39 replies to this topic

[MHazard]

There has been a lot of discussion on the topic what if Sean Connery was in OHMSS. I, myself, have weighed in several times on this. I'd like to propose a new discussion. Using the magic of imagination (after all James Bond isn't real, unless the obit in YOLT is really....well nevermind) let's suppose Daniel Craig could be transported into the film of OHMSS. Please no jokes about how he wasn't born yet, this is imagination. Now, if Craig was doing that role with that script, cast, etc. would you not agree we have the best Bond film ever. No dispute I would think about Craig's ability to play the emotional scenes required and certainly no flubbing of what should be easy lines.

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

Anyway, if you imagine that Craig would have made OHMSS an absolutely amazing film, then a more realistic question. Would you like to see OHMSS re-made with Craig? The pros would be a potentially great script with a marvellous actor (who can act) in what should be the most challenging acting job. The biggest pro would be that they could then film YOLT based on the book, something which has screamed (if concepts can scream) to be filmed. I think the general public would see it because most folks, if they've seen OHMSS at all, haven't seen it a zillion times (like say GF). The cons are you lose the things that really worked in OHMSS the first time: Barry's soundtrack, Diana Rigg's performance, the performances as Draco, Irma Bunt, and Savalas (although I'd like a more literary based Blofeld-with hair and no cat, please), the ski scenes (although no reason you couldn't film them again), and those moments where Laz does nail it. Personally I'd vote yes, but you'd have to wait a few movies so that the character was properly established (you can't go straight from CR to OHMSS).

So, you have your choice of questions to answer:

1. What if Craig could be put into the original OHMSS; and

2. Should they re-make OHMSS with Craig.

Your thoughts please.

[Mike00spy]

So, you have your choice of questions to answer:

1. What if Craig could be put into the original OHMSS; and

2. Should they re-make OHMSS with Craig.

Your thoughts please.

1) It would make the movie stronger, perhaps even the best of the series. It is hard to pass judgment without physically seeing it. That said, I do feel that Laz was one of the weak points of the movie, so changing him with Craig on paper looks like an improvement.

2) No, I am against remakes of Bond.

[Cruiserweight]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

[plankattack]

I think DC would be terrific in OHMSS. In fact a DC-OHMSS would be better than a SC-OHMSS discussed in another thread. I can't think of a single scene that wouldn't work with this acting style. But I do feel OHMSS as it is benefits from a certain naivety that Laz brought to the character. That's why I'm not a big fan of an SC-OHMSS - conventional wisdom says that we'd be blown away by Sean-Bond at the end but personally, I'd have trouble buying into an SC-Bond suffering the emotion that Laz displays. SC crying? No, don't buy it.

But the power of the ending is amplified by Laz's newness/naivety, or in retrospect, the fact that he was a one-off Bond has heightened over time the power of that moment. Bond suffers, and the Bond that we see there in the car up on screen, both physically as Laz, and literally (emotionally vulnerable/wounded) won't be back.

I'm not saying DC coudn't do it and I'm not saying he couldn't do it better, bet there is a uniqueness of Laz and that moment.

Should OHMSS be re-made? I don't know. In general I'm against remaking movies that are regarded as great. The number of occasions where Hollywood has improved an original are far, far, outnumbered by the occasions where the remake is regarded as being of lesser quality. And as Hazard pointed out, too many things that make OHMSS as good as it is would be lost (score, camera shots etc).

As for YOLT - I have no doubt some good writers could find a way to incorporate some of the great stuff from the novel into an original script. A shame? Sure, but butchering the source material has been an EON modus operandi from the start.

[stamper]

2) No, I am against remakes of Bond.

What about new adaptations... er like CR ?

[MHazard]

What if, in a few movies from now, if they don't want to re-adapt OHMSS, they simply re-shoot the last scene and use it as the pre-title sequence to YOLT the (absolutely warranted re-make). Just a thought.

