37 replies to this topic

[O.H.M.S.S.]

I just would like to know what Bond fans think of his performance. I know a lot of non Bond fans do not like him because they think: "He only did one, so he is no good Bond."

Anyway, I would certainly give Lazenby a thumbs up.

[DamnCoffee]

Definatly a thumbs up from me, Lazenby is a fantastic Bond. Lazenby made that film what it is today, I dont think it would have had the same impact if Connery made the movie, lets face it, even though he was an established James Bond his heart wouldn't of been in it. He looked dire in You Only Live Twice imagine what he would of looked like in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

[Mercator]

I give George Lazenby thumbs up. He was in very good James Bond film. I wish he had done some more but unfortunately his box offic was bad.

I would love to see a photograph of him with all the other Bond including Dancial Craig and Sir Connery.

[DamnCoffee]

I give George Lazenby thumbs up. He was in very good James Bond film. I wish he had done some more but unfortunately his box offic was bad.

I wouldn't say that his Box Office was bad at all, I think On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was one of the highest grossing movies of 1969. I think it was more that fact that Lazenby took some bad advice that cost him his Bond career.

[Mercator]

Oh, what happens? I just thought it was not so good for the making of the money.

[DamnCoffee]

Well In a nutshell, Lazenby's agent told him there were better things than Bond and encouraged him it would be in his better for him if he didn't carry on with the role.

Lazenby graciously accepted as he thought Bond wouldn't last any longer anyway. how wrong he was.

[Mercator]

Did this happen after they fired him for OHMSS not making the money?

[DamnCoffee]

No, Lazenby didn't get fired, he walked away from Bond.

[Mercator]

Where do you hear this?

[DamnCoffee]

Interviews, News Reports, Documentarys....

There is also a segment on 'The James Bond Story', where Lazenby confirmed that he wasn't fired.

[00Twelve]

For me, Laz is mostly . Although he was inexperienced as a film actor, Hunt was able to get some very good moments from him. I'm certain that he would have matured into a great Bond had he continued.

"I can think of something more sociable to do." - Killer Bondian moment.

[deth]

thumbs way down for me. I've never been able to enjoy his performance in all its attempt to be Sean Connery...

[DR76]

Thumbs up. I just saw OHMSS. I never got the impression that Lazenby was trying to be like Connery.

[lazenbyland]

Check our website.

www.angelfire.com/nm/lazenbyland

O.H.M.S.S was the second highest grossing film released in 1969. Second only behind "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid". It didn't make as much money as "You Only Live Twice" but then YOLT took less than "Thunderball" which is one of the most profitable films of all time.

Lazenby was fantastic as Bond. He may have only done one, but he did the best!

Edited by lazenbyland, 29 July 2008 - 05:14 AM.

[Vanish]

I really like him as Bond in OHMSS.

He brings a freshness and an energy to the movie, and had Connery stuck around for it, I doubt he would've brought the same positive qualities that Lazenby contributed.

Edited by Vanish, 29 July 2008 - 07:36 AM.

[Col. Sun]

I really like him as Bond in OHMSS.

He brings a freshness and an energy to the movie, and had Connery stuck around for it, I doubt he would've brought the same positive qualities that Lazenby contributed.

I very much agree with you. Lazenby gives his all in playing Bond -- and, although he had no real acting experience, he gives Bond depth. I also love his scenes with Lee's M. Some of the best 007/M scenes of the entire series. I think Laz really understood the role. He was also superb in the action scenes -- and moved very well; that panther-like grace early Connery had. What a shame he was given such bad advice and didn't do more.

[Mister Asterix]

Way up. Lazeby is probably the most natural James Bond.

Where do you hear this?

The question is where did you hear that Lazenby was fired, or that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service didn’t make money? Because — as others pointed out — neither are close to the truth.

[dodge]

There used to be a fabulously knowledgable member here, called DoubleNoughtSpy, who'd have come on board here with links galore: re Lazenby's 'firing', the box office, etc.

Alas, DNS is--reportedly--living on an ashram with seven granddaughters of hippies...eating soy yogurt...and seeking his whey.

His whey is a long way from Kansas, of course, but may I say in his absence:

LAZ RULES! And yes, he was given very bad advice about the Bond films going out of fashion. The films he made thereafter add up to a heartbreaking story of loss. Mere flashes of the actor who'd set the screen on fire as Bond--the one Bond, for a few of us, who was even greater than Con.

[dodge]

Sean had his six.
Laz needed just one.

[Righty007]

[Judo chop]

Thumbs horizontal.

Too often he proves he’s simply not an actor. The magnificence of Hunt’s direction, the supporting cast and the script help to carry Laz through the rough patches.

But his performance is not without moments of success either, and I don’t believe those were accidental. There was potential. And so if asked a million times whether I’d sacrifice Sean’s Diamonds Are Forever in order to give Laz a shot at a serious follow-up film to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, a million times I say ‘yes’.

[Mister E]

Thumbs horizontal.

