Roger Moore: good/bad actor? - Movies

adam_fransella · 27-10-2006, 16:04

How does he compare with George Lazenby (as James Bond) or action stars such as Jean Claude Van Damme (in any role)?

Also, if the Razzies had existed for almost as long as the Oscars, for which films should Moore ideally have been nominated or 'dis-honoured'?

bass55 · 27-10-2006, 16:16

Although I'm a big fan of Roger Moore, from what I've seen he tends to just play himself in most of his roles. That's why he isn't usually considered one of the 'greats'.

Compared to George Lazenby, Moore was a lot better as Bond but did outstay his welcome (he was 58 in last Bond film).

adam_fransella · 27-10-2006, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass55

Although I'm a big fan of Roger Moore, from what I've seen he tends to just play himself in most of his roles. That's why he isn't usually considered one of the 'greats'.

Odd that Michael Caine and Jeremy Irons, among others, can get away with mainly playing themselves - but Moore can't. The latter lacks character, doesn't he?

Radiomaniac · 27-10-2006, 20:19

I absolutely adore Roger Moore, ever since the Saint series. I know he's not a great actor but I loved his Bond films and he's a lovely bloke, by all accounts.

kobiashimarux · 28-10-2006, 02:32

Not the best actor out here but I'm a big fan of much of his work in stuff like the Pursuaders and Saint. he used to live near me so I met him once. very pleasant down to earth guy. Got a good GSOH and a twinkle n his eye. Very wry and amusing.

He is my favorite Bond.

dmuk · 29-10-2006, 00:27

Roger Moore is a towel thief.

Raytops · 29-10-2006, 10:20

Rog is OK
The only Bond who took the time and trouble to attend Desmond Llewelyn's funeral a few years ago.

southby · 29-10-2006, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raytops

Rog is OK
The only Bond who took the time and trouble to attend Desmond Llewelyn's funeral a few years ago.

did he? in that case he's a good kiddy.

not a bad actor but of self-admitted limited range.

mr moore learned a long time ago that its harder to take the piss out of someone who already takes the piss out of themselves.

Redrose01 · 29-10-2006, 10:48

The only thing I've seen him in is the Bond films, while he was good in those I did prefer Pierce Broslan/Sean Connery in the roles.

Raytops · 29-10-2006, 12:09

Southby- I think thats as accurate a description of Mr Moores acting style as any other I ve seen.
Seen a lot worse than him over the years though- a lot worse.

southby · 29-10-2006, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raytops

Seen a lot worse than him over the years though- a lot worse.

agreed. there have been some stinkers over the years.

maybe we should compile a list?

adam_fransella · 05-11-2006, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by southby

agreed. there have been some stinkers over the years.

maybe we should compile a list?

How about "Fire, Ice And Dynamite", "Bed & Breakfast", "The Quest" (with Jean-Claude Van Damme, who also directed), "SpiceWorld" (which earned Moore his only Razzie nomination to date)?

No Bond movies, please! "Moonraker" was Moore's finest hours, and one of the best Bond movies ever.

adam_fransella · 05-11-2006, 12:50

In how much of Moore's film/TV output (excluding "The Saint" and 007)
has he given a good performance, as opposed to one that was wooden?

And how is Moore a better/worse actor than Van Damme?

As for 007, he must have been better than George Lazenby from the start, given that Moore had trained as an actor long before his big break as Simon Templar,
whilst Lazenby had only performed a cameo in ONE film before HIS only Bond entry!

adam_fransella · 05-11-2006, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmuk

Roger Moore is a towel thief.

That's ancient history, and says nothing about his talent as an actor!

mistygal · 05-11-2006, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_fransella

How does he compare with George Lazenby (as James Bond) or action stars such as Jean Claude Van Damme (in any role)?

Also, if the Razzies had existed for almost as long as the Oscars, for which films should Moore ideally have been nominated or 'dis-honoured'?

