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[Qwerty]

From CBn's main page...

CBn Reviews Diamonds Are Forever
Forum members review the seventh James Bond film

[Gri007]

I see DAF being in the TMWTGG category. a lighter bond film.

[Mazinkaiser]

DAF is just a bad movie after the great OHMSS. It also has the worst Felix Leither ever.

[Qwerty]

DAF is just a bad movie after the great OHMSS. It also has the worst Felix Leither ever.

I'd say The Living Daylights's Felix Leiter might just barely have him beat for the worst though.

[rogermoore007]

DAF was actually one of my favorite Connery Bond movies next to FRWL and GF. I thought this was a solid outing for Sean to end his "official" Bond career with. I also liked the Felix in this movie, I thought he was fine.

[Blofelds Cat]

Considered as a separate 007 film as opposed to a follow-up to the particularly excellent, OHMSS, DAF is one of my favourites due to the relaxed 'feel' engendered by witty dialogue and good characterisations.

Connery definitely brought something new to his portrayal of Bond in DAF - as if he was playing Bond for the first time as he wished to. Connery looks comfortable, appearing to actually enjoy the character.

Charles Gray is terrific as Blofeld, different of course from the previous incarnations but played in much less of a single-dimensioned aspect. In DAF, Blofeld has wit, charm and menace.

Tiffany Case is a standout Bond 'girl'. Unlike the majority of Bond girls who all claim their characters were not the, "oh, James..." type, Jill St John's character simply didn't take any manure from 007. And unlike the patronising, sterotypical characterisations of the 'modern' 007 heroine, where the girl merely behaves like a man ('seriously' kicking buttock with near-obligatory, 'You go, girl' cries from the audience), Tiffany conveyed her 100% independence of the male species without making a single compromise to her femininity. She's a woman to be respected, to be fancied and to be not taken for granted. Even at the end of the film, it was clear that Tiffany cared less about Bond than about getting the diamonds out of space.

Story? Right then, moving on...

Yeah, no Bond film is perfect (even OHMSS) but Diamonds Are Forever is among the best of the bunch.

[Moonraker]

Tiffany Case is a standout Bond 'girl'. Unlike the majority of Bond girls who all claim their characters were not the, "oh, James..." type, Jill St John's character simply didn't take any manure from 007. And unlike the patronising, sterotypical characterisations of the 'modern' 007 heroine, where the girl merely behaves like a man ('seriously' kicking buttock with near-obligatory, 'You go, girl' cries from the audience), Tiffany conveyed her 100% independence of the male species without making a single compromise to her femininity. She's a woman to be respected, to be fancied and to be not taken for granted. Even at the end of the film, it was clear that Tiffany cared less about Bond than about getting the diamonds out of space.

Finally I find someone with the same opinion about Tiffany Case. Diamonds Are Forever is as almost everyone knows is my favorite Bond film and IMO nailed every aspect.The action,theme,score,girl,villian,Bond performance etc..... and some of the best diologue and the best bond/bond girl chemistry.

[codenamel]

DAF is in many ways a very impressive James Bond film with larger than life characters, outrageous plot, sharp dialog, and some sensational set pieces. I like it better than any of the Pierce Brosnan films, but I agree with some of the criticism that it was not an appropriate follow up to the far more serious ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. If not for the continuety provided by Bernard Lee, the two films would not be recognizable as from the same film series. It would appear that Broccoli and Salzman wanted audiences to forget that the previous film with its disappointing box office receipts had ever happened, and to some extent they succeeded. The film begins in Japan as if taking up where YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE ends and Tracy is not even so much as aluded to in the script. I think Cubby and Harry, perceptive veterans of a changing industry as they were, perceived that the 1960s Bond would be out of place in the 70s and a new Bond persona and style would have to be created for the times. They effectively reinvented the franchise as Cubby would do again six years later with THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and 24 years later with GOLDENEYE.

