Octopussy | In-depth Movie Review
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- This one gets a lot of hate. Let's turn that around!
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“Before we go diving into some Octopussy”
The tone has been set.
I literally lol'd when I heard that line!
What Calvin does for England
Almost on par with the unintentional hilarities of both the commercial for Mr. Bucket as well as the commercial for the original Mario Bros.
Spoiler alert, it’s due to gutter humor, just sayin’. 🤣
"fill her up please" 😉
I got flashbacks of "Octo mom" for those internet aficionados who know what I am talking about lol!
I love it when James doesn't even look down at the dice when he throws them. He's onto Kamal Khan's game :)
A great scene!
No one:
Not one soul:
Calvin Dyson: Octopussy is Hitchcockian
I stand by that remark! ;)
When I watched it long back, it was a fun outing. Put my brain off.
But now, on re watching I realised this is a really complicated and plausible plot of the 80s.
Guess it's my 3rd best Moore's film after TSWLM and FYEO
It's absolutely Hitchcockian.
Some elements do have a Hitchcockian tone - it's just no one else gets it apart from Calvin.
Nope!
I thought so too lol!!
Absolutely agree with Calvin!
"Smallbone becomes no bone." This is what we love about you, Calvin. That line alone justified me getting out of bed today!
HA! I'm glad you liked it, I had fun with the bit talking about Smallbone!
@@calvindyson 18:20 I think she is.. a SUBTLE FEM FATALE!
Fun Fact: the idea of Bond trying to foil a plot at a circus with no one believing him because he's dressed as a clown is an unused Ian Fleming plot found in his notes.
What other plots were found in his notes?
@@raptorjesus2516 The ones I know of were from one page copied down in 1964, and the fact Anthony Horowitz used one this year without knowing it seems to suggest that access to it now is difficult. There was one about Bond having to pose as a double agent and being forced to kill a friend for his cover, another about a shoot-out on a ferris wheel and one with a fight under Niagra Falls. There were also two unfinished stories in that notebook and, elsewhere, about half a dozen scripts/treatments for Bond by Fleming, two of which Anthony Horowitz has used in recent Bond novels. These included Bond having to replace a driver in a grand prix style race to thwart a murder attempt, a blackmail attempt involving a Russian war ship, and Bond infiltrating a prison to get near one of the inmates.
I thought that was a great scene, very intense acting on Moore's part.
@@olivergiggins7931 I wounder if these came from the proposed Bond TV series [which was the origin of the some of the short stories].
@@jamesatkinsonja That idea was found in a notebook which was filled after the TV programme I believe, but what does that mean. So who knows.
I wish Glidrose would let someone take a proper look at those documents, including Fleming's unused TV treatments, as I would love a comprehensive history of that unmade show, which seems thoroughly warranted.
The absolute delight I felt upon seeing this appear in my sub box. I’m so glad that we both agree that Octopussy is underrated :)
I really hope you enjoy the video in that case! I very much find it to be one of the most underrated films in the series!
The “no problem” comment from the driver I believe was a callback to Vijay, who said the same lines. Bond was disturbed by this bc he was reminded of poor Vijay.
Yes it was.
Steven Berkoff is an absolute scenery-chewing joy in this film, and steals every scene he is in. Even after Orlov dies, he still manages to somehow overact being a corpse. Who else could have pulled that off?
Honestly, I think Kahn didn't stop Orlov because he just went from calling it a "fake" to smashing faster than he could say "no, wait!"
Not that it would necessarily stop a crazy bastard like Orlov.
"Nobody does HIM better" - now, is it me having a dirty mind or is that the most awkward promotional material ever ? xD
I suppose it was intended as a dig against Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again, whilst also having a dirty double meaning like many a Bond line.
Yes
It is dirty ... and also false.
Carl, the driver, saying "No problem!" is a reference to Vijay who often said this, no? Which explains Bond's reaction (a thoughtful expression, as he is reminded of Vijay...).
Never picked up on that
No problem!
These reviews have an amazing sense of charisma to them, and I love how you examine each film from multiple angles; as a fan, as an analytical critic, as a comedic one... Octopussy was always my second favorite Bond film (after The Spy Who Loved Me), and it's for a lot of the same reasons as those you mention here - the especially intricate mystery plot involving different factions all out for themselves; the balance of camp and seriousness; and the level of suspense we see in several scenes. The bomb scene in this film actually beats the one in Spy Who Loved Me, IMO, and the clown angle is part of what makes it better.
