Top 5: Roger Moore James Bond Moments

Well the hit parade for sad celebrity deaths continues. At 89 it's hard to say that Sir Roger Moore's death is tragic, but he's remained an amicable public presence for years, and lacks the unsavory reputation of some of his other Bond compatriots (a la George Lazenby and Sean Connery). While his career included tons of television and a number of films where he didn't where a tuxedo, Moore's signature role is James Bond. For many Bond fans, he was the 007 they grew up with thanks to his extensive run with MI6 and the home video revolution that broke out during his tenure. Even if you found his films campy, there's no denying that Moore was the most easy-going and upbeat Bond of the bunch. So in his honor, today's Top 5 will be the best moments from Sir Roger Moore's run as James Bond. *Quick note* As great as some of the stunt work is during Moore's tenure, I'm mostly focusing on moments Moore is more directly visible and involved in otherwise we'd have the gator run from Live & Let Die and the Union Jack from The Spy Who Loved Me.

#5 Every. Single. Quip.

The one-liners have been a James Bond staple since the role originated, but Roger Moore was the king at delivering every single one with detached bemusement. Even this article barely scratches the surface of the ridiculousness that Moore delivered with a straight face. 

#4 The Death of Blofeld in For Your Eyes Only

The signature Bond enemy during the Connery years seemed to be a lingering thorn in the series side, as old school fans wondered "Where the hell is Blofeld!?" That question was asked and answered in this cartoonish action sequence, where Moore's 007 encounters and kills the SPECTRE head...in the opening credits. It's so silly but also kinda of a great middle finger to hardcore Connery fans.

#3 Duel to the Death from The Man With The Golden Gun

While Bond has always met his final foe face to face, they rarely seem like a worthy adversary. But Christopher Lee, in both presence, menace, and competence, fit the bill as Scaramanga. Pitted against his foe in a duel, Bond and Scaramanga take their paces before a tense game of cat and mouse on the villain's island lair. It's far more intimate than almost every other Bond and definitely memorable...minus the extra nipple business.

#2 Shot it Into the Woods from Moonraker

Being a cool customer was always Moore's greatest Bond asset and this scene uses it perfectly. Meeting with Hugo Drax on an apparent hunting trip, Bond tries to get a read on his foe and takes up a hunting shotgun...and apparently misses. That's at least what the audience thinks until a deceased hidden sniper falls from a tree and Bond calmly takes his leave. Cool as hell.

#1 James Battles Jaws from The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker

The entire arc of Jaws from these two Bonds films seems to sum up the Roger Moore era perfectly. Initially Jaws was another impenetrable henchman, a giant with metal teeth to serve as Moore's Oddjob. A man who was fed to the sharks after a pitched battle...and ate the sharks. However, by the end of Moonraker Bond had changed Jaws' mind, along with a woman's touch, to abandon his henchman ways and take a more heroic path. The silly optimism that made Moore's Bond popular in the first place. Rest in Peace Sir Moore.