It is ironic, however, that as all of the campy playboy spies of the 1960s, notably Flint and Matt Helm, faded away, James Bond would be transformed in the 1970s into a similar incarnation. One can easily imagine Dean Martin in all of Connery's scenes in DAF with Bernard Lee replaced by James Gregory and Lois Maxwell by Beverly Adams. Sean Connery was no longer Ian Fleming's Bond, but the iconic Bond of incomparable charm, impeccable taste and superman abilities that would become the image the general public would accept as James Bond.

I am probably the sole person who regrets to this day that John Gavin did not get the chance to play Bond in DAF. Gavin was a highly underrated actor who would have brought some real energy to the film that was missing in Connery's relaxed performance. Unlike Lazenby, Gavin was a film veteran who really could act and had the looks and physique to match. I do not believe that the film would have been quite so campy with Gavin as light comedy was not his forte. Although an American, John Gavin could have passed with only slight suspension of disbelief as a British spy much as Gregory Peck played Captain Horatio Hornblower and Marlon Brando and Clark Gable played Fletcher Christian.

Doubtless, it was Connery's strong presence as Bond that made DAF such a major hit at the box office, and he is quite effective in many scenes. There is much to like about DAF and the flaws, while unnecessary and glaring, are not enough to ruin the glossy finish on this EON epic. It was exactly what was needed for the time it was made and for all its flaws, DAF ensured that the James bond franchise would contine for many more decades. I only hope that CASINO ROYALE in 2006 succeeds as well.

[Kingdom Come]

Read my and others views on this film on my 'O O 7' Thread. This film is probably my fav of the series. The 'feel good' - 'holiday' mood of it is smashing. The script is perfect and diverting and Diamonds looks gorgeous. We needed this after the mistake of OHMSS.

[Blofelds Cat]

The script is perfect and diverting and it looks gorgeous.

How so? Are each of the pages trimmed with delicate french lace and the words set in gold inlay or something?

[ACE]

Error

Edited by ACE, 10 September 2005 - 03:04 AM.

[ACE]

OLD PRO'S GRACE
A "Diamonds Are Forever" Opinion by ACE

The Jewel
I think Sean Connery gives a hugely satisfying performance - I agree totally with Manckiewicz's view of an aging Connery having an "old pro's grace". It's far from a perfect Bond performance but at least he seems interested in what he's doing (unlike in YOLT and parts of TB). Only Bond would have the erotic panache to choke a girl with her own bikini! The Sir Donald Munger scene may explain, injokingly why - Bond's response as to whether his holiday has been relaxing:

Edited by ACE, 10 September 2005 - 03:13 AM.

[Turn]

Wow, impressive review there, Ace.

[Qwerty]

Great review ACE!

[triviachamp]

One problem I had with this movie was that Blofeld's plot made no sense. First of all he is now one of the richest men in the world, so why does he need to hold the world hostage? Can someone refresh my memory but exactly was Blofeld aiming to get out of the use of the laser satellite? I recall that his scientist was a peacenik who wanted world disarmanent but how does that benefit Blofeld? Not to mention that his hideout is stupid. HE TELLS THE WHOLE WORLD WHERE HE IS! And his hideout is an indefensible oil rig in the Pacific! And if Bond went down to save Tiffany that why did they not wait for Bond and Case to leave?

[Turn]

One problem I had with this movie was that Blofeld's plot made no sense. First of all he is now one of the richest men in the world, so why does he need to hold the world hostage? Can someone refresh my memory but exactly was Blofeld aiming to get out of the use of the laser satellite? I recall that his scientist was a peacenik who wanted world disarmanent but how does that benefit Blofeld? Not to mention that his hideout is stupid. HE TELLS THE WHOLE WORLD WHERE HE IS! And his hideout is an indefensible oil rig in the Pacific! And if Bond went down to save Tiffany that why did they not wait for Bond and Case to leave?

Basically, it gives him unlimited power to do what he wants and to keep the authorities at bay, although that seems pretty futile as long as Bond is around. Blofeld is using the satellite to hold the world for ransom and will give the power to the highest bidder.

The money is nice, but he probably knows his cover will sooner or later be blown by Bond. I don't believe that he would actually have handed over ultimate power to the highest bidder when that nation, undoubtably the U.S., would use it to obliterate him first.