I love Octopussy. 'No Ma'am I'm with the economy tour' is one of my favourite Moore quips, the juxtaposition of clearly knackered Bond with Moore's timing of that line always makes me chuckle. I do think it should have been Moore's last however.
My favourite flim in the series. For me it has the perfect mix of camp and grit.
I personally have no problem with Moore's age in the last two bonds, but it must be said that the hairstyle they chose does not compliment his look at all. He was obviously starting to lose his hair and they tried to cover this up by using a ton of hairspray, to make the illusion of volume and "youth", but it really has the opposite effect. But, at least it is his own hair, unlike a certain scotsman.
In Sean's defence, he'd been pretty much bald since before Bond.
Don't you mean a Shertain Shcotshman?
@@maxperrins8878 Sean was already losing hair in his 20s
@@davidjames579, he only began to lose said hair from 1965 on, most likely.
I agree. It's Roger's hairstyle that makes him look like an older man in the later films. It was too long down the back/sides/over his ears, which is a shame as it was the perfect length in Live & Let Die and most of The Man With The Golden Gun. My wife, who has zero interest in Bond whatsoever, once commented that "his hair looks awful".
Mind you Connery's wasn't brilliant in Diamonds Are Forever either. Far too thick/long on the back and sides, and they didn't trim his eyebrows or sideburns either. It makes him look more brutish. Whether this was intentional I suppose we'll never know...
While I like that they used details from the short story Octopussy to form Octopussy’s backstory in the film (especially considering that the Bond-lite short story was never going to be faithfully adapted as a Bond film), there is one thing that sticks out. In the short story, “Octopussy” is Dexter-Smythe’s pet name for his octopus, which makes sense, but in the film it’s his pet name for his daughter, which seems a rather cruel, not to mention really odd, thing for a father to do. Hopefully he didn’t call her that in public - one can easily imagine the torment she’d get from the kids at school if they ever found out. And I bet social services would’ve had some questions too if they found out.
Very true! It's a VERY odd pet name... Even for an octopus itself it still feels like a bit of a weird one!
@@calvindyson Pussy Galore's parents must have been a bit odd too!
@@whiiteshirt7192 I met Berkoff at LFCC some yrs ago , he sabotaged photo shoots as he refused to look direct at camera ;)
@@whiiteshirt7192 poor Chew Mee
Not gonna lie...I’m a psychopath, but I like RM’s following Bond movies.
Also it’s great to see your new review, thanks for taking the time to make these.
I think I speak for all of your subscribers when I say that I really miss your older reviews. Perhaps you can create an archive of your previous material.
Another great review Calvin! At this rate, you should be able to get up to Spectre by the release of No Time To Die, whenever that'll be.
As for the parachute on Gabinda’s back,,well he was not dumb and probably put it on before tackling Bond “out there”,,,,,which means he survived and is still alive !
Octopussy, along with A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights has always had a spot in my top 3 Bond films. You can’t go wrong with any of the 80’s Bond films if you ask me. My favorite decade for the franchise.
@Wadsy I don’t think Dalton’s style would have worked for AVTAK’s story. In my perfect world they switch a few of the film’s release orders around and have Moore do Octopussy in 81, AVTAK in 83 and Dalton starts as Bond with FYEO in 85. FYEO’s story definitely fits Dalton’s style.
@Wadsy Your idea changes for AVTAK is a hard pass from me, very hard. AVTAK the way it is is the film that made me a Bond fan. I might not be a Bond fan today if Roger wasn’t in AVTAK or if the film was changed in any major way. Yeah, Dalton in AVTAK doesn’t work for me.
@Wadsy Highly agree with this. LALD, TSWLM, OP is my personal top-3, but I also think, that TMWTGG was Moore's weakest.
@Wadsy Can't see Dalton or Walken being in the same film, especially given Walken's very OTT performance and Nazi Dr friend. I don't find AVTAK very dark to be honest given it's got the firetruck chase, 'Fly in my soup 'line, Stacy Sutton and other camp moments which are too numerous to take out. I think they'd be look for a young Brosnan for that script if they were recasting. Living Daylights was far better debut for Dalton's version of the character.
