Moonraker (1979)

Richard Kiel as Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Which Jaws smile is best?

Richard Kiel as Jaws smiles in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Richard Kiel as Jaws smiles in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

OR

Richard Kiel as Jaws smiles in Moonraker (1979)

Richard Kiel as Jaws smiles in Moonraker (1979)

The start of the space fight in Moonraker (1979)

Open the cargo doors

The Bond movie franchise’s response to the space-based Star Wars phenomenon of the late 1970’s comes in the form of Moonraker (1979). And this fight scene perfectly encapsulates the movie’s attempt at inserting some James Bond action into the vast bleakness of space.

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The end credits of The Spy Who Loved Me says that For Your Eyes Only is the next movie

But what about Moonraker?

The end credits of The Spy Who Loved Me says that For Your Eyes Only is the next movie

The end credits of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) says that For Your Eyes Only (1981) is the next movie

Eon Productions jumped the gun!

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Roger Moore as James Bond escpaes via hang glider in Moonraker (1979)

The Great Escape

Roger Moore as James Bond escapes via hang glider in Moonraker (1979)Roger Moore as James Bond escapes via hang glider in Moonraker (1979)

Might be my favorite escape!

Hugo Drax's estate in Moonraker (1979)

Chez Drax: Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Hugo Drax's estate in Moonraker (1979)

Hugo Drax's estate in Moonraker (1979)

So where is Hugo Drax’s gargantuan mansion in Moonraker (1979) in real life?

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Michael Lonsdale as Huge Drax and Roger Moore as James Bond in Moonraker (1979)

Drax’s Chopin

Michael Lonsdale as Huge Drax and Roger Moore as James Bond in Moonraker (1979)

Ever wondered what the name of the song that Drax plays on his Steinway the first time he meets 007? It’s Frederic Chopin‘s “Prelude No. 15 (Raindrop)”.

Check out a full performance of the piece by world-reknown Chinese pianist Yi Lundi below:

Richard Kiel as Jaws in Moonraker (1979)

Horror movie or Bond movie?

Richard Kiel as Jaws in Moonraker (1979)

I see Jaws’ costume from Moonraker (1979) in my nightmares.

Drax and his dorky henchment from Moonraker (1979)

Drax’s Dorky Henchmen

Drax and his dorky henchment from Moonraker (1979)Villain Hugo Drax and his dorky henchmen from Moonraker (1979)…they couldn’t have worn any other kind of helmet???

Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) fires Corinne Dufour (Corinne Clery) in Moonraker (1979)

I’m terminating your employment. You will leave immediately.

Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) is merciless in Moonraker (1979). In this scene, he’s had enough with his incompetent employee Corinne Dufour (Corinne Clery) who slept with Bond and led 007 to the safe in Drax’s study. She was an easy mark for Bond – giddy chatting him on the helicopter ride to the Drax estate and a asinine glance at the safe’s location in Drax’s study. Her fate was inevitable – a simple snap of his fingers and henchmen Chang (Toshiro Suga) releases the hunting dogs to maul her to death.

Oddly enough, the subsequent dog chase scene in the eerie forest and its accompanying harrowing music feels more like a horror movie than a James Bond movie.

Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) fires Corinne Dufour (Corinne Clery) in Moonraker (1979)

Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) fires Corinne Dufour (Corinne Clery) in Moonraker (1979)

Pew pew pew

Moonraker laser

Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead in Moonraker

Roger Moore as James Bond in Moonraker