The Spy Who Loved Me (film) big budget was not wasted. Interestingly, while the sets and gimmicks were the most spectacular to date, Bond and the other characters are toned down (there's a minimum of slapstick humour) so that they are more realistic than in other Roger Moore films. Moore gives his best performance in the series ... [Bond and Anya Amasova] are an appealing couple, equal in every way. Film is a real treat – a well acted, smartly cast, sexy, visually impressive, lavishly produced, powerfully directed mix of a spy romance and a war-mission film." Janet Maslin of "The New York Times" considered the
Force 10 from Navarone (film) and Guy Hamilton got along well when both worked on "Superman" (1978). However Fraser is not credited on the film. Several actors in the film either had already played roles in the James Bond 007 franchise or would go on to appear in the series. In addition to Shaw (from "From Russia with Love"), was Bach (fresh off playing the Russian spy Anya Amasova in "The Spy Who Loved Me"), and Edward Fox (who went on to play M in "Never Say Never Again"). Bach's co-star from "The Spy Who Loved Me", Richard Kiel, also appears, as a vicious and