The film tells of James Bond, who began looking for a stolen invention that could turn the heat of the sun into a destructive weapon. The task seems to be very difficult, especially as James faces the threat of Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), a successful and skilled man. Bond tries to experience that by then joining Mary Goodnight (Brett Eckland), clothed and getting what he wants.
[Lee] gives a performance that will endure long after the rest of the film is forgotten; he is its meaning and purpose, towering over its cartoon action, reducing even 007 to a footnote.
The best Bonds, like the car that twirls, were sly without quite getting silly. The best Bonds also had Sean Connery, whose absence is sorely felt here.
Roger Moore is a pastry chef's idea of James Bond; but Christopher Lee as the archetype of the evil antagonist makes this 007 outing just about bearable.