Though I agree FYEO works well with Moore. Though subtle it adapts to his age [such as in the mountain climbing scenes] and he turns in a really under rated serious performance. Only the coda [with out of place comedy and forced romance] drags it down a little.
21:01 'On the whole Roger Vs Sean debate...I'm firmly in the Roger Camp, I believe no-one could wear a safari suit with the same degree of casuality as Roger'-Sir Alan Partridge
Random Fact; IO Interactive, the makers of the new James Bond video game were inspired by Bond's costume swapping actions during this movie when they were making the Hitman games to the point they made that an element in their games.
IO is the perfect studio for making a bond game, so hyped
Maybe, like FYEO, this is one I need to revisit but Octopussy has always been a middle-of-the-road Bond film for me. I don't dislike it but I never find myself going "Boy, I really want to watch Octopussy tonight.".
Even with that said, the cast IS phenomenal: Maude Adams is much more suited for this type of character than TMWTGG, while I probably wouldn't put him in my Top 10, Vijay is a fun ally and Khan and Gobinda make for enjoyable villains. Also, General Orlov is....quite something...but much like J.W. Pepper, he's a guilty pleasure character. I LOVE how insanely (literally) over-the-top he is!
As much as I loathe the idea of an American-accented Bond, it would be interesting to see where the series would have gone if McClory and NSNA hadn't happened and Moore had stepped down early...Probably wouldn't have been good but we'll never know.
Looking forward to watching you rip Never Say Never Again to shreds!
I think you're totally right on Orlov, he's a guilty pleasure character isn't he? Berkoff exists in a bit of a strange grouping of actors who are so overthetop and hammy and big and yet they do it with such conviction it's not as if he's a bad actor at all but just brings such a weird energy to things and it can be hit and miss and in this instance I think it works really well!
When I watched it long back, it was a fun outing. Put my brain off.
But now, I realised this is a really complicated and plausible plot of the 80s.
Guess it's my 3rd best Moore's film after TSWLM and FYEO
@@calvindyson Greetings from Peru Calvin and an excellent year 2022, completely agree Orlov and his exaggerated energy makes him a much more than worthy rival of our British agent, his only face-to-face encounter with Bond is memorable, when they meet in the train car and the intention and fate of the bomb is revealed Moore is fabulous by ordering him "On your feet General, you're going to stop that train", every time I remember this scene I like Roger Moore's Bond more.
I actually Met Vjays actor some years ago at least a decade back, and I didn’t recognise him at the time, given that my only instance of seeing him was on a VHS tape of Octopussy on a small TV, he was playing Tennis at a club where my mum ran exercise classes for a considerable number of years, and it was either be half deaf from some awful music or watch the occasional tennis match being played by some people who’d hired a court, and one of them on that fateful Wednesday happened to be Vijay, I watched the game, can’t remember the score for the life of me was about 10-12 years ago, and being a child after his game I went to him and said he did pretty well in the game, he said thank you and that was the briefest encounter I’ve ever had with an actor, found out who he was the next Wednesday when a fellow Bond fan mentioned that Vijay from Octopussy played tennis there and actually went into the office to show me the photo that it was him, apparently around that time he was a regular at the club, wish I had of known and I always kept my copy of the VHS on me to see if he’d be there again, alas he wasn’t.
Also speaking of that VHS copy, on that version I’m like 90% it didn’t have that subtitle saying “get off my bed”, for reference it was the tape packaged in the set where the spins made a picture and would often start with a trailer for the first 18 films played to Mobeys rendition of the theme and the commentator would say “it takes more than one bond”
You lucky thing!!!!!!
I've had a pretty hectic day, now all I want is a sweet distraction for an hour or two.
I feel like having a Waldorf salad now
I think we just ran out of Waldorfs
I love the background images with the egg :D
HA! I'm so glad! I had fun making them :D
Calvin, you truly are the best Bond youtuber out there. And I will tell you why. Nobody has such sharp wit and charm then you do. You make every video highly enjoyable and I genuinely think you are the most rewarding content producer in the Bond universe.
Yes!!!! I couldn’t agree more
Penelope Smallbone.... I see the writers were working overtime on that one.
Actually really like this film. Always thought that the climax in the circus was genuinely one of the most tense moments in the series. That and All Time High is one of my favourite Bond songs.
