On Her Majestys Secret Service [VHS] [1969]

 

 

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It has often been argued that this would have been the greatest of the Bond films, had Sean Connery taken the role. Unfortunately it seems likely that Connery's humourous slant on the character would have seemed out of place, with the unconventional romantic themes of this sixth entry in the Bond saga. Contrary to popular belief, Lazenby is a revelation as the secret agent torn between Her Majesty's government and Tracey (a fantastic performance by Diana Rigg). Lazenby handles the traditional humour of the series well, whilst the lack of gadgets allows him to show Bond as a multifaceted character. He is particulary adept at the fight sequences. This greatly contrasts to the increasingly unbelieveable aspects of more recent entries. The direction is exhilirating, with several glamourous locations and fast paced action sequences. On Her Majesty's Secret Service has some of the best dialogue of the saga, allowing for more interesting potrayals from supporting players (notably Bernard Lee). Unfortunately the only weak parts of the film involve Telly Salavas as Bond's nemesis, who appears to have been miscast. A fantasic attempt to make Bond seem more human, whilst not sacrificing the expected glamour and excitement.

After years of sneering reviews and being treated as an embarrasment by its producers 'OHMSS' is finally beginning to be regarded as the Bond series' cinematic peak. This DVD certainly helps to confirm this view. The commentary by Peter Hunt and others shows the care that went into creating those touches that make a film special, often without the viewer being consciously aware of them. So we see the decision to associate Tracey with flowers and the first ever use of a flashback in a Bond film, (as he remembers Tracey being dragged away by Blofeld's men).

There is great entertainment here, but also a satisfying story and emotional depth. The documentary extras show the technical expertise that brought the Swiss landscape to the screen so beautifully. We also see George Lazenby's progress from a rather idealistic newcomer to a slightly jaded and wiser man (all in the space of 18 months).

I sometimes dream there is a second Lazenby Bond film and it's always a disappointment to wake and remember it's not true.

There is much to like and much to dislike about this generally underrated flick. Vilified for having the first actor to play Bond who was NOT Sean Connery (and have him be Australian, to boot), this movie was a huge success for its time, but remains the black sheep of the Bond movie family. At the very least, it generates polarised opinion.
Plotwise, it stays closer to the Ian Fleming source novel than ever before, and veers away from gadgets and highly stylised sets in favour of trying to progress the characters. However, in doing so it ventures into new territory - Bond in love. How much you accept the movie will likely hinge on how much you buy into this concept, and perhaps in tackling this along with introducing a new actor playing Bond - they bit off a bit more than they could chew ( and all the more kudos to the makers of Casino Royale for essentially achieving the same feat without too much egg on their face).
Let's start off by saying - George Lazenby is by no means the disaster he is often portrayed as. His arrogance in real life helps his on screen character, and physically he certainly moves well, looks the part, and is more believable in the action scenes than any actor to follow (bar Daniel Craig). At the very least, he proved that the character was bigger than the actor, and paved the way for all the other Bonds to follow.
The effect of the casting on the final outcome can not be underestimated - Diana Rigg perfectly cast as Bond's love interest, and Telly Savalas surprisingly and undeniably the best actor to play Blofeld.
Peter Hunt directed with a sure hand, having been editor or second unit director on all the Bond movies to date. However, another love or hate aspect of the film is its style. In the previous outing, Lewis Gilbert directed the fantastic with standard routine direction. Here, Hunt chooses to direct the down to earth, with a surreal touch. Sound effects are exaggerated, visual cues are stylised. This works for the most part, but dates the film somewhat to its '69 / 70 timeframe, when cinema was moving into a period of heightened senses and cinema as symbolism rather than naturalism. That said, there are some of the most striking cinematographic scenes on display - the first use of flashback in a Bond movie ( in the window of Bond's office, seeing Tracy dragged away from the avalanche), the spectacular skiing shots, including spectacular aerial shots, arguably the best in the whole series. The only drawback to these scenes are the inserted back projection shots establishing the actors in the frame.
John Barry had arguably his finest score here, aided by the last recorded song from Louis Armstrong, ironically `We have all the time in the world'. The Bond theme is sparingly used, but to all the greater effect when we do hear it. One highlight is the scene in Bonds office as he goes through the items in his desk and we hear the themes from previous movies.
All told, the ingredients are present and correct - Ian Fleming's source novel, John Barry score, beautiful girls, great action scenes and stunts, the best portrayal of Blofeld in the Bond series (just compare to Charles Gray in the next movie if you disagree!), and a capable Bond. It's the new ingredients which will have you choosing to love or hate - Bond gets married, and in particular that downbeat ending.
As for the Ultimate Edition, as is customary there are all the Special Edition extras including the very interesting 40 minute documentary on the history and making of the movie are here, as well as a few more period pieces of interest, including an interesting collection of interviews with George Lazenby before, during, and after his role as Bond.
Like I said, it's a love or hate thing - and maybe this is a 4 star movie, but I am going to give it 5 stars for just having so much good to say about it, despite its flaws.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Bond Revised Review 35 years later
The remastered version is fantastic. When I first saw this movie in the cinema (70's) i didn't enjoy it very much, when i saw it on TV (unmastered version) i didn't enjoy it, but... Read more

Published 1 month ago by jfk3d

5.0 out of 5 stars This Never Happened to the Other Fellow!
Not Connery nor Moore, but a nice film which historically has been underrated.

Now collection goes seamlessly from Connery to Moore... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Paksway

5.0 out of 5 stars It's one of the best
I was never a subscriber to the anti-Lazenby portrayal of Bond. It was, after all, an incredibly hard act, to follow the iconic and predatory Connery. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Ian Hunter

5.0 out of 5 stars one of my favourites
I think this is a great James Bond film even though it is over 40 years old it still entertains to this day. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Mt Brown

4.0 out of 5 stars on her majestys secret service 2 disc ultimate edition
this is the only way to go with this film until the blu ray is out.a lot of people dont like this film.but i think it is underated. Read more

Published 10 months ago by stargatesg1

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent film and DVD
As the title says, excellent film and DVD, but arrived damaged - not by the post - but, it seems from the factory. Read more

Published 11 months ago by mt tutor

5.0 out of 5 stars BOND AT HIS BEST!
OHMSS has long been considered a weak Bond movie by the general public, however it has now rightly been regarded as something of a classic. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Norvic Kilton

4.0 out of 5 stars The lesser Bond
Collected to add to the collection.

Not the best of the Bonds, but a good yarn nonetheless.

Published 16 months ago by Timothy J. Green

4.0 out of 5 stars A review of the remastering of the DVD
I would like to review the remastering and not the film, as I think most people know the story by now.

Basically the film has had a total clean up. Read more

Published 17 months ago by B. C. Swinbank

5.0 out of 5 stars The fallible Bond...
For me there are seven James Bond films I love for different reasons - Goldfinger (where they nail the Bond format for the first time), Live and Let Die (great early '70s feel and... Read more

Published 17 months ago by The TV Man

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