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  On Her Majesty's Secret Service Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 261 More Information THE MOST PERFECT BOND  On: 2008-11-06On Her Majestys Secret Service - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition I think GEORGE LAZENBY is the BEST BOND EVER. Too bad that Albert R. Brocolli and Harry Saltzman decided to chuck this Australian car salesman, after his one-time appearance as James Bond. Diana Rigg IS the prettiest Bond Girl. Louis Armstrong sings: We have all the time in the world. Telly Savalas makes a terrific Ernest Stavro Blofeld. There is a tremondous Ice-Skating sequence, that has yet to be repeated. Many viewvers even from India, would not have noticed the saree-clad, Miss India, among the array of Bond-girls. Also this movie, unlike all the other movies, in the ENTIRE lot, is closest to Bond - Creator, Ian Flemings Book. One of the best Bond movies.  On: 2008-10-17At about 140 minutes, this is one of the longest Bond films, and I remember thinking it was a bit too long. But when watching it again I dont think it was. It has action, character development and humour (including one of the best one liners, "He had a lot of guts!"). George Lazenbys performance is good. He doesnt get as many closeups and isnt as charming as Connerys Bond, but with the help of the script, he adds depth to the character. It would have been interesting to see what direction the Bond series would have taken if he hadnt quit. Telly Savalas is a good Blofeld, and Irma Bunt is a great henchman/woman, who reminds me of Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love. Unfortunately, she died just after the movie was released and couldnt reprise the role. On Her Majestys Secret Service is, despite one of the least seen, one of the best Bond films. 4+ Real Bond On: 2008-07-16This and Casino Royale are my all time Bond favorites. The special effects are somewhat hokey but thats what makes it so much more entertaining. The pace is a little slower than the new flicks but you have time to digest the plot. The other Jameses arent as captivating. He Looks & Acts Like James Bond to Me On: 2008-07-12"On Her Majestys Secret Service" (1969) was the sixth James Bond film and the first without Sean Connery in the starring role. Australian George Lazenby took over the part for this ONE AND ONLY film. The story involves Bond falling in love and ultimately marrying (!) a mob bosss daughter (Diana Rigg) and investigating a Swiss mountain-top lair wherein Blofeld (Telly Savalas) schemes to brainwash an assortment of women from around the world for his bizarre nefarious purposes. Many Bond fans point out that this picture is the most faithful to Ian Flemings character and book series. The story is taken from the novel of the same name. People usually have two problems with this episode in the Bond series: (1.) Lazenby as Bond and (2.) After the first 20 minutes the story lacks any real action for the next hour or so wherein Bond goes undercover to investigate Blofelds secret lair. Concerning the second issue: Because the story involves at least one full hour (probably longer) of action-less spy investigation, those with ADD probably wont like this film. Personally, I enjoyed it; I cant stand when films have an explosion every two minutes to supposedly keep things "happening" and maintain the interest of the morons in the audience like, say, "The World is Not Enough." Bond masquerading as Sir Hillary at the "allergy clinic" is both interesting and amusing. Besides, the last 40 minutes or so feature numerous thrilling action scequences: the Alps ski chases, car chase, bobsled chase and the final assault on Blofelds mountain stronghold. Needless to say, if youre a fan of winter sports, youll want to see this film. By the way, George Lazenby was a very accomplished skier and had won two contests in Australia before taking on the Bond role at the age of 29, the youngest Bond as of this writing. Regarding Lazenby as Bond: Hey, he looks and acts like James Bond to me. Maybe he doesnt have the same charismatic flare as Connery (Who does?), but he certainly has his own unique appeal. Lazenby, incidentally, was a martial arts expert, which he taught during his stint in the Australian army. He even studied under Bruce Lee and later stated that it was Lees philisophical teachings that enabled him to go on to have such a successful business career and personal life. In fact, George was actually going to have dinner with Bruce the night he died (!) and even replaced him in what was supposed to be Lees next film "The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss" (1974). Lazenby amusingly commented on Pierce Brosnan as the new Bond in 1995s "Goldeneye": "... this is the 90s and women want a different man, a man who shows his feminine side. Pierce definitley has that." (LOL!) He also reflected on the character of Bond himself: "Hes a ruthless bastard, really." (So true, so true). As for the Bond women, Diana Rigg is undeniably good-looking but she doesnt do anything for me personally (too tall and thin), but there are numerous other gorgeous beauties to behold throughout the picture. "On Her Majestys Secret Service" is the longest Bond film at 2 hours and 22 minutes and was filmed in Portugal, Switzerland and Pinewood Studios, England. BOTTOM LINE: Because of Lazenby and the films literary faithfulness, this is a very unique and worthwhile Bond adventure, certainly far better than Brosnan-era pictures like "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "The World is Not Enough." Its also a MUST for those who love winter sports and spectacular Swiss winter/mountain locales. In the top 3 Bond films On: 2008-02-24It is almost inexplicable that this movie isnt more widely heralded as a benchmark for the series, but Ill give it a shot. First, Lazenby made one of the gravest errors in Bond history by announcing that this would be his only Bond film PRIOR to the movies release. I think this made audiences wonder if it was worth getting to know him, and so many passed it by (therefore, the low box office). Secondly, an unfortunate many of us are distracted by appearance, and in this film Bond wears ascots and a kilt and there is no doubt that many of our peers used this as evidence that Connery was more "manly" than Lazenby. Its silly. Lazenby is a confident, brilliant Bond in the best Fleming tradition, and Peter Hunt knew everything he needed to know about pacing and directorial execution from Hunts prior association with the series. One of the best directed, best scripted, most satisfying Bond movies to date. Anyone who considers themselves a Bond fan should have this film in their collection. Its good every time, and as many here have already noted, it may actually improve with age. Very well Mr. Bond. George Lanzeby did a great job On: 2007-09-12Although George Lanzenby only played James Bond once, he did a great job in "On her Majestys Secret Service". The film has good acting and amazing action sequences. Diana Rigg does a phenomenal job as "Tracy Bond", the only woman to have actually married James Bond. Blofeld is well performed by Terry Savalas. I really enjoyed Lanzenby as Bond and I wish he had done more. This is truly a fantastic movie and one of the best James Bond films. This movie has grown on me... On: 2007-07-10Although Im a big James Bond fan, I wasnt always a huge fan of this particular movie. But yesterday I felt compelled to dig this out of the stash (I have the entire Bond movie collection from Dr. No to Casino Royale) and I must say that I have a greater appreciation for it now. While he may be no Sean Connery, George Lazenby really shined in the role of 007. Lazenby has all the personality and wit of 007 and it makes me wonder what it wouldve been like had he done more movies for the franchise. My favorite scene had to be the cool bobsled showdown between Bond & Blofeld (played by Telly "Kojak" Sevalas). Plus, this is the only Bond movie that I remember having a sad ending to it. Bottom line its a great movie to have in your collection, especially if youre a Bond fan. That is actually four and a half stars. On: 2007-05-07This is a short review, most everything has already been said by the other reviewers. Since I try to review the parts everybody else leaves out, it should be short. PROS: I like all these Bond movies. My two favorite ones are On Her Majestys Secret Service and You Only Live Twice. 1. This one is fast action from the beginning. 2. The cutie (Diana Rigg--I think she starred in that series the Avengers) is somewhat more than just a cutie. She supposed to be royalty. If you look at the way she dresses and the style of her cloths and everything I think youll understand why Bond went after this girl above all the rest. She has culture and manners. 3. Bond gets married in this one--I dont blame him at all. Plently of time is spent on that sub-plot--then it drops out of sight--then it comes back in just a nick of time. BEWARE THE CLOSING SCENES! There is a reason why they spent this much time getting you to know the future Mrs. Bond. 4. Played correctly. 5. Right music...I couldnt discover if that was Louie Armstrong singing that number. I hope so, Louie was a real American. six. Shows an inner self to Bond not usually shown. 7. Bond is a little more physical than I remember in most his movies and seems to be more than willing to get in there and mix it up with the bad guys than usual. Fine--afterall, in this movie he gets married. 8. Telly Savalas is the bad guy...hes somewhat believable--talks a little too tough to be a scientist. 9. The bad guy steals Bonds cutie. Bond goes to Q for help and is refused so he goes to the girls daddy--a crime boss. That must be where the machineguns and bombs came from. 10. Youll notice a change in music whenever Bond changes from (Bond the ladies man) to Bond secret agent--when you hear that music with the soft drum you should know Bond is about to do his thing...to somebody. 11. Daddy, the low-life, is a like-able fellow with his reserved attitude. Tells a neat story about his little girl--the future Mrs. Bond. Notice the music? I guess this must be the man-to-man when we tell about our past secrets type music--amazing a Bond movie could go that deep. CONS: 1. I like all the earlier James Bond movies--theyre all four star or better with me...I see no real down side here. If youre into spy thrillers this one should be on the short list. So there it is. All in all a step above most of the rest out there. If you watch this movie closely I think youll get a lot more out of it. It doesnt seem to be the usual popcorn type movie. Bye. An Overlooked Bond: Don't Even Think About This Edition! Get the Ultimate Edition! On: 2007-03-23To say that ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE has grown on me is an understatement. The first time that I saw it a few years ago, I can remember laughing with my friend about how awful Lazenby was as a replacement for Connery. But after a recent second viewing, my tone has changed dramatically. ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE is now one of my favorite Bond films. Of the first six movies, I would definitely place it in the top three and it certainly beats out its predecessor YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, both in its "watchability" and its ranking as a Bond film. What is it about ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE that is so good? Well, it seems that director Peter Hunt (the fantastic editor of the previous films) wanted to return Bond to his roots, emphasizing story and characters over action and gadgets. Indeed, the gadgets are absent in this film. Instead, we get a good old story of espionage as Bond infiltrates the secret mountain-top lair of Ernst Blofeld, posing as a famous genealogist. Lazenby is a superb Bond. Though he doesnt handle women in the same smooth way and his charm and refinement are noticeably lacking, Lazenby does deliver some terrific action sequences. Furthermore, Lazenby handles the scripts "love interest" quite well, showing us one of the most emotional Bonds ever. Understandably, fans either loved or hated this new Bond, and the film went on to be less of a success as the Connery films. Still, one has to wonder what might have become of the series if Lazenby had kept the role for a significant run. After the opening "gun barrel" sequence, we are greeted with the pre-credits teaser. M and Moneypenny are at a loss of where exactly 007 is located. We have no problem finding him. We watch as Bond chases after a girl, whom we later discover is Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg), and saves her from near suicide, only to be attacked by an enemy. A great fight sequence in the waves is played out, with Lazenby delivering in fine style. Its been a while since Bond has been this fit! The girl escapes Bond during the commotion, leaving him alone on the beach. Lazenby, firmly set in his new role, winks at the camera and says "This never happened to the other fellow." In breaking the fourth wall, Lazenby and the Bond team let us know that James Bond is not Sean Connery; James Bond is James Bond. This line kicks off the titles, another Binder work, this time without a popular singer belting a song. Perhaps after the awkward lyrics of THUNDERBALL, the producers decided that trying to work ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE into a song would just be too difficult. The titles are a classic Binder work, involving shifting images through an hourglass and elaborate silhouettes. The plot is back to the good old days and adds a love angle, allowing for some character depth on the part of Bond. The first part of the film opens up on that angle. Bond encounters Tracy again (Teresa di Vicenzo) and makes a more "formal" introduction. After their brief encounter, Bond is suddenly kidnapped and taken to see Marc-Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti), head of Europes second largest crime syndicate (second only to SPECTRE). There it is revealed that Tracy is Dracos daughter. In a weird spin, Draco desires Bond to continue to woo his daughter, ultimately marrying her for a personal dowry of one million pounds. Tracy has had a troubled past (as we have witnessed) and Bond is just the sort of thing she needs to save her. Bond refuses the proposal, but agrees to continue to see his daughter in exchange for information about Ernst Blofelds whereabouts. Upon returning to MI6, Bond is promptly kicked off his current assignment of tracking down Blofeld. Bond is so irritated that he tenders his resignation, only to have his resignation covertly changed to a leave of absence by Moneypenny. Realizing that he can continue to pursue Blofeld on his vacation, Bond heartily accepts the vacation. After some good old spy work, Bond finally learns that Blofeld is attempting to lay claim to a royal title, under the French surname Bleuchamp. Posing as genealogist Sir Hilary Bray, Bond gains access to Blofelds new hideout--a "research institute" sitting on top of the Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps. Once there, Bond learns that Blofeld has developed a bacterial weapon that he plans to distribute throughout the world. The weapon is so powerful that it is capable of destroying vital species of flora and fauna--unless, of course, Blofeld is granted amnesty for all past crimes and given his new title. Will Bond be able to stop the crisis before it is too late? ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE displays many characteristics of the great Bond films. Its plot is intricate and involves good old-fashioned spy work. Bond is a character of great depth in this film, portraying both a recklessness and arrogance towards MI6 and the establishment, as well as great love for his leading lady. Finally, the action in this film is great. The famous downhill ski and bobsled fights are fantastic and do not lack for any excitement. Unlike Lewis Gilbert in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, director Peter Hunt decided to keep the film as close to Flemings novel as possible, yielding a film that many fans of the books describe as the most accurate Bond adaptation ever produced. Its a shame that it has the negative reputation that it is sometimes branded with. George Lazenby, as mentioned before, does a find job as Bond. While he certainly doesnt have the same style and class as Connery (who does?), Lazenby is more than adequate in the action sequences and handles the fights wonderfully. Moreover, he turns in one of the more complex Bond performances, culminating in the films final sequence. I was startled to see a scene like that in a Bond film and welcomed its arrival. Diana Riggs also turns in a good performance, providing us with one of the more complex and dominant female leads ever to show up in a Bond film. Telly Savalass rendition of Blofeld (the second actor to play the visual part) is one of my favorites. His Blofeld is not quite as pathetic as the one we first meet in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE and not quite as quirky as the one we will soon meet in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. While he doesnt live up to the menace of the character originally heard in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, he is certainly a more capable, worldly, and interesting villain than the rest. Ultimately, ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE feels very different from the rest of the Bond films. For my tastes, it was a refreshing return to the source before the Bond series would take on its inevitable Roger Moore phase. Dont bother with this edition! The Ultimate Edition looks very crisp and sounds wonderful. It is also packed with plenty of extras, including a "Making of" documentary, films about the casting of the new Bond, interviews with Lazenby, and all of the usual assorted material. BINDER DOCUMENTARY? If you like the novels or are a fan of the early Bond films, you cant go wrong with ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE. Just promise to give Lazenby a chance. George Lazenby is first rate as James Bond On: 2007-02-24The rap that you always read about this film is that is was really good except for the casting of James Bond. Well, Im here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth! George Lazenby was a great James Bond! Not only was he perfectly cast but his performance is dead-on, as good as anything Sean Connery did. Lazenby is a hybrid of Sean Connery and Cary Grant, not a bad combination, particularly when youre trying to find an actor to play James Bond! Grant was often mentioned as a possibility for James Bond but was too old when the series finally got off the ground. The reason Lazenby only made one James Bond film was NOT because audiences rejected him. Nor was it because the producers didnt want him. The reason Lazenby never played Bond again was because his agent told him to turn the part down!!! The agent thought it wouldnt be "smart" to become typecast as James Bond, as Connery had. Obviously, that was the worst advice any actor has ever gotten because Lazenby hasnt worked in films since! The film faithfully adapts the Fleming novel to the screen which is a really good thing because OHMSS is Flemings best novel. The other cast members are excellent but miscast. Tracy was supposed to be a blonde--Fleming even described her as being a bit like Brigette Bardot. Diana Rigg, of "The Avengers", is obviously a much better actress than Bardot so we are probably better off with her in the part. Shes great in the film. Ditto Telly Savalas. Not a good choice for the sophisticated, German master criminal, Ernst Stravo Blofeld but what s performance!!! Savalas perfectly portrays the character despite being the wrong "type". Savalas makes Blofeld the most fully realized Bond villain since Auric Goldfinger. The story is great and the action is non-stop in the second half. The producers make you really care about Bond and Tracy and thats quite an achievement for an action-adventure film. All in all, this is the easily the greatest James Bond film ever made. "Goldfinger", the film that established the Bond "formula", is the only other Bond movie that reaches this high a level. "Goldfinger", incidently, also features an ex-Avenger, Honor Blackman. George Lazenby is first rate as James Bond On: 2007-02-23The rap that you always read about this film is that is was really good except for the casting of James Bond. Well, Im here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth! George Lazenby was a great James Bond! Not only was he perfectly cast but his performance is dead-on, as good as anything Sean Connery did. Lazenby is a hybrid of Sean Connery and Cary Grant, not a bad combination, particularly when youre trying to find an actor to play James Bond! Grant was often mentioned as a possibility for James Bond but was too old when the series finally got off the ground. The reason Lazenby only made one James Bond film was NOT because audiences rejected him. Nor was it because the producers didnt want him. The reason Lazenby never played Bond again was because his agent told him to turn the part down!!! The agent thought it wouldnt be "smart" to become typecast as James Bond, as Connery had. Obviously, that was the worst advice any actor has ever gotten because Lazenby hasnt worked in films since! The film faithfully adapts the Fleming novel to the screen which is a really good thing because OHMSS is Flemings best novel. The other cast members are excellent but miscast. Tracy was supposed to be a blonde--Fleming even described her as being a bit like Brigette Bardot. Diana Rigg, of "The Avengers", is obviously a much better actress than Bardot so we are probably better off with her in the part. Shes great in the film. Ditto Telly Savalas. Not a good choice for the sophisticated, German master criminal, Ernst Stravo Blofeld but what s performance!!! Savalas perfectly portrays the character despite being the wrong "type". Savalas makes Blofeld the most fully realized Bond villain since Auric Goldfinger. The story is great and the action is non-stop in the second half. The producers make you really care about Bond and Tracy and thats quite an achievement for an action-adventure film. All in all, this is the easily the greatest James Bond film ever made. "Goldfinger", the film that established the Bond "formula", is the only other Bond movie that reaches this high a level. "Goldfinger", incidently, also features an ex-Avenger, Honor Blackman. A must for the James Bond collector On: 2007-02-22Although Sean Connery was my favorite Bond, George Lazenby has really grown on me. Diana Rigg is wonderful too and nice to see after her stint in The Avengers. This is a really great James Bond film and ranks right up there with Goldfinger and Dr. No. Faithful to the novel. One of the best James Bond films! On: 2007-01-21This film is quite faithful to the superb Ian Fleming novel of the same name. George Lazenby surprises as a very serviceable James Bond (although in my opinion no one can play the role as well as the great Sean Connery) although he is a bit too handsome. When he impersonates Sir Hillary Bray, he is authentic and hilarious. Telly Savalas does a fine job as the evil Ernst Blofeld. This story has class, action, beautiful women, a great storyline, and everything. I was riveted to the screen from the opening credits to the ending. The theme music of this one is one of the very best of the always excellent James Bond music genre. All in all, there is very little not to like about this film. I bought this one used, as it is presently out of production. It needs to be made available immediately, so that everyone can own and enjoy it! [2.5 Stars] Better Than Expected, But . . .  On: 2007-01-09I have always had very mixed feelings about this Bond film. The film boast a superior script, great locations, and insightful acting by Telly Savalas, of "Kojak" fame, as the villain, and Diana Rigg, of "The Avengers" fame, as the love interest. My big problem with this film is the poor casting of George Lazenby who admittedly had VERY large shoes to fill when Sean Connery bailed out over money and creative direction issues. Ironically, the film didnt do too badly at the box-office as it cost about $7 million to make, the typical Bond budget, and grossed worldwide around $65 million. Thats not a bad profit, its about half what a Connery Bond film would gross. If it did so well, then why were the producers so desperate to bring back Connery and "save" the franchise? Heres my take on it: "Majesty" had everything going for it, but a solid lead. Based upon audience feedback, people predominately went to see this film to "check out" the new bond who was a model and not an actor at the time. The pictures profit wasnt a clear signal that Lazenby was effective in the role, but rather that he was an oddity to be sampled as it only grossed about half of what a Connery Bond film would be expected to gross. Audiences loudly rejected Lazenbys Bond and the producers listened. The producers had made the mistake of believing that the role itself was not important in a Bond film, just the formula of the franchise and, ironically, THAT is EXACTLY why Connery walked out in the first place (along with money issues). Ironically, none of this is the case with the casting of the new Bond, Daniel Craig, because the producers took care to put a whole movie together, and NOT simply follow formula, and that Bond film, Casino Royale, is now the highest grossing of the Bond films to date (2007). It cost $150M to make and it has grossed more than $500M. That is not a passing interest in a new Bond, but rather a bold statement of acceptance and that is not what happened with Lazenby taking over for Connery (a rushed and rash decision). The producers simply thought Bond was easily replaceable back in Connerys era. The producers learned from that mistake and then considered having Connery back one more time to bring back the die-hard Bond fans and allow them more time to actively and intelligently search for a new Bond and found him in Roger Moore who had an established following due to the fame he had with his series "The Saint." Im no big fan of Moores Bond as he played him with too much cartoonish humor, but he was okay and had a few very good turns as Bond. I always considered his "The Spy Who Loved Me" to be his best Bond film, but Im digressing here. In any event, this film is better than most might think IF, and its a BIG if, one can get past the poor casting of Lazenby as Bond. The film is pretty good overall. I, for one, just cant get past Lazenbys flat, uninspiring performance. By the way, when Sean Connery returned as Bond for the official last time (Never Say Never Again is an "unofficial" Bond film), he had the same $7 million dollar budget as the last Bond film with Lazenby, but Connerys film grossed over $120 million. Thats double the money that Lazenbys Bond film grossed. That says something. Better Than Expected, But . . . On: 2007-01-09I have always had very mixed feelings about this Bond film. The film boast a superior script, great locations, and wonderfully insightful acting by Telly Savalas, of "Kojak" fame, as the villain, and Diana Rigg, of "The Avengers" fame, as the love interest. My big problem with this film is the poor casting of George Lazenby who admittedly had VERY large shoes to fill when Sean Connery bailed out over money and creative direction issues. Ironically, the film didnt do too badly at the box-office as it cost about $7 million to make and grossed worldwide around $65 million. Thats not a bad profit. So then why were the producers so desperate to bring back Connery and "save" the franchise? Heres my take on it: "Majesty" had everything going