On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Posted by nedev18 on March 17, 2008
Released (US): December 18, 1969
Genre: Action/Adventure
Length: 140 Min.
Director: Peter R. Hunt
Writer:Richard Maibaum
Major Cast Members:
George Lazenby - James Bond
Diana Rigg - Tracy Di Vicenzo
Telly Savalas - Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Ilse Steppat - Irma Bunt
Gabriele Ferzetti - Marc Ange Draco
Awards:
None
Budget: $7,000,000
Box Office: $87,400,000
Plot Overview:The sixth episode of the James Bond franchise sees a new actor step in to replace the departed Sean Connery: George Lazenby. Ernst Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE return again, this time threatening to use biological warfare to get what he wants. Bond also meets up with a girl named Tracy Di Vicenzo, and the heat picks up between the two. However, Bond must first take on Blofeld, and to do that, he must go undercover. Bond faces Blofeld in Switzerland, but is his disguise enough to fool Blofeld?
Did you know?:Of all the 007 movies, this one follows Ian Flemmings’ original novel the closest. This caused problems with the continuation of the series. If you pay attention, you will notice that neither Blofeld or Bond recognize each other when they meet, despite the fact that they met in the preceding film, You Only Live Twice.
Review:Right off the bat, something is different about On Her Majesty’s Secret Service than all the other Bond films. It doesn’t take long to figure out - Sean Connery has been replaced by George Lazenby as James Bond! Unfortunately, this move did not turn out for the better, and that was a common theme throughout the movie, the acting was sub-par compared to other previous Bond movies.
Unlike Connery, Lazenby does not resemble Bond at all. The classy, witty, tough spy that we all have grown to love in Sean Connery disappears in George Lazenby. Now, Lazenby did not do a bad job in the role as Bond, but Connery is so far superior that it is difficult not to notice the drop off. It is easiest to say it this way: Sean Connery isJames Bond, George Lazenby is not.
Another issue with the acting/casting in this movie was the villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Played by Telly Savalas in this one, Blofeld does not seem like a villain. He is almost too nice and sincere. Savalas does not portray himself as a villain well, and it detracts from the film a bit. Unlike some past bad guys (Adolfo Celi as Largo in Thunderball comes to mind as a good one), the viewer does not feel intimidated or nervous when the villain enters the scene. Savalas is too nice, and it shows.
Fortunately, not all is lost. Thanks to some excellent writing, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service actually turns out to be a rather good movie. This was a little odd, because, in the past, Bond movies were boosted by superior acting, not because of the scripts.
While maybe a tad bit long at 2 hours 20 minutes, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is well paced, suspenseful, and features plenty of action without the excessive gadgetry. The skiing scene was great, and the fight scene at the end was well done, but not excessive, such as the ones in Thunderball and You Only Live Twice. Lazenby does well in these action scenes, probably the highlight of his performance. Richard Maibaum did well in this effort, and it saved the movie from the somewhat disappointing acting performances.
A must see for all fans of the classic spy thriller, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service offers good suspense, action, and a well thought-out plot. Unfortunately, the casting (particularly for Bond and Blofeld) hold this movie back from being amongst the best Bond features. Still, a worthwhile watch nonetheless.
Final Grade: B+
Other Reviews:
DVD Town: “If you can look past Mr. Lazenby in the title role…the story line, action, and supporting cast of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are well above average.”
Reel Views: “Even featuring an inferior 007, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a landmark change-of-pace, and an exhilarating and affecting piece of entertainment.”
Filmcritic.com: “George Lazenby took Bond’s reins from Sean Connery in this sixth 007 outing, an unfairly oft-maligned film that, while distinctively different than the rest of the series, is still quite fun to watch.”
EFilm Critic: “…anyone who truly knows Bond will tell you that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is actually one of the best ever.”
TVGuide: “…On Her Majesty’s Secret Service benefited from an extremely well-written script that finally revealed a bit more of Bond’s character. Lazenby, however, had no previous acting experience, and his lackadaisical performance limits the whole production, yet it still manages to remain one of the more entertaining Bond films.”
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