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On Her Majesty's Secret Service

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "With the exception of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'..."
Review: Whenever i talk about Bond films, i try to remember to mention that this film is an exception to almost any rule you might think of about the Bond series -- for one thing, it's a very faithful adaptation of the book. Bond actually falls in love. There are very few gadgets (the automatic safecracking machine is sort of cool, but it's huge -- such a gadget in a Bond film today would fit in a pocket). Bond contacts an "outside contractor" when M won't approve a mission to take out Blofeld and rescue the woman he loves.

It's the only Bond film that breaks the fourth wall.

And it has Diana Rigg. At the time, that was enough for almost any young male (such as myself) who had watched "The Avengers" to watch the film, setting aside that the Bond franchise was Very Popular at the time.

And, of course, it has George Lazenby rather than Connery or Moore.

Let's get this out of the way early -- while this wasn't the most successful Bond, it wasn't, by any means, a flop at initial release, the way that popular memory has it. However, because of a popular conception that Lazenby wasn't very good as Bond and that the film itself was inferior (neither opinion being justified by the facts) OHMSS didn't get the rereleases and continuing popularity that other Bond films did.

Lazenby is, actually, rather closer to the way in which Fleming had described Bond than any of the other actors who have played him; he moves well and reads the lines which he actually reads convincingly enough (his voice is dubbed for the sequence in which he infiltrates Blofeld's school because he couldn't handle the Public School accent of the character; on the other hand, Gabrielle Ferzetti's entire performance as Draco is dubbed by another actor, also), and he's competent in the action scenes. I really believe that if he hadn't taken apallingly bad advice and had continued in the series he would be much better thought of today as Bond -- and we might well have been spared some of the more horrific moments of the Roger Moore years.

Diana Rigg is, of course, lovely (she would find it hard to not be), and her Tracey is believable as the sort of woman Bond would fall hard for.

The ski sequences are spectacular for their day (though the Bond franchise itself has topped them in "For Your Eyes Only", which, incidentally, was listed at the time in a "Playboy" article/pictorial about OHMSS as the next film in the series -- from what I hear, ithey realised that that would make two "ski" films in a row and hurriedly developed "Diamonds are Forever", which may explain its ...script), though I read somewhere that for Ms Rigg's skiing she was doubled by a slim young man.

And, say what you will of Lazenby, his playing of the final scene is convincing and genuinely emotional, which is rare for the Bond Series.

(Lazenby was to portray Bond again [sort of] in the rather weak "Man from UNCLE" TV movie, "The Fifteen Years Later" affair -- coyly unnamed, driving a gadget-equipped car with plates reading "JB", intervening by chance and helping Solo during a car chase sequence.)

(Incidentally, this film features TWO "Avengers" regulars -- not only Diana Rigg, but also Joanna Lumley, who was to play Purdie on "The New Avengers" some years later.)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The BEST James Bond Movie Ever
Review: Forget tubby Roger Moore and the horribly mis-cast Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby does a respectable, if different, take on our beloved 007. Let's face it, the first one out of the gates after Sean Connery is going to take some heat. But look past that, and you've got the best script of any movie in the series, captivating action scenes, the gorgeous Diana Rigg (who matches James' wit and style to a tee), and a surprise ending. This is the only James Bond movie I brand a "must-own" for Bond afficinado's.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: One of the Worst
Review: And I thought Moonreaker was bad. God. Geroge Lazenby sucks. He's a disgrace to the Bond films. Sean Connery would have made this movie a thousand times bettter.

Second, I never really got the plot. Blofeld is pretending to work at an allergy clinic? That's just plain stupid. Blofeld's actor was horrible too. The plot really never picked up until the end. The ski chase was cool. The bobsled thing was cool too, but Blofeld won't die.

The girls were ugly too. And I keep wanting Blofeld to act like Dr. Evil.