All Time High still makes me weep. Such a moving opening theme.
Fantastic review of one of my favourite Bond let alone Moore Bond films! What a year 1983 was for film releases (Return of the Jedi came out a few months earlier)! BTW Bruce Boa and Shane Rimmer were Canadian, but you are right that they often appeared in many British made productions and these films were all the more enjoyable for it! Looking forward to your next Bond review, Calvin! :)
I've always seen Robert Brown as the same character as in The Spy Who Loved Me, and in my head giving the good admiral the first name Morgan to keep the M has to have a M-name tradition.
Octopussy was Moore’s best Bond film and for several reasons. It’s interesting that it beat Never Say Never Again in total profits. I always felt the older he got, the better he was.
What if Octopussy was Andrea Anders, who survived Scaramanga’s assassination & used what was left of his resources to construct a jewel smuggling syndicate?
I should think so😎
I think Octopussy is the Bond film I’ve had the biggest change of heart with. When I was a teenager getting into Bond I dismissed it as a rather average, formulaic entry and was put off by its sillier moments, as well as the theme which I thought was rather naff. But with repeat watchings I’ve come to appreciate it more, to the point where I think it’s my favourite Moore movie (helped in part that I think I’ve come down with The Spy Who Loved Me-fatigue, like how some people have Goldfinger-fatigue). While the plot may be a little convoluted, I like the fact the plot has some twists and turns and you’re not fully sure where character’s loyalties lie. And I think it has some great locations too - I think the best Bond films have a good variety of locations, with their own distinct feel, and India and Germany contrast with each other nicely.
Some of the sillier moments do irk me, such as that Dangerous Game chase - I’d much rather it had been a tense, suspenseful scene with the “economy tour” bit the stinger at the end that diffuses the tension. The comedy bits do ruin that a bit, cause you can’t be tense and comedic at the same time (as I found out the hard way when I tried to do stand-up at an open-mic night). The clown bit was a thing that used to irk me too, but I’ve come to appreciate it, because being a clown makes the scene more tense - it’s the worst thing to dress up as if you want people to take you seriously because they’re jokers, and also no one’s going to believe you’re an MI6 agent when they think you work at the circus. I mean, it does feel contrived (like they decided early on that Bond would dress up as a clown and then had to work backwards to figure out how they could work it into the script) but it doesn’t ruin the scene.
So yeah, I’ve gone from thinking “meh” to thinking best of Moore.
Too bad for Rita Coolidge my feelings of All Time High haven’t changed though - I still think it’s a rather naff song. I like the instrumental versions that appear in the score, but the actual song is one of my least favourites of the series: it lacks punch and that Bond edge. It’s one I rarely choose when I’m just listening to music.
Great analysis as always, BenCol! Good point on the contrast in locations too and how that brings a freshness to each act of the film. If I can make a drive-by comparison to QoS, in that film, despite them zipping around locations like nobodies business, it all kinda blends into one in my mind even though they're in such different places. Octopussy has totally different vibes depending on the setting and I love that.
I've always thought the scenes in (East & West) Germany were stronger than those in India. Great point about the contrast between the two settings.
I think one of the great things about 80's action movies is the feeling of being on location. When I watch stuff from the 2000 onwards it feels like it takes place in (random middle east location, random American city, random east European city, etc...)
Yo who ELSE got an Ad starring Calvin??? I just experienced Calvin-ception.
ME
I did
Same here
Same
The german equivalent is called the Ritterstand or Adelung, which, unfortunately, isn't a thing anymore in germany due to the lack of monarchy, but we would have the federal cross of the order of merit for it.
Excellent! Thanks for this, Badenia! I knew someone watching would know haha :D
I thoroughly enjoy this film it’s that perfect mix between the comedy and serious moments that really make it one of my favorites. I know I may get killed for this but I prefer this over spy who loved me. Please don’t kill me!
It’s ok I prefer it to Spy as well!
Jaws will bite you for that!
No, I think it’s better than The Spy Who Loved Me. Octopussy has an intricate plot and fun characters whilst TSWLM has a few cool sets, a pretty standard slow plot, Blofeld’s understudy/Stromberg and the popular guy with the metal teeth.
