A View to a Kill (1985)

The recovery of a microchip off the body of a fellow agent leads James Bond to a mad industrialist who plans to create a worldwide microchip monopoly by destroying California's Silicon Valley.

Director:

John Glen

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay), Michael G. Wilson (screenplay)

Stars:

Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, Tanya Roberts

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roger Moore	...	James Bond
Christopher Walken	...	Max Zorin
Tanya Roberts	...	Stacey Sutton
Grace Jones	...	May Day
Patrick Macnee	...	Tibbett
Patrick Bauchau	...	Scarpine
David Yip	...	Chuck Lee
Fiona Fullerton	...	Pola Ivanova
Manning Redwood	...	Bob Conley
Alison Doody	...	Jenny Flex
Willoughby Gray	...	Dr. Carl Mortner
Desmond Llewelyn	...	Q
Robert Brown	...	M
Lois Maxwell	...	Miss Moneypenny
Walter Gotell	...	General Gogol

Storyline

James Bond has one more mission. Bond returns from his travels in the U.S.S.R. with a computer chip. This chip is capable of withstanding a nuclear electromagnetic pulse that would otherwise destroy a normal chip. The chip was created by Zorin Industries, and Bond heads off to investigate its owner, Max Zorin. Zorin may only seem like an innocent man, but is really planning to set off an earthquake in San Andreas, which will wipe out all of Silicon Valley. As well as Zorin, Bond must also tackle May Day and equally menacing companion of Zorin, while dragging Stacy Sutton along for the ride.

---

Plot Keywords:

interracial kiss | interracial love | 007 | golden gate bridge | official bond film | 

---

Taglines:

Sinister Adversary. Deadly Beauty. [UK poster]

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1959, The "London Daily News" published an original Ian Fleming short story (conceived as a plot for an abandoned James Bond television show) called "Murder Before Breakfast". Fleming felt the title did not capture the essence of the story, and re-titled it "From A View To A Kill" when it was included in his "For Your Eyes Only" collection of five James Bond stories in 1960. Fleming found the inspiration for this new title from John Woodcock Grave's 1820 Cumberland Hunting Song, "D'Ye Ken John Peel". It read in part: "From the drag to the chase. From the chase to the view. From the view to a death in the morning." Fleming adapted the third stanza for his short story title.

---

Goofs

As Bond and Stacey are climbing up the elevator shaft, the cables burn through and the elevator falls down the shaft. Elevators have braking systems that prevent them falling even in the event of loss of their supporting cables.

---

Quotes

[the morning after Bond sleeps with May Day]
Max Zorin: You slept well?
James Bond: A little restless but I got off eventually.

---

Crazy Credits

James Bond will return

---

Alternate Versions

In the theatrical version the opening gun barrel dots were red and the rest was black and white. Every home video print since has changed the dots to white.

---

Connections

Referenced in Mad: Twilight: Breaking Down/GOllum ON (2013)

---

Soundtracks

Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B. 191
(uncredited)
Composed by Antonín Dvorák

User Reviews

Very good!!!

This is a good Bond film, but sadly is the last with Roger as 007. Despite this, A View to a Kill has one of if not the best Bond bad guys ever. Chris Walken is in fine form as the evil Zorin - a psychopathic mega-lo-maniac with his eyes set on computer domination of the world by destroying silicone valley. I found his devilish laughter, especially just before he dies, one of the best moments in the film. Also his horse related exchanges with 007 are swiftly and enjoyable executed. Obviously Moore does it again with a fine portrayal as JB. The scene with the Iceberg, the fight at Miss Suttons house, the fire truck, the race course are particularly enjoyable. Grace Jones is VERY scary as May Day and certainly one of the most unusual Bond girls. Tanya Roberts as Stacey Sutton is fine and does what all Bond girls are supposed to do - say "oh James" at the end of the film. With Lois Maxwell and Roger Moore leaving the series its a good swan song for them both. (Also, the title Duran Duran sequence is probably the best of the lot with its colourful 80's imagery and the punchy track from a great band!)

Details

Country:

UK Iceland USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

24 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

A View to a Kill

Filming Locations:

C Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,687,114, 26 May 1985

Gross USA:

$50,327,960

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$50,327,960

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1