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For Your Eyes Only (film)

Updated: 12/20/2025, 12:08:06 PM Wikipedia source

For Your Eyes Only is a 1981 spy film, the twelfth film in the James Bond franchise produced by Eon Productions, and the fifth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film also co-stars Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson and Julian Glover, and marked the feature directorial debut of John Glen, who had served as a film editor and second unit director on previous films in the series. The film was written by Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson. Although the script is principally based on two Ian Fleming short stories, "For Your Eyes Only" and "Risico", some elements of the plot were also inspired by the novels Live and Let Die, Goldfinger and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The film follows Bond as he attempts to locate a missile command system while becoming tangled in a web of deception spun by rival Greek smugglers along with Melina Havelock, a woman seeking to avenge the murder of her parents. After the science-fiction-focused Moonraker, the producers wanted a return to the style of the early Bond films and the works of 007 creator Fleming. For Your Eyes Only followed a grittier, more realistic approach and a narrative theme of revenge and its consequences, rather than the fantasy narrative of Moonraker. Filming took place from September 1980 to February 1981, and locations included Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom, while underwater footage was shot in the Bahamas. Sheena Easton performed the title theme song. For Your Eyes Only was released in the UK on 24 June 1981 and in the US two days later; it received a mixed-to-positive critical reception. The film's reputation has improved over time, with reviewers praising the more serious tone in comparison to previous entries in the series. The film was a financial success, generating $195.3 million worldwide. For Your Eyes Only was the final Bond film to be distributed solely by United Artists; the company was absorbed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer soon after this film's release. It was followed by Octopussy in 1983.

Infobox

Directed by
John Glen
Screenplay by
mw- Richard Maibaum Michael G. Wilson
Based on
"For Your Eyes Only""Risico"by Ian Fleming
Produced by
Albert R. Broccoli
Starring
Roger Moore Carole Bouquet Chaim Topol Lynn-Holly Johnson Julian Glover
Cinematography
Alan Hume
Edited by
John Grover
Music by
Bill Conti
Productioncompany
Eon Productions
Distributed by
United Artists
Release dates
24 June 1981 (1981-06-24) (United Kingdom) 26 June 1981 (1981-06-26) (United States)
Running time
127 minutes
Countries
United KingdomUnited States
Language
English
Budget
$28 million
Box office
$195.3 million

Tables

· Release and reception › Accolades
Academy Awards
Academy Awards
Award
Academy Awards
Category
Best Original Song
Recipients
"For Your Eyes Only"Music by Bill Conti;Lyrics by Mick Leeson
Result
Nominated
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
Award
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
Category
Albert R. Broccoli
Recipients
Honored
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
Award
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
Category
Most Performed Feature Film Standards
Recipients
"For Your Eyes Only"Music by Bill Conti;Lyrics by Mick Leeson
Result
Won
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
Award
Golden Globe Awards
Category
Best Original Song
Recipients
Nominated
Golden Screen Awards
Golden Screen Awards
Award
Golden Screen Awards
Category
Won
Satellite Awards
Satellite Awards
Award
Satellite Awards
Category
Best Classic DVD Release
Recipients
The James Bond DVD Collection (Volumes: 2 and 3)
Result
Nominated
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Award
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Category
Worst Supporting Actress
Recipients
Lynn-Holly Johnson
Result
Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards
Writers Guild of America Awards
Award
Writers Guild of America Awards
Category
Best Comedy – Adapted from Another Medium
Recipients
Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson
Result
Nominated
Award
Category
Recipients
Result
Academy Awards
Best Original Song
"For Your Eyes Only"Music by Bill Conti;Lyrics by Mick Leeson
Nominated
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
Albert R. Broccoli
Honored
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
Most Performed Feature Film Standards
"For Your Eyes Only"Music by Bill Conti;Lyrics by Mick Leeson
Won
Golden Globe Awards
Best Original Song
Nominated
Golden Screen Awards
Won
Satellite Awards
Best Classic DVD Release
The James Bond DVD Collection (Volumes: 2 and 3)
Nominated
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Worst Supporting Actress
Lynn-Holly Johnson
Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards
Best Comedy – Adapted from Another Medium
Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson
Nominated

References

  1. Billington's screen test for For Your Eyes Only was one of the five occasions he auditioned for the role of Bond
  2. Jayston eventually played Bond in a BBC Radio production of You Only Live Twice in 1985
  3. Attributed to multiple references:
  4. Attributed to multiple references: Also Dalton did not think the producers were seriously looking for a new 007, and ex
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