for it, but a solid lead. Based upon audience feedback, people predominately went to see this film to "check out" the new bond. The pictures profit wasnt a clear signal that Lazenby was effective in the role, but rather that he was an oddity to be sampled as it only grossed about half of what a Connery Bond film would be expected to gross. Audiences louded rejected Lazenbys Bond and the producers listened. The producers had made the mistake of believing that the role itself was not important in a Bond film, just the formula of the franchise and, ironically, THAT is EXACTLY why Connery walked out in the first place (along with money issues). Ironically, none of this is the case with the casting of the new Bond, Daniel Craig and because the producers took care care to put a whole movie together well, and NOT follow formula, that that Bond film is now the highest grossing of the Bond films. It cost $150M to make and it has grossed more than $500M. That is not a passing interest in a new Bond, but rather a bold statement of acceptance and that is not what happened with Lazenby. The producers simply thought Bond was easily replaceable. The producers learned from this mistake and then considered having Connery back one more time to bring back the die-hard Bond fans and allow them time to actively and intelligently search for a new Bond and found him in Roger Moore who had an established following due to the fame he had with his series "The Saint." Im no big fan of Moores Bond, but he was okay and had a few very good turns as Bond. I always considered his "The Spy Who Loved Me" to be his best Bond film. In any event, this film is better than most might think IF, and its a BIG if, one can get past the poor casting of Lazenby as Bond. The film is pretty good overall. I, for one, just cant get past Lazenbys flat performance. By the way, when Sean Connery returned to Bond, he had the same $7 million dollar budget as the last Bond movie with Lazenby, but Connerys film grossed over $120 million. Thats double the money that Lazenbys Bond film grossed. That should say something. [2.5 Stars] Better Than Expected, But . . . On: 2007-01-08I have always had very mixed feelings about this Bond film. The film boast a superior script, great locations, and insightful acting by Telly Savalas, of "Kojak" fame, as the villain, and Diana Rigg, of "The Avengers" fame, as the love interest. My big problem with this film is the poor casting of George Lazenby who admittedly had VERY large shoes to fill when Sean Connery bailed out over money and creative direction issues. Ironically, the film didnt do too badly at the box-office as it cost about $7 million to make, the typical Bond budget, and grossed worldwide around $65 million. Thats not a bad profit, its about half what a Connery Bond film would gross. If it did so well, then why were the producers so desperate to bring back Connery and "save" the franchise? Heres my take on it: "Majesty" had everything going for it, but a solid lead. Based upon audience feedback, people predominately went to see this film to "check out" the new bond who was a model and not an actor at the time. The pictures profit wasnt a clear signal that Lazenby was effective in the role, but rather that he was an oddity to be sampled as it only grossed about half of what a Connery Bond film would be expected to gross. Audiences loudly rejected Lazenbys Bond and the producers listened. The producers had made the mistake of believing that the role itself was not important in a Bond film, just the formula of the franchise and, ironically, THAT is EXACTLY why Connery walked out in the first place (along with money issues). Ironically, none of this is the case with the casting of the new Bond, Daniel Craig, because the producers took care to put a whole movie together, and NOT simply follow formula, and that Bond film, Casino Royale, is now the highest grossing of the Bond films to date (2007). It cost $150M to make and it has grossed more than $500M. That is not a passing interest in a new Bond, but rather a bold statement of acceptance and that is not what happened with Lazenby taking over for Connery (a rushed and rash decision). The producers simply thought Bond was easily replaceable back in Connerys era. The producers learned from that mistake and then considered having Connery back one more time to bring back the die-hard Bond fans and allow them more time to actively and intelligently search for a new Bond and found him in Roger Moore who had an established following due to the fame he had with his series "The Saint." Im no big fan of Moores Bond as he played him with too much cartoonish humor, but he was okay and had a few very good turns as Bond. I always considered his "The Spy Who Loved Me" to be his best Bond film, but Im digressing here. In any event, this film is better than most might think IF, and its a BIG if, one can get past the poor casting of Lazenby as Bond. The film is pretty good overall. I, for one, just cant get past Lazenbys flat, uninspiring performance. By the way, when Sean Connery returned as Bond for the official last time (Never Say Never Again is an "unofficial" Bond film), he had the same $7 million dollar budget as the last Bond film with Lazenby, but Connerys film grossed over $120 million. Thats double the money that Lazenbys Bond film grossed. That says something. The most moving film in any Bond picture... by: robertfrangie On: 2007-01-07 Like "From Russia With Love," "On Her Majestys Secret Service" is filled with mysterious characters and realistic action... Blofelds plot involves germ warfare and his stronghold this time is a converted Swiss allergy clinic... The film is loaded with action--ski chases, bobsled chases, car chases, helicopter attacks, fights in the surf, fights in the hotel, fights in the office... Peter Hunt succeeded in distracting the audience from noticing that a new Bond was on duty... The new Bond pauses to take a finger of caviar... Dom Perignon57 and five-star Hennessey brandy are his mouthwashes of choice... He discovers that he lived with his aunt in Pett Buttom, and his family motto is The World Is Not Enough. He impersonates a genealogist to gain entrance to Piz Gloria... He wants to take the head of SPECTRE to Augsburg (West Germany) to verify certain records regarding his claim to a title... He spurns a Mafioso one million gold dowry; uses telescopic sight from a snipers rifle to spot a beautiful young woman on the beach; wipes away a Contessas tears; drives his Aston Martin wearing a hat and smoking a cigarette, and turns to the viewer saying in perfect seriousness, "This never happened to the other fella." The sixth Bond film takes place all over Europe with a united nations of glamorous babes called angels of death, where 007 finally meets his female match, falls in love, and gets married... The motion picture is an emotional story that reveals more of the world of 007... It starts with Bond, ready to resign from the Secret Service for being taking off Operation Bedlam... With John Barrys best music, Bond reminds us of a whole bunch of familiar faces... He begins to look over his mementos which include Honeys knife belt from Dr. No, and the strangler watch from From Russia with Love. The sequences from all the previous Bond films reinforced the idea that this new Bond is still a member of the same team, a man who answers to a crusty retired Admiral, and still is engaged in sexy banter with a loving secretary... It is Dracos daughter though, the ravishing Tracy (Diana Rigg), who adds a bit of class to the role of the Bond girl, and makes the film quiet interesting... Tracy is the troubled woman who steals Bonds heart... She is a spoiled woman wandering fully clothed into the sea... She is dangerous with her red Ford Cougar, a broken bottle, and at the baccarat table... Gabriele Ferzetti is one of the most sympathetic Mafia dons ever to charm the screen... Draco likes the fact that Bond is interested in his daughter, and hes determined to help her find the right husband... Telly Savalas Blofeld does reveal sides to his character previously unseen: the class snobbery--which M remarks upon, and the vanity which Tracy flatters to force him off his guard, and his irritation with one of his skiers who ends up in a tree... Posing as a world-famous allergist, this bald arch-villain would only give up his deadly scheme throughout the world if offered a complete pardon for past crimes and a title... Irma Bunt was perfectly portrayed by German actress Ilse Steppat, who, unfortunately died soon after the films release... She is Blofelds second-in-command, who keeps the Counts attractive patients under control... Angela Scoular (Ruby) becomes Bonds first conquest when she writes her room number in lipstick on 007s inner thigh... Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) hands her boss a request for two weeks leave rather than Bonds dictated resignation... Her act results at once funny, moving and warm: What would I do without you? ask both Bond and M separately once shes settled their contretemps... "On Her Majestys Secret Service" features Barrys exquisite song, "We Have All the Time in the World," which is sung with real emotion by Louis Armstrong... The most moving film in any Bond picture... On: 2007-01-06Like "From Russia With Love," "On Her Majestys Secret Service" is filled with mysterious characters and realistic action... Blofelds plot involves germ warfare and his stronghold this time is a converted Swiss allergy clinic... The film is loaded with action--ski chases, bobsled chases, car chases, helicopter attacks, fights in the surf, fights in the hotel, fights in the office... Peter Hunt succeeded in distracting the audience from noticing that a new Bond was on duty... The new Bond pauses to take a finger of caviar... Dom Perignon57 and five-star Hennessey brandy are his mouthwashes of choice... He discovers that he lived with his aunt in Pett Buttom, and his family motto is The World Is Not Enough. He impersonates a genealogist to gain entrance to Piz Gloria... He wants to take the head of SPECTRE to Augsburg (West Germany) to verify certain records regarding his claim to a title... He spurns a Mafioso one million gold dowry; uses telescopic sight from a snipers rifle to spot a beautiful young woman on the beach; wipes away a Contessas tears; drives his Aston Martin wearing a hat and smoking a cigarette, and turns to the viewer saying in perfect seriousness, "This never happened to the other fella." The sixth Bond film takes place all over Europe with a united nations of glamorous babes called angels of death, where 007 finally meets his female match, falls in love, and gets married... The motion picture is an emotional story that reveals more of the world of 007... It starts with Bond, ready to resign from the Secret Service for being taking off Operation Bedlam... With John Barrys best music, Bond reminds us of a whole bunch of familiar faces... He begins to look over his mementos which include Honeys knife belt from Dr. No, and the strangler watch from From Russia with Love. The sequences from all the previous Bond films reinforced the idea that this new Bond is still a member of the same team, a man who answers to a crusty retired Admiral, and still is engaged in sexy banter with a loving secretary... It is Dracos daughter though, the ravishing Tracy (Diana Rigg), who adds a bit of class to the role of the Bond girl, and makes the film quiet interesting... Tracy is the troubled woman who steals Bonds heart... She is a spoiled woman wandering fully clothed into the sea... She is dangerous with her red Ford Cougar, a broken bottle, and at the baccarat table... Gabriele Ferzetti is one of the most sympathetic Mafia dons ever to charm the screen... Draco likes the fact that Bond is interested in his daughter, and hes determined to help her find the right husband... Telly Savalas Blofeld does reveal sides to his character previously unseen: the class snobbery--which M remarks upon, and the vanity which Tracy flatters to force him off his guard, and his irritation with one of his skiers who ends up in a tree... Posing as a world-famous allergist, this bald arch-villain would only give up his deadly scheme throughout the world if offered a complete pardon for past crimes and a title... Irma Bunt was perfectly portrayed by German actress Ilse Steppat, who, unfortunately died soon after the films release... She is Blofelds second-in-command, who keeps the Counts attractive patients under control... Angela Scoular (Ruby) becomes Bonds first conquest when she writes her room number in lipstick on 007s inner thigh... Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) hands her boss a request for two weeks leave rather than Bonds dictated resignation... Her act results at once funny, moving and warm: What would I do without you? ask both Bond and M separately once shes settled their contretemps... "On Her Majestys Secret Service" features Barrys exquisite song, "We Have All the Time in the World," which is sung with real emotion by Louis Armstrong... Oh Her Must Have Collection On: 2006-12-15People seem to hate George Lazenby, and so they hate Oh Her Majestys Secret Service, but actually he is a very good Bond maybe people werent ready for him because Connery created 007 in the last 5 films, O.H.M.S.S. was more true to Bond, he didnt need half the gadgets he was given in the past films, Lazenby also sounded like what James Bond should sound like, and of course ut has hot 007 girls and Telly Savalas played Blofeld fantastically. overall, no one can replace Sean Connery, but he is better much better than Roger Moore. One of the best Bonds. . . On: 2006-12-02Sean Connery must have been fuming when he realized what hed passed up. He had bowed out of the Bond series after YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, so the role fell to George Lazenby, and what a role! Other reviewers have expounded upon the merits of ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE so well that I wont rehash. I do have one small suggestion: when you get to the end credits, mute your sound. Ive always felt that after such an emotional moment the traditional Bond credit music was out of place. Silence over the credits works so much better. Most Unique Bond film On: 2006-11-25Many other reviewers have given a synopsis of the story, and of course their opinions and ratings. I will take a slightly different approach with this review. On Her Majestys Secret Service is a Bond film that is perhaps the most unique of all the EON 007 movies. The most obvious being that Sean Connery was no longer present, and in his place we have the only actor to make one film appearance as James Bond, George Lazenby. Second, we have a loss of the plethora of gadgets that had been clogging up the screen with Bond, particularly starting with Goldfinger. Third, this is the only film (and book) where Bond actually gets married. And finally, this was the only Bond film (until the more recent Casino Royale) to end with the main love/lust interest being killed, and OHMSS ended on a complete down-note as a result. The studio was concerned at the time that they would not make as much money as hoped. Although at the time OHMSS did not rake in the initial ticket sales so heartedly as the previous 2 Bond films, it did eventually do far better than break even, and is considered among many Bond fans (especially those who favor the books over the movies) as perhaps the best 007 film of the entire series (the more recent Casino Royale, not withstanding). Although I, too, am more of a Fleming novel Bond fan than a fan of the Bond movies, I am probably in a minority when I say that although I do like this film very much, I still think the first 3 James Bond films were better, largely due to Sean Connery as Bond. The one failing of this movie is Lazenby as Bond. He is handsome looking, and appears to have great athletecism when called upon to perform certain stunts which Connery would probably have been doubled by his stuntman. However, Lazenbys lack of acting skill manages to still take away from what might truly have been the best Bond film of the first 20. His voice is even dubbed when he tries to pass as Sir Hiliary Bray, which does manage to help for that period of the movie. Had Connery chosen to back out of You Only Live Twice or Diamonds Are Forever, and chosen this film as his swan song to Bond, it would indeed have been the best one, as well as giving him the chance to use his acting chops to a degree not seen in any of the Bond films before Pierce Brosnan. But to counter the rather lame acting of Lazenby, this film gives perhaps the best actress to ever play a Bond-girl: Diana Rigg. She gives a terrific performance and helps to hold up those scenes that might have totally floundered had she not been there. She is NOT some helpless, love-sick waif, waiting to be rescued by Bond. Rigg as Tracy is her own woman and able to take quite good care of herself, thank you very much. She lights up the screen and makes every scene that she is in credible. All that being said, I give this film 5 stars, though barely. One final kudo for OHMSS: the music score by John Barry is probably the best ever heard, then or now, and is worth purchasing on its own. The score itself is worth a healthy 5 stars. Do check it out. My favorite bond film period! On: 2006-11-24This is not only my favorite bond film; it is also the best. Diana Rigg---Need I say more??? On: 2006-11-20I cant say Im much of a Bondlover, and for me, this is the only Bond film I like, and really for one reason--the Great Diana Rigg, the best bond performance, period (which isnt really saying much). I have heard great things about Casino Royale and have great hopes. Now if only they could put Rigg of 1969 into this CR you might have the perfect bond film. If you've actually read the books... On: 2006-11-07... youll know that this is far and away the most accurate portrayal of the Bond character that Ian Felming created and described. Laznebys performance is at the same time both understated and accurate, and Diana Rigg is just as perfectly cast and beautifully played as she had been in The Avengers. If you like the campy crap in the later Moore films, or you just want the over-the-top action of the Brosnan films, then perhaps look elsewhere, but if you want to see James Bond personified, this is the place to be... Among my favorite Bond movies On: 2006-09-25I am a huge fan of the James Bond series and though I prefer the newer ones OHMSS is an excellent film. Lazenby plays Bond in a different, more real and almost desperate manner which is a good change of pace. The storyline is good and it has the best Bond villain of all: Blofeld. A must see for any James Bond fan. Surprisingly very good On: 2006-07-06Before watching this movie, I had read reviews from several sources saying that On Her Majestys Secret Service was one of the worst Bond movies ever. I decided to watch it anyway because I thought that if I could enjoy the truly bad Bond movies like Moonraker or Die Another Day, then I would probably enjoy this one. Not only did I enjoy OHMSS, but this could definitely be one of the top 3 or 4 Bond movies ever! But saying that, let me also say that George Lazenby was the worst Bond ever in this movie. Even with that, its amazing how good this movie still was! I could see that people dont like this movie because they dont like George Lazenby but its unfair to just judge the movie based on the guy who played 007 in that movie. You have to look at ALL of the characteristics of the movie and overall this is definitely one of the best ALL-AROUND Bond movies ever. Diana Rigg was also probably the best Bond girl ever in this movie. This movie also has the most emotional and most moving ending to a Bond movie EVER. The ending is definitely not what you see at the end of the average Bond movie-the movie itself is definitely not the average Bond movie either. Please for the love of god, if you are a Bond fan and are holding out on watching this movie just because of its negative reviews (like I did), you are truly depriving yourself! I admit that theres not a lot of movies that I like when I watch them the first time around, but On Her Majestys Secret Service is DEFINITELY not in that category! Surprisingly very good On: 2006-07-05Before watching this movie, I had read reviews from several sources saying that On Her Majestys Secret Service was one of the worst Bond movies ever. I decided to watch it anyway because I thought that if I could enjoy the truly bad Bond movies like Moonraker or Die Another Day, then I would probably enjoy this one. Not only did I enjoy OHMSS, but this could definitely be one of the top 3 or 4 Bond movies ever! But saying that, let me also say that George Lazenby was the worst Bond ever in this movie. Even with that, its amazing how good this movie still was! I could see that people dont like this movie because they dont like George Lazenby but its unfair to just judge the movie based on the guy who played 007 in that movie. You have to look at ALL of the characteristics of the movie and overall this is definitely one of the best ALL-AROUND Bond movies ever. Diana Rigg was also probably the best Bond girl ever in this movie. This movie also has the most emotional and most moving ending to a Bond movie EVER. The ending is definitely not what you see at the end of the average Bond movie-the movie itself is definitely not the average Bond movie either. Please for the love of god, if you are a Bond fan and are holding out on watching this movie just because of its negative reviews (like I did), you are truly depriving yourself! I admit that theres not a lot of movies that I like when I watch them the first time around, but On Her Majestys Secret Service is DEFINITELY not in that category! You're better of with the VHS than the DVD  On: 2006-05-21Ive been renting a lot of these Bond movies marked "special edition" and Ive been running into glitches on more than half of them that make them unplayable. I think the studio ought to sever their contract with whatever burn plant theyre using. Apparently the 21st century is not a good time to rent or buy a classic Bond flick on disc. You're better of with the VHS than the DVD On: 2006-05-20Ive been renting a lot of these Bond movies marked "special edition" and Ive been running into glitches on more than half of them that make them unplayable. I think the studio ought to sever their contract with whatever burn plant theyre using. Apparently the 21st century is not a good time to rent or buy a classic Bond flick on disc. Very Good But a Very Sad Ending by: Anonymous On: 2006-04-16 This Bond film was soo good. Every Bond film had a happy ending it seemed happy with james bond getting married and all but while there were driving home from the wedding Bonds bride gets shot and killed. Very Good But a Very Sad Ending On: 2006-04-15This Bond film was soo good. Every Bond film had a happy ending it seemed happy with james bond getting married and all but while there were driving home from the wedding Bonds bride gets shot and killed. The best James Bond movie ever, by a whisker over Dr. No and Never Say Never Again On: 2006-01-08I like Sean Connery. Even with his wig, in Never Say Never Again. But Aussie George Lazenby outdoes then all with his outstand- ing performance. But overall this is just a better movie. Or would you rather see Austrian- Swiss actor Klaus Maria (pronouced Marr-E-ah) Brandauer, in Never Say Never Again? I liked Klaus better in the First White Fang! The best James Bond movie ever, by a whisker over Dr. No and Never Say Never Again On: 2006-01-07I like Sean Connery. Even with his wig, in Never Say Never Again. But Aussie George Lazenby outdoes then all with his outstand- ing performance. But overall this is just a better movie. Or would you rather see Austrian- Swiss actor Klaus Maria (pronouced Marr-E-ah) Brandauer, in Never Say Never Again? I liked Klaus better in the First White Fang! On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969 James Bond 007 Series Film #6 On: 2005-12-27On Her Majestys Secret Service 1969 UK/US Produced By: Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli Distributed By: United Artists Directed By: Peter R. Hunt Starring: George Lazenby as James Bond 007 Production Budget: $7,000,000 (1969) Marketing Budget: $2,500,000 (1969) Total Cost: $9,500,000 (1969) Directors Salary (Hunt): $500,000 (1969) James Bond 007 Actors Salary (Lazenby): $50,000 (1969) Bond Girl Actress Salary (Rigg): $90,000 (1969) Bond Villain Actors Salary (Savalas): $70,000 (1969) Inflated Production Budget: $38,000,000 (2006) Inflated Marketing Budget: $14,000,000 (2006) Inflated Total Cost: $52,000,000 (2006) Inflated Directors Salary (Hunt): $2,750,000 (2006) Inflated James Bond 007 Actors Salary (Lazenby): $275,000 (2006) Inflated Bond Girl Actress Salary (Rigg): $500,000 (2006) Inflated Bond Villain Actors Salary (Savalas): $385,000 (2006) Domestic Box Office Gross: $22,800,000 (1970) Overseas Box Office Gross: $64,600,000 (1970) Worldwide Box Office Gross: $87,400,000 (1970) Inflated Domestic Box Office Gross: $106,400,000 (2006) Inflated Overseas Box Office Gross: $308,560,000 (2006) Inflated Worldwide Box Office Gross: $415,000,000 (2006) Domestic Theatrical Rentals: $9,117,000 (1970) Overseas Theatrical Rentals: $23,283,000 (1970) Worldwide Theatrical Rentals: $32,400,000 (1970) Inflated Domestic Theatrical Rentals: $42,600,000 (2006) Inflated Overseas Theatrical Rentals: $111,200,000 (2006) Inflated Worldwide Theatrical Rentals: $153,800,000 (2006) Domestic Admissions: 16.0 million (1970) Overseas Admissions: 46.4 million (1970) Worldwide Admissions: 62.4 million (1970) Net Studio Profit: $22,900,000 (1970) Net Studio Profit: $101,800,000 (2006) Pretty bad by: Anonymous On: 2005-12-03 Okay I am a huge 007 fan. But come on people!!! Lazenby sucked! He proved that Bond should never be smug. Connery was Arrogant and Moore was Self Satisfied,but Lazenbys smugness made this movie BAD!!!!!!! If Connery had done this one it would have been my favorite. I gave this movie 2 stars because Diana Rigg and Telly Salvalas did awesome. It stuck to the Fleming novel so that was good. One more bad thing is that this is the longest bond film. It about 2hours and 22minutes. Also the Film just kinda dragged on too. If you want to wacth airhead lazenby ruin a great movie,GO AHEAD. I would suggest any other bond movie than this. No other Bond movie does it better. by: doctortrance On: 2005-11-09 Best Bond leading girl (Diana Rigg); Best Bond Villain (Telly Savalas as Blofeld); Best Bond cars; Most flirtatious Bond women (at the ski resort, including a pre-Space 1999 Maya); Best Bond locales (Portugal and Switzerland); Best Bond chase sequences (through the snow); The longest Bond movie (2hrs.22mins.); and the Best Bond action and entertainment in any one flick. So what if George Lazenby wasnt the best Bond, the above mentioned reasons speak for themselves. His performance was decent, and once settled into a few scenes in, you forget about him being cast and simply enjoy the most exciting Bond action. Had Connery done this film, this would unanimously be considered the best Bond in history, but even without him, we true fans still know which film is tops. No other Bond movie does it better. On: 2005-11-08Best Bond leading girl (Diana Rigg); Best Bond Villain (Telly Savalas as Blofeld); Best Bond cars; Most flirtatious Bond women (at the ski resort, including a pre-Space 1999 Maya); Best Bond locales (Portugal and Switzerland); Best Bond chase sequences (through the snow); The longest Bond movie (2hrs.22mins.); and the Best Bond action and entertainment in any one flick. So what if George Lazenby wasnt the best Bond, the above mentioned reasons speak for themselves. His performance