97 replies to this topic

[Mister E]

Sorry if this has been done before but let's say Laz didn't quit after OHMSS. How long should he have been in the tux ? I think due to his age, he could have gone 10 more years easily.

[Bryce (003)]

I know he's stated it in many interviews, but, in retrospect, he said he should have done another one. It could have lead to a good run as 007.

I've had the great pleasure to meet him several times, and he's always said the same. I seem to recall that he felt if he had done another one, it would have lead to maybe two or three more in the brief chats we had.

We'll never know, but would it have made DAF, LALD, TMWTGG or TSWLM different? Better or worse? I do believe he could have grown into the role.

Say what you will about his performance in OHMSS, but it was a great Bond film. One of the best and the man did give it his all.

[Mr. Blofeld]

He should've gone 'til '81!

[Mister E]

We'll never know, but would it have made DAF, LALD, TMWTGG or TSWLM different? Better or worse? I do believe he could have grown into the role.

Peter Hunt said he would have made more Bond films if Laz stayed so I am sure they would have been different.

Edited by Mister E, 30 August 2008 - 12:33 AM.

[staveoffzombies]

It would have been nice to get a proper sequel to OHMSS with Lazenby. But I like Roger too much to say I would want Lazenby on for much more then that.

[Colossus]

Minimum 2, not having a followup to OHMSS is the biggest crime of the whole series.

Maximum, heck he could have been going as long as 1989 since age is definitely not a factor.

[Mister E]

Minimum 2, not having a followup to OHMSS is the biggest crime of the whole series.

Maximum, heck he could have been going as long as 1989 since age is definitely not a factor.

Twenty years as Bond ? Personally, I think that's a bit excessive. I think '79 or '81 would be fine.

[00Twelve]

I could have seen him in at least four or so. He could easily have been the Bond of the 70s. I can't help thinking the stories would have stayed closer to the original material, too, which couldn't possibly have hurt most of them.

But Laz took the road less traveled by, and that truly has made all the difference.

[Vanish]

I would've liked him to stay around for at least one more, definitely.

That said, I really dig the first 3 Moore films, each of which are very much "of their time," so I wouldn't want those to be bumped backward in terms of franchise history.

Still, to have a Lazenby/Hunt "Diamonds Are Forever" would've been terrific.

[sharpshooter]

A Lazenby trilogy would have been pretty cool.

[Publius]

Through Moonraker in '79. I really think the style of the 70s Bond movies would have fit Lazenby very well, although DAF was still too campy to be an appropriate follow-up to OHMSS. It didn't have to be dour or miserable, but it did have to bring the story to an adequate close while being true to the characters.

Then Dalton could have taken over in '81, with Roger Moore starring in an epic one-shot Thunderball remake by Kevin McClory around the same time.

[dee-bee-five]

This is one of those great what-ifs. I love OHMSS and really rate Lazenby's performance in it. So I would have liked him to do the seven-picture contract he was supposedly offered. On the other hand, that would have precluded Roger Moore taking over. As I love the Moore era, and believe it to be as valid part of the franchise as any other, it means I'm torn. I'd have liked to have seen more Lazenby, but not at the expense of seeing less Moore (although I could have lived without Moore's creaking finale in A View To A Kill; I believe Octopussy would have been a far better swansong).

[john.steed]

This is one of those great what-ifs. I love OHMSS and really rate Lazenby's performance in it. So I would have liked him to do the seven-picture contract he was supposedly offered. On the other hand, that would have precluded Roger Moore taking over. As I love the Moore era, and believe it to be as valid part of the franchise as any other, it means I'm torn. I'd have liked to have seen more Lazenby, but not at the expense of seeing less Moore (although I could have lived without Moore's creaking finale in A View To A Kill; I believe Octopussy would have been a far better swansong).

I pretty much agree with all that you said.

[deth]

One was too many.


*runs*

[Captain Tightpants]

One was too many.


*runs*

Don't worry, I'll hold 'em off: OHMSS is one of the most atrociously-acted Bond films I've seen. The only reason George Lazenby didn't suck on a Die Another Day level was because every other actor half-carried, half-dragged him through it. He had his moments where he had a bit of a go, but I'd rather pour petrol in my eyes than watch him in the role.

Worst. Bond. Ever.

[Mister E]

One was too many.


*runs*

Don't worry, I'll hold 'em off: OHMSS is one of the most atrociously-acted Bond films I've seen. The only reason George Lazenby didn't suck on a Die Another Day level was because every other actor half-carried, half-dragged him through it. He had his moments where he had a bit of a go, but I'd rather pour petrol in my eyes than watch him in the role.

Worst. Bond. Ever.

sick 'em boy:

[BoogieBond]

I think 2 most likely. 3 max.
I agree with Captain Tightpants. Everyone else was on top form on OHMSS. Lazenby was a rookie actor, and in some scenes it showed.

But after getting his feet under the table, doing DAF or YOLT as a follow up would have at least given some continuity. I would have wanted the same team behind the camera as OHMSS and a supporting cast as good. At a push, he could have done TMWGG in 1972, this would have further enhanced continuity.

Although Laz fans say about 7 films etc.. if the films made gradually less money, he would have been freed of his contract and Rog or another actor would have stepped in before the 7 picture deal was up. I would never have wanted Roger to have missed playing Bond in 73.

