme to it! There is a comical fanfare piece when the van is bumping over the desert, an accordian rendition of the "Nobody Does It Better" title track once Bond arrives in Sardinia too. There are a couple of tracks featured in the Mojaba club done by "The Egyptian Folklore Group" stated in the end credits. Another piece of music used is a nice orchestral string accompaniment as Atlantis rises up to sea level, and it suits the scene well.

Features

The menus have a watery look to them and blues dominate the picture in colour, a spinning device which looks like the top of Stromberg`s underwater lair is central in the picture and repeatedly spins, a montage of movie shots are atop and a waterband is below. When changing between the menus a water ripple effect and underwater noises are present, the catchy "Bond 77" tune is overlayed and other parts of the menu are designed to give that 007 look. There are 2 documentaries one is an inside look to the movie running at 41 mins and there is one about production designer Ken Adams at 22 mins. There is a feature commentary, 3 trailers, 6 TV spots, 12 Radio spots and a gallery of stills as well.

Conclusion

One of my favourite James Bond missions due to the fact that it includes the Lotus car and great 70`s spyish themes to the music, Roger Moore suits the part well at the time this was made and with all the lavish sets, locations and action packed scenes you can see why I favour this one. It does feature small slices of `cheese` and far fetched action as in every 007 movie I guess.
I found that the end shoot out was like watching a paintball match blues vs reds, and that the fight onboard the train between Jaws and Bond was more of a struggle/grapple in that confined place and is soon over although Bond should have been overpowered there in that space. This scene was probably included as an excuse for Anya and Bond to get a `bit closer` and share the same room together, she did say she was tired when they parted companies and then she feels okay and awake all of a sudden, women eh! I honestly give this one a thumbs up though as one of Moore`s best, despite the 1977 look and feel to it.