Too often he proves he’s simply not an actor. The magnificence of Hunt’s direction, the supporting cast and the script help to carry Laz through the rough patches.

But his performance is not without moments of success either, and I don’t believe those were accidental. There was potential. And so if asked a million times whether I’d sacrifice Sean’s Diamonds Are Forever in order to give Laz a shot at a serious follow-up film to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, a million times I say ‘yes’.

Agreed 100%

[dodge]

Thumbs horizontal.

Too often he proves he’s simply not an actor. The magnificence of Hunt’s direction, the supporting cast and the script help to carry Laz through the rough patches.

But his performance is not without moments of success either, and I don’t believe those were accidental. There was potential. And so if asked a million times whether I’d sacrifice Sean’s Diamonds Are Forever in order to give Laz a shot at a serious follow-up film to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, a million times I say ‘yes’.

That's more than a little like saying there a handful of moments when Connery doesn't mess up.

Methinks you suffer from a serious Laz blockage, bordering on constipation. I hope to be miles away when you're freed with a mighty tuba's roar.

Excessive love of Connery is the same old same same old to the tune of Nobody Did It Better: Our days were the best days...Our guy was The Man...And by definition/extension, our judgment is better than yours.

In contrast with this dour lot, the smaller camp of Lazbians are: happier, sweeter-tempered, funnier, cuter, luckier in love and, I'm pleased as punch to say, we're also far more tolerant. We can admit Big Tam's greatness without feeling threatened at all. We keep our hair longer, stay leaner and fitter, and greet every day with a smile. Because, you see, there is no way to love Gorgeous George too much.

Laz had a mere handful of moments? Let us smile, as Laz would, knowing that even if the charge were true, those moments were so awesome we talk about them to this day...and the Boy King had stayed on.

[Banco]

Thumbs up in a big way. Wish he would have done more Bond films. OHMSS is one of my favorite 3-4 Bond films, and a lot of that has to do with Laz.

[Judo chop]

That's more than a little like saying there a handful of moments when Connery doesn't mess up.

Methinks you suffer from a serious Laz blockage, bordering on constipation. I hope to be miles away when you're freed with a mighty tuba's roar.

Excessive love of Connery is the same old same same old to the tune of Nobody Did It Better: Our days were the best days...Our guy was The Man...And by definition/extension, our judgment is better than yours.

Still trying to slip me the EX-LAX, eh? Check the label again dodger, and I think you’ll find it reads “EX-LAZ”.

It’s not Sean’s Slazenger 7 that’s clogging my Laz love channel. I simply call it as I see it. I’ll put Laz’s performance right alongside Connery’s in DAF, and even higher than his in YOLT. At least Laz looks like he’s having fun.

[dodge]

That's more than a little like saying there a handful of moments when Connery doesn't mess up.

Methinks you suffer from a serious Laz blockage, bordering on constipation. I hope to be miles away when you're freed with a mighty tuba's roar.

Excessive love of Connery is the same old same same old to the tune of Nobody Did It Better: Our days were the best days...Our guy was The Man...And by definition/extension, our judgment is better than yours.

Still trying to slip me the EX-LAX, eh? Check the label again dodger, and I think you’ll find it reads “EX-LAZ”.
It’s not Sean’s Slazenger 7 that’s clogging my Laz love channel. I simply call it as I see it. I’ll put Laz’s performance right alongside Connery’s in DAF, and even higher than his in YOLT. At least Laz looks like he’s having fun.

Actually, it reads Con Error.

[Blonde Bond]

Thumbs WAY way UP and AWAY!

Bond franchises one of the biggest losses was when Lazenby didn't return in the role. The other one being that Dalton didn't get his 3rd.

Lazenby felt natural in the role, and much of the enjoyment in OHMSS is due to Lazenby's presence. I agree with the person who said he moved like a panther. I would definitely sacrifice some of the lesser bond adventures so that Tim and Laz, the unwanted, could star in a few more bond adventures. But since I haven't 'yet' invented time travel, I have to settle with what we got.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Thumbs up; the Laz-ster was fantastic.

[DR76]

I won't pretend that Lazenby was a better actor than Connery or more natural or anything like that. I know better. And I won't say that Connery would not have been as good in "OHMSS". I suspect that he would have done a top notch job.

But I hear a lot of fans and critics express regret that Connery had never did "OHMSS". As much as I like Connery as Bond, I didn't miss him in this movie. I still don't. I was more than satisfied with Lazenby's performance.

[dodge]

With Craig, no one's denying that we have a world-class actor playing the role of James Bond. And, though Con wasn't in Craig's league, he too was a better actor than Laz. Agreed.

Dalton was too--but, with Dalton, the real question may start to emerge:

Does the role require a great actor...or the right blend of screen presence, physical charisma and sexual magnetism? Laz has those Big Three in abundance and I believe his acting chops were greater than some grant. In any case, with the Big Three he rocks and rules as Bond for me.