On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
“Draco: My apologies for the way you were brought here. I wasn’t sure you’d accept a formal invitation.
James Bond: There’s always something formal about the point of a pistol.”
I wondered if time (and audience, after all more than half a century has passed) has become milder toward George Lazenby and his role as James Bond in the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
If the internet is to be believed… maybe it’s become milder, but only a little.
What’s it about? Let’s start with the plot…
James Bond saves a girl on the beach (Countess Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo) who tried to commit suicide, then meets her later same evening at casino. Upon visiting her room (expectedly), Bond is hit on the head and kidnapped. Next morning he wakes and meets eye to eye with Marc-Ange Draco who, besides heading European criminal syndicate “Union Corse,” is also Tracy’s father (now it’s probably clear why parents always ask about your crush’s parents, i.e., “what kind of house they’re from” 😅). After telling him his daughter’s sad life story, Draco offers Bond a million dollars to marry her, which this idiot Bond refuses (but it’s not about money nor who her father is, but Tracy herself is sufficient reason to say “yes”… this is like Sylvester Stallone offering you million dollars to marry one of his daughters… you’d just pat him on shoulder and say “Sly, what money, money isn’t important, but BOOK US THE CHURCH DAAAD!”). However, Bond agrees to try romance with Tracy, on condition Draco helps him with information on Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s location.
Yes, yes, Bond has unfinished business with “SPECTRE” leader, Blofeld. No catching, bringing before justice and similar, but bullet in the head. However, his superior (M) relieves him of this duty, at which furious Bond hands Moneypenny his written resignation (which she wisely rewrites as request for leave). Now Bond has chance to conduct investigation in his own direction, with help of Draco’s resources.
Bond manages to discover Blofeld is in Swiss Alps, where he has clinic for allergy research. Since he learned Blofeld corresponds with royal college dealing with heraldry (because evil one wants to appropriate right to count title too, so he’d be Count Balthazar de Bleuchamp), more precisely, genealogist Sir Hilary Bray, Bond decides to use opportunity that Blofeld never met Hilary in person, and disguise himself as same.
And so Bond manages to reach Blofeld’s clinic, which, lo and behold, is full of attractive women who are patients being treated for various allergies. Bond, being the soul of a man he is, decides in evening hours to “help” some patients, and meanwhile learn what’s happening here. You don’t need to be doctor of science to conclude Blofeld surely doesn’t do all this from altruistic intentions… as he truly doesn’t, but here hides big criminal plan, which only Mister uh James Bond can prevent.
And what happened with Bond and Tracy? Eeeee, that’s a special story, and quite unexpected for Bond…
Objectively speaking, on paper this film had all elements to be megahit and maybe best Bond film. This film was directorial debut of Peter Hunt, man who worked on and greatly contributed to success of previous five Bond films… in translation, man is sharpened to kill with this film. Plot is interestingly conceived. For location Swiss Alps were chosen. Technology advanced. Bond concept is mildly redesigned. Film doesn’t even have classic happy ending. Excellent cast chosen. Dozens of attractive women.
So what was missing then?
Apparently Sean Connery, our legendary Seany…
As I mentioned, plot is nicely constructed, so it does best for secret agent. A bit spying/infiltrating, a bit action. Clearing situation with Blofeld. Agent teaming up with criminal underworld leader for mutual interest.
Then there’s inserted element that before wasn’t so pronounced in previous Bond films, and that’s romantic note and space for love story.
And serious tragedy at film’s end…
Generally, they approached more carefully adapting Fleming’s novella. Moreover, though they parted with Seany, producers inserted several likeable jokes and reminders of previous films, out of respect for Sean Connery (“This never happened to the other fellow”).
From cinematography aspect, there’s really nothing to say. Though I’m first who’ll choose exotic beaches over snowy mountains, scenes filmed in Bern and in Alps will truly leave you breathless, because truly effort had to be invested in this. They even approached, with Swiss army cooperation, creating avalanche for film’s need.
Music is, for many, maybe even best so far of all released Bond films. Composer John Barry (worked on previous Bond films too) decided on slightly more aggressive approach to music, introducing electronic music elements too, which gave quite refreshing tone. Opening number (I think this is first Bond where opening number is pure instrumental) was done by John Barry’s orchestra in collaboration with legendary Louis Armstrong. However, you may have heard remix by big beat band “PropellerHeads,” who did excellent cover. Just imagine scene where you’re snowboarding, and this number accompanies you.