[HH007]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

Well, it's an opinion I share. I thought Laz did a passable job throughout the movie. The only part where I have a beef with his acting chops is at the end, when Tracy is killed. I just didn't quite buy his emotional performance at that last bit. Craig, on the other hand, I think could knock that scene out of the ing ballpark.

Should they remake OHMSS with Craig? No, I don't think so. I'm not entirely against remaking Bond films. Like CR... yes, technically it's a remake, but come on, the previous screen incarnations left something to be desired. But OHMSS is near perfect in my opinion, even with Laz, and I just see no point in doing it. Plus, I think to have Craig's Bond find the love of his life, again, and then lose her, again, I think would be a little too repetative.

Edited by HH007, 14 November 2007 - 05:00 PM.

[LadySylvia]

I think that Craig would have been fabulous in OHMSS. As CASINO ROYALE eventually proved, the type of story for OHMSS would have suited him to a T.


However, I would not bother making a remake of the 1969 version of OHMSS. I don't find it necessary to remake what I believe is one of the best Bond movies ever. And I also believe that OHMSS would not have been that good without the contribution of Lazenby's performance. I feel that one of the movie's greatest strengths is that Lazenby had portrayed Bond as a human being, instead of an iconic superspy.

[marktmurphy]

A version of this made now with Craig would be just superb. Lazenby is the weak point, but then Diana Rigg is the strong point- Eva Green was good but if only we could have had a Vesper as strong as Diana made her Tracy. You can really understand why Bond would fall for Tracy- not so much for Vesper. She's nice, but she doesn't sparkle like Rigg does in OHMSS.

Not to say I think they should do it- not sure Craig's Bond can fall in love with every woman who's about to die that he meets, and the original doesn't need replacing- but it would work so well with Craig.

[Cruiserweight]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

Well, it's an opinion I share. I thought Laz did a passable job throughout the movie. The only part where I have a beef with his acting chops is at the end, when Tracy is killed. I just didn't quite buy his emotional performance at that last bit. Craig, on the other hand, I think could knock that scene out of the ing ballpark.

Should they remake OHMSS with Craig? No, I don't think so. I'm not entirely against remaking Bond films. Like CR... yes, technically it's a remake, but come on, the previous screen incarnations left something to be desired. But OHMSS is near perfect in my opinion, even with Laz, and I just see no point in doing it. Plus, I think to have Craig's Bond find the love of his life, again, and then lose her, again, I think would be a little too repetative.

Eh,i rather take Lazenby over Craig.I think Craigs acting skills are a tad overrated.

[HH007]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

Well, it's an opinion I share. I thought Laz did a passable job throughout the movie. The only part where I have a beef with his acting chops is at the end, when Tracy is killed. I just didn't quite buy his emotional performance at that last bit. Craig, on the other hand, I think could knock that scene out of the ing ballpark.

Should they remake OHMSS with Craig? No, I don't think so. I'm not entirely against remaking Bond films. Like CR... yes, technically it's a remake, but come on, the previous screen incarnations left something to be desired. But OHMSS is near perfect in my opinion, even with Laz, and I just see no point in doing it. Plus, I think to have Craig's Bond find the love of his life, again, and then lose her, again, I think would be a little too repetative.

Eh,i rather take Lazenby over Craig.I think Craigs acting skills are a tad overrated.

Well, to each his own my friend... but sorry, I honestly cannot understand that point of view. I think Craig's by far the most versatile Bond actor we've ever had. Not only did he give a multi-dimensional performance as Bond, he's also played a variety of different roles over the years. Just check out some of his other movies. I think he's going to win an Oscar some day.

[00Twelve]

Not to gang up, but have to say I totally agree with HH007. Craig disappears into his characters...all of them. I didn't see Daniel Craig in Casino Royale; I saw James Bond. And not the superspy I'd come to know and predict. This was a different man, one who resembled the guy I read about in those little spy novels, and whom I'd wanted to see in celluloid form for a long time. Just me.

