Moonraker (1979)

Last updated:
August 16, 2025

Moonraker (1979) is the eleventh James Bond film, directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Roger Moore in his fourth outing as the iconic British spy. Loosely based on Ian Fleming’s 1955 novel, it is the most extravagant and space-oriented entry in the franchise, famously riding the late-70s space craze triggered by Star Wars.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Pre-Title Sequence: Skydiving Showdown

The film opens with the hijacking of a Moonraker space shuttle while in mid-air on the back of a Boeing 747. James Bond, en route from Africa, is pushed out of a plane without a parachute. In an adrenaline-charged stunt sequence, Bond wrestles a parachute mid-fall from none other than the steel-toothed henchman Jaws (Richard Kiel). Bond escapes, Jaws plummets comically into a circus tent, and the stage is set.

Investigating Drax Industries

M sends Bond to California to investigate Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), a billionaire industrialist whose company manufactured the stolen shuttle. At Drax’s luxurious French château (recreated in California), Bond meets Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), an astronaut and CIA agent posing as Drax’s scientist. Drax, suspecting Bond’s interference, orders his assistant Chang to eliminate him, leading to a martial-arts duel in a glass museum in Venice.

Discovering the Nerve Gas Plot

Bond uncovers evidence of a plant in Venice producing a deadly nerve gas, lethal to humans but harmless to animals. He follows the trail to Rio de Janeiro, surviving several assassination attempts by Jaws, who shifts from menacing to comedic after falling for a small bespectacled woman named Dolly.

The Space Station Revelation

Bond and Goodhead discover Drax’s master plan: to launch a fleet of Moonraker shuttles to a secret space station, from which he will wipe out humanity with nerve gas and repopulate the Earth with a hand-picked group of genetically perfect humans.

The Final Battle in Space

In the climactic third act, Bond and Goodhead infiltrate the space station and disable its cloaking device, alerting U.S. forces. A full-scale space battle erupts—laser rifles, astronauts in EVA suits, and Bond sabotaging Drax’s plan by disabling the toxin-filled pods before they can be deployed. Bond ultimately shoots Drax with a dart, ejecting him into space.

Movie Ending

After the space station is destroyed, Bond and Goodhead board a Moonraker shuttle to prevent three toxin pods from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Using the shuttle’s laser weapon, they destroy all the pods in dramatic last-minute fashion. Back on Earth, the British Prime Minister and U.S. President prepare to congratulate the heroes—only to awkwardly catch a live video feed of Bond and Goodhead celebrating in zero gravity in a far more intimate manner. This comedic yet classic 007 finale wraps the mission with the franchise’s trademark blend of action and innuendo.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Moonraker does not feature a post-credits scene. Instead, the closing credits include the traditional “James Bond will return” message, this time teasing the next installment (For Your Eyes Only).

Type of Movie

A spy action-adventure with strong science fiction elements, Moonraker blends the espionage formula of James Bond with over-the-top space opera influences.

Cast

Roger Moore as James Bond
Lois Chiles as Dr. Holly Goodhead
Michael Lonsdale as Hugo Drax
Richard Kiel as Jaws
Corinne Cléry as Corinne Dufour
Geoffrey Keen as Sir Frederick Gray
Bernard Lee as M
Desmond Llewelyn as Q
Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny

Film Music and Composer

Score composed by John Barry, marking his ninth Bond film. The title song, Moonraker, is performed by Shirley Bassey, making her the only singer to perform three Bond themes (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker). The soundtrack features lush orchestration and more romantic cues than other Bond films, along with space-inspired arrangements.

Filming Locations

California, USA – Drax’s estate scenes.
Venice, Italy – The glass museum fight and gondola chase.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Sugarloaf Mountain cable car fight with Jaws.
Paris, France – Studio filming.
Guatemala – The Mayan temple base.
Outer Space sequences – Filmed using large-scale miniatures and groundbreaking visual effects for the time.
The diverse locations add to the globe-trotting feel typical of Bond films, while the space sequences marked a bold (and risky) departure for the series.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award nomination – Best Visual Effects (lost to Alien).
Multiple nominations from sci-fi and effects guilds for its space battle sequences.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The space theme was chosen after The Spy Who Loved Me because of Star Wars’ success.
The skydiving stunt took 88 jumps to perfect and film.
Richard Kiel’s Jaws character was made more comedic to appeal to younger audiences.
The space battle used over 100 miniature models and required double-exposure filming for laser effects.

Inspirations and References

Loosely adapted from Ian Fleming’s 1955 novel Moonraker, but only the name and villain remain; the plot is almost entirely original.
Influenced by late-70s sci-fi hits, especially Star Wars.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending has been officially confirmed, early drafts focused more on Earth-based action with less emphasis on space combat. Some character moments with Drax were trimmed for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The original novel is set entirely in England and involves a nuclear missile aimed at London, with no space elements. The movie abandons this plot completely in favor of a sci-fi spectacle.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The mid-air parachute fight with Jaws.
Gondola chase in Venice (with a hovercraft twist).
Cable car battle in Rio de Janeiro.
Space station infiltration and zero-gravity fight.

Iconic Quotes

Drax: “Mr. Bond, you persist in defying my efforts to provide an amusing death for you.”
Bond: “I think he’s attempting re-entry, sir.”
Jaws: (silent smile with steel teeth)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Hugo Drax’s hunting dogs wear collars with the initials “HD” as a subtle branding touch.
The musical cue from Close Encounters of the Third Kind plays as a door chime in one scene.
A pigeon does a double-take during the gondola chase, one of the film’s most infamous comedic beats.

Trivia

The most expensive Bond film at the time, with a budget over $34 million.
First Bond film to feature a laser weapon.
Lois Chiles was offered a Bond role earlier but turned it down; she accepted this one after a hiatus from acting.

Why Watch?

Moonraker offers a unique blend of classic Bond espionage and late-70s sci-fi spectacle. If you enjoy outlandish villains, exotic locations, and laser battles in space—plus Roger Moore’s trademark wit—this is an unmissable entry in the series.

Moonraker (1979)

Detailed Summary