And as for acting… of course, no need to waste words on Lois Maxwell as Moneypenny (interesting is here we see her much closer and more emotional with Bond), Bernard Lee as M and Desmond Llewelyn as Q, who give charm to their episodic roles.
Decision for Blofeld in continuation to be played by legendary Telly Savalas is, at least to me, a good move, because now Blofeld has more that “physical” presence in film, which was missing in previous edition (two interesting facts related to this film legend: 1. Savalas loved playing cards until late at night, so he’d appear all pale and sleepy on set in morning, but still knew his lines by heart without problem and always did job with maximum professionalism 2. Lazenby stated in one interview how Savalas raised his self-confidence. Namely, someone announced to Savalas that Lazenby is novice in acting world, to which he responded: “He doesn’t need any help. I need to watch out, otherwise he’ll ‘blow’ me off scene”). Simply, legendary Kojak did his job professionally. And what’s villain without dangerous henchman, in character of sullen Irma performed by Ilse Steppat.
Bond girl was charming and talented Diana Rigg (newer generations probably saw her as bad*** old woman Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones,” for which she was nominated several times for Emmy). I think this is first Bond girl given greater depth and personality, as well as excellent combination of strong character and cocky attitude combined with vulnerability of one unhappy girl. Plus, there’s bigger screen time for one Bond girl, for whom for first time you see she’s truly love interest for one Bond. Maybe one of best Bond girls.
George Lazenby… Eh, my Georgie, what to do with you… at 29 years old, Georgie was youngest actor in James Bond role. Problem is this was also his first film. I mean, first role, then you immediately get to be Bond… I really don’t know what to tell you, opinions of both audience and film critics are divided. Some believe for beginner he did excellent job, others that he “buried” film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” To me, honestly, he didn’t have charisma needed for Bond. Simply, leaves “lukewarm” feeling. James Bond films are similar to today’s popular superhero films. True there’s budget and film effects and plot and pile of actors… but these are films where main actor must truly have strength to carry film on his shoulders and meanwhile enchant audience. I didn’t get impression Lazenby managed to do that. What’s also mystery is his relationship toward others on set. On one hand, Lazenby gave statements he felt isolated and tried to have good relationship with everyone, and on other hand, stories constantly circulated he was quite arrogant and imagined he’s big star, that he annoyed producers, that his partner Diana Rigg couldn’t stand him and supposedly ate food with onions to complicate his scenes (and on other hand, maybe woman truly wanted to eat something with onions that day, for God’s sake, we’re people).
To be honest, main actor quite spoiled the film for me. If it had been some other actor, or even Seany again… well if producers had come and said “Listen Seany, just be a bit gentler and more romantic in this film, less rough stuff, we know you can do that”… there’s Oscar by the bag full.
As I mentioned, everything else in this film is top-notch done, but Bond’s choice, at least to me, quite spoiled impression.
Bond’s main weapon in this film is indispensable Walther PPK.
Bond’s main vehicle (though appears briefly and is harbinger of tragic scene) is Aston Martin DBS.
And as for gadgets we’ll mention miniature camera and device for “cracking” safe cipher.
With budget of seven million dollars, film earned solid 82 million (but again less compared to previous film).
And finally, a couple interesting facts about “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” this strange film:
- George Lazenby at 29 was youngest Bond actor (and Roger Moore oldest at 45)
- Since they received per diems in cash, Savalas saw Lazenby has bag full of money and invited him to poker game… and took almost all his money, but then had to return them due to producers’ pressure that “kid” (Lazenby) can no longer be his “victim”
- For Blofeld’s base partially finished restaurant on mountain was used
- Lazenby bluffed producers (Saltzman and Broccoli) he had acting experience. Later he admitted truth to director Hunt, to which he responded: “You walked in here and managed to screw two of the toughest bastards in business. You are an actor”
- Sean Connery later stated he’d rather have acted in film of this type than in “You only live twice”
- Janitor in Draco’s residence whistles theme from film “Goldfinger”
- This is Christopher Nolan’s favorite Bond film, and some references to it can be seen in his film “Inception”
- First time techniques like slow-motion, flashback, “breaking the fourth wall” were applied in Bond film…
- Only James Bond film completely filmed in Europe
- Picture of Tracy’s mother in film is, in fact, photograph of Diana Rigg’s mother
And you, dear reader, how did you experience this Bond version? 🙂
Trailer | Imdb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic
Format: Film | Premiere: 1969 | Runtime: 142 minutes
