61 replies to this topic

[dodge]

For me, Laz has some very good and some very bad attributes as Bond. His best is that for me, he looks the most like Fleming's description of Bond of any of the actors who played him. The worst is that he sounds the least like him. OHMSS is my favorite movie and Laz has some very good moments in it. But he's not my favorite Bond, by a longshot.

I disagree but see how your opinion could be easily grounded in a couple of rather off lines. If only the equipment existed to enable me to offer you this truly incredible gift: myself dubbing Laz's lines, in my deep and mellow Irish-Yankee accent...but rendered by computer with Zorin's posh House of Lords tone/

Irish? You're from the U.S., mate!

I must admit, though; I can do a fair Connery myself...

Now, now, I know where I'm from. I live in the U.S., which doesn't mean I was born here!

[sharpshooter]

Yep, Laz was the man. I would have loved to see him relaxing off set in Switzerland learning how to play 'Hey Jude' on his guitar.

[Mr. Blofeld]

For me, Laz has some very good and some very bad attributes as Bond. His best is that for me, he looks the most like Fleming's description of Bond of any of the actors who played him. The worst is that he sounds the least like him. OHMSS is my favorite movie and Laz has some very good moments in it. But he's not my favorite Bond, by a longshot.

I disagree but see how your opinion could be easily grounded in a couple of rather off lines. If only the equipment existed to enable me to offer you this truly incredible gift: myself dubbing Laz's lines, in my deep and mellow Irish-Yankee accent...but rendered by computer with Zorin's posh House of Lords tone/

Irish? You're from the U.S., mate!
I must admit, though; I can do a fair Connery myself...

Now, now, I know where I'm from. I live in the U.S., which doesn't mean I was born here!

Well, I live in the U.S., but I was born in... the U.S.!

Small world.

[Bombchu]

Forgive me, but I was never that big of a fan for Laz.
Its not that I dont like him its just that ive never really seen any of his movies.

[solace]

I really like GL in OHMSS. to me, he actually looks like a real agent. When he fights he actually looks like he could give someone a good hiding. His fight with the big bloke after his night with Tracy is a proper scrap. He also is the first Bond who looks a bit lost at times which is what I think makes the book bond and Craigs version all the more interesting. I know Connery was a tough act to follow but I acually prefer this film(my opinion) to all but FRWL, and CR06,

[dodge]

For me, Laz has some very good and some very bad attributes as Bond. His best is that for me, he looks the most like Fleming's description of Bond of any of the actors who played him. The worst is that he sounds the least like him. OHMSS is my favorite movie and Laz has some very good moments in it. But he's not my favorite Bond, by a longshot.

I disagree but see how your opinion could be easily grounded in a couple of rather off lines. If only the equipment existed to enable me to offer you this truly incredible gift: myself dubbing Laz's lines, in my deep and mellow Irish-Yankee accent...but rendered by computer with Zorin's posh House of Lords tone/

Irish? You're from the U.S., mate!
I must admit, though; I can do a fair Connery myself...

Now, now, I know where I'm from. I live in the U.S., which doesn't mean I was born here!

Well, I live in the U.S., but I was born in... the U.S.!

Small world.

May I respond as Loomis at his most Spartan:

I see.

[Mr. Blofeld]

For me, Laz has some very good and some very bad attributes as Bond. His best is that for me, he looks the most like Fleming's description of Bond of any of the actors who played him. The worst is that he sounds the least like him. OHMSS is my favorite movie and Laz has some very good moments in it. But he's not my favorite Bond, by a longshot.

I disagree but see how your opinion could be easily grounded in a couple of rather off lines. If only the equipment existed to enable me to offer you this truly incredible gift: myself dubbing Laz's lines, in my deep and mellow Irish-Yankee accent...but rendered by computer with Zorin's posh House of Lords tone/

Irish? You're from the U.S., mate!
I must admit, though; I can do a fair Connery myself...

Now, now, I know where I'm from. I live in the U.S., which doesn't mean I was born here!

Well, I live in the U.S., but I was born in... the U.S.!
Small world.

May I respond as Loomis at his most Spartan:
I see.

Spartan? I'm not Leonidas, mate!

[dodge]

For me, Laz has some very good and some very bad attributes as Bond. His best is that for me, he looks the most like Fleming's description of Bond of any of the actors who played him. The worst is that he sounds the least like him. OHMSS is my favorite movie and Laz has some very good moments in it. But he's not my favorite Bond, by a longshot.

I disagree but see how your opinion could be easily grounded in a couple of rather off lines. If only the equipment existed to enable me to offer you this truly incredible gift: myself dubbing Laz's lines, in my deep and mellow Irish-Yankee accent...but rendered by computer with Zorin's posh House of Lords tone/

Irish? You're from the U.S., mate!
I must admit, though; I can do a fair Connery myself...