I'm starting to read the book. Frankly, I'd rather watch a movie than read a book. But, this is just a disgrace to Ian Fleming. Good thing he didn't live to see this. He would have died after he watched it anyway.

The bottom line is: This movie is the worst Bond film. Avoid it. Try watching something like Goldeneye or Goldfinger.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Poor George
Review: Poor George Lazenby! He did a perfectly fine job and still gets lambasted 30 years later. His only fault was that he wasn't Sean Connery. For that reason, OHMSS didn't do as well at the box office as it surely would've with the "real" Bond, Connery at the helm. Still, this was and is, a gorgeous, great film. It's one of the best of the Bond movies. Everything is just right, from the magnificent, brainy and beautiful Diana Rigg as Tracey, the the stunning scenery, to the fight scenes to Telly Savalas as a young, vigorous and deadly Blofeld.
As other reviewers have said, OHMSS is actually closer to the book than any other Bond movie and it deserves to be in your DVD collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Who is Bond, compared with Sean Connery?
Review: The filmmakers are desperate to prove that Lazenby can pass every primal test of Bondhood that they can throw at him. Can he deal a mean game of cards? Yes. Does he know how to light a cigarette? Yes. Can he rescue damsels in distress? Certainly. Can he fight every thug the underworld can come up with? You bet. Can he drive a British Sports Car? Always. As if Hunt and Broccoli are saying "See! See! This is REALLY James Bond!"

To paraphrase Kronstein in From Russia With Love, "Who is Bond, compared with Sean Connery?" On Her Majesty's Secret Service seeks to answer this cryptic question, and what starts out abstractedly on a deserted beach like a student film -- in a near-desperate attempt to help the audience transition to George Lazenby as James Bond -- ends up being Bond's most mature romantic relationship and most sincerely tragic ending.

So many fans focus on the absence of Sean Connery from this movie. But the point is this is a rare opportunity to see early James Bond in action without the encumbrance of Sean Connery. And to enjoy a plot that, refreshingly, doesn't require Bond to save the world from a nuclear bomb or a satellite-fired laser. So it's a departure from formula in more than a few respects.

The main title music without lyric stands as among Barry's finest work. None better. And the score with the skiing sequences are among the film's very highest points.

Without a doubt, the movie's most touching moment is Moneypenny's tearful goodbye to James at the end of the wedding ceremony. I loved it!

Lazenby -- far superior to Roger Moore any day of the week! And a most worthy alternative to big Sean.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Spy Movie that More Closely Follows the Books than Others
Review: I've never been a big fan of this Bond film. After reading a number of positive reviews, I decided to watch it again from beginning to end and give it a fair chance. I'm glad I did. I understand why I liked many of the other Bond movies better, and why this movie really has a lot going for it.

The fundamental story is simple. Bond is now on a witch hunt for Ernst Blofeld after what happened in "You Only Live Twice". Initially Bond plans on resigning, but Moneypenny cleverly gets the resignation changed to a two week vacation. Bond sets out to track down Blofeld. After a side-track to Portugal, James finds Blofeld in the Alps. A variety of action scenes ensue, leading to Bond getting married to Diana Rigg. Yes, it really happened. Watch and see.

After watching this movie, I realized why I once liked it less than movies like "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice". No gadgets. This movie truly is a spy movie. The only gadget James uses is a safe opening gadget about 40 minutes into the movie. I've always enjoyed the science fiction aspects of James Bond versus the spy parts, so I've always rated the Bond movies that are more truly spy movies lower than the science fiction Bond movies. Big mistake. This movie is a good Bond film. Compared to any Bond before or since, the witty one-liners are minimal, and the movie is played generally seriously throughout. When you watch this movie, you are watching a spy at work, not a bunch of gadgets with action surrounding them.

The opening scene and credits in this movie are quite interesting. Initially Diana Rigg, formerly of "The Avengers", is trying to walk into the ocean in an apparent suicide attempt. James rescues her, and immediately falls afoul of bad guys. Diana drives away, leaving her shoes. Roger Lazenby turns to the screen and says, "This never happened to the other fellow." Thus we are introduced to the new James Bond, albeit for one movie. This line is one of the rare humorous lines in the movie.