I have to say this is the height of what I like to call the "carry on Bond" era. All eyebrow raising and winks to camera silliness. I loved Sir Rodger as bond. He was so much fun. But his tenure was hampered by some silly over the top films in the series. Yes moonraker. I mean you!
What was annoying is the writers always felt the need to shoe-horn in slapstick humor into good action [such as some of the gags in the sky chase in 'For Your Eyes Only']
I like the easter rabbit poster with the Fabergé egg :-) Thank you for this indeep review. I like the plot considering the real disarmement movement from the 80is; Orlov is quite genius on the larger scale; therefore I've never really understood the jewellery side plot - was it only to be able to hire smuggeling Octopussy to deliver the bomb to Feldstadt???
I believe so... It's a credit to the film that it all kinda makes sense and doesn't feel too out there when you're watching it but it's only afterwards that you might be like, "hmmm... wait a minute!"
Happy to see Octopussy finally getting some love. Such an enjoyable romp. Always been one of the entries I turn to when I'm in a pretty crappy mood.
Perhaps your best review yet. Great work! Loved the comedy skits. Stay safe Calvin.
Thanks so much, Shane! That means an awful lot and I appreciate it. Hope you and your loved ones are staying safe too!
@@calvindyson Thank you!
Love that you commented on “that move” from Moore during the hand to hand fight - it’s my favourite physical stun Moore does himself.
Will Calvin finish his retrospective reviews before No Time To Die comes out?
Really good review of Moore's last great Bond film. Can't wait for you to look at Never Say Never Again.
HA! I was thinking that if they stick to October now I maaaaay get up to Licence to Kill in time for NTTD at the rate I'm going... I can't wait to get to talking about Dalton in all honesty! And thanks very much I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Nor can I!!!
Wahay, I'm a West Yorkshire man too. I'd have loved to have seen Roger doing a northern accent, it truly is a shame we didn't get to see it done!
You had me laughing out loud many times.
The octopus in the tank looks to be a
Blue Ring Octopus, which is venomous.
So the unfortunate fellow would die rather quickly.
Thanks very much, Erich! :D Glad you enjoyed it!
I always remember this Bond fondly in the video store because of the artwork on the VHS case. Classic Moore.
Octopussy was the first Bond film I've ever watched, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Bond villain standard attire XD
As someone who lived in London in 1983, yes, you could see people wearing the outfit the woman in the background at the auction wore. There were a surprising number of high necks in early 80s fashion, though the skirts were often either short or had high slits.
There was a screen test with James Brolin (not among those released on home video) flirting with Penelope Smallbone. It's stated that Moneypenny had retired. This screentest was shown at the Los Angeles James Bond convention in 1994.
Just wanted to mention that Louis Jourdan and Kabir Bedi are one of the very best villain pairings in the series. Gobinda is unswervingly loyal to Kamil Khan just having a slight wobble when he’s told to go outside an aeroplane in mid flight which I feel is fair enough.
There's something that really sticks in the memory about clown Bond at a circus. I loved Octopussy... A real VHS re-watcher. (and some of us are well aware of the Woodhouse reference, 'cause we're old) 😂
One of my top five Bond films. Worth it alone for Roger's reaction to "that's my little Octopussy." Brilliant soundtrack too.
This is an excellent and funny review. I am such a big fan of this film (the first Bond I saw in the cinema), I visited Udaipur for a few days when I went to India in 2012. I got to visit many of the filming locations and it was amazing. Great job, Calvin!
Thanks very much, Ronald! Very jealous you got to visit Udaipur, hope to make it there myself someday! 😁😁
I remember seeing Octopussy in London on a mini holiday with parents and the "SitTT " line got a big laugh (but Tarzan bit got a groan!)
Watching this video, and completely randomly I get your Ekster Wallets video as an add, and to get twice the Calvin in one video is always a good thing! :)
When rewatching with a friend, I was informed by said friend that, and I quote, “Gobinda got that drip.” And honestly I can’t even argue with that statement; Gobinda got style.
I love Steven Berkoff: he's superb at being able to convey a barely - just barely - controlled, simmering rage. I remember him as a Moonbase interceptor pilot (UFO) and a detective rozzer (Clockwork Orange). Great bloke!
