Not The Worst Bond Movie Ever (James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Ultimate Edition, 2 DVDs))

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Ultimate Edition, 2 DVDs)
Date:	10/12/08 (241 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well, it *IS* a Bond movie!

Disadvantages: Not a lot!

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) was the sixth movie in the James Bond series that started in 1962 with the release of "Dr. No" and today is probably best remembered as the only Bond movie starring Australian actor George Lazenby as the iconic secret agent 007.

Lazenby had a lot to contend with in taking on the role. Scots actor Sean Connery had already made five Bond films and was seen in many people's eyes as the *ONLY* actor capable of playing Bond successfully. In a way this was rather ironic, as initially Bond's creator, author Ian Fleming, had been highly critical of the choice of Connery to play Bond, only changing his mind after the making of Dr. No. (To such an extent that he even changed certain of Bond's details in subsequent novels to give him a Scottish background!)

Lazenby at the time wasn't a recognised actor, having only made one previous (unheralled) movie, but was the leading male model of the time and an instantly recognisable face from the many adverts he appeared in. He was also Australian, which didn't endear him to the film going public and media in the UK. One strong credential he had for the role of Bond was that he'd served in Special Forces in the Australian army and was an expert in unarmed combat.

Co-starring with Lazenby as his leading lady was English actress Diana Rigg who was a familiar face to viewers for her role in the highly popular 1960's TV series "The Avengers". She played the Countess Tracy di Vicenzo, and in the movie she actually becomes the one and only lady (to date) to ever become Mrs. Bond. (Almost unbelievably she actually marries Bond in the film)
The villain of the piece as Ernst Stavros Blofeld, head of the international crime syndicate "Spectre" and Bond's arch-enemy, was American/Greek actor Telly Savalas (he of the shaven head) who was later to become something of an icon himself in the highly acclaimed US television series "Kojak". (Who luvs ya baby)

The film was directed by Peter Hunt. This was his debut as a director, although he had previously worked with great success on previous Bond films as an editor. It was a promising debut, but sadly he didn't really go on to make a name for himself as a director, only subsequently directing a handful of mostly unmemorable movies.

So what's it about?
A fairly typical Bond theme to be honest. Spectre, in the form of Ernst Blofeld, has plans to release biological weapons on an unsuspecting world, using a bevy of beauties he has brainwashed into unwittingly carrying out his evil plan at a luxurious, isolated clinic he has set up as a cover in the Alps. Bond is hot on his trail, with the assistance of crime syndicate boss called Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) the head of the Union Corse, who also happens to be the father of the heroine of the day Tracy. Bond infiltrates the clinic in the guise of Sir Hilary Bray, head of the College Of Arms in London, who Blofield has commissioned to investigate his claim to royal blood. All hell naturally breaks loose, with Bond his usual cigarette smoking, booze swilling, gambling, chauvinistic, all-action self with an insatiable appetite for various and assorted delectable ladies. (Would we have him any other way?)

Incidentally, amongst the bevy of a dozen or so lovelies that Blofeld has collected in his Alpine retreat is a then virtually unknown English actress called Joanna Lumley, who was later to become a household name in the aforementioned "Avengers" TV series, and later to turn to comedy in the highly acclaimed British comedy "Absolutely Fabulous".

Although OHMSS wasn't highly rated by the critics of the day it was the highest grossing film of 1969, with takings of $87,400,000 worldwide. In all honesty this was probably down to two factors; the popularity of the Bond movies, and people's natural desire to see whether Lazenby could in any way live up to the legacy of his illustrious predecessor, Sean Connery.

So did he succeed in doing so?
Well, he was actually nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1970 as the "Most Promising Newcomer". (Although he didn't win it) It should be remembered that Lazenby actually had a contract with the studios for no less than *SEVEN* Bond movies. But for various reasons, not least that he (mistakenly) believed that Bond was becoming an anachronism who would flop miserably in the swinging 1970's, he declined to make any subsequent Bond films. This led to the return of Sean Connery to the role in 1971 in "Diamonds Are Forever", to be followed closely by Roger Moore in "Live And Let Die" in 1973.

I re-watched the DVD only last night, and I have to say that in my opinion this is *FAR* from the worst Bond movie I've watched. It's far, far better than any starring Roger Moore, but I think it still falls well short of all the Connery movies, and those by more present day Bonds like Pierce Brosnan and the current incumbent of the role, Daniel Craig.

But given that this film is now nigh on 40 years old it has to be said that it has worn very well. It lacks something of the punch of other Bond movies, not least because it really doesn't have any of the gadgetry and cutting edge technology that has become associated with Bond films. That said, it's the *ONLY* Bond movie (to date) that stuck rigidly to the script of the original book by author Ian Fleming, and despite the lack of gadgets there's still plenty of fisticuffs and blistering action to satisfy most fans of Bond.

The DVD that I own is the 2003 MGM produced Special Edition. It has an absolute host of extras that will take you longer to view than the actual movie! The best of the extras (in my opinion) is a documentary called "Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service". There's an interview with the director Peter Hunt in which his burning enthusiasm for the movie and for the Bond series comes shining through, and an excellent interview with the star of the show, George Lazenby. It also features the late, great actor Desmond Llewelyn in a short sequence called "Inside Q's Laboratory" in which he talks at length about the gadgetry used in Bond. There's also a very extensive stills gallery of all the cast, the original TV ads for the movie and the original theatrical trailer.

The DVD is re-set in a widescreen format which works very well, and although the sound is only Dolby Digital Mono the quality is fine and it doesn't really detract in any way from the film.

The MGM Special Edition DVD is currently available at Amazon in the UK at a whopping £19.59. (Dec 2008) Hurry if you want to buy it though, as they state they only have one left in stock. Alternatively shop around the likes of eBay or other DVD sites for the best deal. I only paid Euro10 for this DVD a couple of years back. (It was on special offer in one of the local supermarkets, along with all the other Bond movies) Alternatively you can buy the much cheaper re-released MGM Ultimate Edition 2-disc set which was released in 2006. This is currently on offer at Amazon in the UK from only £4.32!

This DVD is a must have for any true James Bond fan.

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© KenJ December 2008

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Summary: A rarity in that it was the only ever Bond movie starring George Lazenby.