Fans of classic spy thrillers are in for a treat tonight as ITV4 airs For Your Eyes Only, the 1981 James Bond film starring the beloved British actor Roger Moore. The film, which is the twelfth instalment in the 007 franchise, is often hailed as one of Moore’s most underappreciated turns as the iconic MI6 agent.
Directed by John Glen in his feature debut, the film marked the beginning of a record-breaking run for Glen, who went on to direct more Bond films than any other director – five in total. His work on For Your Eyes Only has been praised for bringing a fresh, more grounded approach to the series after the sci-fi excesses of its predecessor, Moonraker.
The film stars Moore alongside Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson and Julian Glover. The screenplay, written by Michael G. Wilson and Richard Maibaum, draws primarily from Ian Fleming’s short story collection For Your Eyes Only and the novel Risico, with elements from other Fleming works. The plot follows Bond as he races to recover a stolen nuclear submarine control system before it falls into the wrong hands.
Upon release, For Your Eyes Only was a box office success, grossing $195.3 million worldwide against a $28 million budget. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and holds a 69% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the film for its thrilling action, memorable characters and a tougher edge to Moore’s Bond.
Audiences have also been vocal in their appreciation, with many calling it “genuinely underrated” and “Moore’s best outing as 007 by a country mile.” One fan noted that the film “returns to basics” with “actual stakes” and “fairly brutal action,” while another lamented that Moore should have ended his Bond tenure with this film instead of A View to a Kill.
For Your Eyes Only airs tonight, April 1, at 9pm on ITV4. Don’t miss this chance to see one of Roger Moore’s finest performances in a film that continues to win over new fans decades after its release.
