A review of From Roger Moore With Love (2024) written by Ajay Chowdhury

By: Ajay Chowdhury

Published:
2024-12-13

From Roger Moore with Love, documentary, review

From Roger Moore With Love is a feature documentary on the life of Roger Moore (1927-2017). Directed by Jack Cocker, for Dartmouth Films, the film provides a surprisingly candid glimpse behind the tan of the last of the generation: the quintessentially English global movie star. Narrated by Steve Coogan impersonating Roger Moore sourced from the late actor’s own diaries and memoirs, the documentary is light, amusing and charming. Rare home video footage shot by Roger himself shows us the Riviera lifestyle he enjoyed with fellow stars of the 70s and 80s.

Sir Roger Moore will always be remembered as the most enduring actor to play 007. He kept Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy alive when people there could be no successful replacement for Sean Connery (1930-2020). There is nice archival footage of Roger being quizzed as to how he got the role of The Saint and he responds, “Because Sean Connery wasn’t available!” Indeed whilst the first Bond film [Dr. No] premiered in London on 5 October 1962, the day before had seen the debut of what would go on to be a star-making vehicle for Roger as Leslie Charteris’ Simon Templar in the hit TV show, The Saint. The documentary charts Roger’s rise from Hollywood contract player filming Maverick and The Alaskans for TV whilst appearing in a slew of forgettable cinema fayre.

From his announcement as Bond in August 1972 to his retirement in December 1985, he thrilled and charmed a whole new generation of Bond fans and redefined the series. In his seven Bond films: Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) and A View to a Kill (1985), he made James Bond his own. 007 co-stars including Gloria Hendry, Jane Seymour and unusually Christopher Walken express their appreciation of their Bond. Footage of Moore hosting Walken in Switzerland from 1984 illustrates the fleeting nature of movie friendship.

Gloria Hendry, From Roger Moore With Love, review

Gloria Hendry, From Roger Moore With Love, review

Gloria Hendry interviewed for From Roger Moore With Love feature documentary. Copyright © 2024 Dartmouth Films. All rights reserved.

Arguably the greatest purveyor of Cool Britannia before the term had been invented, he kept the British end up as his reign as 007 saw Bond through the 1977 Silver Jubilee and national resurgence in the 1980s. Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli remember his ambassadorial contribution to the series. John Glen recalls the Union Flag ski-parachute jump which is so symbolic of Roger’s reign as Bond. He was the Bond not only of his own but also the Daniel Craig generation. Pierce Brosnan appears, poetic in his praise of his forerunner admitted Moore was the only actor he got an autograph from. Celebrity Bondphile David Walliams charts his journey from fan to friend.

David Walliams, From Roger Moore With Love, review

David Walliams, From Roger Moore With Love, review

David Walliams interviewed for From Roger Moore With Love feature documentary. Copyright © 2024 Dartmouth Films. All rights reserved.

From Roger Moore With Love excels in charting Moore’s personal life starting with his first marriage to Doorn van Steyn, including spicey love letters from Moore read by his then-step son. His second marriage to Welsh singing sensation Dorothy Squires who facilitate his US debut and introduced him to Elvis Presley is explored in unprotected detail. Roger’s children with his third wife, Luisa Mattioli – Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian – provide surprisingly pithy insight. Family and friends of his childhood and those married years give testimony to a seemingly untroubled upbringing tainted with multiple latter infidelity. His relationship with his fourth wife, Kristina “Kiki” Throlstrop, Lady Moore, a neighbour and friend of Luisa’s is breezily brushed over. Joan Collins, an early admirer, makes a cool appraisal.

The documentary attempts two thematic throughlines. Firstly, his film persona of the urbane, officer-class Englishman was an artificial construct of Stockwell-born only child of a policeman. Secondly, how he later found his calling transitioning to facile movie star to a more meaningful role as UNICEF fundraiser. It was the starring role he was most proud of.

There is great footage of Moore receiving a knighthood from the late Queen Elizabeth symbolising that his charitable presence was recognized more than any artistic legacy.

The actor had the unenviable task of following probably the most popular film characterisation in cinema history: Sean Connery as James Bond. A hugely underrated RADA-trained thespian, he reinterpreted 007 as if it was a classic role.

From Roger Moore With Love adds many elements to the life of the man with the golden touch in a nuanced and insightful documentary.

Review by Ajay Chowdhury. Copyright © 2024 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

Editor's Note:
Ajay Chowdhury is the co-author of the new book Spy Octane: The Vehicles of James Bond Volume 1 now available from Porter Press and Remembering Roger Moore, an MI6 Confidential magazine special.

From Roger Moore With Love will be screening at Picturehouse cinemas on 15 December 2024 and Everyman cinemas on 15 and 18 December 2024.

From Roger Moore With Love, Picturehouse, cinema

From Roger Moore With Love, Picturehouse, cinema

Poster for the From Roger Moore With Love screenings at Picturehouse cinemas. Copyright © 2024 Dartmouth Films. All rights reserved.

From Roger Moore With Love, Picturehouse, cinema

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A review of From Roger Moore With Love (2024) written by Ajay Chowdhury

From Roger Moore With Love adds many elements to the life of the man with the golden touch in a nuanced and insightful documentary.

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