Well he is my favorite " Bond". Well depending on your era,as with like" Dr. Who" we all have our favorite.
I liked Roger Moore as James. He was sophisticated and smooth. He just really suited the role. "Live And Let Die" is my particular gem in these .
Though I am sure loads of people would say that they preferred "Sean Connery".

c graham · 05-11-2006, 21:50

roger moore too me was the worst bond !!! by far
sean connery was the best thou!!!

dbotb55 · 06-11-2006, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmuk

Roger Moore is a towel thief.

When you said that, I thought that 'towel thief' was a euphemism for something else... like 'shirt lifter' - but no, you really did mean he was a towel thief

Jmac-25 · 06-11-2006, 17:04

For me, Moore was always my favourite Bond because I grew up more with his movies than with Connery's. I think that, along with From Russia With Love, The Spy Who Loved Me could be the quintessential Bond movie.

Having said that there's no doubt that he doesn't have a tremendous range as an actor, certainly much less than Connery and Daniel Craig, but he does what he does very well - Suave and charming, and he had terrific comic timing. And he could be pretty cruel when he needed to be - Check out For Your Eyes Only when he boots the guy off the cliff.

I'm also convinced that Daniel Craig is going to absolutely kick ARSE in the new film - He'll be hailed by some people as the best Bond ever, mark my words.

adam_fransella · 06-11-2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmac-25

...there's no doubt that he doesn't have a tremendous range as an actor, certainly much less than Connery and Daniel Craig, but he does what he does very well - suave and charming, and he had terrific comic timing.

Compared to George Lazenby, was Moore inferior or superior? And is there anything Moore has, as an actor, that stars such as Jean Claude Van-Damme (or even Kevin Costner) lack? If so, what is it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmac-25

...he could be pretty cruel when he needed to be - check out "For Your Eyes Only" when he boots the guy off the cliff.

Didn't Moore also give a decent performance in "The Spy Who Loved Me"?

adam_fransella · 06-11-2006, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by c graham

Roger Moore, to me, was the worst Bond!!!

Amazing that George Lazenby could pull it off well in his only Bond movie, when previously he'd hardly acted. I take it you would agree with this?

Anyway, Nobody Does It Better than Roger Moore, and I'm not the only one who feels that way about 007.

Jmac-25 · 07-11-2006, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam_fransella

Compared to George Lazenby, was Moore inferior or superior? And is there anything Moore has, as an actor, that stars such as Jean Claude Van-Damme (or even Kevin Costner) lack? If so, what is it?

Didn't Moore also give a decent performance in "The Spy Who Loved Me"?

Definitely superior to Lazenby - One look at the guy's post-Bond career, or lack of it, confirms that. And compared to Van Damme he has charm and wit, and compared to Costner he has a natural comic ability and sense of humour.

Mike Teevee · 07-11-2006, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbotb55

When you said that, I thought that 'towel thief' was a euphemism for something else... like 'shirt lifter' - but no, you really did mean he was a towel thief

am I the only one to spot the Alan Partridge reference (he sued and Alan had to retract the statement

)

anyway as for Moore the actor, I think he's okay. He's never claimed to be a great actor, but what does is alright

he's my favourite Bond, because I grew up with him as Bond (well him and Dalton). Sean set the template but he exists beyond Bond and Pierce is a good combination of the two

Lazenby get slated but actually appears in the best Bond film, with the best ending. I think he did a good job for somebody who had only done a few adverts beforehand

ayrshireman · 07-11-2006, 12:06

Roger Moore CAN act....

Anyone who thinks he cant should watch him in the 1970 British classic 'The Man Who Haunted Himself'.

Moore is very good in that film.

adam_fransella · 07-11-2006, 15:01

Barry Norman once described Moore as 'showing more grit that usual' in "For Your Eyes Only", and giving a 'good' performance in the comedy "Bed And Breakfast" (1991), whilst saying that he was 'as wooden as a plank' in "Gold" (1974) and at his least convincing in "Moonraker".

In what other films/TV series has Moore been able to act?

adam_fransella · 10-11-2006, 22:44

Moore was once offered a contract with the Royal Shakespeare Company, in the '50s - but at the same time, he was offered a film contract with MGM Studios, and Noel Coward advised Moore to accept the latter, telling him 'Go for the money.'

Hmmm.