And he mentions something like "they'll pay dearly for making a fool of me." So he's out for revenge for, what I can guess, are past crimes. Blofeld uses Metz, the peacenik scientist as he's the world's leading expert on laser refraction to achieve this under the intent he wants to use it for peaceful purposes.

On the hideout thing, to be fair, though, the only way they figured out where Blofeld was was Bond threw out a casual reference to Baja, California, where Blofeld just happens to be, that Whyte calls him on - "Baja? I haven't got anything in Baja!" Yeah, it stretches the credibility, but this is a Bond film we're talking about here.

[triviachamp]

On the hideout thing, to be fair, though, the only way they figured out where Blofeld was was Bond threw out a casual reference to Baja, California, where Blofeld just happens to be, that Whyte calls him on - "Baja? I haven't got anything in Baja!" Yeah, it stretches the credibility, but this is a Bond film we're talking about here.

But didn't Blofeld tell the whole world the location so they could send representatives to him?

[tonymascia1]

ACE, super review, my friend.

I have a slightly different view on Blofeld, though. If it's accepted this movie is a witty romp, and a respite from OHMSS, then Blofeld can certainly be over-the-top and still be menacing. I think Charles Gray pulls this off nicely.

[Turn]

On the hideout thing, to be fair, though, the only way they figured out where Blofeld was was Bond threw out a casual reference to Baja, California, where Blofeld just happens to be, that Whyte calls him on - "Baja? I haven't got anything in Baja!" Yeah, it stretches the credibility, but this is a Bond film we're talking about here.

But didn't Blofeld tell the whole world the location so they could send representatives to him?

No, I'm not sure he did. They seem genuinely suprised that any plane would dare fly over that way. Blofeld says he was expecting at least one head of state and again gets Bond. He also says something about not hearing from someone when he decides to destroy Washington.

[Qwerty]

[Moderator's Note: Poll added to this thread.]

[Carver]

Probably the worst Bond film IMO. I much prefer TMWTGG and DAD to this film, it's just terrible as far as Bond films go. A 1 out of 10 I'm afraid.

[Streetworker]

Probably the worst Bond film IMO. I much prefer TMWTGG and DAD to this film, it's just terrible as far as Bond films go. A 1 out of 10 I'm afraid.

With a script literally oozing with Ortonesque black humour and an all-pervading air of camp which perfectly captures its era? Sorry, but I can't agree.

DAF might never top my list, but it'll never languish at the bottom, either.

[triviachamp]

On the hideout thing, to be fair, though, the only way they figured out where Blofeld was was Bond threw out a casual reference to Baja, California, where Blofeld just happens to be, that Whyte calls him on - "Baja? I haven't got anything in Baja!" Yeah, it stretches the credibility, but this is a Bond film we're talking about here.

But didn't Blofeld tell the whole world the location so they could send representatives to him?

No, I'm not sure he did. They seem genuinely suprised that any plane would dare fly over that way. Blofeld says he was expecting at least one head of state and again gets Bond. He also says something about not hearing from someone when he decides to destroy Washington.

Doesn't Metz say that two submarines are stationed "two miles" from the rig? Seems they know where is.

[killkenny kid]

It is what it should have been, a fun romp. I think after the ending of OHMSS, Cubby felt the need to put some fun into the world of Bond. And DAF did agreat job of it.

[triviachamp]

It is what it should have been, a fun romp. I think after the ending of OHMSS, Cubby felt the need to put some fun into the world of Bond. And DAF did agreat job of it.

Yes but how many other film series can you say have left the death of the hero's wife and the fate of his archenemy unclear!

[killkenny kid]

It is what it should have been, a fun romp. I think after the ending of OHMSS, Cubby felt the need to put some fun into the world of Bond. And DAF did agreat job of it.

Yes but how many other film series can you say have left the death of the hero's wife and the fate of his archenemy unclear!

I know, But I think it was Michael Wilson who said "We move forward, we don't look back." I may be wrong. Maybe it was Cubby.