Now, now, I know where I'm from. I live in the U.S., which doesn't mean I was born here!

Well, I live in the U.S., but I was born in... the U.S.!
Small world.

May I respond as Loomis at his most Spartan:
I see.

Spartan? I'm not Leonidas, mate!

Too wordy for L.

[Cruiserweight]

I always enjoyed GL as Bond.

[dodge]

[quote name='Pete' post='857052' date='4 April 2008 - 11:28']Well I didn

[Colossus]

At the time i wasnt even familiar with GL and OHMSS. I only knew it as Connery the 60s Bond, Moore the 70s Bond, Dalton the 80s Bond (see how simple i thought? although technically Dalton was true 80s...), Brosnan the 90s one. I never hated it. When i saw OHMSS so early i was just indifferent to it. As i saw it more and more it became one of the greatest quickly.

Edited by Colossus, 15 May 2008 - 04:50 AM.

[TheTokenBrit]

When i first seen OHMSS i'd heard so much about George Lazenby was a bad James Bond so i dismissed it as a bad film. but then i looked and watched them all in Sequence from Dr. No to Die Another Day and OHMSS REALLY is a great film! it rounded off the 60's era superbly and George was brilliant as Bond. the emotion and humour he brought to the character was amazing, it was like he was getting the audience ready for Roger Moore while at the same time weaning them off Connery. if he'd done Diamonds Are Forever and then handed Roger the Walther for him to carry on it would have worked nicely. i do love Sean but DAF wasn't his best performance as Bond, as he'd said himself, hed done all he could with the role by YOLT. so yes George gets my vote!

[sharpshooter]

When i first seen OHMSS i'd heard so much about George Lazenby was a bad James Bond so i dismissed it as a bad film. but then i looked and watched them all in Sequence from Dr. No to Die Another Day and OHMSS REALLY is a great film! it rounded off the 60's era superbly

Indeed. Released right on the edge of the 60s, it was the perfect film to close the era.

[dodge]

When i first seen OHMSS i'd heard so much about George Lazenby was a bad James Bond so i dismissed it as a bad film. but then i looked and watched them all in Sequence from Dr. No to Die Another Day and OHMSS REALLY is a great film! it rounded off the 60's era superbly

Indeed. Released right on the edge of the 60s, it was the perfect film to close the era.

Ah, nostalgia. It grows even more potent if we think of Sean's fame rivaling the Beatles when GF was released.

[Captain Tightpants]

When I first saw the film, I hated it. While Lazenby has a few half-way decent moments, I truly do believe it was every other actor in the film who got him through it without the film being a complete wreck. Stupid editing decisions - like the accelerated fight scenes and the spinning backdrop in the bobsleigh chase - did even less for the film.

Several years later - I don't really know how many; I haven't been keeping score - and my sentiments have remained the same. OHMSS is at the wrong end of the film scale for me (and I'm no Die Another Day-phile; in no particular order, my favourite films include Casino Royale, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, The Living Daylights and The World Is Not Enough - before you jump down my throat, TWINE is only there because it was the first I saw on the silver screen - so don't be accusing me of having no taste). George Lazenby is my least favourite Bond, coming in a long way behind Sir Rog. I thought he was wooden for most of it, to be honest. I never did under stand the "Bond loves, Bond loses, so it's brilliant" concept that seems to be rampant.

[DaveBond21]

As a kid I loved OHMSS when I saw it on TV around 1983, especially the theme tune which recurs throughout the movie. I was humming it long after the film had finished.

When I saw it again in the mid-90s I felt like Lazenby was trying too hard to sound like Connery, almost as if he had been told to do an impersonation.

In 1999, I saw it again and loved it, especially the skiing scenes, the love story and the fist fighting.

I watch it every year and I think it's a great Bond movie but I still can't get past Lazenby's accent.

[dodge]

As a kid I loved OHMSS when I saw it on TV around 1983, especially the theme tune which recurs throughout the movie. I was humming it long after the film had finished.

When I saw it again in the mid-90s I felt like Lazenby was trying too hard to sound like Connery, almost as if he had been told to do an impersonation.

In 1999, I saw it again and loved it, especially the skiing scenes, the love story and the fist fighting.

I watch it every year and I think it's a great Bond movie but I still can't get past Lazenby's accent.

Sounds like you're almost converted, for which the angels sing, except for this teensy niggling point. Which accent are you talking about, Dave? He sounds like Bond to me.

[Fiona Volpe lover]

I first became a Bond fan in the late 80s. OHMSS was the last of the 60s and 70s Bonds I got to see- it was always shown less than the others and when it was on I was busy! It didn't help that my stepdad had once seen a bit of it and said it was boring and Lazendy was dreadful-in fact he didn't even class it as a proper Bond film! Nevertheless, the film had a certain mystic- I was already reading lots about Bond and some people were claiming it as the best!

