James Bond DVD collection review #6. Sean Connery has left the building. Who you wanna call? Why, George Lazenby, of course. With the only Bond actor the world has known so far riding off to new horizons, it was going to be a gamble to find another one who could fill in the shoes, or at least say the lines with equal conviction. Much has been made of top model Lazenby's efforts to get the role, and as it is, he did fit the part. Though this would be his only Bond film, fans are at least divided halfway on where On Her Majesty's Secret Service stands in the Bond pantheon. Peter Hunt, serving as film editor for 3 previous Bond films, takes the directorial reins and does a great job for a debut - the masterful ski chase down the slopes is magnificent enough. O.H.M.S.S. is said to have the distinction of being the movie closest to Ian Fleming's books, and it shows a darker side of the British secret agent. The ending also veers off from what was already traditional for a Bond film. A bold step really.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - Peter Hunt
The Plot
SPECTRE, furious at their plans being screwed so many times by Bond, never learn their lesson and try again. This time, they're staying down to earth and are just about to unleash a deadly virus on the world. This must be the movie that inspired Saddam Hussein. Meanwhile, Bond makes a deal with a crime lord to locate SPECTRE and its cockroach-like (read: can't seem kill the sumbitch - but wait, that applies to 007 as well *lol*) leader.
Grade: B+

Locales
London, Lisbon and breathtaking Swiss Alps.
Grade: B+

The Man
George Lazenby. Well aware of the consequences of playing this much-coveted role, Lazenby does well ... and then just quits after one movie.
Grade: A-

The Villain(s)
Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas) - still up to his shenanigans, this time putting up a viral/germ lab in the Swiss Alps fronting as an allergy research institute. Who is funding this guy?? I bet its the CIA. "Kojak" steals and nails the role of Blofeld in this movie, and its a wonder why they didn't keep him.

Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) - running out of pretty assassins, Blofeld only has this stiff German "bootcamp directress" running the "allergy institute." Actually pulls the trigger that causes the first-ever Bond tragedy. Never did get punished.
Grade: A

The Girl(s)
Tracy Di Vincenzo (Diana Rigg) - Wayward daughter of crime lord Draco who goes straight after falling in love with a persistent James Bond. Becomes the first major Bond girl to bite the dust (okay, Aki in You Only Live Twice doesn't really count. We don't even know her last name). Having success previously with Honor Blackman (a.k.a. Pussy Galore), they poached another The Avengers star, Ms Emma Peel herself. Trivia fact: the DVD special features of the Bond series are narrated by Patrick Macnee (a.k.a. John Steed)

Ruby Bartlett (Angela Scoular) - allergy patient and another in a long line of Bond's sidedishes. At least before he got hitched.

Speaking of sidedishes, wasn't it convenient that Tracy was killed? *lol*
Grade: A-

Gadgets
The first Bond film that does rely on Bond's wits and improv skills and not too much on gadgetry. The only thing of note here is a safecracker/photocopier combo. I don't think sales of that machine took off.
Grade: B-

Bond Moments
In wake of Blofeld's disappearance, MI-6 wants to call off the dogs. Bond resigns. (Not! Ms Moneypenny saves the day)

Posing as a kilt-wearing genealogist, Bond gets a girl's "number" by having the girl write it in lipstick up his leg.

After being rescued by Tracy (conveniently! wasn't she back home in Lisbon?) from SPECTRE thugs in the midst of ski rink, Bond hides out in a stable. Proclaiming his love and proposing, Bond actually sleeps separately from her. (disappointed groans from audience)

Bond gets married! To the daughter of a crime lord, no less. Vegas bookies lose a lot of money. Q even calls him 'James.' What is going on??

Ms Moneypenny, after years of teasing by James, finally has her heart ground to dust witnessing James finally tying the knot with someone else.

Driving off to their honeymoon (mere hours after saying their vows), the malevolent Blofeld (with a neck brace) overtakes their car - and Irma Bunt sprays it with bullets. Tracy bites the dust. Must've shocked audiences then. To the delight of the swinging bachelor crowd that Bond seems to have abandoned.

Actually, I think Ms Moneypenny set the whole thing up; in bitterness, gave up the info to Blofeld ... *nyhahahaha*
Grade: A

One Liners
(After saving Tracy from drowning (and kicking ass), Tracy just ups and leaves without even a thank you)
Bond: This never happened to the other fella.

(during ski chase, SPECTRE thug gets chopped to pieces by falling into snowblowing machine)
Bond: He had lots of guts.
Grade: B

Overall
I thought I wouldn't like it but it turns out quite better than I expected.
Grade: B+


The first James Bond Cameltoe sighting.