Reach for the Sky

Dir: Lewis Gilbert

1956

***

I think it is important to remember that Reach for the Sky, the story of Douglas Bader, was made in 1956 and Bader himself was only 46. In later life Bader remarked that people who met him after the watching the film were rather surprised, thinking he would be more like Kennith More, and were often disappointed with the real him. He was outspoken, brash, rude and said some shocking things in his lifetime, things unbecoming of a national hero but what he did for the disabled community is undeniable. It is easy to say that he wouldn't have done those things had he not become disabled himself after losing both legs in an aircraft crash but his actions were certainly an inspiration to many and something to celebrate. He was also had a prominent role during the Battle of Britain and many millions owe him and thousands of others, a huge amount of gratitude. He was part of the old school, a hero no question but one with controversial and rather negative views with a misguided feeling of entitlement. That said, I can't help but love the story of when he was invited to Munich by Adolf Galland, many years after the war, and walked into a room full of ex-Luftwaffe pilots. Without pause he barked "My God, I had no idea we left so many of you bastards alive". Lewis Gilbert's film starts with a written acknowledgment that certain events had been exaggerated, fabricated and sugar-coated and that anyone involved with any of the turn of events shouldn't be offended by any change of fact. It's an odd way to start a film if you ask me, needless to say the 'Based on a true story' line was adopted soon after. Bader's story was strong enough to be told honestly but I guess many truths were best left unsaid. He was known for his colourful language and the truth was he wasn't always a nice man, not the sort of thing an audience wants to know about their national hero I'm sure. However, Kennith More's depiction is great and Bader did act as an adviser and there is much to enjoy. Kennith More's performance carries the film and he is brilliant in the lead role. The aerial scenes are superb and the parts of the film dedicated to Bader's rehabilitation and learning to use his prosthetic legs were fascinating, it's just a shame they are so short. At 136 minutes long, there was plenty of time to cover much of Bader's story but I felt they focused too much on the unimportant bits. He was a POW at the infamous Colditz Castle and yet this was given just 2 minutes of screen time. I can't help but think a new, true and updated story of his life should be made but doubt they ever will. Much like The Damnbusters, the myth has overtaken the truth and no one will touch either story. Watch it for the great Kennith More, the action sequences and for Lewis Gilbert's wonderful direction but if you're after the truth, you may want to look elsewhere.

Moonraker
Dir: Lewis Gilbert
1979
*****
Eon's original intention for Bond number eleven was to follow up 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me with Ian Flemming's eighth novel of the series, For Your Eyes Only (the end credits of The Spy Who Loved Me even state that "James Bond will return in For Your Eyes Only"). However, after the success of Star Wars and the popularity of the sci-fi space film in the late '70s, it was decided that Flemming's third novel, Moonraker, would be a better choice. It would be the last of Flemming's original novels to be adapted into film, although there are very few similarities, indeed 2002's Die Another Day would use more ideas from the novel than Moonraker ever did. Flemming had always intended Moonraker to be a film, his novel being adapted from what was originally a screenplay that he sold and subsequently bought back when it remained unfilmed. It wasn't until 1979 that a budget large enough would be available to give it the treatment it deserved. The budget was far bigger than any Bond film before but it remained the most financially successful film of the series until 1995's Goldeneye. Moonraker isn't a sequel to The Spy Who Loved Me but it often feels like it is. Richard Kiel's Jaws makes a popular return as does director Lewis Gilbert and the overall feel of the two film are very similar. Jaws was made a good guy after Gilbert received thousands of letters from children asking him to return the character but as a good guy so he wouldn't be killed off. Everyone was happy to see Jaws return but his turning good has since divided opinion and the film has been criticised for this, its overblown production, rather ridiculous story and for its camp humour. Personally it is what Bond is all about. I love Sean Connery's Bonds but when push comes to shove, if I want to chill out in front of a film with a big bag of popcorn, then this is what I choose. It's the Bond film most spoofed too, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me being the most famous case in point and also the best of the comedy trilogy. It's easy to point out the mistakes of Moonraker but I believe it is impossible not to love. It has a laser fight in Space, Bond and Jaws fighting between cable-cars, a dreamy theme tune, the best double-entendre of the entire franchise ("I think he's attempting re-entry")....a hovering gondala......seriously, what's not to love? It also sees Roger Moore arguably looking his most comfortable in the role. Imitation is the highest form of respect, spoof is a form of imitation in many ways and Moonraker has been spoofed many, many times.

