Roger Moore Politely Dislikes The Violent New James Bond

Roger Moore, who is tied with Sean Connery for starring in the most James Bond movies at seven, has a new book coming out in which he voices his opinion about the Daniel Craig reimagineering of the franchise he will forever be known for.

“I am happy to have done it, but I’m sad that it has turned so violent. That’s keeping up with the times, it’s what cinema-goers seem to want and it’s proved by the box-office figures.”

He’s hardly harsh about it, though, as that doesn’t seem to be in his character. In fact, he’s also appalled by some of the violence in his own Bond films, and he has a personal distaste for guns stemming from an unfortunate BB gun incident. He was appalled by the level of violence in his last Bond film A View to a Kill, claiming “that wasn’t Bond.” He also disagreed with Guy Hamilton, director of The Man With The Golden Gun, who wanted Bond to threaten a woman with breaking her arm.

“That sort of characterization didn’t sit well with me, but Guy was keen to make my Bond a little more ruthless. I suggested my Bond would have charmed the information out of her by bedding her first. My Bond was a lover and a giggler, but I went along with Guy.”

He’s probably going to strongly dislike Quantum of Solace, then, as the Bond in the newest film is angry and ruthless and not shaken nor stirred by killing. Moore still has encouraging words for Craig, though. “Daniel has done one Bond and he was in ‘Munich’ and … he’s done a lot of stuff, but his face, after one Bond film, that’s all he needs. He is Bond.”

So is Roger Moore. If you’re wistful for the bygone era of Bond, you’re not alone.