Pretty much every James Bond actor has been given an awesome introduction – except for Roger Moore. Roger Moore’s James Bond movies may seem dated and campy to modern sensibilities, but they’re also incredibly fun. Moore brought charm and wit to the role, and as the longest-serving 007, he defined the superspy for a whole generation.

Moore was also present for some of the James Bond franchise’s most iconic moments, including the Union Jack parachute that opens (quite literally) in The Spy Who Loved Me, leaping over crocodiles in Live and Let Die, and so on. The latter film was Moore’s franchise debut too, following Sean Connery’s EON swansong Diamonds Are Forever.

Many actors were mooted as Connery’s replacements, including Anthony Hopkins and Burt Reynolds. Moore was most famous for The Saint TV show during this time, and in addition to his 007 being much lighter, it was decided to distance his take from Connery’s as much as possible. This includes no appearance by Q, fewer gadgets and ZERO vodka martinis.

Roger Moore’s Introduction As Bond In Live And Let Die Is Disappointingly Lame

The scene that made Sean Connery a movie star

Moore’s Bond was also more of a lover than a fighter, which was never more apparent than in his first scene. Instead of being introduced in the middle of a high-stakes mission or jumping off an exploding building, Live and Let Die’s opening sees Bond being awoken in his chitzy flat by M (Bernard Lee).

M gives Bond a mission briefing, while Miss Caruso (Madeline Smith), an Italian agent 007 is sleeping with, runs around the flat trying to stay out of M’s line of sight. On one hand, it’s a funny little sequence that establishes Moore’s caddish take on the MI6 agent, and it gets by on his considerable charm.

On the other hand, it’s the lamest intro to a new Bond actor by far. In contrast, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service obscures the face of George Lazenby’s new Bond while he has a brutal punch-up on a beach, followed by his fourth wall-smashing line, “This never happened to the other fella.”

GoldenEye opens with Pierce Brosnan’s 007 performing a spectacular jump off a dam, while Casino Royale’s moody black and white prologue establishes the first two kills of Daniel Craig’s newly minted 007. By those standards, the first appearance of Roger Moore’s Bond is staggeringly uncinematic. His home also shows he doesn’t have the greatest taste in decor.

Why It’s Important To Nail The Introduction Of A New James Bond

Bond knows how to make a strong first impression

There were serious doubts the James Bond saga would survive when Sean Connery left, but the series has proven itself surprisingly robust. Each new actor brings a different feel and tone to the character, with Moore’s obviously being a wittier, goofier version while Timothy Dalton’s was a serious, brooding interpretation.

Only six actors (to date) have played Bond in the official franchise, making it a very select group. The producers behind the property knew that first impressions count, which is why they always gave their new Bond actors memorable introductions. Lazenby’s was both dynamic and memorable, while Craig’s was a hard-edged contrast to Brosnan’s era.

Even Dalton’s got a great debut in The Living Daylights, where he chases after an ᴀssᴀssin during a mountain climbing mission. These intros not only set the stage for their movies, they established the tone for that particular actor’s run as Bond. Craig and Dalton were more somber, while Moore and Brosnan were tongue-in-cheek.

These are also impactful, memorable scenes – which is what makes Moore’s Live and Let Die debut so frustrating. It’s a nice scene in isolation, but 007 being woken up by his boss at six in the morning and making an espresso is not the most propulsive way to meet the latest star.

Roger Moore’s Best James Bond Introduction Came With His FIFTH Movie

For Your Eyes Only’s opening was written for a new 007

Moore initially had a three movie contract for Bond, with his final four appearances negotiated on a movie-by-movie basis. Moore’s return was never a given, which is why there were so many recasting rumors from his fourth film Moonraker onwards.

That sci-fi tinged outing was considered so outlandish that producers decided to make a more grounded, earthbound Bond for the next entry, For Your Eyes Only. Moore’s return was in doubt regarding the fifth film, and it was ᴀssumed a new actor would take over.

For this reason, the opening scene where 007 lays flowers on Tracy Bond’s grave was intended for a fresh face as Bond. This scene was also intended to tie off the tragic end of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, where 007 finally succeeds in killing Blofeld for his part in Tracy’s death.

Ultimately, Moore was convinced to return in For Your Eyes Only, which nevertheless kept the intro as scripted. This would have been a perfect prologue for Live and Let Die, in hindsight, tying off the Tracy and Blofeld stories while letting audiences meet the latest 007. Alas, Moore’s best intro came with his fifth adventure.

Sean Connery’s James Bond Intro Is Still The Best

The scene that made Sean Connery a movie star

Sean Connery was a relative unknown when he was cast as Bond in the original film, Dr No. Connery had landed the role over much bigger names like Cary Grant, and any doubt that this Scottish newcomer had the charm and Sєx appeal to pull off the role evaporated with his first scene as 007.

Connery uttering “Bond. James Bond” while playing poker and smoking a cigarette (accompanied by Monty Norman’s Bond theme) is simply an unbeatable intro. It established all viewers needed to know about 007 and his lifestyle, and the single close-up of Connery uttering those words made him a star. So yeah, it’s definitely the best James Bond introduction.