Then one Christmas Day I decided to go upstairs and watch it as nobody else was going to. I thought it was brilliant- a bit draggy round the middle but other than that I loved it- and Lazenby was really good. It helped that I knew he's never acted before so I maybe gave his performance some slack, but honestly- he was GOOD. His awkwardness helped with the insecurity of Bond in the film. I really think he would have grown in the part had he stayed. I've always thought that the film would still have been better with Connery, but now I'm not so sure. Lazendy is one of many things that make OHMSS unique.

Although my two younger brothers enjoyed it a few days after I first watched it [as I'd taped it], I never did get round to convincing my stepdad to give OHMSS another go. He never saw the light.

[dodge]

I first became a Bond fan in the late 80s. OHMSS was the last of the 60s and 70s Bonds I got to see- it was always shown less than the others and when it was on I was busy! It didn't help that my stepdad had once seen a bit of it and said it was boring and Lazendy was dreadful-in fact he didn't even class it as a proper Bond film! Nevertheless, the film had a certain mystic- I was already reading lots about Bond and some people were claiming it as the best!

Then one Christmas Day I decided to go upstairs and watch it as nobody else was going to. I thought it was brilliant- a bit draggy round the middle but other than that I loved it- and Lazenby was really good. It helped that I knew he's never acted before so I maybe gave his performance some slack, but honestly- he was GOOD. His awkwardness helped with the insecurity of Bond in the film. I really think he would have grown in the part had he stayed. I've always thought that the film would still have been better with Connery, but now I'm not so sure. Lazendy is one of many things that make OHMSS unique.

Although my two younger brothers enjoyed it a few days after I first watched it [as I'd taped it], I never did get round to convincing my stepdad to give OHMSS another go. He never saw the light.

Thank you for the lovely and very thoughtful post. I find it unbearably sad, though, to think of your poor stepdad. It sounds as if he passed away without ever seeing the beauty of this incredible film. As you note, it's fun to speculate how the film might have been with Connery. But I suspect that those who really do love the film love it, at least in part, because of Lazenby's weaknesses as well as his great strengths.

It still remains the only Bond film I never tire of rewatching--and don't need a rest between viewings.

[Skudor]

As you note, it's fun to speculate how the film might have been with Connery. But I suspect that those who really do love the film love it, at least in part, because of Lazenby's weakenesses as well as his great strengths.

It still remains the only Bond film I never tire of rewatching--and don't need a rest between viewings.

A very good point there. As much as I love the Conn as Bond I must say that I'd hesitate to put him on OHMSS. I just can't picture it. Lazenby, for all his flaws, completely owns this film.

[DR76]

I'm in the middle of watching OHMSS right now. I have only got as far as Bond's meeting with Sir Hilary Bray. I must say that I'm very impressed by what I have seen so far. Not only am I impressed with Hunt's direction and how the story is structured, but also by Lazenby's performance. I have heard some complaints that he tried too hard to seem like Connery. But I don't see it. He seemed to have been doing the role in his own style right off the bat. And he's pretty damn good. Wish he had stayed for more Bond films.

Edited by DR76, 25 July 2008 - 05:24 AM.

[dodge]

I'm in the middle of watching OHMSS right now. I have only got as far as Bond's meeting with Sir Hilary Bray. I must say that I'm very impressed by what I have seen so far. Not only am I impressed with Hunt's direction and how the story is structured, but also by Lazenby's performance. I have heard some complaints that he tried to hard to seem like Connery. But I don't see it. He seemed to have been doing the role in his own style right off the bat. And he's pretty damn good. Wish he had stayed for more Bond films.

I'll be very interested in reading your final impressions after you've finished your viewing. Some of the film's greatest scenes lie ahead--and I'll steer clear of spoilers. Enjoy and, I do believe, be utterly amazed.

[DR76]

My final impression of "OHMSS"?

Oh God, I love this movie! Really! It was emotionally satisfying at all levels. The ski and car chases were superb. So were Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Ilse Steppat and Bernard Lee. I'm still at a loss at why some critics and fans are reserved about Lazenby. The man was damn good! I especially loved Lazenby's scenes with Savalas after his identity is blown, the marriage proposal and his conversation with "M" about Tracy. And the scene in which he and Moneypenny waved good-bye to each other nearly had me in tears. After the movie ended, I started crying.


There is one thing. They should have done "YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE" after "OHMSS".


And why didn't EON hire Peter Hunt to do another Bond movie?

Edited by DR76, 25 July 2008 - 05:23 AM.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Does anyone else think Lazenby's portrayal is the literary Bond, lifted off the page and brought to thrilling life for the first and only time? Certainly, Hunt's faithfulness to the book helped, but Lazenby appears to be embodying the character from the moment he roars onscreen, driving down a country lane to be passed by a pretty girl in a fast car.