Thank you Mr. Dyson. Love your content. I'm also a big fan of Octopussy. It's colorful, daft fun. This movie is what Kick-started my travel dream of going to India. A place with palaces galore and sheep's head platters... The real India I eventually got to see bore very little resemblance to Octopussy, but I loved it all the same. And there was markedly better food.
I wonder if that dog trainer has ever heard the two most important words anyone will ever hear in their life: "CHOKE CHAIN"
A Excellent review as always Calvin. I love your humour, the honest pros & cons of all the films you have reviewed & how you options have changed with growing up & conversations with other Bond fans. Keep up the great work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
Really appreciate this! Thank you very much! :D I'm glad you enjoyed the video, it was a very fun one to put together and I love talking about this film so I'm glad that came across!
The German dubbing of the Tiger sequence actually plays out as a product placement for Esso Patrol as Bond prompts to the Tiger verbatim: "You belong in the petrol tank!" Very different to the dogsitter's siit't! Still a strange bit of "dialogue" nevertheless! Great review (again) Mr. Dyson!!!
That's brilliant! I wished they'd had Moore say it.
After hundreds of seconds of research I can confirm without a doubt that the acid pen might work in real life. As said in the movie it sprays a mix of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and that it can dissolve any metal which yeah, they create aqua regia a mixture that is the only thing that can dissolve gold.
For the egg. I always read it as him knowing it was fake, but it took a lot of work to fabricate it and he was bothered that is was destroyed so abruptly. Like they might need it at a later time.
You know, I can accept James telling a tiger to say „sit“. But do you know what he says in the German dub? „Du gehörst in den Tank!“ - „You have to be put into the fuel tank“ - which is literally the contemporary Esso fuel station advertisement: „Put the tiger into your fuel tank“.
That's actually funnier.
Even if he was in a clown suit, watching James defuse the bomb with only 10 seconds before detonation made me hold my breath. It's like the scene in The Spy Who Loved Me where he has to remove the detonator from the missile without touching the magnetic ring. Both times, I let out a long breath of relief when he succeeded.
A few years ago I got in touch with Dominique Julienne - the French stunt driver who jumped the "tuk tuk" taxi over the camera and landed on the ground. He told me his brother Michel Julienne did the jump when the tuk tuk flew across the screen left to right - and landed on large boxes. If you watch that jump frame by frame on widescreen you can make out the edge of one of the boxes on the extreme right hand side of the screen.
"Not much to go on." 009 dies in a clown outfit, a stone's throw from a circus. What in the hell were they so stumped by?
Maybe 009 was known to be a Clowndresser
My first bond film! I actually didn’t like it when I first saw it, but I really appreciate these days, can we also take a minute to drool over the cinematography? This movies is gorgeous if you ask me.
Also when I lived in Hawaii a couple years ago, I saw a poster in a restaurant in Hilo that Rita Coolidge had basically become a lounge singer these days. It’s kinda sad but is it bad I also thought it was kinda funny? 😂
Brilliant breakdown, as always. Love the humour and, Calvin, you have been working on your Rog impression! Perfect!
Really really enjoyed this! Genuinely one of your best videos? I have such a soft spot for Octopussy. It's grown so much on me over the years. Definitely agree when you say it's one of John Glenns stronger efforts! Love him to pieces but I always find his films fall a little bit flat directorially for me?
I think even though Octopussy does struggle with plot issues, it really does make up for in terms of mood and atmosphere? Also I LOVE Bond as a clown and will defend it until the day I die!
Thanks, Matthew! Really appreciate the comment and looks like we're very much on the same page when it comes to Glenn's directorial work!
I think it's somewhat telling that Glenn's directorial career wasn't anything to write home about after he left Bond [he followed up LTK with a TV movie then Iron Eagle 3]. I think he was what Eon were looking for at the time and seems to be a nice guy in real life so was kept on for so long.
Calvin, this was also around the time that quite a few British productions were being set in pre-Independence India. Gandhi, The Jewel in the Crown, A Passage to India... it's possible that they were trying to piggyback off that trend?
I have to say Steven Ber-KOFF did a great job portraying Putin...err, I mean Orlov back in 1983. Great foreshadowing by him!
