Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, the dashing and understated Roger Moore was James Bond. With his candid and self-deprecating memoir, My Word Is My Bond, now on shelves, we placed the man who played 007 in as many films as Sean Connery in the hot seat. We found that the gentleman (who, of course, lives in both Monaco and Switzerland) could not be shaken nor stirred. And he remains, at 80, wonderfully dry.
Describe your interpretation of James Bond? What did you bring to the plate?
I made him look like me and sound like me, and I did not have a Scottish or Australian accent. I could not treat Bond seriously. After all, he could walk into any bar or hotel in the world and the staff would recognize and greet him. Some secret agent!
There are some Bond purists who feel your 007 was too genteel or polished. Thoughts?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I saw the funny side of Jim Bond. It obviously worked, as I did seven of the films.
As an actor, what was restricting about the character? Were you locked in by the producers to certain Bond clichés?
As long as I was in the character, there was no interference. I stuck to the script, but otherwise I was free to add my own interpretation.
Had you read any of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels before taking on the role of 007? If so, what did you think of them?
I partly read one to see if there was a background to his character. Apart from the fact that it said Bond didn’t particularly like killing, I found very little. I enjoyed the book—though his character of Bond was far more intense and serious than I had in mind.
Is Bond a cartoon, flesh and blood, or a male fantasy to you?
Yes, all three combined.
If you were a therapist, how would you describe James Bond’s strengths and weaknesses?
The box office is his strength. I try not to analyze Bond too much. I saw him as a charmer, dedicated to his job, and very good-looking. I don’t think he had any weaknesses.
How important is the selection of the Bond girl? You worked with one of the only African-American Bond girls, right?
I worked with two in fact: Gloria Hendry in Live and Let Die, who was a delight, and then there was Grace Jones in A View to a Kill. The Bond girl is very important. After all, she carries the film along with Bond.
What’s your appraisal of Daniel Craig’s new James Bond? I have not seen the new James Bond film yet. I did, however, see Casino Royale, and I thought he was excellent in it—and stronger than me.
Do James Bond films act as mirrors of the times?
They’ve never really been political. That’s why they still stand up today—though they have moved with the times and dealt with the themes of the day, whether it be space travel, oil pipelines, or international terrorists. Bond adapts.
I read your memoir. Liked it very much. Quite a life you’ve led.
How very kind of you to say so.