Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
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After the success of his fifth Bond film, You Only Live Twice, Sean Connery decided enough was enough and hung up his boots as the MI6 secret agent Commander James Bond. Shortlived though it was and limited to just this film, George Lazenby took up the role for On Her Majesty's Secret Service in what is actually one of the better films in terms of plot.
The Plot
Relieved of pursuing Blofeld by his superiors, Moneypenny cleverly acquires James Bond two weeks' leave, during which he travels to Switzerland in pursuit of a mob boos' daughter as well as Blofeld, for the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. number 1 is hatching a new plot, involving chemical tests on human beings in the hope of creating superhumans. Yet again, Bond has his work cut out for him whilst facing his arch enemy Blofeld.
The Cast and Performances
George Lazenby has here his only showing in the Bond films, and he does very well. His dark and moody portrayal of the agent brings a bit of humanity to the role. Telly Savalas takes over from Donal Pleasance as Blofeld, and gives an okay performance, and Diana Rigg stars as the Bond girl in this film, Tracy Di Vicenzo. Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewellyn and Bernard Lee return as Miss Moneypenny, Q and M respectively, and specific note must go to Gabriele Ferzetti as Marc Ange Draco, who gives a good turn as the mob boss. The remainder of the cast give good support.
My Opinion
The thing I liked about this film is the true nature of Lazenby's portrayal of James Bond. Whether this has anything to do with Cubby Broccoli, Lazenby himself or director Peter R Hunt, I am not sure, but Bond returns to the original hard, emotionless, human Bond Ian Fleming intended. Artistic licence has been used in the previous films to ensure box office appeal, but Lazenby's portrayal of the suave MI6 agent still does that.
The plot is interesting and different, too, as it involves Bond acting out of the loop. Angered by being replaced in the hunt for Blofeld, he almost becomes a loose cannon, showing more of the emotional side and less of the cocky nature we saw in the previous films with Sean Connery as Bond.
This all having been said, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is not as entertaining as the previous Bond films. There is none of the indestructibility of Connery's Bond, and nothing too flashy and unbelievable, and I feel that is the large part of the attraction of Bond, and so I understand why a lot of people don't rate O.H.M.S.S. as highly as other Bond films. However, I do. It;s a wonderful film.
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Action/Adventure - Director: Peter Jackson - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
George Lazenby made his first and only appearance as James Bond in this the unheralded ... more
gem of the franchise. With an incredibly affecting denouement and one of John Barry's finest scores OHMSS would show a different side to Bond and open up the char...
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James Bond goes undercover in the treacherous Swiss Alps in this action-packed epic filled ... more
with artillery-laden ski pursuits, incredible stunts and nonstop thrills! George Lazenby leaps into the role of Agent 007 with supreme confidence and undeniable ...
![On Her Majesty's Secret Service [Single Disc Version]-DVD](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/100043235.jpg "On Her Majesty's Secret Service [Single Disc Version]-DVD")
May 19th, 2008
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![Bond Remastered - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1-disc) [DVD] [1969]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78120461.jpg)