was decent, and once settled into a few scenes in, you forget about him being cast and simply enjoy the most exciting Bond action. Had Connery done this film, this would unanimously be considered the best Bond in history, but even without him, we true fans still know which film is tops. the Underated Bond On: 2005-10-17Ok,the beginning of the movie seems a little cheezy but I must say its the most important bond movie. The reason I say this is because how all the other James Bond actors have to go back to this movie. This movie has a connection with several other Bond movies. This is the only movie he had a Mrs. Bond and my personal favorite Bond girl. He was with more women is this movie than any other Bond movie but he loved his Tracy (Diane Riggs). I enjoyed the action because he was the biggest Bond in size. He does a lot of his action stunts and when he slid across the deck and shoots at the enemy. During the second act George finally comes into the Bond charecter, the script shows that Bond has more depth than the previous films. I wish he had a real chance but he was too far under Connerys shadow to have a second picture. He never acted in a movie or tv before this but if he was better prepared I would have given it 5 stars. Diane did a great job as usual and was very beautiful. I wish she was in more Bond movies but I dont want to spoil the ending. So, I wont get into that but I noticed a lot of tv shows did the same ending as the movie. So go figure! A SNAG Bond? On: 2005-10-14Comparing Lazenbys Bond to those preceding and following him, I can see why people would dismiss "On Her Majestys Secret Service" as inferior and lacking. This is a reaction that I have to confess to myself, being a long time fan of the movies. Having read some of the comments here, it seems that not reading the novels has been a glaring oversight on my part. One that will need rectifying. To the movie itself, I would agree with most that the plot of the movie had a lot more substance and certainly was less pathetic than the movies before it. The villain had a more diabolical plan, and there was more of the relational side of the story involved. The development of the various characters was certainly superior to the other movies. Lazenby, while being a little more "cardboard", certainly portrayed a more sensitive and deeper Bond than the other movies would suggest. The fact that he actually asked a girl if she wanted to talk about the issue bothering her was truly out of step with the other movies. This added dimension was certainly a plus for the movie. Over time, this movie has grown on me, really. At first, I wondered what I was watching and quite disliked it. However, with some thought, and with some comments from reviewers here, I have come to regard "On Her Majestys Secret Service" to be among the better of the Bond films. It is just a pity that they only made one with Lazenby. Most Underrated Bond Film On: 2005-09-22Moreso than any other Bond film, this one remains most faithful to the Fleming novels. Many people discredit Lazenby as being too "flat" or "cardboard" and dismiss this film out of hand because of Connery or Moores absence. That dismissal is their loss-- for theyre missing out on one of the most brilliant and dynamic Bond films. Plot-wise this film has far more depth than any of the other Bond films. Lazenbys portrayal is nondescript and very human. Hes not as suave nor as debonairre as the Moore or Connery Bonds-- it makes him more palpable and real. One of the highlights for me is Diana Rigg, I consider her performance as Contessa Teresa de Vincenzo to be the strongest performance of any "Bond Girl" in any of the Bond movies (and right it should be)! Some details from the book were left out or changed because they made reference to the first Bond novel, "Casino Royale" (which is supposed to be the next Bond film). Considering that book has not yet been made into a legitimate film (although a 1967 Bond spoof starring David Niven and Peter Sellers was given this title) yet leaving those details in the film would only have caused confusion with viewers. If youre looking for the more super-human super-agent James Bond, this is the wrong film for you. But if youre looking for one of the deepest and most fleshed out Bond stories and one of the most human Bond portrayals-- this is the only Bond film truly worth seeing! Lazenby Rocks On: 2005-09-21One of the MOST under-rated movies Ive ever seen. It has wit, style, grace and a sense of humor.(I love the line "This never happened to the other guy.") While Sean Connery will always be considered the "Best Of The Bonds" I think that George Lazenby proved that he could definitely part as well as - if not better than - any other actor who played Bond. (Especially Timothy Dalton, who just never seemed right to me.) A solid entry in the long running movie series. wow i'd have to give this movie a thumbs down On: 2005-09-05i love the James Bond films, if you do to, take the following caution: this movie is worth watching as it is very different than all the others, James behaves differently about a woman than ever before, but i must say that on her majestys secret service just did not cut it in my opinion. the first half of the film was entertaining, george lazenby was not a bad choice for the role, but after more than one LENGTHY ski chase scene i started getting very bored! i found the new blofeld(telly savalas)totally out of character as well, they would have done just as well to have sammy davis jr. or hunter s. thompson play the role. at more than one point in the film i found myself laughing because what was suposed to be a suspensful chase scene between two men on foot looked more like a documentary about penguins, they were sliding and falling that much! this would be fine for a comedy but you dont want to laugh when you should be on the edge of your seat with suspense. the movie had me laughing when it shouldnt and left me feeling sad as the end was a real tear jerker. wow i'd have to give this movie a thumbs down On: 2005-09-04i love the James Bond films, if you do to, take the following caution: this movie is worth watching as it is very different than all the others, James behaves differently about a woman than ever before, but i must say that on her majestys secret service just did not cut it in my opinion. the first half of the film was entertaining, george lazenby was not a bad choice for the role, but after more than one LENGTHY ski chase scene i started getting very bored! i found the new blofeld(telly savalas)totally out of character as well, they would have done just as well to have sammy davis jr. or hunter s. thompson play the role. at more than one point in the film i found myself laughing because what was suposed to be a suspensful chase scene between two men on foot looked more like a documentary about penguins, they were sliding and falling that much! this would be fine for a comedy but you dont want to laugh when you should be on the edge of your seat with suspense. the movie had me laughing when it shouldnt and left me feeling sad as the end was a real tear jerker. One of the underrated Bond films On: 2005-09-03I am probably one of the few people who still own OHMSS on VHS. I dont own it yet on DVD but will be getting the entire series on DVD in the future. Needless to say, I had OHMSS hiding away and was never able to really sit down and watch it until recently. Well with that said, I have rewatched it over and over for the past few days and I love this film. It is probably my favorite one of all the bond films. George Lazenby stepped into the Bond role perfectly. And though many may not agree, I found him to be very attractive and sexy and what a magnificent fighter he was, his fighting scenes were awesome, and I found out that George Lazenby was a black belt in karate and did alot of the fighting himself in the movie. Secondly Diana Rigg was such a great complement to this movie. She was tough and beautiful and her charcter matched Bond in every aspect. I loved the scenes that she was driving in she did the driving with such ease and control and looked so professional doing it. I loved her chemistry with George and their wonderful and tragic love story. Third, Telly Savalas is definately Blofeld. All of the other Blofelds before and after him especially Charles Gray in DAF are so laughable. Telly has always had a natural talent for playing heavys and he shows it very much in OHMSS. I cannot give this film enough praise. It is the best one of the series and definately the one that stands in a class by itself. It is unique and I am glad that George Lazenby didnt play Bond again, he didnt want to because he wouldnt have had the uniqueness of only playing Bond once but also he would have had the uniqueness of that the only Bond film he was in was the best. George you were great thanks for being in the best Bond ever, you should have no regrets. Lazenby never got the credit he deserved for his substitute performance! On: 2005-08-26The people who say Lazenby was the worst Bond simply dont "get" who Bond really is. If Lazenby "failed," he failed because he wasnt Sean Connery - in that sense NOBODY would have succeeded as the first Connery replacement. However, if you watch the filmand forget about Connery, youll find that Lazenby captures the Bond spirit easily as well as Brosnan has lately - equal parts killer, lady-lover, and action hero. It helps that Lazenby was given one of the juiciest Bond stories to work with. Here, Bond travels an emotional rollercoaster as he finds a one-true-love, and (SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER) loses her tragically in the end. He also spends a great deal of the film playing a role undercover - were talking an extended sequence covering several days of the script. We wouldnt really see something like this again until Dalton played the "rogue" Bond for Sanchez in LISCENSE TO KILL (also one of the best Bond films). Diana Rigg is quite possibly the best Bond girl the series has ever seen. Strikingly gorgeous, but not a simpering dolt in need of constant rescue. She is certainly the first female in the series that can kick A** and take names! Telly Savalas, meanwhile, also becomes the first really enjoyable Bond villain as the second actor to portray Blofeld. He pours alot more cool into the role and successfully makes it his own before Charles Grays lamentable turn in the same role. OHMSS introduced us to Bond on skis the way THUNDERBALL introduced us to Bond underwater. The bulk of the film takes place in the snowy Swiss Alps, and must have been quite beautiful to behold on the big screen. Most movies set in the snowy mountains just look beautiful enough to be worth the price of the ticket alone! The action is not as over-the-top as Bond would later become. In fact, after the tour-de-force action sequences of THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, this film seems slower in comparison. But thats not a bad thing, because for once the story is actually engrossing enough that the action doesnt need to hold the film up. Finally, you have to applaud the filmmakers for not going to any great lengths to "deal with" the fact that Connery is not in the lead role. They simply made another Bond movie that happened to have a different actor - and it was this mentality that lead to their ability to change actors three more times to date successfully! As for Connery, he missed his chance to be in one of the best Bond films of them all, and instead had to have DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER as his laughable Swan Song for the official series! Jokes on him! Good film with new bond by: Anonymous On: 2005-08-26 OHMSS is a good film with Lazenby as a new bond. The setting of the film is excellent with it being the late 60s into the disco 70s. Still has that cold war plot and the villans are at their best. Telly Salavas was an excellent Blofeld and you have to be diggin Dianna Rigg as a Bond Girl. Sex, violence, and more sex. Just cannot get enough. "THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO THE OTHER GUY," On: 2005-08-19deapans George Lazenby in the opening momemts of the 6th Bond entry. Peter Hunts telling of the tale not only lampoons the Bond epics, it harpoons it: Bond whistling the "Goldfinger" theme as hes led into Dracos office the best example. But OHMSS has the classic Bond elements in tact: Great locations, the beautiful people, intense action. Telly Savalas was a natural playing a heavy and Diana Rigg radiates the screen. Englebert Humperdinck should have sang "We Have All The Time In The World." ONE OF THE BEST BOND MOVIES EVER!!!!!!! by: Anonymous On: 2005-06-18 On Her Majestys Secret Service has got to be one of the best Bond movies ever!!!! First off it has George Lazenby who did an excellent job as Bond. Then it has DIANA RIGG who plays hot,tough Bond girl Tracy Di Vicenzo. She was an awesome driver in the movie and did you see her handle Blofelds guards the way she did? Now thats what I call tough!!!!! Shes one of my favorite Bond girls now. I liked Telly Savalass version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld the best and hes one of my favorites.The action sequences are cool and and exciting like the ski chase, the car chase with Tracy and Bond through a stock car race and the ending bobsled chace with Bond and Blofeld. This movie also has one of the best title sequences because it reassures the audience that while the actor of Bond may have changed the character remains the same as it shows images of the previous Bond movies moving through an hour glass like images of Dr. No, Pussy Galore from Goldfinger, Titiania Romanova in From Russia With Love,Aki from You Only Live Twice, a car explosion and many more images. It is also a movie which I once almost cried on when Tracy was killed at the end of the movie when she and Bond married. Its very sad and emotional because Bond loses the one woman he truly ever loved. All in all I LOVED the movie and I give it 10 stars out of 10. It helped move the James Bond phenomenon along very well and thats why I thinks its one the best Bond movies ever. For all you James Bond fans out there, get On Her Majestys Secret Service. You will love it. Never mind "worst James Bond movie ever"...... On: 2005-05-25...worst JAMES BOND ever is more like it! This guy is terrible! He makes Roger Moore look fantastic...and Moore sucked! Steer clear of this one and watch either a Connery or Brosnan Bond movie. The BEST Bond Film, Period... On: 2005-04-29Why, you ask? 1. This is the film which most closely followed Flemings original novel. Even "Goldfinger" took more liberties. This is an almost page for page rendition of one of the best books. 