Film. One Film.
This is On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the lone Film that represents the Bond Career of one George Lazenby.
Was it too much too soon? Was he a jerk? Was he just impulsive? Did the Studio clearly not have any confidence after a while?
One or more of those things is likely true, so let's just see what we get.
The Plot is a follow-up to You Only Live Twice and Bond is still after Blofeld. As mentioned in that Review, his motivation comes from THIS Story though.
Can it work on its own?
Lazenby is joined by some big names here, such as Diana Rigg (aka Vincent Price's Daughter in Theatre of Blood) and Telly Savalas (aka Kojak).
Peter Hunt is the Director and he's moved up in the World. He was the Editor on the first few Films, as well as Bob Hope's Call Me Bwana, which was referenced via billboard gag in From Russia with Love.
When he took over Editing for the last Film (after working Second Unit), he was given this gig as a reward. This would be his only Bond Film- he'd turn down many- and he'd work steadily until 1991.
How did his career turn out better than our Star's? To find out, read on...
In the Cold Open, Bond rescues a woman (Rigg) on the beach.
He fends off the final guy by catching him in mid-jump and giving him, well,
an F5.
Before getting a 'thank you,' she runs off to her car and drives away.
That leads our new Bond to go full Deadpool and break the 4th Wall.
Bond goes to work and is called out for not catching Blofeld in the last 2 years (implying a real timeline for this Film).
He quits, but gets leave instead.
After meeting back with the woman, sparks fly.
He's 'convinced' to meet Dad, who wants Bond to marry and 'tame' his Daughter.
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| This was almost Timothy Dalton?!? |
She's reluctant, but the two do fall for each other.
A nice, romantic montage to the Film's Theme- We Have All of the Time in the World by Louie Armstrong- and now she's out of the picture (for now).
Bond has to go undercover as a genealogy expert hired by Blofeld.
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| Anyone else getting Benoit Blanc vibes? |
He learns that Blofeld (now Savalas) is kept up on a private mountain and wants the guy (actually Bond) to say that he has Royal Blood and that he could 'earn a Title.'
In the meantime, Bond sleeps with one of the ladies- Blofeld has a full dozen (a first for a Bond Film).
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| Thankfully, he didn't try to do an accent. |
Blofeld has a very complicated plan involving a virus that will somehow stop population growth.
He also tries to kill Bond, but he gets away on skis (sometimes convincingly and other times in front of an obvious screen).
Fleeing into Town, Bond runs into...Rigg?!?
Yes, she just happens to be in Town and they escape together in a car.
We get a fun Stock Car chase/shoot-out as a result.
Unfortunately, the pair can't outrun (stock footage of) an avalanche and she's captured.
As Blofeld prepares to release his ladies (including Joana Lumley!) to spread the virus, he keeps Rigg as a hostage.
Bond and Dad bring a small, private army to attack the base. You know, kind of like that last Film did.
Blofeld escapes the base and they have a big fight in a toboggin.
The villain is standing up when they hit a branch and that's the end of him.
In the aftermath, Bond marries Rigg and they live happily ever after.
That is, until, Blofeld (in a neck brace) and his assistant drive by and shoot the car, killing Rigg.
Aw...The End.
A Film that is honestly way better than you would think if you only know it by reputation. I'll say it...
Lazenby made a good James Bond.
He plays a different kind of Bond, more like the Book (from what I can tell) version. He has swagger. He has charm.
He's not Sean Connery though.
You know who else isn't Sean Connery? EVERYONE ELSE.
The Plot is really good. At worst, you can argue that the pace is weird, focusing so much on Rigg and then dropping her until Act 3. Granted.
It has some really good Action Scenes and Lazenby really does disappear into the role. The villain's plan is the usual nonsense, setting up the seduction and chase Scenes.
Too bad we didn't get more Q and at least one Scene really hinging upon one of his gadgets.
After 5 Bond Films with Connery, this is a nice change of pace. I guess it was too great of one, however, as, well, he's back next time.
Let it not be said that Lazenby's Bond never looked like a bad ass though...
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| Damn! |
Next up, let's wrap up Connery's run as he returns one last time. Will his swan song be his best yet? Stay tuned...
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