I wish Roger Moore quit after "For Your Eyes Only." It was made after the over-the-top, absolutely unbelievable "Moonraker," and the producers wanted to get back to basics. And FYEO succeeded in a back-to-basics Bond. No high-tech gadgets, crafty Russians, and a lethal leading lady (instead of a clingy screamer...I'm talking about you Tanya Roberts). And Roger Moore finally aged into the role, he was no longer the cute Bond. He looked the world-weary Bond Fleming wrote about, he was getting tired.
The opening at Tracy's grave hinted at this (though the scene foils the Internet theory that each different actor playing James Bond is actually playing a different agent assuming the code name.)
Now look at the films following this one, Octopussy (Bond as clown), and "View to a Kill." Octopussy is the better of the two, Maude Adams was perfect as an age-appropriate leading lady, but "VTAK" was a greatest hits collection with the worst love interest, and a too-quirky for his own good Christopher Walken.
If he quit with FYEO he would have went out on top.
The opening at Tracy's grave hinted at this (though the scene foils the Internet theory that each different actor playing James Bond is actually playing a different agent assuming the code name.)
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