The Spy Who Loved Me
Dir: Lewis Gilbert
1977
****
The Spy Who Loved Me was a big return for the worlds favorite spy but it didn't arrive without it's problems. The tenth 007 film shares the title of Ian Flemming's tenth book in the Bond series but nothing else. Flemming never released the rights to his novel and this is the first and only film of the franchise where his name is absent from the poster. After Harry Saltzman sold his 50% share of the production company, Cubby Broccoli had to go it alone for the first time. The Man with the Golden Gun had been a flop, Eon productions had to get the franchise back on track and The Spy Who Loved Me was pivotal in the series' future. Guy Hamilton left the franchise after The Man with the Golden Gun, having decided to direct Superman instead, although that job eventually went to Richard Donner. Steven Spielberg was approached but had to turn it down due to his 'Big fish' picture overrunning. Lewis Gilbert was eventually convinced to return for what would be his second of three Bond films. The film sees millionaire megalomaniac and nautical enthusiast Karl Stromberg (played by Curd Jurgens) try to trigger a Nuclear War that would see the sea as the only safe refuge. Karl Stromberg is clearly Ernst Stavro Blofeld but Eon was unable to use the character due to Kevin McClory's injunction that gave him the right to the character and his organisation SPECTRE. It's amazing that they got away with it really, indeed two other characters from the novel managed to get into the film without incident, their names were different but there was no mistaking them, particularly Sol Horror, a tall henchman with Steel-capped teeth. Sol Horror would become known as Jaws in the film, played by the wonderful Richard Kiel. Richard Kiel's Jaws is, in my humble opinion, the greatest Bond villain of the franchise. He's big, unstoppable, has a great gimmick and lots of personality. I was very lucky to meet Mr. Kiel at a lunch in 2005. He spoke about his time on the Bond films, his lasting friendship with his co-stars and he also told me a fascinating secret he learned about Robert Vaughn and the JFK assassination while he was filming an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in Nov, 1963. The production of the film was huge, many writers were hired (including John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange) and Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds) and the budget was doubled. The plot is almost exactly the same as Gilbert's previous Bond film; You Only Live Twice but give the people what they want and all that, they got away with it once more. It was a huge success. The famous Lotus that changed from car to submarine, Jaws biting a shark, the huge action climax and the lavish sets make The Spy Who Loved Me one of Bond's biggest and best outings. A franchise saved.

You Only Live Twice
Dir: Lewis Gilbert
1967
****
You Only Live Twice (the fifth film of the franchise and Ian Flemming's 12th James Bond novel) marked the return of James Bond on the big screen in many respects. It had only been two years since the last 007 outing but it was felt that the absence of Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had stunted the formula somewhat. You Only Live Twice has familiar themes but it felt like the series was back on track. The film follows the novel only very loosely, with only a couple of characters featuring in both. One of the key reasons why it was chosen over more popular and more obvious titles is because of its location. The previous Bond films had been very successful in Japan and the producers wanted to take advantage of this. Also, the release of the spoof version of the popular Bond novel Casino Royale just a few months earlier made it a title that was left well alone until nearly 40 years later. After TV writer Harold Jack Bloom left the project, an author, who's children's book about a little boy and a chocolate factory had just been released in the UK, and who had next to no script writing experience, was hired. Roald Dahl took Flemming's novel and completely rewrote it for the screen which became a trend. It's fair to say they gave Bond fans what they wanted, although Sean Connery disagreed. You Only Live Twice finally brought Ernst Stavro Blofeld to the big screen, he'd only been heard and partially seen in the past films, here he was in the light of day, played by a brilliant character actor (the legendary Donald Pleasence) and he had a secret hideout inside a volcano!! What more could you possibly ask for? The great Lewis Gilbert directed (what would be his first of three Bond films) but was unsure at first. He only agreed after Albert Broccoli called him stating that "You can't give up this job. It's the largest audience in the world.". Gilbert was known for the classics; The Admirable Crichton, Carve Her Name with Pride, Sink the Bismarck! and Alfie, which he had made the year before. He would go on to make The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker as well as the British classics Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. His direction is probably my personal favorite of the series, I found his composition to be constantly dynamic and alternative. Sean Connery didn't like the film much and decided to call it a day after it's completion, I wonder whether he would have done the same if On Her Majesty's Secret Service had been made instead as was originally intended? In interesting chapter in James Bond history, the end of an era in some respects but a big influence to films to come (I'm looking at you Mike Myers).

The Admirable Crichton (AKA  Paradise Lagoon)
Dir: Lewis Gilbert
1957
*****
J. M. Barrie's comedic play was brought to the screen by Lewis Gilbert wonderfully and with no expense spared. Often overlooked, The Admirable Crichton boasts quite an impressive cast, all of who do a great job. The comedy timing is spot on, especially in the straighter roles. It's location shoot and bright colours do stand it apart from many of its contemporaries as does its comment on social boundaries. It's an absolute joy to watch and is still very funny and still relevant today. The story has been retold in various incarnations over the years but never as successfully.