Search - For Your Eyes Only (Ws Spec) on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 5/8/2022...

Classic Roger Moore 007 Bond, James Bond!

One of my all-time favorite Bond movies in a nice package

Darren Harrison | Washington D.C. | 04/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE MOVIE
There wasn't much further 007 could go as far as sci-fi wizardry and fantastic characters after the cartoonish MOONRAKER that had seen James Bond propelled into space.
What was called for was a `back to basics' approach that emphasized realism, exotic locations, less gadgetry, down to earth villains and a return to the ruthlessness that Roger Moore had exhibited in movies such as THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. What better way for the filmakers to return Bond to his roots than to tap into original Fleming source material.
Taking characters and situations from not only the Fleming novel FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, but also the keel-hauling sequence from LIVE AND LET DIE writers Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson wove together a complex and enticing cold war spy drama that included some of the staple setpieces underwater and on the slopes that had served the character so well in the past.
As the late John Brosnan noted in his review of the movie this production is essentially one long chase, but in the one solitary tip of the hat to the fantastic plots of the previous two movies, here the stakes could not be higher. Those stakes are the fate of all the British nuclear missiles in the polaris fleet. Forget the kidnapping of a few nuclear warheads in previous movies, here the balance of nuclear brinksmanship is at risk and ultimately the fate of the world.
This movie sports several of my favorite characters from the entire EON canon. Topol plays a brilliant, amiable Greek smuggler named Columbo and the good natured trust and friendship between him and Roger Moore's James Bond is clearly evident in every scene they share together. Noted British television actor Julian Glover plays Greek mercenary and chief villain Kristatos and I love the understated mannerisms and menace that literally oozes from every line. The movie also has one of the series most beautiful women with the appealing Carole Bouquet and this particular Bond fan had a huge crush on Lynn Holly Johnson who portrayed the chipper Bibi Dahl. Add these elements together and place it against the backdrop of the Italian Alps and the Adriatic and you have one of the best entries in the series.

THE DVD
This DVD was one of the first wave of the newly refurbished Bond DVDs (most had previously been released in the snapper cases). Arriving in stores in Oct. 1999 I quickly snatched them up and devoured them.
Whereas the later two sets all had DVDs with two documentaries on them this one has just the one on the Making of the movie. For Bond fans this is a true treat because we get to see new on camera interviews with the likes of Rick Sylvestor, Topol and Lynn Holly Johnson. Narrated by Patrick MacNee it's both breezy and fascinating.
With only the one documentary and the standard selectioon of trailers, music and radio spots, we do have two audio commentaries (rather than the one that appeared in the later sets). Unfortunately these are the spliced together kind which means that often what the interviewees are talking about is not relevant to what is playing out on screen. Whereas this means we get a lot of information it does tend to get a bit dry and I would have preferred a scene specific track with participants sitting together in a studio discussing the movie as it plays.
Still...this is a great movie and the packaging isn't too shabby. For the time (late 1999) these DVDs were viewed as on-top as far as special features go because at that time most movies being released were bare-bones editions.
Highly recommended.

UPDATE- It should be noted that there is a rerelease of this movie coming up on DVD which will feature a newly recorded scene specific audio commentary by Bond actor Roger Moore. So, it may well be worth holding off on a purchase until these Ultimate Editions are released towards the end of 2006."

One of my favorite of the series...Moore at his best

Darren Harrison | Washington D.C. | 04/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There wasn't much further 007 could go as far as sci-fi wizardry and fantastic characters after the cartoonish MOONRAKER that had seen James Bond propelled into space.
What was called for was a `back to basics' approach that emphasized realism, exotic locations, less gadgetry, down to earth villains and a return to the ruthlessness that Roger Moore had exhibited in movies such as THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. What better way for the filmakers to return Bond to his roots than to tap into original Fleming source material.
Taking characters and situations from not only the Fleming novel FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, but also the keel-hauling sequence from LIVE AND LET DIE writers Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson wove together a complex and enticing cold war spy drama that included some of the staple setpieces underwater and on the slopes that had served the character so well in the past.
As the late John Brosnan noted in his review of the movie this production is essentially one long chase, but in the one solitary tip of the hat to the fantastic plots of the previous two movies, here the stakes could not be higher. Those stakes are the fate of all the British nuclear missiles in the polaris fleet. Forget the kidnapping of a few nuclear warheads in previous movies, here the balance of nuclear brinksmanship is at risk and ultimately the fate of the world.
This movie sports several of my favorite characters from the entire EON canon. Topol plays a brilliant, amiable Greek smuggler named Columbo and the good natured trust and friendship between him and Roger Moore's James Bond is clearly evident in every scene they share together. Noted British television actor Julian Glover plays Greek mercenary and chief villain Kristatos and I love the understated mannerisms and menace that literally oozes from every line. The movie also has one of the series most beautiful women with the appealing Carole Bouquet and this particular Bond fan had a huge crush on Lynn Holly Johnson who portrayed the chipper Bibi Dahl. Add these elements together and place it against the backdrop of the Italian Alps and the Adriatic and you have one of the best entries in the series."

One Of The Best Bond Films

Erik Rupp | Southern California | 05/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After MOONRAKER's excesses, it was a wise decision to bring Bond back to earth, and back to basics with FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. FYEO features one of the best casts of any of the Bond films, including standout performances from Topol (playing one of the most likeable rogues in all of the Bond films), Julian Glover, and one of the best (and most beautiful) Bond women of all in Carole Bouquet. Lynn-Holly Johnson IS a little annoying as a spoiled young olympic hopeful, but the character is SUPPOSED to be annoying, so she actually was a bit of inspired casting. The story brings Bond back to the style of the films of the 60's, as Bond once again squares off with the Soviets in a race to recover a sensitive piece of computer equipment. Roger Moore gives his best performance as Bond in FYEO, as we finally see him show some toughness as well as his suave sophistication. Humor is present, but not so much as to distract from the film. The pre-credits sequence is a fun bit of tongue-in-cheek action, but a little out of sync with the rest of the movie (although the opening with Bond placing flowers on his wife's grave is touching). The special features on this DVD are (as usual with a Bond Special Edition) outstanding. Multiple trailers, documentaries, audio commentary from Director John Glen (probably the best Bond Director!) and Executive Producer Michael G. Wilson & menbers of the crew, radio commercials, and more, make this one of the most complete DVD packages around. Not to be missed! If you are a James Bond fan, or just like good Action-Adventure movies you really should add FYEO to your DVD collection."