On Her Majesty's Secret Service

I do not really understand the general restraint towards this particular installment in the franchise, which, despite its numerous references to the previous movies, actually works as a standalone movie and is one of the few in the Bond series to attempt a different approach and tone. You are not going to find a more emotional scene than the ending in this movie from the early Bond movies, or quite possibly from all of them. George Lazenby may have come and gone as Bond; however, his performance in this movie is excellent, and in some alternate dimension, I would have liked to have seen more movies starring Lazenby as Bond. I would have liked to have seen more Bond movies with Timothy Dalton as well. The only blemish on the beauty of this work for me personally, even after all these years, is the objectively insane editing of the action scenes; the filmmakers simply did not have a clue at the time. In addition, they should have kept the end credits quiet. (16/11/2021)

The people who have a problem with Lazenby may be mostly the ones who consider Connery a good actor, so in my case there was no problem. On the contrary, I might have welcomed a new face (shown on my favorite Portuguese beach, Praia de Guincho) after that tired old man from You Only Live Twice. Although the beginning suggested that this was going to be one of those classic, scripted Bond gaslights (a mob boss asks an agent, renowned for shagging half a hotel lobby before breakfast, to marry his daughter and tighten her belt), eventually the film starts to earn points with its focus, which doesn't rush anywhere, allowing you to slowly enjoy the unique filming locations, costumes, and the slow unfolding of the devious plan of Bond's nemesis. A nice change from the last installment, with ninjas hopping all over a fake volcano to stop the launch of some rocket that will eat other rockets. Telly Savalas was an excellent choice for the role of Blofeld here, by the way, due to his verisimilitude. He exudes that slow, deep, squinty-eyed charisma. The charisma of a man who doesn't have to get out of his chair because someone else will do everything else for him. Then, when he goes off to chase Bond on skis along with the other villains, you begin to realize what else he might be capable of, and that's exactly how he inspires the respect and nervousness we should feel towards him. Speaking of action scenes, thus far this installment has cleared the bar with ease, tossing in one fantastically shot sequence after another from the middle of the film onwards. The handheld camera work during the ski chase is breathtaking, even after all these years, and the car chase that follows almost seamlessly itself mesmerizes you with its perfect stunt work. We frequently see truly unusual shooting angles, and the editing of the action sequences alone is basically a formalistic work. The fact that Bond purists are wearing this film out is a good thing, because it sort of proves that after the demented You Only Live Twice, they started to think about how Bond would survive the coming New Hollywood era, and without a change of approach the seventies might not have been able to sustain this franchise at all. (08/07/2019)

With much hindsight, and having finally seen this Bond film in its original version, I have to admit that it's not bad at all. I'd even argue that it's a great pity Lazenby didn't (want to) get another chance. He plays 007 quite convincingly, although he lacks Connery's charm. He's tough and his fights, for example, are a joy to watch. The film also features the first of Bond's ski chases, an impeccably shot avalanche scene, a bobsled chase, and a final mega-action set piece with helicopters. Blofeld, with the face of Telly Savalas, once again has an admirable diabolical plan, and the Bond girl (Bond wife?), who always gives me goosebumps, is really hot. There's a wonderful song to go with it (when Louis Armstrong sings John Barry's tune, everything is perfect). Five stars. (24/04/2010)

Lazenby is not charismatic but rather arrogant, the Bond girl is an unsympathetic bitch, and the bland script lets 007 sail through a story where absolutely nothing happens for the first hour. Then, documents are stolen in Switzerland, there’s a bit of skiing, and finally, the Blofeld mansion is attacked. Two and a half hours of cruel boredom. PS: The fact that Blofeld doesn't recognize Bond in their first scene together (given that the film sort of picks up from the previous film) amazes me more than the sloppy wedding. (27/12/2012)

This film has faced plenty of negative criticism over the years, which I think is totally undeserved. I get that George Lazenby is the main problem. I certainly agree that he comes across as wooden and even a bit sleazy. Except for the lead, I have no major complaints, though. I enjoyed the story, it had some funny lines, if I ignore the ridiculous reference to Connery in the beginning. The pace was great, plus, Bond vs. Kojak! (03/08/2016)