MovieChat Forums > Never Say Never Again (1983) Discussion > Could a 'traditional' Bond soundtrack sa...

Could a 'traditional' Bond soundtrack save this movie?

posted 11 years ago by bps3013
13 replies | jump to latest

For the most part, it looks and feels like a Bond film, but the score totally ruins it. I can only imagine what it would have been like with John Barry providing the soundtrack.

[–] necoleman 10 years ago

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday.......Member since May 2006;

I totally agree! I just don't think Lani Hall had the pipes strong enough to bring some real presence to the theme song.....and maybe...what they needed was a different song altogether.

My favorite James Bond theme songs are........"Thunderball," "Goldfinger," "From Russia With Love"...and "Diamonds Are Forever." To me these are the definitive James Bond theme songs!!

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

[–] Dark_Knight_of_CT 10 years ago

Well, the fanedit Never Say McClory Again proves that it can be improved. Unfortunately, he uses a lot of key pieces from certain films, as well as some Brosnan era music which for me just totally took me out of the disbelief. I've done my own edit, using music Barry composed for a number of non-Bond related movies, as well as a few notable themes from the Connery era that would have appeared had it been an official entry, and it works wonders. Of course, this is after an excision of over 15 minutes of the film which helps take away the more questionable elements. So yes, it does work better but the film is still a weak film regardless.

Just imagine if James Horner had scored it as originally planned before Connery interfered. I can only imagine what a fresh Horner right off the success of Wrath of Khan could have delivered.

I'm so good I don't need a signature.
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[–] agentdc7 10 years ago

I agree with the OP that the score ruins. It felt too 80s to me in a bad way. It did not have a Bond/spy vibe at all.

[–] tonycarr 10 years ago

Having a better score would help no end. Then all you would have to do is recast Edward Fox, get rid of Rowan Atkinson (why is he there?) and then reshoot the ending so it isn't a confusing, unexciting muddle.

[–] ThomasCrown76 10 years ago

Inept direction by a man who had very little knowledge of either bond or action movies, in general; a script that was filled with plot holes galore and made little sense; a score that is one of the worst in the history of cinema.
Some great actors were in this movie, but we still like them anyway;)

[–] TMC-4 8 years ago

Ironically, Irvin Kersher was fresh off of the heels of The Empire Strikes Back, which is considered by many to be the best Star Wars movie. Now, how much that had to do w/ Kersher's contributions is up for debate. Then again, Kersher also would direct RoboCop 2...

[–] Lexx-2 10 years ago

A new score would help, but the beige production design is another problem altogether. It's quite ugly to look at overall. Dates far worse than Octopussy, despite being made at the same time.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] naples-884-346409 9 years ago

The music (and songs) are the weakest element of the film.

The only positive thing is that they used very little music, probably because they knew it was bad.

Compare it to the ultra-cool music by Barry in "Thunderball"…that would have made this film!

I like Rowan Atkinson and all of the cast.

The film has a few phony things in it, but it' s a quality production by a top crew.

Definitely one of the better Bonds.

[–] gerard-21 9 years ago

For Your Eyes Only largely did not feature a traditional Bond soundtrack and was one of the better movies in the series, IMO.