[Moonraker]

One fact about Diamonds Are Forever that many over look is that the filmmakers wanted to cut all ties to OHMSS and wanted to bring the fun back into Bond and have a hit like Goldfinger. Face it, OHMSS didn't finacially meet their expectations and they had to do something or the series would have ceased to exist. DAF signified that Bond would continue on until TMWTGG, but then TSWLM brought the series back to blockbuster status.

[Publius]

I certainly like it better than TMWTGG, and possibly MR and DAD, but that's about it. It's humor was some of the best in the series, and while I can appreciate it just as much as I can that of Moore's entries, it still doesn't quite satisfy my Bondian desires.

Sean Connery, while definitely starting to show some age, did look better in a way than he had in YOLT, but did not give as good a 007 performance as he did in his first three or four films. He looked more like Sean Connery playing Sean Connery, former James Bond actor, than Sean Connery playing James Bond, British secret agent.

Jill St. John is easily one of the most drop-dead gorgeous Bond girls, and indisputably one of the toughest and coolest. She had some great chemistry with Connery, but she did sort of become "just another Bond girl" by the end of the movie.

Charles Gray, while possibly interesting as a miscellaneous villain, was simply horrible as Blofeld, at least the Blofeld that had thus far been established in the series. And for a villain so integral to the plot of four of the six other films, particularly as the man responsible for the death of the lead character's wife, his establishment is immensely important. The clones and drag didn't much help his case, either.

The plot was unnecessarily complicated and ridiculous. Space lasers are something that shouldn't have even been attempted in a Bond movie until the late '70s, and then should have been used in a more ingenius way, if at all possible, rather than the standard hold-the-world-hostage fare. As it stands, the plot of DAF is just a pathetic hybrid between Thunderball and YOLT.

And as interesting as Las Vegas and the American West are, they just didn't make for a good Bond setting in the movie. Perhaps it could have been utilized better, but alas it wasn't. Rather on the drab side.

On the whole, Diamonds Are Forever probably ranks highest on my list of most lost potential in a James Bond film, just a notch above TMWTGG. A pox on George Lazenby for stupidly leaving after one film, when he could at least have come back for just one more and finished up OHMSS properly. Likewise, Telly Savalas would have been preferable in the role of Blofeld.

Done as the one-on-one, Bond vs. Blofeld revenge piece it should have been, DAF could have been one of the greats. Bond would have it out for Ernst over the death of Tracy, and Ernst would be after Bond for destroying the tattered remnants of his organization and nearly incapacitating him for life. After all, that drive-by wasn't meant for Tracy so much as it was for Bond.

The title "Diamonds Are Forever," with its metaphor for the eternal bond between man and wife, was perfect for a final confrontation between the two men. It could even have made for a great final line from Bond to Blofeld, just before Bond finished his wife's murderer once and for all.

It's for all these reasons, and then some, that DAF ranks so low on my list. While it is still an enjoyable film in its own right, as all Bond outings are, it makes for a horrible follow up, whatever marketing-based arguments to the contrary, to OHMSS. Lost potential is what it makes it all the more a shame.

[mccartney007]

I just copied my thoughts from another recent thread about DAF.


[quote]I like DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER quite a bit, but I can see why a lot of people are -- as you say -- down on it. In terms of what has come before it, DAF is somewhat of a departure from what audiences are used to in terms of a Bond film. And maybe it's not so much of a departure as it is an "upping of the ante" of the Bond formula, so-to-speak. It takes what worked previously in the Bond films and takes it to the next level.

As I said before, though, I like DAF. I happen to think Connery is at his smoothest here and he seems to be genuinely enjoying himself throughout. The sets are great, the music fits the film perfectly, the villains are interesting, and the dialogue is witty.

If only Tiffany Case didn

[triviachamp]

Having rewatched Diamonds are Forever recently I have a good question: How do they smuggle the diamonds into the US? Remember the ones in Peter Frank's body are fake and Leiter has the real ones, I think. Bond had no time to replace the diamonds (*shudder*) and if the Americans did then why would Felix ask Bond were the diamonds are? Heck why would he ask anyway if he has the real ones?