Review of For Your Eyes Only: Special Edition (James Bond)

Introduction

MGM are been doing a wonderful job releasing a couple of James Bond films each month – my DVD shelf is now showing three quarters of the 007 logo, but so far, I’ve not had time to watch any of the films – just some of the documentaries.

For Your Eyes Only is one Bond film I’m not overly familiar with – so I thought I’d better make the effort to sit down and watch it.

The basic plot is as follows: The British have a device that controls nuclear submarines that is lying at the bottom of the ocean following the sinking of a spy trawler (this device incidentally is remarkable similar to a cheap cash register). Obviously the Russians are very interested in stealing the device before the British can retrieve it, and enlist the help of a Greek crime boss. Bond then faces the customary struggle against hordes of enemies and beautiful women to beat them to it.

Video

Video comes courtesy of a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, which is of excellent quality, especially when you consider that this film is nearly 20 years old (was 1981 really 20 years ago?)

Aside from the expected dubious back projection, the visuals look pretty good, especially during the fantastic ski, motorcycle and bobsleigh chase sequence which is fabulously entertaining. Other big sequences in the movie include the Citroen 2cv car chase and the climb to the monastery – again both look good.

Audio

The sound has been remixed into Dolby Digital 5.1 and is, as you would expect of good quality throughout – although the centre level is slightly low.

The remix has added some sparkle to the film, with bullets ricocheting around behind you, crowd noise, engine noises and the film’s score blasting out from all the speakers.

Features

Like the other releases in the series, there are plenty of extra features for James Bond fans to get their teeth into.

For Your Eyes Only features just one documentary (other recent releases have had two), but it is of the same high standard, featuring narration from Patrick MacNee and interviews with many of those involved with the production and is interesting for all of the 30 minute running time. However, making up for the lack of a second documentary are two audio commentaries – I didn’t listen to either these so can’t pass judgement.

There are also trailers, a Sheena Easton music video, stills gallery, collectable booklet, radio spots, original theatrical trailers and animated story board sequences.

The disc comes packaged in an Amaray case complete with the usual interesting booklet giving background information on the film along with the chapter breaks.

Conclusion

Overall, Bond fans will not be disappointed by this release which maintains the high standards that MGM have set so far.

The film is actually very entertaining – especially as I haven’t seen it for many years, and even then I’m not sure if had seen it all. Of particular note is the chase where Bond is pursued by two motorcycles down the ski-slopes and eventually into a bobsleigh run. According to the documentary, the bobsleigh goes much quicker than a man on skis, so they tied the stuntman (nutter) to the back of it with a rope! And if that wasn’t bad enough, can you imagine riding a motorbike down behind them? Fantastic entertainment.

Good picture and sound are once again backed up by a solid range of extras, making this another worthwhile purchase for Bond fans.