On Her Majesty's Secret Service is regarded as one of the best entries of film in the entire James Bond franchise. However it is notably very underrated among some of the fans. Taking the roll of Bond in this film was a new face, George Lazenby. Lazenby previous careers were interesting; a cars saleman, ski instructor, Australian model. In early drafts of the script Bond was shown to have plastic surgery, to explain why Blofeld wouldn't notice him and to explain the new face to Bond, But this idea was dropped. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the longest Bond film to date until 2006 when Casino Royale was released.
When George Lazenby's manager told him that he had a chance of getting the roll of Bond Lazenby showed up for rehearsals. Among his competitors were other actors such as Adam West, If whom was to be brought into the role of Bond, It would have become too Americanized no offence to Americans. Lazenby soon met with director Peter Hunt and he soon got the roll of Bond after 4 months of rehearsals. However the 7 movie contract was never signed.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service plays with Lazenby's introduction. At first, we don't see his face -- just the back of his head in an over-the-shoulder shot. The "James Bond Theme" is playing, however, so there's no doubt who's supposed to be on screen. Then, after the beach fight where Lazenby's features are revealed, Bond makes an oblique reference to the actor switch: "This never happened to the other fellow." referring to Sean Connery, his predecessor. The title sequences then kick in. John Barry's score in this film is one of his best. The entire title sequence is completely instumental no lyrics which makes this film even more unique compared to the other films.
George Lazenby handled action sequences well, Which is apparently the best thing he could do considering he had never acted before until this roll. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is a genuine plot which sticks close to Fleming's novel. Ernst Blofeld returns but this time his plans are to start a biological warfare waged from a "research clinic" high in the Alps. Bond must disguise himself as Sir Hillary Bray a genealogist to get in without being noticed. But upon finding out Blofeld's location, Bond falls in love with Teresa 'Tracy' di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). The love song by Louis Armstrong "We Have All The Time In The World" is a perfect accompaniment to James and Tracy's growing attachment.
The main problem with this film which is hard to admit is the acting. Peter Hunt's background was though a technical profession having been the editor of 4 previous Bond films he had not got got the best performances out of the cast. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of the best paced action film in the series, with its outstanding skiing sequences, attacking Piz Gloria, for a full half an hour of the film there is non stop action. The film contains references to previous Bond films such as the gadgets, the janitor whistling the Goldfinger theme and many more. However when Bond is cracking into a safe he uses a huge machine, this has been said to be this big due to the photo copier accomanying it. During this time Bond passes time by reading a playboy magazine.
A heavily edited verson of the film was released by ABC in 1976. In this the film started with the attack on Piz Gloria and ended with the beach scene and the wedding. Deleted scenes of the film include; Bond getting Tracy's ring and a reflection of Irma Bunt is shown. Other scenes include Bond chasing a Spectre Agent through London rooftops. But during this shot Lazenby damagd his shoulder and it was never finished. None of these shots were ever filmed, But some stills still exist.
This is one of the most emotional Bond films alongside Casino Royale. Bond falls in love, Romantic scenes, gets married, But then a tragic ending. Soon after Bond and Tracy's wedding they are driving down a motorway and onto a mountainside road, they pull over to take of all of the flowers decorated on the car. Whilst Bond is taking off the flowers a Silver Mercedes 600 drives past with Blofeld and the wheel and Irma Bunt in the back with a machine gun, Shots are fired and Bond runs over to the his door to get in. "It's Blofeld .... It's Blofeld" he then turns to Tracy. Bullet holes in the front windowscreen, and blood trickling down from Tracy's forehead with a bullet hole centered. In the first shooting of this scene, Lazenby cried, but then Peter Hunt said "Bond dosen't cry" then scene was reshot and Bond did not cry.
George Lazenby's manager talked Lazenby out of the contract saying that he would get much better rolls after this and Lazenby left the roll of Bond before it was released. Lazenby never signed the seven movie contract. In recent interviews with George Lazenby he has said looking back he should have done more than one film.
9.3 / 10
Edited by Bondaholic :: Nobody Does, 02 February 2009 - 10:55 AM.