ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
UK, 1969, 133 minutes, Colour.
George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell, George Barker.
Directed by Peter Hunt.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a notorious James Bond film – especially as it is the only film starring Australian George Lazenby. After five films with Sean Connery, Connery wanted to opt out of the role – though he did return for Diamonds are Forever in 1971 (and an alternate Bond film in 1983, Never Say Never Again).
George Lazenby is genial but doesn’t have the style or panache of Sean Connery – and seems a little wooden in comparison (though many said Roger Moore was rather wooden in his performance).
The film is not as well written as the other films although it keeps to Ian Fleming’s story in large part. The first half of the film tends to be rather too much dialogue-plotted. The latter part of the film is mainly action.
Diana Rigg, just after her success on television in The Avengers, is the leading lady whom James Bond eventually marries. Gabriele Ferzetti is her father. This time Blofeld is played by Telly Savalas. The first part of the film has action centring on a health clinic in the alps – with a number of British starlets of the time (including Joanna Lumley). The sequences of skiing, car chases through the snow, tobogganing are quite effective. Perhaps this is because the director of the film was Peter Hunt, the second director on several of the earlier films and later a director of some action features with Sylvester Stallone and Charles Bronson.
1.The sixth James Bond film? The tradition of the films, of Ian Fleming’s novels? The films during the 60s, espionage, action, Blofeld and SPECTRE? This film as spectacular, the mountain locations? The musical score, the songs, the James Bond theme?
2.George Lazenby as James Bond, success or not? Why?
3.The locations, the Swiss Alps, the Swiss cities? The action in the mountains, skiing, toboggans? The special effects?
4.The dramatic emphasis in the first half, action in the second half? Audience interest in the plot, the villain, Bond’s romance with Tracy?
5.James Bond and his work, style, M as his control, put off the job, his holiday searching for Blofeld? His going to Sir Hilary, explanation about coats of arms? Blofeld as a count? Learning from Sir Hilary, impersonating him, the Sherlock Holmes look, weary after his travel, his going to the anti-allergies centre, the girls, the discipline, his breaking it, going to the girls’ rooms?
6.M and his role, putting Bond off the case, confirming his mission? The flirting with Miss Moneypenny? Q? Sir Hilary and the aspects of coats of arms and lineage?
7.Telly Savalas as Blofeld, appearance, accent? The clinic, his style, strict rules, his plot for getting power, control of the women by his voice?
8.Tracy, meeting Bond, their initial clash? Her father, his criminal activity? His role? Discussions with Bond, friendship, proposing that Bond marry Tracy? Meeting Tracy again, their being together, her falling in love? Her absence for a length of the film? Her return, Blofeld taking her? Her father and Bond and the rescue? Her being tough, the pursuits?
9.The Blofeld staff? The strong Germanic woman? Her underling? The welcome to Bond? The discussions at the table? Her being in the girl’s bed? Unmasking Bond? The trap, Bond imprisoned, his escape?
10.Bond on the cable car, the pursuits, car, ski, toboggan? The final chase with Blofeld – and his being held in the tree branch?
11.The build-up to the wedding, the happiness, Tracy, Bond, everyone at the wedding? The theme song and the repetition: All the Time in the World?
12.The shock of Tracy being shot, Blofeld and the Germanic woman in the car? The sadness of the ending of the film?
13.How effective as a Bond film? Now seen in retrospect?
