On Her Majesty's Secret Service

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. (04/24/2010)

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! (08/03/2016)

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. (11/17/2021)

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. (12/27/2012)

After the departure of Sean Connery (who returned in the following James Bond film as one of the highest-paid actors of his time), the expectations were high. It is very noticeable on Lazenby himself how he tried to fulfill them, maybe he was even forced to do so. Perhaps if he played a little more according to himself and not like Connery, he would have sounded a bit more believable. Nevertheless, I still think it wasn't a wrong move. But what interested me the most in this Bond movie was Diana Rigg. She is simply amazing. I literally fell in love with her in the series "The Avengers", where she was the best woman for the character of John Steed. Perfect chemistry. Here, too, she demonstrated how she can sell her charm and captivated me again. Despite its criticism, the film cannot be denied to be entertaining and action-packed, but it is a bit lengthy due to its runtime. But the ending... (03/04/2014)