As to Craig in OHMSS, I can't think of a way he'd fall short of anything Laz did. I actually think Laz is underrated, but Craig is one of the better, more dedicated actors I've seen in a long time. I think he'd be the one element that would set OHMSS as the head-and-shoulders-over-the-rest best Bond film of all. Again, just me.

[HH007]

A version of this made now with Craig would be just superb. Lazenby is the weak point, but then Diana Rigg is the strong point- Eva Green was good but if only we could have had a Vesper as strong as Diana made her Tracy. You can really understand why Bond would fall for Tracy- not so much for Vesper. She's nice, but she doesn't sparkle like Rigg does in OHMSS.

Actually, I think Eva Green sparkles quite nicely. She's a little cold at first, but I feel she made Vesper the most endearing Bond girl since Diana Rigg's Tracy. Thats my opinion, though.

[00Twelve]

Mine too! Great minds, HH...

[marktmurphy]

A version of this made now with Craig would be just superb. Lazenby is the weak point, but then Diana Rigg is the strong point- Eva Green was good but if only we could have had a Vesper as strong as Diana made her Tracy. You can really understand why Bond would fall for Tracy- not so much for Vesper. She's nice, but she doesn't sparkle like Rigg does in OHMSS.

Actually, I think Eva Green sparkles quite nicely. She's a little cold at first, but I feel she made Vesper the most endearing Bond girl since Diana Rigg's Tracy. Thats my opinion, though.

She's okay, but every time I see that train scene I find myself imagining Rigg actually imbueing the lines with character and life; actual playful banter with a sharp edge instead of that gutteral moan and blank stare that Eva uses.

[RazorBlade]

As for remaking OHMSS with DC- it would have to be a reimagining with modern actors. I don't think DC's acting style would mesh with the other actors in the '69 OHMSS except the amazing Diana Rigg.

Maybe the last of the DC bond films would be the proper version of YOLT with OHMSS preceding it.

[MHazard]

My responses to some thoughts of others. First, in the novel I couldn't entirely understand Bond's attraction to Vesper compared to his attraction to Tracy. Some of this is explained because he is an older, more world weary (see the story the Living Daylights) Bond who is toying with retirement ("Blofeld is dead"). You couldn't do a remake of OHMSS right away with Craig, you'd have to wait and have the more classic prime Bond adventures first to build up to it. The contrast between how he handles Vesper's death and how he handles Tracy's is explained in large part by the intervening years which have affected him. Also affected of course by the fact that Vesper betrays him whereas he thinks he failed (betrayed?) Tracy. Anyway, say Craig does two or three more films. Wouldn't it be a gas, at the end of his run, as an older, wiser, more world weary Bond to have him do the trilogy of OHMSS (or at least a reference to the end) YOLT and TMWGG done straight? (Roger fans, please lets not fight about whether TMWGG deserves to be remade-let's just say in my universe Scaramanga does not have a midget helper, an arcade of death or a plot more complex than funding the mob and the KGB, but the trying to kill M part and then collapsing completes most of the trilogy). Oh, and I don't understand how anyone could rate Laz a better actor than Craig. Unlike perhaps anyone else who's played Bond, Craig is clearly an actor first and Bond second. Fond as I am of Sean's performance there is perhaps some validity to the view that Sean essentially plays Sean (in the way that Gable played Gable or Bogart played Bogart, a movie star with a capital "M"). Anyone whose seen Craig in Infamous should know that the man takes his craft seriously. But, I seem to have digressed....

[The Richmond Spy]

Yeah, unless Craig does about 6-7 films and the OHMSS remake is close to the end of those, I don't think I could take it the same way as the original. IMHO, CR and OHMSS's endings are way too much alike for any actor to be able to pull both of them off.

I don't want Bond falling in love again until at least 2012.

[Pete]

I think that DC could do a fantastic job of OHMSS, but remaking the film would be a waste of time in the eyes of most Bond fans. I'd end one film with the wedding of Bond and Tracy & start the new one with the PTS as a reshoot of the end of OHMSS. Then make a film along the lines of the book of YOLT.

