Roger Moore dead: The James Bond actor's best 007 films - ranked

He was the oldest and longest-running actor to play the British spy

Sir Roger Moore has passed away at the age of 89 leaving behind a grand body of work including the role of James Bond which he made his own between the years of 1973-85.

The British actor was not only the oldest actor to portray 007, but the longest-running taking over from George Lazenby after On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).

Moore's Bond was considered extremely different to the one created by author Ian Fleming who was initially brought to life by first Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No - his debonair, more seasoned take on the character - a witty one-liner never far away from his lips - seen as emblematic of the decade, even if his louche attributes turned some off (by his own admission he was "the fourth best" Bond).

He starred in seven Bond films across his 11-year tenure - below is a rating of his best three.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

This is easily the jewel in Sir Roger's 007 crown be it down to the Lotus-submarine hybrid or his battle with legendary villain Jaws (Richard Kiel). If the classic opening scene - fit with Union Jack parachute - doesn't seal the deal, Carly Simon's theme song, 'Nobody Does It Better' does mere moments later.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

It's fair to say Moore's Bond run isn't considered the series' most quintessential, but The Man with the Golden Gun is a fitting (and extremely fun) example of what the actor could do with - well, not a lot. A mishmash of inspirations inveigled their way into the flick - there is martial arts and trippy psychedelic vibe courtesy of the villainous Saramanga's fun house.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

The beautiful For Your Eyes Only was a considered return to form following the so-bad-it's-kinda-brilliant Moonraker two years before, even if the only way was up after that opening which sees Bond drop Blofeld from a helicopter (just watch it). This was a clear attempt at bringing Bond back to basics featuring a breathless mountainside sequence and brawl in a legitimate ice hockey rink.

Moonraker (1979)

The most expensive of Moore's Bond films, Moonraker was inspired by the surge of popularity in sci-fi attributed to a little film called Star Wars. For the most part, it doesn't work which isn't say Moonraker is never fun because, at its height, the spectacle is often a thrilling slice of escapism. Oh, it features Jaws' return!

Octopussy (1983)

James Bond dressed as a clown - need we say more?

A View to a Kill (1985)

As Moore's Bond swansong, A View to a Kill is more a broken down Aston Martin, spurting out fumes, than Union Jack parachute gliding through the air. The actor - then 58 - struggles to keep a lock on proceedings, not aided by Grace Jones and Christopher Walken's head-scratching villains.

Live and Let Die (1973)

It may have one of the greatest - and celebrated - Bond themes, but make no mistake: Live and Let Die is near bottom of the 007 pile. Moore's first Bond film saw him finding his feet in a sprawling mess which leaves something resembling a sour taste upon rewatch largely in part to the inclusion of voodoo and treatment of blaxploitation archetypes.