The opening credits are unique in that they contain scenes from the previous 5 Bond movies, with wisps of music from each. I believe the intent was to provide some continuity between Sean Connery and Roger Lazenby.

Unfortunately, this movie did not do well in the box office. Roger Lazenby was not given a second chance. Too bad. Looking back, this movie is actually a good spy movie. Bond is played with a similar level of sincerity as Sean Connery did in "Dr. No" and "From Russia with Love", with the same minimalist approach to gadgets and science fiction. If you consider the movies that are more true to Ian Fleming's books to be the better Bond movies, then this one would have to rank among the best.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: OHMSS
Review: THIS IS THE ONE OF THE BEST JAMES BOND FILMS EVER. THE LIVING DAYLGIHTS,GOLDFINGER, AND FOR YOUR EYES ONLY ARE ALSO MY FAVORITES. GEORGE LAZENBY IS ONE THE BEST BONDS AND THIS IS ALSO THE BEST STORY THAT IAN FLEMING EVER WROTE. IF YOU LIKE SPY MOVIES AND YOU DON'T HAVE THIS YOU ARE CHEATING YOURSELF. TElly Savales is the best blofeld and the story is great and flows like water. The dvd is one of the best in the whole 21 dvd collection including never say never again. The best DVDS, menu design and all is The living daylights and For your eyes only. You only live Twice has a great MENU for the dvd but the movie itself is AVERAGE and to short. On her majesty's was a better movie than you only live twice. No matter who starred as Bond it was the quality of the film that was important

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Super Service
Review: George Lanzenby is underrated. I think he does a superb job in this James Bond mountain top thriller based on the Ian Fleming book. He may not be Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan but you would be hard pressed to find fault in his style or looks. He is certainly better than Roger Moore or Timothy Dalton. This is one of the better James Bond adventures with James looking for a biological weapon smuggled to countries by brainwashed young women. Diana Rigg plays his love interest and she holds her own against the bad guys as she did with "The Avengers". Some great mountain chase scenes unlike any others. I read all the books back in the 60s when I was in High School and then saw the movies as they were released starting with "Dr. No". Of all the Bond films , two movies stood out because they followed the books closely. They were "From Russia with Love" and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Granted "Dr. No" wasn't to far off and most the rest had some simile to the books, but they went so gadget crazy they took away most of the acting and real spy feel from them. See this movie, it is a real treat and probably one that Ian Fleming enjoyed most like his books.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable
Review: George Lazenby...not the best Bond (Connory IMHO) but damn close! What a tragedy he didn't stick around for "Diamonds" and beyond...That said this realy is the best "Bond" of the series, it's got everything going for it...a fine cast (Savalas is masterful as "Blofeld") Diana Rigg is gorgeous (as always) and Lazenby really does make for a fine 'Bond'. The screenplay remains faithful to the original novel and to cap it all... a wonderful score...I'm guessing of course but I'd like to think Mr Flemming would have been satisfied! Go and see the latest Bond corporate commercial/info-mercial ("Plug Another Day"?) if you must but after having done so PLEASE buy, rent or shoplift this video/DVD and see just how far the Bond franchaise has declined!...very very sad!.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Underrated; Strong Supporting Cast
Review: This film is burdened by too many challenges: the Bond character grows much more sentimental and decides to marry, also, another actor has to replace Connery. Ignore a mushy few minutes about a third of the way thru the film where Bond proposes, and what you have is a fun, action-packed flick. Telly Savalas makes for a great villian (in his pre-Kojack days). Diana Rigg was showcased properly, besides being a terrific actress she has a model-type beauty (pretty face but a broomstick body) and thankfully she gets lots of screen time. If you enjoyed the ski scenes, consider 1993's "Aspen Extreme."


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