2. Lazenby > Bored Connery. Though he didnt have the pedigree of Connery (or any of the others, right through Brosnan), Lazenby not only held his own in the part, but after seeing Connery sleep through the later films (and do it again in the retched "Diamonds Are Forever"), he was a breath of fresh air. 3. Low budget, by Bondian standards. No big volcanos filled with henchmen. No ninjas. No Outer Space. No big set pieces at all. 4. Gorgeous cinematography. You really feel like youre in the mountains. 5. "Kojak" strikes just the right cord as Blofeld - somewhere between the earlier "sitting around stroking an evil cat" version and the cross-dressing, fancy lad Charles Gray edition (BTW, can you tell I HATED Diamonds Are Forever?). 6. Diana Rigg is to this day the most beautiful Bond Girl, and the romance is believable and sweet. 7. The Best Bond Theme. The only close second is McCartneys "Live And Let Die." And the best credit sequence - the montage of earlier films is brilliant. 8. The wonderful Louis Armstrong melody, last heard in "The Jacket." 9. Most of all, the downbeat ending. Gut-renching and out of character for the series. This is the Bond film to end all Bond films. The Real Mr. Bond On: 2005-04-18When I was growing up in the 80s I was told that the worst James Bond movie ever was OHMSS with George Lazenby, so I always thought so. When i finally saw the movie I realized it was one of the best. George Lazenby was the ideal model for Bond. He did a great job period. He was never given a fair shot at the position. Telly Savalas was Blofeld. All Blofelds before and after were weak next to him. He was smart, scary, and active. He did not just give orders, he was part of the chase, a true villian. Diana Rigg was not a Bond Girl, she was a true heroine. She was smart, sexy and her own woman. The chemistry between Lazenby and Rigg was there on screen. The soundtrack is what makes this movie. When you hear the music when Bond is being chased you feel as if you are there. This is one of the best Bond soundtracks. Sean Connery is best Bond because of the body of his work. Maybe Bond would not have turned into camp with DAF and the Roger Moore Bonds if Lazenby had stayed. The Real Mr. Bond On: 2005-04-17When I was growing up in the 80s I was told that the worst James Bond movie ever was OHMSS with George Lazenby, so I always thought so. When i finally saw the movie I realized it was one of the best. George Lazenby was the ideal model for Bond. He did a great job period. He was never given a fair shot at the position. Telly Savalas was Blofeld. All Blofelds before and after were weak next to him. He was smart, scary, and active. He did not just give orders, he was part of the chase, a true villian. Diana Rigg was not a Bond Girl, she was a true heroine. She was smart, sexy and her own woman. The chemistry between Lazenby and Rigg was there on screen. The soundtrack is what makes this movie. When you hear the music when Bond is being chased you feel as if you are there. This is one of the best Bond soundtracks. Sean Connery is best Bond because of the body of his work. Maybe Bond would not have turned into camp with DAF and the Roger Moore Bonds if Lazenby had stayed. AMONG THE TOP! On: 2005-02-20Some viewers look at this film as a downer. To others, downer would be a compliment. But there are still some who see the film as one of the finest of the 007s, capturing the spirit and style of Ian Fleming like no other. One time Bond George Lazenby assumes the role and does surprisingly well for a non-actor. The story is more loyal to the novel that any other Bond film, from the thriller start to the tragic conclusion. While it isnt perfect, what novel adapted movie is? Unfortunately the film was a failure in the eyes of United Artists and the much of the public. Many, or perhaps most fans wouldnt accept Lazenby as Bond because, well...he wasnt Connery. (If Connery had accepted the role On Her Majestys might be unanimously hailed as the greatest achievement of the series.) Also, many werent ready for the abrubt transition of the story structure. They were unprepaired to for this films display of realism, humanities, and drama compared to the fantastic plots and relentless action of the previous entries, which would become increasingly prominent as the series progressed. If the film had been a success perhaps the following entries wouldnt have dwindled into such disarray. One may not be able to truly appreciate this film if not familiar with the integrities of the literary Bond, but if youre an advocate of the novels, On Her Majestys Secret Service is definitely worth seeing. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE by: ksj870@hotmail.com On: 2005-01-25 Ernst Stravo Blofeld, godfather of SPECTRE and James Bonds arch-nemesis, hatches yet another diabolical plot in his seemingly impenetrable mountain fortress. Disguised as a Scottish geneologist dispatched to verify Blofelds claim to nobility, Bond infiltrates the madmans stronghold and a deadly game of wits ensues with the fate of the Western world in the balance. But the real story is Bonds discovery of true love in the form of a troubled girl named Tracy. Can the two outwit Blofeld and survive to love another day? Despite its numerous strengths--or perhaps because of them--ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE is not one of the Bond films I often find mentioned among the series best. It is almost certainly the most realistic (with the possible exception of DR. NO) as well as the one which most fully captures the essence of Ian Flemings source novels. It is more serious than the other Bond movies, but the excellent script is still rife with sharp wit and keen satire. But theres also George Lazenby stepping into what had heretofore been Sean Connerys role, and that, combined with the relatively sober plot, has traditionally been hard for many fans of the series to look past. Connerys portrayals of Bond are deservedly immortal, but if the series was to continue someone else was going to have to step up to the plate, and Lazenby was the guy (at least until Connerys brief comeback in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, that is, after which Roger Moore took over the series). Theres nothing inherently wrong with Lazenbys performance, though, its simply different from Connerys. Lazenby plays the character with a refreshing romanticism and vulnerability which, while a marked departure from Connerys interpretation, fits this particular story to a T. Alternately deadly, sensitive, and funny, Lazenby carries off the role with admirable aplomb, and it wouldnt have hurt the franchise any in the long run if hed been able to play it another time or two. Lazenbys co-stars are brilliant in their own roles. Telly Savales is an insidious yet charming Blofeld, and when he goes head-to-head with Bond you really want him to get whats coming to him. But the beautiful Diana Rigg is the stand-out as Bonds beloved Tracy. Shes not just another Bond girl, and the romance in OHMSS is a far cry from the throwaway relationships that are this series norm. Tracy is clearly Bonds Mrs. Right, and Rigg brings her to brilliant life with wit, elegance, and vivacity tinged with an irresistible streak of darkness. Peter Hunts direction is exciting and the screenplay wisely eschews many of the sillier ingredients of the Bond films. The action is exceptionally well-choreographed and hard-hitting and even though there arent any nifty gadgets from Q-branch nobody should miss them with all the storys natural pyrotechnics. If there is a weakness in this film it is a relatively slow second act. Many of the most thrilling moments are packed into the outstanding introductory and climactic scenes, and the middle suffers by comparison. The screenwriters try to liven things up with some interesting parodies of Bonds womanizing nature, but perhaps more drama would have been wiser. But if there are some slow spots there arent enough to ruin the overall design, which adds up to one of the finest of all Bond films. Perhaps lacking a few of the familiar 007 staples, but the Bond essentials are all here and anyway the things that make this movie different are a big part of what make it so great. From the romantic and spellbinding opening to the moving last reel, ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE is cinematic Bond magic. TELLY BABY!!!! On: 2005-01-05Hey folks hold onto your seats because this one is the "filet mignon" of all the Bond flicks! ( Yes even better than " Goldfinger"!)I know Sean Connery is not in this one ( who is still is the REAL Bond) but it doesnt matter,George Lazenby does a credible job of filling some mighty big shoes. Telly Savalas plays Blofeld , and is truly the best out of all of Bonds arch enemies.His presence & performance alone make this a real "barn burner"! Diana Rigg , of "Avengers" fame (at the time)is lovely, charming, and one of the great "Bond" girls of all time.Playing the spoiled daughter of a wealthly industrialist she captures the unapproachable Bonds heart which leads to a totally unexpected occurance in which James falls finally ,deeply in love. The action is crisp, at some points nonstop,from a car chase on an ice rink, to wild ski antics on the slopes of Switzerland, the climactic battle with Blofeld on bobleds going at 70mph, its really a pulse pounder! And dont forget the Bond women which are plentiful. Telly plans to use these bevy of beauties to carry out his master plan of (YOU GUESSED IT) taking over the world, and Bond is the only dude that can stop him. The cinematography is breath taking,the score by the incomparable John Barry is at its finest, make this a winner!So buckle up , get a tub of popcorn, and hang on! Not bad, George On: 2004-12-19I was a senior in high school and saw OHMSS in its first run in late December, 1969. I was also a fan of the "Avengers" TV series, so I was actually quite excited about Diana Rigg being in this film and how shed play. Diana did not disappoint. George Lazenbys selection to replace Sean Connery obviously caught most card-carrying Bond fans off guard. But considering the story line of this film and the tragic romance we see, Lazenbys acting shouldnt be totally written off. To his credit, he stuck to the basics, and let director Peter Hunt, Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, and Bond regulars Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and Desmond Llewellyn carry the performance burden. There may be some who feel robbed Connery wasnt in this one; and those who might speculate how hed perform the final scene and how much additional feeling HIS presence would create in that important moment. But given his inexperience, Lazenby still did the best he could have done in what had to be one of the most difficult scenes for anyone to do in this or any romantic film. Hunt took great editing and second-unit experience with him into the chair for this one, and it shows. Fight scenes--particularly the one outside Dracos office--are superbly and tightly edited--with Hitchcock-like quick cutting. That editing prowess also covers the one minor mistake in one of the action sequences involving Rigg. During the stock car race portion of the car chase, theres a quick cut to a close-up of Tracy behind the wheel where she asks "James, how to we get out?" Rigg voiced-over this line in post-production. In the shot, she doesnt appear to be actually mouthing the line; instead she seems to be turning her head quickly with her mouth open. But again, tight editing makes this go by so quickly only a trained eye can really catch it. I also agree on the soundtrack. John Barrys work on the Bond films had been getting better and better with each movie. His work on OHMSS is Barry at his peak. The main title--the first instrumental since "Dr. No" introduced the "James Bond Theme," is possibly one of the best ever written for any action film--spy or otherwise. Barrys string arrangements throughout the body of the film, meanwhile, are absolutely stunning--especially during the helicopter flight to Piz Gloria. I have always regarded OHMSS one of my personal favorites in the Bond Series. From an impartial viewpoint, it still ranks as one of the best of the Bonds. And to the reviewer who wondered if Lazenby ever acted again, he did, indeed--as recently as 1993 when he appeared in "Gettysburg" as Gen. Pettigrout ("PET-ih-groo"), one of the division commanders who led Picketts Charge. This Never Happened After The Second Fellow On: 2004-12-17Ill preface this review by saying this was the first Bond film I ever saw (so I didnt have the Connery reference point, yet). I will also say- as history has played out and the series has spanned 4 decades (plus), and has had 5 actors play the part, Lazenby is the only one besides Connery who played this part well. OHMSS is also my favorite of the series. Its well documented, the differences between Lazenby, Peter Hunt (the director) and Broccoli and Saltzman (the producers), and its sad because he would have made a good Bond. Still, if you have only one to leave as your calling card- OHMSS is it. Lazenby managed