So those posters for You Only Live Twice saying “Sean Connery IS James Bond!” really came back to bite EON, didn’t they? Not only did he already have one foot out the door during that movie, this time he’s exited the door completely. In his place we have George Lazenby, an Australian model who had never seriously acted before. It was a giant gamble, especially considering the book they chose to adapt for this film. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is more than just another spy adventure for Bond, it’s the tragic story of how he loves and loses Tracy di Vicenzo. Frankly, I’m not even sure Sean Connery could have done this story justice. But between Peter Hunt’s direction and a tour-de-force performance by Diana Rigg, the film manages to skate through to the finish line.
To get this out of the way, Lazenby’s inexperience shows. That’s simply a statement of fact. That’s not to say he’s a bad actor or that he makes a bad Bond. Neither is true. It’s just undeniable that he needed more time to grow into the role. Had he gotten it I’ve no doubt he would have been a solid Bond. But I can only judge what’s on the screen, not what might have been. And what’s on the screen is an actor who is still trying to figure the role out through much of the film.
There is a major exception to this though, and thankfully it’s the part of the movie that absolutely must work: the love story between Bond and Tracy. Diana Rigg is an incomparable actress, and you can really see how her presence is helping to bring out Lazenby’s best too. The two have great chemistry, and you believe more than any other Bond film that these two are in love. And the final scene where Bond is cradling the dead body of his wife is an absolute Tear Jerker. Lazenby may have been banned from crying during the scene, but he never fails to make me do so.
The rest of the cast is all solid. Telly Savalas is a meaner, more physically intimidating Blofeld. He’s not as iconic as Donald Pleasance, but he’s a very capable presence. But as villains go, it’s Ilse Steppat as Irma Bunt who really steals the show. She’s a perfect blend of harsh school headmistress and diabolical villainess. It’s a shame Steppat died so soon, the world lost something special.
The action is less sweeping this time and more kinetic, which is an interesting change. Whereas Gilbert opted to show off size and scale last time, Director Peter Hunt instead goes for a closer, more visceral experience. It makes Bond feel both more vulnerable and more cool when he wins. It’s a solid change from the previous five films.
Overall, OHMSS is one of the franchise’s best movies. It’s exciting, tender, and tragic. This is the most human Bond will feel for a long time, and that makes up for Lazenby’s inexperience and then some. It’s a real shame he left after this, he had a lot of potential as an actor. But if he had to be a one-and-done, at least he can claim one of the best as his own.
The Tragedy of a Human Bond
So those posters for You Only Live Twice saying “Sean Connery IS James Bond!” really came back to bite EON, didn’t they? Not only did he already have one foot out the door during that movie, this time he’s exited the door completely. In his place we have George Lazenby, an Australian model who had never seriously acted before. It was a giant gamble, especially considering the book they chose to adapt for this film. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is more than just another spy adventure for Bond, it’s the tragic story of how he loves and loses Tracy di Vicenzo. Frankly, I’m not even sure Sean Connery could have done this story justice. But between Peter Hunt’s direction and a tour-de-force performance by Diana Rigg, the film manages to skate through to the finish line.
To get this out of the way, Lazenby’s inexperience shows. That’s simply a statement of fact. That’s not to say he’s a bad actor or that he makes a bad Bond. Neither is true. It’s just undeniable that he needed more time to grow into the role. Had he gotten it I’ve no doubt he would have been a solid Bond. But I can only judge what’s on the screen, not what might have been. And what’s on the screen is an actor who is still trying to figure the role out through much of the film.
There is a major exception to this though, and thankfully it’s the part of the movie that absolutely must work: the love story between Bond and Tracy. Diana Rigg is an incomparable actress, and you can really see how her presence is helping to bring out Lazenby’s best too. The two have great chemistry, and you believe more than any other Bond film that these two are in love. And the final scene where Bond is cradling the dead body of his wife is an absolute Tear Jerker. Lazenby may have been banned from crying during the scene, but he never fails to make me do so.
The rest of the cast is all solid. Telly Savalas is a meaner, more physically intimidating Blofeld. He’s not as iconic as Donald Pleasance, but he’s a very capable presence. But as villains go, it’s Ilse Steppat as Irma Bunt who really steals the show. She’s a perfect blend of harsh school headmistress and diabolical villainess. It’s a shame Steppat died so soon, the world lost something special.
The action is less sweeping this time and more kinetic, which is an interesting change. Whereas Gilbert opted to show off size and scale last time, Director Peter Hunt instead goes for a closer, more visceral experience. It makes Bond feel both more vulnerable and more cool when he wins. It’s a solid change from the previous five films.
Overall, OHMSS is one of the franchise’s best movies. It’s exciting, tender, and tragic. This is the most human Bond will feel for a long time, and that makes up for Lazenby’s inexperience and then some. It’s a real shame he left after this, he had a lot of potential as an actor. But if he had to be a one-and-done, at least he can claim one of the best as his own.