Review of On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) by Richard R — 04 May 2011

The sixth James Bond film, has newcomer ex-model George Lazenby stepping into the 007 role, left by Sean Connery. Peter Hunt directs (his only 007 directing venture). This is one of the most grounded 007 adventures, especially after "You Only Live Twice" got a little over the top.

Overall, it's not a bad movie, the audience just didn't want to see James Bond fall in love and get married. So Lazenby really never had a chance to win anyone over. His performance is fine, but you just can't see him as Bond. Diana Rigg (from the Avengers fame) is the headstrong Tracy Di Vicenzo, the woman who captures Bond's heart.

Bond's obsession with finding Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), gets him involved with a European crime lord, Marc Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferettzi), the father of Tracy. He wants Bond to marry her, and in return he will help 007 find Blofeld (his competition). Even though Bond refuses to marry her, he will date her, and of course they fall in love, and marry in the end. This one has a depressing ending, and Bond films don't have those.