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Algren
now we know
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:31 pm Posts: 67041
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On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Quote: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) is the sixth spy film in the James Bond series, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. Following the decision of Sean Connery to retire from the role after You Only Live Twice, Eon Productions selected an unknown actor and model, George Lazenby to play the part of James Bond. During the making of the film, Lazenby decided that he would play the role of Bond only once.
In the film, Bond faces Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who is planning to sterilise the world's food supply through a group of brainwashed "angels of death" (which included early appearances by Joanna Lumley and Catherina von Schell) unless his demands for an international amnesty (from his activities in the previous films, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice), his title of the Count De Bleuchamp to be recognised and to be allowed to retire into private life are all met. Along the way, Bond meets, falls in love with, and eventually marries Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg).
This is the only Bond film to be directed by Peter R. Hunt, who had served as a film editor and second unit director on previous films in the series. Hunt, along with producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman decided to produce a more realistic film that would follow the novel closely. It was shot in Switzerland, England and Portugal from October 1968 to May 1969. Although its cinema release was not as lucrative as its predecessor You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service was still one of the top performing films of the year. Critical reviews upon release were mixed, but the film's reputation has improved over time, even though reviews of Lazenby's performance continue to vary.
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:45 pm |
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Maverikk
Award Winning Bastard
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:03 am Posts: 15310 Location: Slumming at KJ
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Would have been one of the best with Connery, but Lazenby trying to be Connery doesn't work.
B-
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:14 pm |
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jb007
Veteran
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:47 pm Posts: 3917 Location: Las Vegas
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The worst Bond movie. Embarrassingly Bad.
F
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:54 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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The best Bond movie.
(though it'd still be better if Connery was Bond)
A
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:58 pm |
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Thegun
On autopilot for the summer
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:14 pm Posts: 21641 Location: Walking around somewhere
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The worst Bond film, its the Rocky 5 of the series. Lazenby was the worst as Bond. On its own, its about a C, but for a Bond, it gets a big D
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:02 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Lazenby's not a good Bond, but the story is fantastic.
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:03 pm |
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zennier
htm
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 2:38 pm Posts: 10316 Location: berkeley
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The only weak point is Lazenby. As a result, it is second only to Goldfinger.
A/A-.
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:18 pm |
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Thegun
On autopilot for the summer
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:14 pm Posts: 21641 Location: Walking around somewhere
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The Dark Shape wrote: Lazenby's not a good Bond, but the story is fantastic.
I agree with you completely, but for my opinion, Bond is the most important part for me in a Bond film, otherwise, dont call it a Bond film.
Ill give it a C- just for you Dark Shape, because the story is great.
_________________Chippy wrote: As always, fuck Thegun. Chippy wrote: I want to live vicariously through you, Thegun!
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Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:26 pm |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21152 Location: Massachusetts
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The story is great, the love story is great, the music is great, the action scenes (When there are any) are great, Lazenby is decent although he is dubbed, but what kills the film for me is that it's somewhat boring during the middle of the film.
A
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:04 am |
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Excel
Superfreak
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:54 am Posts: 21890 Location: Places
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lazenby gets an for his delivery of this never happened to the other fella.
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:12 am |
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Johnny Dollar
The Lubitsch Touch
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:48 pm Posts: 11019
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The pacing's off, Lazenby's a waste, but this is still near the top of the Bonds.
_________________ k
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:26 pm |
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andaroo1
Lord of filth
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:47 pm Posts: 9566
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Lazenby is competent, but a bit uneven in places, but it's more than made up for by the lovely Diana Rigg, who is my favorite Bond girl and is "tough and sexual" decades before people like Michelle Yeoh and Halle Berry. Contains some of the best writing, cinematography, editing (very 60s!) of almost any of the Bond films. It is also the most tender and emotional of all of the films. Lazenby and his handlers were able to strip away a lot of the Bond arrogance and... maybe this is not Bond, Bond... but it's a great spy/action movie nonetheless. If this had been the follow up to Thunderball (as I think was planned?) then it would be a classic for the ages.
This is my favorite Bond film, although I'm a huge fan of Thunderball, From Russia With Love, Living Daylights and a few others. I would have much rather have seen Lazenby get a second shot rather than Connery's phoned in performance on the almost dreadful follow-up, Diamonds Are Forever. But at least we eventually got Roger Moore out of the deal.
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:38 pm |
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TonyMontana
Undisputed WoKJ DVD King
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:55 am Posts: 16278 Location: Counting the 360 ways I love my Xbox
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I'll just echo what andaroo said... by far my favorite Bond film, largely because of the ultra-sexy Diana Rigg.