Like 'For Your Eyes Only', I never saw this at the cinema. Octopussy always seems like two different films to me; the campy Indian film, barring the death of Vijay, and the far more gritty German film, barring the bratwurst and beer. Louis Jourdan is so smooth and pitches his villain so well, he is probably my second favourite Bond villain. I believe that the egg crushed by the General was the original, purely from Khan's reaction because I don't think Khan would have given a fig if the egg weren't genuine. As for the crocodile, I think it was a real one which was so busy feasting on the henchman it allowed Bond to get to his own Q crocodile. It is fascinating hearing of your surprise at the existence of Mary Woodhouse and makes me realise that the years are piled most heavily on my head! It is, I think, always a mistake to include 'current' cultural tropes because those tropes are always destined to become obsolete. I was always rather bewildered about the resurfacing of Maud Adams, thinking, "Hang on! She's dead!!" Of course, she is playing a different character. Actors tend to do that, don't they. Ahem. Steven Berkoff is totally brilliant in his role and I really like his character. I enjoy Octopussy, adore John Barry's exquisite score and think it is an awful lot of fun. Thank you, enjoyed your analysis.
The confrontation on the train is possibly Rogers best acting in his time as Bond. I think his self deprecating nature made people underestimate his talents.
That's my second favourite Bond movie! I've found Your channel only few days ago, watched all the reviews and was a little bit dissapointed there's no one for my favourite movies: Octopussy and The Living Daylights. I'm happy to see that it's being rectified :)
The clown being chased through the forest is the scariest scene in the whole series, in my opinion. It always gives me creeps!
24:13 Khan thinks this is the fake egg. He react this way because the eggs are difficult for him to manufacture and he hopes that he can still gain some money from this one. Khan thinks he has sent the real one to Kreml. He never noticed the switch. He is not a "legitimate buyer" he is a "seller".
The plot becomes much easier if you look at it from the villains perspective. Someone steals a fake egg, then the thief (or his accomplice) brings it back. And that's it.
Holy shit. You're right!! He thought he sold off the real one to the Kremlin and now, someone is in possession of the fake egg . The egg they thought they lost I.e. Bond (who's actually in possession of the real egg). No wonder they were trying to kill 009 as he was running away with the fake egg. Therefore his theft is alerting others to their plan. I.e. MI6.
But Orlov doesn't really give a shit as even though the jewellery smuggling shit is part of the plan, it's also a detriment to the plan on the flip side!
Sidenote: I know too much about James Bond. I need a new hobby lol
Omg Barbara Woodhouse reference, too? My mother chose her spectacles because they looked like the ones Barbara Woodhouse wore. (My mother had, like, eleven million dachshunds when I was growing up in the eighties, so they were birds of a feather.)
Admittedly, Octopussy has never really ranked high on the list for me and the last time watching it a couple of weeks ago didn't really change my mind. Honestly, the biggest issue I take with it is just how much time they spend on the Faberage Egg. While yes, it's a McGuffin it's one without much merit to the overall story. So, with two thirds of the film being centered around it to lead to what Orloff was ultimately doing, there could've been parts of it that were trimmed to get it more concise. Also, the tone changes from FYEO to Octopussy are honestly jarring and for me, the Cold War aspects between those don't really hold up which is why I love that out of the 80s Bond films, AVTAK and LTK are my favorites because they detach away from the Cold War. The action set pieces are great nonetheless and Maud Adams is the perfect Bond girl for Roger and ALSO, I NEVER noticed the Romanoff Star there at the end! Great review Calvin!!
I really like Octopussy! Definitely an underrated Bond film and nice to see it getting some love.
Calvin just want to tell you that your effort put into these vids is really appreciated , that egg skit was great. HEY MIKE N' BABS ! NEXT TIME THERE'S A RED CARPET GET THIS GUY INSTEAD OF DAVID WALLIAMS AND SUSANNA REID ! 24:23 hilarious !
39:15 I feel like there was a missed opportunity to bring back Sheriff J.W. Pepper and his wife for that seen in this film. Don't you agree Calvin.
Oh my goodness... How has this never occured to me... YES YES ABSOLUTELY YES!!
"Wait a minute! I knooooow you! You're that Inglishh seeeeeecrettt ayyyyyygent, from Ingerland"
Doesn't that count even more for the tourist boat escape @27:54 ? :-D
@@michaeldemus6666 J.W. Pepper: Heyyyyyy its that seeeeeecrettt ayyyyyygent again! Do see that sweaty? Sweaty?