He has the casual walk down pat, as when he walks into a casino looking for all the world like a panther stalking his ranges. Bond's tenacity as a fighter is captured effortlessly by Lazenby, as seen in the numerous fights strewn throughout the film, all portraying Bond as a wickedly fierce brawler. The voice, along with the little pauses and affectations and such, I can easily hear coming from Fleming's Bond in any of the novels.

Really, one could make the case that Lazenby is simply OHMSS's Bond with a couple of years shaved off, and that, I think, is why George Lazenby practically embodies the literary Bond.

[Major Tallon]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

[DR76]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

I must admit that I was impressed by the Blofeld reveal scene. I was surprised that Lazenby managed to hold his own very well against a talented and charasmatic actor like Savalas. He even did better in his scenes with Bernard Lee.

[dodge]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

I must admit that I was impressed by the Blofeld reveal scene. I was surprised that Lazenby managed to hold his own very well against a talented and charasmatic actor like Savalas. He even did better in his scenes with Bernard Lee.

You're quite right there. At one moment he looks ready to leap over the desk and throttle the crusty old codger.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

I must admit that I was impressed by the Blofeld reveal scene. I was surprised that Lazenby managed to hold his own very well against a talented and charasmatic actor like Savalas. He even did better in his scenes with Bernard Lee.

You're quite right there. At one moment he looks ready to leap over the desk and throttle the crusty old codger.

That's my point; he's a little more energetic and vibrant than Fleming's Bond at that stage in the novel, but for cripes' sake, he is Bond. He embodies the damn character; all the pauses and such in his performance called back to the inner monologues Bond often had in the books, which strengthens my beliefs even more.

[dodge]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

I must admit that I was impressed by the Blofeld reveal scene. I was surprised that Lazenby managed to hold his own very well against a talented and charasmatic actor like Savalas. He even did better in his scenes with Bernard Lee.

You're quite right there. At one moment he looks ready to leap over the desk and throttle the crusty old codger.

That's my point; he's a little more energetic and vibrant than Fleming's Bond at that stage in the novel, but for cripes' sake, he is Bond. He embodies the damn character; all the pauses and such in his performance called back to the inner monologues Bond often had in the books, which strengthens my beliefs even more.

Ah, the inner monologues. Thank you, Mr. B. You know, we hear so much about Laz's limitations as an actor. But you've touched on something here that should be explored more: his powerful moments of silence, wherein he really does reveal in seconds what Fleming took a paragraph or two to get across. One of my all-time favorite scenes is the classic scene where LazBond stands before the rain-smeared window and gazes out, remembering Tracy's abduction. That alone more than makes up for one or two more awkward moments, I think.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I generally agree with this. A while ago, I said that Lazenby radiates Bond, and I'm sticking with that opinion. Where he deviates from the character Fleming wrote, it's more a matter of script than portrayal. I don't think Fleming's character would sample the caviar and walk away after his fight in the hotel room, steal the Playboy centerfold, or make some of the other offhand jokes given to Lazenby, but those were scripted to give the audience some of the light touches it expects from a Bond film, and I enjoy them as much as anybody. Still, Lazenby nails scene after scene and holds his own with Rigg and Savalas.

As a little example, take Bond's "reveal" scene with Blofeld in front of the Piz Gloria Christmas tree. That scene wasn't in the novel, but compare it with the reveal scene that Fleming wrote in YOLT. Lazenby captures Fleming's tone almost exactly, letting the villain put on an arrogant display, tossing in an occasional acerbic remark, and then exploding into action.

For overall favorite Bond actor, I remain a Daltonite (though I admire Craig's portrayal enormously). Still, Lazenby in OHMSS is a gem.

I must admit that I was impressed by the Blofeld reveal scene. I was surprised that Lazenby managed to hold his own very well against a talented and charasmatic actor like Savalas. He even did better in his scenes with Bernard Lee.

You're quite right there. At one moment he looks ready to leap over the desk and throttle the crusty old codger.

That's my point; he's a little more energetic and vibrant than Fleming's Bond at that stage in the novel, but for cripes' sake, he is Bond. He embodies the damn character; all the pauses and such in his performance called back to the inner monologues Bond often had in the books, which strengthens my beliefs even more.

Ah, the inner monologues. Thank you, Mr. B. You know, we hear so much about Laz's limitations as an actor. But you've touched on something here that should be explored more: his powerful moments of silence, wherein he really does reveal in seconds what Fleming took a paragraph or two to get across. One of my all-time favorite scenes is the classic scene where LazBond stands before the rain-smeared window and gazes out, remembering Tracy's abduction. That alone more than makes up for one or two more awkward moments, I think.

Indeed; there's also the moment where he seems to be deeply contemplating at the poker table when Tracy comes along, as well as when Tracy leaves him her keys and he seems to be considering whether or not it's a trap. Pretty neat, all arount.