Review of On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) by Topher H — 09 Feb 2012

For some odd reason, I simply adored George Lazenby's performance as Bond in this film. Fact is, I firmly think Lazenby is the most unsuited Bond actor in the entire franchise. But fact number two is that I also firmly think that that was what made Lazenby's performance adorable in the first place.

For the first time I saw a an almost emasculated Bond: a Bond who has moments of failing courage (one could say even failing manliness). In other words, if Connery was the brave Bond and Moore the witty Bond, Lazenby was the fragile Bond.

That this is considered the last great Bond film is testament to how effective his onscreen fragility really is. Diana Rigg was simply gorgeous as Mrs Bond, and as for Terry Savalas, he was convincingly gripping as Blofeld.

All other elements - including the music - were good too. But one bad thing - at more than 2 hours of duration, the plot seemed to drag, until I actually wondered as to whether I was watching a 007 film in the first place.

However, this is an effective Bond film, and one of the best in the entire Bond pantheon.