I don't even think Lazenby was that bad... I would have been interested to see him carry on the roll a few more times, but I guess the whole thing went to his head too much.
As for the movie, I love the whole groovy 1960's vibe the movie has going on. It does have a few pacing problems, and there are a couple of boring moments, but overall it's fun to watch and my pick as the best Bond film!
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Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:04 pm |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21152 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
This movie is fantastic. Completely underrated in the Bond canon. I'd put it even ahead of Goldfinger by just a tad. The movie works because there is some actual drama to it, something rarely seen in a Bond film up to that point. And that's why I'm not sure if Connery actually would've worked in this. His Bond I think actually lacked the compassion that was necessary for this film. Then again we never got a chance to see if he had the chops so we'll never know. What I do know is that Lazenby is actually pretty damn good here. It would've been interesting to see what he would've done with the part if he had gone on. Instead we got Diamonds are Forever. Another thing that's underrated about this film is the overall style. I absolutely love it. It's completely different to what had previously come before. The fast cut editing is a little too 60's, but this is the first film in the series where the cinematography looks absolutely beautiful. Sure Piz Gloria has a lot to do with it, but even the scenes in M's office look fantastic. John Barry is also at the top of his game here. This was his best score up to this point and from what I can remember from the rest of the films he did after, I can easily say this is his best work in the series. And Diana Rigg. I think she's my new favorite Bond girl. On Her Majesty's Secret Service might not be the first Bond film to come to mind when you think of Bond from the 1960's, but it should be. And George Lazenby might not be the best James Bond or even a memorable one because he was one and done, but he's in one of, if not the best Bond film in the series. ***** (A+)1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - ***** (A+) 2. Goldfinger (1964) - ***** (A+) 3. From Russia with Love (1962) - ****½ (A) 4. You Only Live Twice (1967) - *** (B) 5. Thunderball (1965) - *** (B) 6. Dr. No (1962) - *** (B)
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Last edited by Jmart on Mon Nov 05, 2012 5:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Wed Oct 31, 2012 6:19 am |
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Algren
now we know
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:31 pm Posts: 67041
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Lazenby lets this movie down.
C
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Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:58 am |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Magnus wrote: It is hard to say whether Connery would have worked with the more "serious" style From Russia With Love.
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Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:22 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Not terribly so. OHMSS is still a film where Bond is worn out by trying to sleep with every single woman at Blofeld's lodge, and it's played completely as a gag.
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Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:06 pm |
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Excel
Superfreak
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:54 am Posts: 21890 Location: Places
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
FRWL is a noir thriller; Bond is emo in this one
_________________Ari Emmanuel wrote: I'd rather marry lindsay Lohan than represent Mel Gibson.
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Wed Nov 14, 2012 3:04 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Sure, just like Casino Royale.
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Wed Nov 14, 2012 3:41 pm |
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Excel
Superfreak
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:54 am Posts: 21890 Location: Places
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
and i cant see connery in either of them
_________________Ari Emmanuel wrote: I'd rather marry lindsay Lohan than represent Mel Gibson.
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Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:39 pm |
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trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Excel wrote: FRWL is a noir thriller; Bond is emo in this one You have no idea what noir means.
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Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:16 am |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21152 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
I don't think he knows what emo means either. Bond isn't some dipshit in this who wears all black and has bangs that are parted to the side. He's an actual human being and not the superhero of the previous three films.
_________________My DVD Collection Marty McGee (1989-2005)
If I’m not here, I’m on Letterboxd.
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Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:18 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Jmart wrote: I don't think he knows what emo means either. Bond isn't some dipshit in this who wears all black and has bangs that are parted to the side. Neither of you know what emo means. Both of you are dip-shits.
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Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:14 am |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21152 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
David wrote: Jmart wrote: I don't think he knows what emo means either. Bond isn't some dipshit in this who wears all black and has bangs that are parted to the side. Neither of you know what emo means. Both of you are dip-shits. I didn't say that's what I thought it was. I was implying that's what Excel thought it was because that's what most people think of when they think of emo. I do know what emo is. It's this... Staring off into the great unknown, pondering, waiting to discover the mysteries of the universe...
_________________My DVD Collection Marty McGee (1989-2005)
If I’m not here, I’m on Letterboxd.
Last edited by Jmart on Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:20 am |
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trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
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Re: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
David feels REAL EMOTIONS, goddammit!
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
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Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:20 am |
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