I've always felt that this was the weakest point of the whole series, the way that Tracy's death was dealt with. Until FYEO it was if it never happened.

[Cruiserweight]

Maybe it's just me then?
I still consider Dalton the greatest actor to take on the role of bond.

[agentjamesbond007]

I think that if Daniel Craig played in OHMSS, he would have made a "bad impression"

[jaguar007]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

If you prefer Craig as Bond over Laz as Bond is an opinion. It is FACT that Craig is a far superior and versital ACTOR than Lazenby.

I also think Dalton is a very good actor, but he does not have quite the range that Craig does (I have seen most of the movies that Dalton has made).

[Cruiserweight]

Please, Laz fans, this is fantasy. I like Laz, own the DVD of OHMSS, etc., but he's not the actor Craig is.

That's an opinion.

If you prefer Craig as Bond over Laz as Bond is an opinion. It is FACT that Craig is a far superior and versital ACTOR than Lazenby.

I just don't see it as a fact.Sure people could say look at there acting work.It's just not something that can be proven to be 100% percent fact like for example(A cow produces milk)it might be the general census but it's not something that can be proved concrete.

[LadySylvia]

She's okay, but every time I see that train scene I find myself imagining Rigg actually imbueing the lines with character and life; actual playful banter with a sharp edge instead of that gutteral moan and blank stare that Eva uses.

I don't even think of Diana Rigg when I see that train scene in CASINO ROYALE. As far as I'm concerned, Eva Green owns the role. And she had the good luck to portray a slightly more complex and interesting character than Rigg's Tracy.

And as I have stated before, I don't believe that Lazenby was a weak point in OHMSS. In fact, I think that he was one of the reasons why the movie was so damn good. Without his performance, I don't think that OHMSS would be as highly regarded as it is today. And as good as she is, I doubt that Diana Rigg could have carried the movie, considering that she was only in half of it.

[Pete]

Maybe it's just me then?
I still consider Dalton the greatest actor to take on the role of bond.

I agree that he was the best Bond in the old format, gadgets cars etc. He did make those things a bit more realistic. I think that DC has taken it to another level with CR, my only hope is that they (EON) don't go back to Mooore/Brosnan style of Bond. I've always felt that with FRWL, OHMSS, TLD, LTK & CR the things that go on around the film don't get in the way of the story.

I've often felt that the story has to go in a certain direction so Bond has to use his new toy.

[JWM Tanner]

I think that it would`t be a problem for Craig.
I have a lot of confidence in Daniel.
He is a good James Bond.
And if you took Connery for the part it just didn`t work.
That is my inpression.

OHMSS is a stand alone Bondfilm.
The same as Casino Royale or License To Kill for instance.

[whaleman]

So, you have your choice of questions to answer:

1. What if Craig could be put into the original OHMSS; and

2. Should they re-make OHMSS with Craig.

Your thoughts please.

1) It would make the movie stronger, perhaps even the best of the series. It is hard to pass judgment without physically seeing it. That said, I do feel that Laz was one of the weak points of the movie, so changing him with Craig on paper looks like an improvement.

2) No, I am against remakes of Bond.

To be honest, I disagree with the statement that Lazenby was the weak point of that movie. I thought he did a great job.

[MHazard]

So, you have your choice of questions to answer:

1. What if Craig could be put into the original OHMSS; and

2. Should they re-make OHMSS with Craig.

Your thoughts please.

1) It would make the movie stronger, perhaps even the best of the series. It is hard to pass judgment without physically seeing it. That said, I do feel that Laz was one of the weak points of the movie, so changing him with Craig on paper looks like an improvement.

2) No, I am against remakes of Bond.

To be honest, I disagree with the statement that Lazenby was the weak point of that movie. I thought he did a great job.

Until he opened his mouth. A new thread perhaps: OHMSS could have been the best silent film ever.

[coco1997]

Who would everyone cast in a remake of OHMSS?

[Righty007]

Daniel Craig was one year old in 1969.