In Memory of My Bond, James Bond

I remember my first ever outing to the cinema to watch Bond on the big screen. I remember every detail about that first experience. It wasn't like it was my first experience of Bond or even Roger Moore as Bond but your first ever cinema experience of 007 is important. John Glenn said that he thinks who you count as 'your' Bond is guided by who you first see on the big screen. So I queued up excitedly with my Dad at Bournemouth ABC cinema in the summer of 1985 and staring at the film poster. Dad and I always see new Bond films together and it is a tradition that we still honour today, but it started on that day. Roger Moore was fantastic, as always, sophisticated and wise cracking. There was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be the best Bond film ever. View To A Kill gripped me from its opening moments to the, now iconic end action sequence with Christopher Walken's chilling bad guy. I will never forget that moment and I owe it to Sir Roger Moore and his portrayal of my favourite spy of all time. I will be honest and say he isn't my favourite Bond but he will always be MY Bond.

So, I am saddened by today's news that Roger Moore has passed away and, even though he had long since re holstered his Walther PPK, Moore was always a strong and outspoken in regards to the need for future actors to keep to the character that Fleming himself created. I always found this ironic as the wise cracking Bond that Moore portrayed was somewhat removed to the Bond of the novels. What was Moore supposed to do? He couldn't out Connery, Sean could he? Moore was a talented actor with a huge range at his disposal and so his portrayal of the iconic Spy was always going to be radically different to what had gone before. Moore's portrayal of Bond reminded me very much of his role as The Saint in the TV series of the same name. I do recall watching re runs of The Saint but Moore was always Bond for me!

Roger Moore was a British Icon and embodied everything that is loved and respected from the British Film Industry of yesteryear. Well spoken, self effacing and with the sparkle in his eyes that will never ever be forgotten. Today, we learnt of the loss of an amazing actor who delivered many great film performances but for me, I have lost My Bond!

Sir Roger Moore 14th October 1927- 23rd May 2017