MovieChat Forums > On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) Discussion > My thoughts on this particular Bond

My thoughts on this particular Bond

posted 10 years ago by andyk888
3 replies | jump to latest

First up - bond fanatic here. I am 26 years old and I was watching these films in their correct ordering by the age of 10. Bad parenting? No way. I feel the early Bond films were clean and crisp spy films with incredible boy-hood fantasy elements. I also derive from a strongly British household in Sydney, Australia

I remember when I first watched this film. My emotional connection with the Bond films always seemed to originate from the stellar musical compositions. As such, "for your eyes only", 'Licence to Kill', 'the spy who loved me' and 'Thunderball' hold a sentimental place in my heart. The music defines the stories and also elevates them to nostalgic status in my heart!

Now my thoughts on this particular film

I really love this film but certain things jump out. Without a doubt this is maybe the most important Bond film in the series; 1. Bond gets married, 2. Wife gets murdered - sets up for more Bond redemption that keeps him in the 00 business, 3. The race for Blofeld steps up, he finally wounds the man and from this point on its only a matter of when not if Spectre will collapse.

Sean Connery was Ian Flemmings ideal cast for the 007 gig, I always wondered what if Sean was Bond in this particular film?

I felt Lazenby was actually quite good, and if he had continued into further films, he might have been remembered more glamourously as the perfect Bond. He had the jaw line, traits, charm, action etc. But because he only played the one film, I always wish maybe Sean Connery did this role and NOT Diamonds are Forever. OHMSS would have been the perfect finale for Sean Connery.

But for me I felt the whilst the Bond girl was a fantastic actress, she wasn't 'pretty' enough. She was bullish and stubborn, which I understand was essential, but I wasn't drawn to her like say, Octopussy, or the greek lady in For your eyes only.

I always wondered what this film could have been if Sean Connery and Carole Bouquet (For your eyes only) were the two main actors.

My thoughts!

[–] ffnogoodnik 10 years ago

Have you ever listened to any Jame Bond podcasts? I listen to two of the jamesbonding and bondcast. Both are ongoing and review the films and come from different perspectives. I will let you look them up at your leisure as I am sure you can find better descriptions of them than I can give. I will say that jamesbonding takes a more fun approach to it and bondcast a more serious tone. bondcast uses two episodes per film plus, and you might like this, a third episode to discuss the particular music of the movie just reviewed.

While I do think this film is underrated but so do a lot of people now so maybe it has become correctly rated (if that is a thing) I do have a few differences I would like to elaborate on.

I seem to recall hearing/reading that Flemming was not in favor of Connery as Bond until well into the filming of Dr. No.

I also disagree that "OHMSS would have been the perfect finale for Sean Connery. " as that would have meant the next Bond's would have been to be Bond right after Tracey was killed. If Connery was 007 on OHMSS then he would have had to take the next role as well.

One more thing, and I apologize for such a negative response, while For Your Eyes only was one of my favorite Bond films (the first I saw in a theater) I did not find Caroline Bouquet that attractive. I could see why others would but her profile always threw me off. Just personal preference there.

Anyway, if you do look up the podcasts I hope you like them.

Clayton

[–] andyk888 9 years ago

Awesome! Thanks for your response and I will also be sure to check out those podcasts as you recommended.

[–] fnj2002 9 years ago

Any boy from those days who did not fantasize about Emma Peel was not human. She was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, sophisticated to the nth degree, and had will and personality. Perfect for the part.