to do what none of the other following actors could in the part- he handled the brutal as well as the suave sides of Bond effectively. Considering that this was his first feature-that he had never acted, there is a calm and a self assuredness in his presentation thats damned amazing, and considering whose shoes he was filling. Also- Peter Hunt chose to do something they never really seemed to have been able to do with Bond again- they put some reality back into the story. Even with Savalas (in a terrific and fully fleshed out interpretation of Blofeld)- and the global biological germ threat posed, Bond is looking for more than just his old enemy in this one. Hes lost and unsure and Lazenby delivered something rather human in that. This is also the romantic Bond film. The one where he meets his match. I can think of no one more suited for that part than Diana Rigg. And she delivers the class and the cool that lets Bond and the audience know why. It also contains John Barrys best Bond score (and thats saying alot because they were always magnificent, and lent much to the flavor and mood of the Bond pictures). As the Bonds carried on, they became formula driven. Each actor following in the role (Moore, Dalton and Brosnan) have tried to bring something to it but Connery defined it. Having said that... I think Lazenby had the balls and the courage to follow closely but to also find his own path. The performances are all good. M/Q & Moneypenny, all in tow. The ski sequences are incredible- as well as the bobsled and fight sequences. And the opening was a terrific way to introduce us to the new fella. If youre looking for a Bond that went the reality route, try this one on. You wont be disappointed. This one (because of the love story) actually does leave you shaken and stirred. This was the Christmas Bond so... reviewed and released in timely fashion! Enjoy Pretty good story but RIUNED by Lazenby On: 2004-12-14All in all it was an alright story line. It might have been in my top 10 if it was connery, moore,brosnan or mabe even dalton. I am sorry but lazenby should stick to modeling. He riuned this film for me. He coulnt pull off the role. Models just cant act smart or cunning i guess. It not a good movie probably worst one in whole colection. THeir are facts to prove this too such as the fact that OHMSS barely made a profit and by far grossed the least amount of money. Over all not a good movie my ranking of bonds hast to go. 1. Connery (Great bond absolutly fantastic,great in every movie) 2. brosnan (Very good bond, although it was obvious that he was not used to and very nervous about the role in Goldeneye) 3. Moore (Hard to believe sometimes but he did make the best bond film ever- the spy who loved me) 4. Dalton (he was alright in the living daylights) 5. Lazneby (horrible not a wonder why he only did one film) A cult movie among the Bond series ! by: higopa On: 2004-11-07 It easy to guess the multiple reasons which many people has this work among the Bond favorites . George Lazenby is an Australian actor which worked worhtly ; and perhaps he never had the charisma of Connery , the male presence of Dianna Rigg one of the icons of the sixties and the prence of Telly Savals as the main villane saved the film from drowning . The locations in Switerzland are amazing and despite this is the longest film of the Series you never realize this detail . To be honest the plot is not totally polished and in the other hand you are before the most human and painful picture made for James Bond . Since the facts you know the work has a noir taste and in this sense it was an original event . That reason may be well the hidden cause which makes many Bond fans do not feel comfortable with it due the sad ending . Another special credit : the soundtrack ; We have all the time of the world sung by Satchmo who died a few months later is another sad motive for watch it ; the rest of CD is specially listenable . A cult movie among the Bond series ! On: 2004-11-06It easy to guess the multiple reasons which many people has this work among the Bond favorites . George Lazenby is an Australian actor which worked worhtly ; and perhaps he never had the charisma of Connery , the male presence of Dianna Rigg one of the icons of the sixties and the prence of Telly Savals as the main villane saved the film from drowning . The locations in Switerzland are amazing and despite this is the longest film of the Series you never realize this detail . To be honest the plot is not totally polished and in the other hand you are before the most human and painful picture made for James Bond . Since the facts you know the work has a noir taste and in this sense it was an original event . That reason may be well the hidden cause which makes many Bond fans do not feel comfortable with it due the sad ending . Another special credit : the soundtrack ; We have all the time of the world sung by Satchmo who died a few months later is another sad motive for watch it ; the rest of CD is specially listenable . One Of The BEST Bond Films!! George Lazenby IS James Bond!! On: 2004-10-05Austrailian model George Lazenby steps in for Sean Connery-the original and arguably the BEST James Bond-after a long search for by the producers for someone to replace him when he departed the series after "You Only Live Twice", in the only true romance in the Bond series and acquits himself very well. The intensity of Sean Connery wasnt neccessary for this movie, as its a love story. He also had to use an accent in the film to impersonate someone to go undercover in the villains high-tech headquarters, so that alone is evidence of a good actor. This is probably the only movie he ever did, but he provided a never before seen side of the worlds greatest superspy. Diana Rigg, a theater actress who was also known as sleuth Emma Peel in TVs "The Avengers" does a great job playing Bonds only true love interest, Teresa (Tracy) DiViccenzo, in the movie. Telly Savalas ("Kellys Heroes", TVs "Kojak," etc.) takes over for Donald Plesance as the mysterious Ernst Stavro Blofeld, head of the evil SPECTRE organization. The movies instrumental title theme (aside from "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love") was very good and provides plenty of excitement during one of the best action scenes ever filmed, also well used in the excellent main title sequence while the tender love ballad "We Have All The Time In The World," (which Im developing into a novel) performed by none other than Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong himself, gives the romance between Bond and Tracy its truly heartfelt poignancy while building up to the sad finale, which left a lot to be desired; but it served well for the opening sequence of the next one. Sean Connery would return in "Diamonds Are Forever," going on to bigger things afterwards before AND AFTER returning to the role which had skyrocketed him to fame in 1962 in an unofficial (WHY didnt MGM do this one as well and why was Blofeld, who died at the end of "Diamonds Are Forever", brought back for that one and for the opening sequence in "For Your Eyes Only"?) Bond film, "Never Say Never Again", (a cameo in "Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves", "The Untouchacbles" (Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), "The Great Train Robbery", "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade", etc.) but its "On Her Majestys Secret Service" that remains, in my view, one of the BEST Bond films (after "Licence To Kill," starring Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto and Robert Davi). My favorite James Bond actors are as follows: I. Timothy Dalton II. George Lazenby III. Sean Connery IV. Roger Moore V. Pierce Brosnan. Well have to wait and see wholl replace him as James Bond in the 22nd installment. Director Hunt is the first to bend the rule on nudity and it works very well. Rated PG for action violence, some sensuality/brief partial nudity. OHMSS -- A Secret Treasure On: 2004-08-20This may be the most underrated of all of the Bond films. George Lazenby does not get the credit he deserves for his (one) outing as James Bond. As the first fill-in for Seann Connery (who returned for the next film), there was no way he could have lived up to expectations. Lazenby certainly does a better than adequate job of playing the role (which is more than I can say for Timothy Dalton). Diana Rigg may be the shining star of the film, adding an interesting cross-over feel (after all, she was Ms. Peel on the Avengers series). Here she retains much of her toughness, and makes for one of the more memorable - and beautiful - Bond girls. Telly Savalas makes the archetypal Blofeld (better than Donald Pleasance), perfect in his role as the ultimate of Bonds arch-villains. Some may criticize this films story, particularly its ending, as being very un-Bond-like. This, however, is what I believe makes the film interesting, it does not abandon the Bond-style for cheap, over-the-top effects, but rather creates a quite interesting and more personal sort of story around its characters (and it is rather true to the Ian Fleming novel around which it is based). It is unfortunate that the following film, Diamonds are Forever (again with Connery), which is a sort of follow-up to this film, does such a poor job of following up. OHMSS -- A Secret Treasure On: 2004-08-19This may be the most underrated of all of the Bond films. George Lazenby does not get the credit he deserves for his (one) outing as James Bond. As the first fill-in for Seann Connery (who returned for the next film), there was no way he could have lived up to expectations. Lazenby certainly does a better than adequate job of playing the role (which is more than I can say for Timothy Dalton). Diana Rigg may be the shining star of the film, adding an interesting cross-over feel (after all, she was Ms. Peel on the Avengers series). Here she retains much of her toughness, and makes for one of the more memorable - and beautiful - Bond girls. Telly Savalas makes the archetypal Blofeld (better than Donald Pleasance), perfect in his role as the ultimate of Bonds arch-villains. Some may criticize this films story, particularly its ending, as being very un-Bond-like. This, however, is what I believe makes the film interesting, it does not abandon the Bond-style for cheap, over-the-top effects, but rather creates a quite interesting and more personal sort of story around its characters (and it is rather true to the Ian Fleming novel around which it is based). It is unfortunate that the following film, Diamonds are Forever (again with Connery), which is a sort of follow-up to this film, does such a poor job of following up. No Connery, But It Works On: 2004-08-16This has to be one of the best Bond films ever made, which in a way is very surprising due to a few details in the movie. One, and this is very important, this is the first movie in the series without the great Sean Connery as the star! Sean Connery is by far the best man to take on the role of Bond, so most would kind of judge a little hard on the man who took his place. But somhow Lasenby pulled it off. This movie has somthing for fans of later movies such as For Your Eyes Only, and Licence to Kill, because this is the movie where Bond found the woman that he marries, and also where Blofeld hits Bond with an enourmous blow. So if you want the best story, some of the best pick up scenes with Bond and the ladies, and if you were a fan of the Avengers TV show, (Bonds wife was a cast member) then this is the movie for you. NUFF SAID. Thrilling Alpine adventure On: 2004-08-06George Lazenby shows in this movie that he is a brilliant actor! And yet he has a different air-perhaps a greater sensitivity and Connery, and certainly more depth and more sensitivity than the over-flippant, over-smooth Roger Moore. He is probably truer to the Bond of the Fleming books than Connery, and certainly a thousand times more than Moore. And perhaps that is why so many have criticized his performance, simply because he is not a Connery or a Moore. But that does not make him any less of an actor. Bond sets out to defeat the evil plans of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to destroy all the worlds plant and animal life with the use of agricultural sterilization, unless his insane demands are met. He meets a mysterious, sensual but troubled beauty, with an unforgettable smile, who calls herself Contessa (Diana Rigg). "Contessa" turns out to be Tracy, the daughter of Mafia boss, Draco, who is very eager to have Bond marry his lovely daughter. Underneath her unfriendly exterior, Tracy has a sensitive soul, and Bond soon falls in true love with her-they are later married. Who can imagine Roger Moores Bond, saying to a girl as Bond does to Tracy Draco: " I love you, I will never find another girl like you, will you marry me?" Before he can further his love with Tracy, Bond must, in collaboration with Draco, infiltrate Blofelds Swiss Alps compound (which is rather like the Alpine version of Dr Nos Caribbean underwater compound.) disguised as a stuffy professor (which Lazenby also does in a way that Connery or Moore could not). He is introduced their by Blofelds evil henchwoman, the sexless dumpy Frau Bunt. But Bond the lover of beautiful woman, is not to be disappointed, for in the compound Blofeld has a bevy of absolutely gorgeous girls, from around the world, who he is auto-programming to carry out his plans. Bond soon beds a few of these lovelies, before outwitting Blofeld. I wont reveal the ending of this movie except to say that it is marred by an unusual tragedy, which I might add, was not written in by the film-writers but appeared in the book on which this movie was based. Filmed on location in London and Switzerland Thrilling Alpine adventure On: 2004-08-05George Lazenby shows in this movie that he is a brilliant actor! And yet he has a different air-perhaps a greater