Edited by BoogieBond, 01 September 2008 - 11:34 AM.

[ChrissBond007]

3 more Bondfilms with Peter R. Hunt as the director. I actually liked Lazenby a lot as Bond. Connery was simply tired in his return in DAF, biggist disgrace EON ever made, to don't have a follow up to OHMSS and that Lazenby didn't return.

If I would change something in the series I would have made DAF in the sixties and YOLT with Lazenby in 1970, like in the novels. But it's difficult, if Lazenby had made more, mayby Roger Moore would never have played Bond.

[DamnCoffee]

Yeah, This is something I have a problem with. I would have loved Lazenby to pick up a seven picture deal. I would have very much loved to see his progression as James Bond, BUT this would mean Roger, my favorite Bond, wouldn't have become 007. So I would have loved Lazenby to do:

Diamonds Are Forever in 1967
Oh her Majesties Secret Service in 1969
You Only Live Twice in 1971
Live and Let Die in 1973
The Man With The Golden Gun in 1974

Then have Roger make TSWLM to OP.

[ChrissBond007]

Yeah, This is something I have a problem with. I would have loved Lazenby to pick up a seven picture deal. I would have very much loved to see his progression as James Bond, BUT this would mean Roger, my favorite Bond, wouldn't have become 007. So I would have loved Lazenby to do:

Diamonds Are Forever in 1967
Oh her Majesties Secret Service in 1969
You Only Live Twice in 1971
Live and Let Die in 1973
The Man With The Golden Gun in 1974

Then have Roger make TSWLM to OP.

Indeed.

[dee-bee-five]

One was too many.


*runs*

Don't worry, I'll hold 'em off: OHMSS is one of the most atrociously-acted Bond films I've seen. The only reason George Lazenby didn't suck on a Die Another Day level was because every other actor half-carried, half-dragged him through it. He had his moments where he had a bit of a go, but I'd rather pour petrol in my eyes than watch him in the role.

Worst. Bond. Ever.

I had no idea there were two very different versions of OHMSS. Can I borrow yours sometime because you obviously have the alternate version. After all, you can't possibly be referring to the OHMSS which I rated as the best Bond for decades until the release of Casino Royale.

[Mister E]

To be honest, I would have rather have Peter Hunt stay on the series longer then Laz. He should have handled the Dalton era.

[DamnCoffee]

One was too many.


*runs*

Don't worry, I'll hold 'em off: OHMSS is one of the most atrociously-acted Bond films I've seen. The only reason George Lazenby didn't suck on a Die Another Day level was because every other actor half-carried, half-dragged him through it. He had his moments where he had a bit of a go, but I'd rather pour petrol in my eyes than watch him in the role.

Worst. Bond. Ever.

Maybe Lazenby's acting was a little bit off the mark, but you have got to remember that this was his first major acting job. And I think he pulled it off pretty well. I was more than happy with Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Brosnan had years of acting experience and this is why we find it quite hard to accept his performance in Die Another Day. Lazenby didn't and he gave a cracking performance. period.

[deth]

yep, it was his first real acting job, but that doesn't matter to me. He was chosen to play the role, experienced or not... and given that he has SAID that he often tried to act like Connery (I can't remember which bio I read this in).... I don't think he would have really grown into the role too much more. Hired because he could fight convincingly? what?

I don't know... I think it's one of the best films... but has got a wooden boring Bond unfortunately. imo

and incidentally, I don't find there to be too much wrong with Brosnan's performance in DAD... it's just DAD that's the problem.

[DamnCoffee]

It's strange how you can say that he is wooden, he showed quite alot of emotions throughout the movie. More than Connery. More along the lines of Craig and Dalton.

[Mister E]

It's strange how you can say that he is wooden, he showed quite alot of emotions throughout the movie. More than Connery. More along the lines of Craig and Dalton.

No definetly NOT on the lines of Craig or Dalton. More then Connery ? Emotions are always about being in love, anger is an emotion.

[DamnCoffee]

I think the only times Connery showed anger was during the Bond/Grant train fight in From Russia With Love. All of his other Bond movies he appeared emotionally shut off and more of a superman than a human.

[Mister E]

I think the only times Connery showed anger was during the Bond/Grant train fight in From Russia With Love. All of his other Bond movies he appeared emotionally shut off and more of a superman than a human.

You are missing DR.NO and THUNDERBALL. You also seem to forget the anger Connery showed in FRWL when he found out Kerim was dead and he was angry enough to slap Tatiana. In THUNDERBALL, one the most romantic scenes in Bond history was the beach scene with Domino. Notice how Bond put on his sunglasses, he couldn't bare the hurt on Domino's face.

[DamnCoffee]

Like I said, From Russia With Love was great in terms of emotional depth but Thunderball, don't get me wrong I adore Connery as Bond but I didn't see any emotion on his face during the beach scene. He didn't show any.

[Mister E]

Like I said, From Russia With Love was great in terms of emotional depth but Thunderball, don't get me wrong I adore Connery as Bond but I didn't see any emotion on his face during the beach scene. He didn't show any.

I honestly don't know how emotional you wanted him to be. You can't expect Kirk Douglas manly emotions but that was good. At one point Connery was actually pleading for Domino to help him take down Largo.

Edited by Mister E, 01 September 2008 - 05:34 PM.