The Man with the Golden Gun

1974 saw the release of Roger Moore's second adventure as Bond and the final time for Guy Hamilton in the director's chair for the franchise with The Man with the Golden Gun that planned to adapt Ian Fleming's last book in the series, which was released posthumously in 1965. Moore's debut in Live and Let Die was an enjoyable ride even if it wasn't quite as polished as some of Connery's earlier films and unfortunately a heavily reworked script here would see this as probably one of the weaker entries for 007.

Aside from the title character, Francisco Scaramanga who is an assassin with a golden gun, there is very little here in the film that was adapted from the book. The adventure there saw Bond sent to the Jamaica on a mission to redeem himself as works undercover for Scaramanga, who is no more than a brutish American thug, in the hope to undo his dastardly plans. Whereas the film here sees Bond investigate a mysterious golden bullet with 007 engraved into it which takes him from Beirut to South East Asia where the assassin Scaramanga, played more as a British gentleman by Sir Christopher Lee, is in possession of a very powerful form of solar energy.

While a more faithful adaptation would have been possible, it's great to see Bond exploring new parts of the world and the change in Scaramanga's character is most welcome from the typical American gangster which was becoming rather tiresome in the books. This is in thanks to a great performance from Lee who is regrettably underused until the final act but when he and Moore are together, TMWTGG is at its very best. Moore is also very good again balancing the drama and humour perfectly but there are still some awkward moments where the script pushes for a mores serious Bond that is at odds with the actor's affable demeanour. 

This is the result of a script that went through numerous drafts and writers which lands us with a very uneven experience that boasts a great villain, exciting locations and a particularly memorable car stunt while lumbered with forgettable side characters, some sleaziness that doesn't feel like Bond and a rather unengaging story. It's not all doom and gloom though as Maud Adams shines as the tragic Andrea Anders, and Britt Eckland's Mary Goodnight provides some light-hearted relief but I can't escape feeling this film needed a couple more drafts in writing room. 

The Man with the Golden Gun works in places and is saved in the final act when Bond goes against Scaramanga but it has too many rough edges to really feel enjoyable or match the level we saw in Moore's last adventure. The film moves at a decent pace and is good for casual viewing on a relaxing afternoon but it isn't one that should be used to introduce newcomers to the franchise unlike what would follow next for 007.