sensitivity and Connery, and certainly more depth and more sensitivity than the over-flippant, over-smooth Roger Moore. He is probably truer to the Bond of the Fleming books than Connery, and certainly a thousand times more than Moore. And perhaps that is why so many have criticized his performance, simply because he is not a Connery or a Moore. But that does not make him any less of an actor. Bond sets out to defeat the evil plans of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to destroy all the worlds plant and animal life with the use of agricultural sterilization, unless his insane demands are met. He meets a mysterious, sensual but troubled beauty, with an unforgettable smile, who calls herself Contessa (Diana Rigg). "Contessa" turns out to be Tracy, the daughter of Mafia boss, Draco, who is very eager to have Bond marry his lovely daughter. Underneath her unfriendly exterior, Tracy has a sensitive soul, and Bond soon falls in true love with her-they are later married. Who can imagine Roger Moores Bond, saying to a girl as Bond does to Tracy Draco: " I love you, I will never find another girl like you, will you marry me?" Before he can further his love with Tracy, Bond must, in collaboration with Draco, infiltrate Blofelds Swiss Alps compound (which is rather like the Alpine version of Dr Nos Caribbean underwater compound.) disguised as a stuffy professor (which Lazenby also does in a way that Connery or Moore could not). He is introduced their by Blofelds evil henchwoman, the sexless dumpy Frau Bunt. But Bond the lover of beautiful woman, is not to be disappointed, for in the compound Blofeld has a bevy of absolutely gorgeous girls, from around the world, who he is auto-programming to carry out his plans. Bond soon beds a few of these lovelies, before outwitting Blofeld. I wont reveal the ending of this movie except to say that it is marred by an unusual tragedy, which I might add, was not written in by the film-writers but appeared in the book on which this movie was based. Filmed on location in London and Switzerland Excellent On: 2004-08-05George Lazenby shows in this movie that he is a brilliant actor! And yet he has a different air-perhaps a greater sensitivity and Connery, and certainly more depth and more sensitivity than the over-flippant, over-smooth Roger Moore. He is probably truer to the Bond of the Fleming books than Connery, and certainly a thousand times more than Moore. And perhaps that is why so many have criticized his performance, simply because he is not a Connery or a Moore. But that does not make him any less of an actor. Bond sets out to defeat the evil plans of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to destroy all the worlds plant and animal life with the use of agricultural sterilization, unless his insane demands are met. He meets a mysterious, sensual but troubled beauty, with an unforgettable smile, who calls herself Contessa (Diana Rigg). "Contessa" turns out to be Tracy, the daughter of Mafia boss, Draco, who is very eager to have Bond marry his lovely daughter. Underneath her unfriendly exterior, Tracy has a sensitive soul, and Bond soon falls in true love with her-they are later married. Who can imagine Roger Moores Bond, saying to a girl as Bond does to Tracy Draco: " I love you, I will never find another girl like you, will you marry me?" Before he can further his love with Tracy, Bond must, in collaboration with Draco, infiltrate Blofelds Swiss Alps compound (which is rather like the Alpine version of Dr Nos Caribbean underwater compound.) disguised as a stuffy professor (which Lazenby also does in a way that Connery or Moore could not). He is introduced their by Blofelds evil henchwoman, the sexless dumpy Frau Bunt. But Bond the lover of beautiful woman, is not to be disappointed, for in the compound Blofeld has a bevy of absolutely gorgeous girls, from around the world, who he is auto-programming to carry out his plans. Bond soon beds a few of these lovelies, before outwitting Blofeld. I wont reveal the ending of this movie except to say that it is marred by an unusual tragedy, which I might add, was not written in by the film-writers but appeared in the book on which this movie was based. One of the Worst Bonds by: rivalax On: 2004-08-04 Great story ruined by the inclusion of Lazenby as the legendary spy. Even worst is the replacement of Donald Pleasance by Telly Savallas as Blofeld. The cold sinister performance of Pleasance is here reduced to the coarse persona of Kojak. This is without a doubt one of the most forgetable Bond actors and films along with Timothy Daltons horrible last installment, License To Kill. One of the Worst Bonds On: 2004-08-03Great story ruined by the inclusion of Lazenby as the legendary spy. Even worst is the replacement of Donald Pleasance by Telly Savallas as Blofeld. The cold sinister performance of Pleasance is here reduced to the coarse persona of Kojak. This is without a doubt one of the most forgetable Bond actors and films along with Timothy Daltons horrible last installment, License To Kill. at least Michael Moore is not in it!!! by: Anonymous On: 2004-07-24 Okay I am 007s #1 fan and I LOVE every one but this is my least favorite and we all know the top 6 best Bond movies are: #1 For Your Eyes Only #2 Licence To Kill #3 The Man with the Golden Gun # 4 Live and Let Die #5 Goldfinger #6 From Russia with Love. The 4 best Bond actors are Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan. On His Lazenby's Secret Service by: dmdbop On: 2004-07-13 The most underrated movie entry in the biggest film franchise of all time,OHMSS is highly regarded by 007 movie fans as the best movie.The reason it hasnt topped Goldfinger was due to the fact James Bond was not portrayed by Sean Connery, but an Australian model in his first acting job. George Lazenby took on the role of 007 when Connery exited after You Only Live Twice (1967).Although lacking Connerys charisma (like the later Bond actors), Lazenby was a superb choice and did a wonderful job despite filling some big shoes of "The Other Fellow". But what really makes this movie so great is the story.Based from one of Ian Flemings last Bond novels,It dealt with Bond taking a leave from MI6 to track down Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savales).He teams up with Italian crime boss Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) who offers to help Bond in exchange to marry his daughter Tracy (Diana Rigg).Bond goes undercover to Blofelds mountaintop lair in Switzerland to uncover Blofelds new plot of world domination,all the while in an uncharacteristic move, he falls in love with Tracy and marries her. OHMSS spectacular scenes includes chases on skis, cars and bobsleds,as well as the destruction of the villians lair.The most disturbing image of all Bond movies is the scene after Bond and Tracys wedding. Although a hit at the box office in late 1969, it didnt perform as well as previous Bond films.Lazenby also departed the role, fearing that Bond pics would become passe.Connery would return for one last round in Diamonds are Forever(1971), while Lazenby became a footnote in the Bond legacy.Many have wondered if Connery wouldve stuck it out to play in OHMSS (or Lazenby doing DAF).Either way,OHMSS will always be the most debated if not the most spectacular Bond film of all time. Ian Fleming shaken, not stirred On: 2004-06-18This was the first Bond movie I ever saw in the theater, Dec.31, 1969. For a young kid like me, it was the greatest way on earth to usher out the Sixties. Years of Bond hype, Bond toys, and Sean Connery worship finally came to a head. Yet this was the new guy, a somewhat blasphemous situation to be in. Still, no one ever entered a movie theater with higher expectations. Let me just say this: from the opening credits I was transported to a wonderland of excitement and delight. The music, the villain, the fights, the women, and especially George Lazenby made it a great, great, great Bond movie. To this day, I regard it as possibly the film I have enjoyed more than any other I have seen. Briefly, let me dissect what made it such a great 007 film: 1.The Villain-Telly Savalas should have been Blofeld many more times. He is menacing and a good physical opponent for Bond. Savalas was doing many villains at this time in his career (Dirty Dozen, etc.) mainly because he was so good at it. Tellys Blofeld is very true to Ian Fleming. Along with Robert Shaw and Gert Frobe, I rate him among the best of the Bond villains. 2. The fights-the editing is outstanding, creating fast, violent brawls. Lazenby is quite formidable and believably dangerous-the way Bond should be and hasnt been since. The best Bond fight scene that stands alone is certainly with Oddjob, but the numerous fights in OHMSS are the most realistic and violent. 3.The Women-Diana Rigg (need we say more)-a real actress and the fantasy of every pubescent boy watching The Avengers. Also plenty of eye-candy in the chalet of Blofeld. And throw in Frau Bunt who seems resurrected in the Austin Power movies-shes a pure Fleming character: an evil sexless matron. 4.The music-definitely high-style John Barry. It is a departure from his earlier Connery films and very original. Its just great adventure music and the main title is damn dangerous to be listening to when driving your car. For fun, my kids and I have synchronized it to driving the mountain route in Sega Gt 2002-its the perfect soundtrack. As an Album alone OHMSS is a proud possesion in my record collection. 5.Finally, (and ladies and gentlemen, I could go on and on about this) dear Mr. Lazenby. How anyone could be at the top, with the highest profile movie persona in the world, and then drop to almost total obscurity is lamentable to the most Shakespearean proportions. George was so young (stil in his twenties!) during OHMSS, he could have been Bond into the mid-nineties. I saw him playing a Bond-like character in some cheap John Stamos movie and he was still exciting to watch-too bad Stamos was the star. Bond must provoke intrigue, sophistication, sex, and violence. George Lazenby had it all. To you, Mr. Lazenby, wherever you are, I lift my glass in a toast to your James Bond of OHMSS. I promised to be brief and so I end with so much unsaid about this terrific movie. New Years Eve 1969 was an unforgettable movie experience. How many films can you remember the exact date you first saw them? Best or Worst?? On: 2004-06-09Some say its the worst of the Bonds, some say its the best. Whats the truth? Well, heres my take: Lazenby is more human, more boyish and more vulnerable than Connery, which makes him less exciting to watch but probably closer to the original character as authored by Ian Fleming; his acting has frequently been called "wooden" but strangely enough the real Bond from the books is sort of wooden himself. Although the film is relatively slow and action free in its first hour, thats not so different from other early Bonds; the difference here is that the script is less tight, frankly more amateur and needed a good pruning. Diana Rigg is one of the few Bond girls who can really act, and gives a fabulous performance. Savalas is also very good. The plot is solid and strong, and the business of Bond getting married to Tracy and the tragic ending is unusual and interesting - I personally find it moving too. The witty throwaway lines in this film are rather less witty than in the previous Bonds, and if you look carefully you have the impression they may have been overdubbed in post-production by a team desperate to give the film a bit more panache. But what I love most about this film is the extraordinary mountain scenes, the night skiing, the helicopter attack on Piz Gloria and the cable car action. Boosted by John Barrys marvellous score (one of his best, and surely the Barry Bonds must take five of the top ten of all time) this is the bedrock of the film and represents some of the finest Bond action anywhere, anytime. Watch it on a (very) big screen if you can, and for this alone it rises (for me) from a 3-star movie to a 4.5. One of the Best of the Bonds by: y2jk On: 2004-06-02 A lot of 007 fans argue over this one to this day, but I still think this is one of the best James Bond films ever made. The directing is first-rate, the action scenes electric, the snazzy soundtrack felt organic and still feels very 60s, and you had Emma Peel from THE AVENGERS as one of the best of all Bond girls. It sounds like Diana Rigg is a bit dismissive about her action babe roles in the 60s (she complains that THE AVENGERS was not "the sum of my career") and Ive seen her in some serious roles (she was great and chilling in a Brit mini-series called George Lazenby had impossible shoes to fill, but Im glad they went with a new actor (John Gavin and Adam West had been named as possible Connery successors). Lazenbys face has moments of Bonds cold killer side that hasnt been seen since (Brosnan came close a couple times in GOLDENEYE and when he kills Sophie Marceau in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH) and you believe him in the action scenes. No, he wasnt Sean Connery, but he was James Bond--especially in the final haunting scene. Telly Savalas makes a physically-threatening Blofeld and his thuggish bid at a "legitimate heritage" reveals how nutty his supervillian really is (in the other films, theyre insane only through their crimes or Bond just proclaiming, "Youre insane"). Im not sure if Director Peter Hunt was jettisoned when this film failed to perform as well as previous Bonds at the box office, but the producers should have really given him another film to do. Hed been an editor on previous Bonds and he really brought an exciting energy to the fights and chases. OHMSS is right up there with FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME as far as my favorites go (I include SPY because it was so darn fun). The most intimate of the Bond's On: 2004-05-31My title refe |