Octopussy (1983)

Introduction

Released in 1983, Octopussy arrived at a pivotal time for the Bond franchise. The series was facing competition not only from a shifting cinematic landscape but also from itself—Never Say Never Again, a rival Bond film starring Sean Connery, was released the same year. Eon Productions responded by doubling down with Octopussy, the 13th official Bond film, offering a vibrant blend of Cold War intrigue, exotic locales, circus camp, and spy action.

The result is a film that is equal parts espionage thriller and tongue-in-cheek adventure, often walking a tonal tightrope between suspense and absurdity. It's a quintessential Roger Moore entry: stylish, silly, and unexpectedly sharp at times.

Plot Summary

The plot of Octopussy is a convoluted but ultimately engaging Cold War thriller with elements of jewel smuggling, Soviet expansionism, and nuclear threat. The film begins with a British agent being assassinated in East Berlin while holding a Fabergé egg—a clue that leads James Bond (Roger Moore) into an investigation involving fake art, high-stakes auctions, and a smuggling ring run by the enigmatic and mysterious Octopussy (Maud Adams).

Bond’s investigation pits him against two main antagonists:

Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan), an exiled Afghan prince and suave villain involved in the jewel-smuggling operation.

General Orlov (Steven Berkoff), a rogue Soviet officer with ambitions of triggering World War III by detonating a nuclear bomb on a U.S. airbase in West Germany.

The two plots converge in the film’s second half, as Bond attempts to stop the detonation of the bomb—hidden in a circus traveling through Europe—while also unravelling the true nature of Octopussy’s operation and allegiances.

Tone and Themes

Octopussy is a film of contrasts. It shifts dramatically between:

Serious Cold War geopolitics (Orlov’s plan to manipulate nuclear disarmament for Soviet gain),

Action-packed espionage (chases across Indian cities and the Berlin Wall), and

Outright camp (Bond disguised as a clown while defusing a bomb in a circus tent).

This tonal split has long divided audiences. Some embrace the film's outrageous sense of fun; others find the tonal inconsistencies jarring. But beneath the surface-level absurdity, the film explores themes of loyalty, female empowerment (for 1983 standards), colonial influence, and the danger of unchecked militarism.

Roger Moore’s Performance

By 1983, Roger Moore was 55 years old, making him the oldest actor to play Bond in an official Eon film. Despite his age, Moore is in fine form here, balancing his trademark charm and wit with moments of urgency and cunning. He’s clearly having fun with the more playful aspects of the role but manages to sell the tension when it counts—particularly during the climactic circus bomb scene and his confrontations with Orlov and Khan.

There’s also a refreshing maturity to Moore’s chemistry with Maud Adams’ Octopussy—less a one-sided seduction, more a meeting of equals.

Supporting Cast

Maud Adams (who previously appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun) returns in a completely new role as Octopussy, a wealthy, powerful smuggler with a personal code of honour. She is one of the more independent and layered Bond women, running her own cult-like organization of women and commanding both loyalty and strength.

Louis Jourdan as Kamal Khan is a suave but ultimately shallow villain. He plays the part with a blend of arrogance and elegance, but he lacks the menace of Bond’s more iconic foes.

Steven Berkoff as General Orlov is the film’s wild card. His performance is memorably over-the-top, filled with fiery monologues and eye-popping intensity. While some find it hammy, it underscores the lunacy of his plan and the contrast between Eastern and Western ideologies.

Kabir Bedi as Gobinda, Khan’s silent enforcer, is an effective physical threat and contributes to several memorable action moments.

Vijay Amritraj, a former tennis star, makes a fun turn as Vijay, Bond’s MI6 contact in India. He brings warmth and humour, though his screen time is limited.

Action and Set Pieces

Octopussy features some of the most inventive and memorable action sequences of the Roger Moore era:

A thrilling pre-title sequence where Bond escapes captivity in a mini-jet and flies through a hangar—equal parts daring and cheeky.

A tuk-tuk chase through the bustling streets of Udaipur, India, that leans heavily into slapstick but is energetically staged.

A tense train sequence through West Germany, echoing classic spy films like From Russia with Love.

The climactic circus tent bomb sequence, which, while over-the-top (Bond in full clown makeup!), is surprisingly suspenseful and well-executed.

Director John Glen, in his second outing after For Your Eyes Only, keeps the pacing tight and the visuals vibrant, juggling multiple locations and tones with relative ease.

Cinematography and Locations

Shot on location in India, West Germany, and the UK, the film makes excellent use of its diverse settings. The Indian segments, filmed largely in Udaipur, offer a lush, colourful visual palette rarely seen in Bond films. The Monsoon Palace, used as Khan’s fortress, is especially striking. The West German scenes bring a colder, espionage-heavy contrast that grounds the film's second half in more traditional Bond territory.

Music and Theme Song

John Barry returned to score Octopussy, lending his rich orchestral style to the film with themes that blend romance and suspense. The score is elegant and understated, though not among Barry’s most iconic.

The title song, “All Time High” by Rita Coolidge, is a smooth, easy-listening ballad that feels oddly disconnected from the title or tone of the movie. Though pleasant, it's often cited as one of the weaker Bond themes—forgettable rather than offensive.

Humour and Controversy

The film contains a fair share of eyebrow-raising humour, much of it typical of the Moore era:

Bond using a crocodile submarine to infiltrate a compound.

Breaking the fourth wall with tennis-themed sound effects during a chase scene.

Wearing a gorilla suit as a disguise (!).

While this kind of humour is part of Moore’s appeal, it also dates the film. Some of the cultural portrayals, especially during the India scenes, reflect a colonial gaze and casual stereotyping that may not sit well with modern audiences.

Legacy and Reception

Octopussy was a commercial success, outgrossing Never Say Never Again and reaffirming the viability of the official Bond series. Critics were divided at the time—some praised its fun and variety, while others found it too silly and inconsistent.

Over the years, the film has gained a reputation as a middle-of-the-road Bond entry: entertaining, exotic, and occasionally thrilling, but not as coherent or impactful as the franchise’s best. Still, it's a fan favourite for those who appreciate the more flamboyant aspects of the series.

Conclusion

Octopussy is a fascinating blend of Cold War spycraft, circus theatrics, and exotic adventure. It encapsulates everything that makes the Roger Moore era memorable: charm, absurdity, spectacle, and swagger. While not the most disciplined Bond film, it has heart, humour, and high entertainment value. If you can embrace its tonal shifts and flair for the theatrical, it offers a wild ride worth taking.