Mrs. Pepper: Oh, look honey elephants! *Takes pictures*
@@davidjames579 Bond: "Oh, no....."
Spot on review Calvin. I’ll admit as a kid I did get a tad confused about which egg was which, but your theory makes sense I must say. I love this movie, a very exotic spy yarn with touches of Cold War intrigue to boot.
Spot on from Calvin again, I absolutely love watching these, as a mega fan myself I get so excited to hear your passion for 007.
As a long time bond fan it’s a Delight to recently discover this great channel. Been watching your videos non stop
My favourite of the Moore entries! Extra marks for being the only Bond film that uses the, very Cold War-esque, former Inner German Border as a location.
This is also the first Bond film where he goes behind the Iron Curtain. Also infiltrates Communist Cuba.
What sane man in his 50s would actually hang onto a plane specifically for a movie?
I kind of wish this had been Moore's follow up and swansong after Moonraker rather than For Your Eyes Only. It would've been a good, fun sendoff to Moore's Bond, and For Your Eyes Only would've been better suited to be Dalton's first film.
I would love to see a video breaking down the history and cancellation of the newly discovered Goldeneye 007 XBLA footage that was uncovered. Games and media that never saw the light of day are always really interesting of what could have been.
I'm guessing you're referring to the Graslu00 video which is a newly captured playthrough on an emulator, so the footage isn't newly discovered: the actual playable version of the port/remake is out there... and Graslu00 cryptically says "be patient" with hints being that a finalized version of it may be released in some way in 2021.
I do fully agree that Calvin should make a video about the XBLA version of Goldeneye!
The lines when Bond is climbing into the tour boat reference ads for The Woolwich Building Society which were popular around that time.
Thx so much Calvin for this review and all your great other videos. Octopussy is great mix between action, suspense, humor and camp and Roger is the only Bond who qualifies for such a receipt. Definitly one of my favorites!
I love this film, it's just pure Bond spectacle fun and nothing wrong with that.
Some trivia on the film that wasn't mentioned:
Khan's henchman Gobinda was played by Kabir Bedi, an Indian actor best known for playing the title hero in the swashbuckling Italian series, Sandokan.
Jim Fanning, the MI6 antiques expert who accompanied Bond to the auction was played by British actor Douglas Wilmer, best known as one of the many actors to play Sherlock Holmes in the 1965-1968 BBC series (though he would leave the show due to creative differences and was replaced by Peter Cushing who had previously played Sherlock Holmes in Hammer Films' Hound of the Baskervilles adaptation)
I think Khan knew, that Orlov destroyed Real egg. And I think Orlov did this for same reasons why Blofeld ordered to destroy fake tape in Diamonds...
I always thought, that sea-t was just a silly gag and nothing more.
35:04 He said. "Hey. Seat down, couse I can't see."
This Bond film is my guilty pleasure. It's a fun romp that is entirely self-indulgent but very well judged in tone. Moore looks like he's really enjoying it and his initial spar with Kamal Khan over the game of backgammon is one of Bond's best face-offs with a villain. Throughout the scene he's clearly baiting Khan and I particularly love the way he deliberatly allows Khan to begin writing his cheque before casually announcing: "I prefer cash." This leaves Khan with the annoyance of having potentially wasted a cheque in a time when we were much more reliant on them as a way to conveniently transfer cash.
It's also weird to watch this film today and see just how different Europe used to be - with the continent divided between East and West at a significant period of the Cold War - and then realise how different it would all be just 8 years later, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Europe. The Living Daylights took a more serious approach to depicting the Russians and Eastern Europe, whereas their depiction in this movie (and in A View to a Kill) veers between the melodramatic and the almost playful.
My wife is not a fan of the old Bond films and she actually liked this one. I did too! Easily one of my favorite old school Bonds.
That guy in the circus says: “Please, seat! I can’t see anything!!”
The stage directions even specify that as Bond is looking for his contact, “OVER SCENE COMES SOUND OF PIPE PLAYING JAMES BOND THEME.”
Great job, Calvin! Thank you! Unrelated question: have you found the quality of blu ray to be better than streaming services?
My first Bond movie and one I still love today. Maude Adams as Octopussy is my favorite Bond girl - beautiful, smart, capable. One of the few you could really see Bond with long term.
Thanks for the review Calvin. Appreciate the work you put in.