27-10-2006, 16:04	#1
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Roger Moore: good/bad actor? How does he compare with George Lazenby (as James Bond) or action stars such as Jean Claude Van Damme (in any role)? Also, if the Razzies had existed for almost as long as the Oscars, for which films should Moore ideally have been nominated or 'dis-honoured'?

05-11-2006, 12:50	#13
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	In how much of Moore's film/TV output (excluding "The Saint" and 007) has he given a good performance, as opposed to one that was wooden? And how is Moore a better/worse actor than Van Damme? As for 007, he must have been better than George Lazenby from the start, given that Moore had trained as an actor long before his big break as Simon Templar, whilst Lazenby had only performed a cameo in ONE film before HIS only Bond entry! Last edited by adam_fransella : 05-11-2006 at 12:53.

27-10-2006, 16:16	#2
bass55 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,347	Although I'm a big fan of Roger Moore, from what I've seen he tends to just play himself in most of his roles. That's why he isn't usually considered one of the 'greats'. Compared to George Lazenby, Moore was a lot better as Bond but did outstay his welcome (he was 58 in last Bond film).

27-10-2006, 20:19	#4
Radiomaniac Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In Old Amsterdam Services: Cheese, Clogs, Tulips, Barrel Organ Posts: 18,543 Blog Entries: 2	I absolutely adore Roger Moore, ever since the Saint series. I know he's not a great actor but I loved his Bond films and he's a lovely bloke, by all accounts.

28-10-2006, 02:32	#5
kobiashimarux Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,985	Not the best actor out here but I'm a big fan of much of his work in stuff like the Pursuaders and Saint. he used to live near me so I met him once. very pleasant down to earth guy. Got a good GSOH and a twinkle n his eye. Very wry and amusing. He is my favorite Bond.

29-10-2006, 00:27	#6
dmuk Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6,713 Blog Entries: 4	Roger Moore is a towel thief.

29-10-2006, 10:20	#7
Raytops Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lancs Posts: 877	Rog is OK The only Bond who took the time and trouble to attend Desmond Llewelyn's funeral a few years ago.

29-10-2006, 10:48	#9
Redrose01 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,175	The only thing I've seen him in is the Bond films, while he was good in those I did prefer Pierce Broslan/Sean Connery in the roles.

29-10-2006, 12:09	#10
Raytops Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lancs Posts: 877	Southby- I think thats as accurate a description of Mr Moores acting style as any other I ve seen. Seen a lot worse than him over the years though- a lot worse.

05-11-2006, 21:50	#16
c graham Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,924	roger moore too me was the worst bond !!! by far sean connery was the best thou!!!

06-11-2006, 17:04	#18
Jmac-25 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 436	For me, Moore was always my favourite Bond because I grew up more with his movies than with Connery's. I think that, along with From Russia With Love, The Spy Who Loved Me could be the quintessential Bond movie. Having said that there's no doubt that he doesn't have a tremendous range as an actor, certainly much less than Connery and Daniel Craig, but he does what he does very well - Suave and charming, and he had terrific comic timing. And he could be pretty cruel when he needed to be - Check out For Your Eyes Only when he boots the guy off the cliff. I'm also convinced that Daniel Craig is going to absolutely kick ARSE in the new film - He'll be hailed by some people as the best Bond ever, mark my words.

07-11-2006, 12:06	#23
ayrshireman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7,476	Roger Moore CAN act.... Anyone who thinks he cant should watch him in the 1970 British classic 'The Man Who Haunted Himself'. Moore is very good in that film.

07-11-2006, 15:01	#24
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Barry Norman once described Moore as 'showing more grit that usual' in "For Your Eyes Only", and giving a 'good' performance in the comedy "Bed And Breakfast" (1991), whilst saying that he was 'as wooden as a plank' in "Gold" (1974) and at his least convincing in "Moonraker". In what other films/TV series has Moore been able to act?

10-11-2006, 22:44	#25
adam_fransella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 952	Moore was once offered a contract with the Royal Shakespeare Company, in the '50s - but at the same time, he was offered a film contract with MGM Studios, and Noel Coward advised Moore to accept the latter, telling him 'Go for the money.' Hmmm.