5 reasons why OHMSS is my favorite Bond film
Breaker deGodot
Posts: 8MI6 Agent
I'm new around here, and truth be told, this topic was the sole reason for me joining. Here goes!
On Her Majesty's Secret Service may not be a perfect film (much has been said about Lazenby's slightly wooden performance), but it is doubtlessly my favorite for a wide variety of reasons:
1. The editing. Much has been made of Peter Hunt's editing for the first five Bond films, and this was the first (and only) time Hunt sat in the directors chair. Boy does it pay off! The movie is shot beautifully, with some of the greatest action the series has ever seen. It's SO good that it still holds up today as a great action movie whereas earlier films in the series do not.
2. Faithfulness to the book. Depending on who you ask, the best book in the Bond series was either From Russia With Love, or this one. As a result, the filmmakers wisely chose to stay as faithful to the book as possible, and we ended up getting the closest adaptation of any of the films. This is good because the Bond books are noticeably more serious than the films, and as a result we got a straight spy thriller, very different from the previous film, You Only Live Twice. This is most clearly seen in the shocking twist ending, which I won't spoil (but you probably know what I'm talking about). It's a pity the ending has fallen into casual spoilers, though.
3. The music. John Barry himself may not agree on this point, but as far as I'm concerned, OHMSS has the best music in the series by far. The (instrumental) opening theme is bizarre and makes groundbreaking use of the synthesizer, and the film contains one of my favorite songs of all time, "We Have All the Time in the World". The song punctuated some of the films most stirring scenes, including the ending, and the falling-in-love montage between Bond and Tracy.
4. The supporting cast. With only the possible exception of From Russia With Love, this movie has the best supporting cast in the entire series. Telly Savalas does an interestingly suave interpretation of Blofeld, and Gabrielle Ferzetti has a lot of fun in the part of Count Draco. That said, the most praise certainly falls onto Diana Rigg, who is stunning in her role as Tracy. Speaking of whom...
5. Finally, and most importantly, the romance. I won't mention much more about her for the sake of spoilers, but I will say that Tracy is the best Bond girl the series has, and ever will see (sorry Vesper). Also, despite Lazenby's performance leaving something to be desired, he was still good in two areas; action and romance. His scenes with Tracy are beautiful, and I honestly can't see any other Bond actually falling in love with their female counterpart (well, maybe Dalton and Craig). That said, the best thing about the romance is that it's realistic. Unlike most, if not all of the other films, the Bond girl doesn't immediately fall in love with Bond upon meeting him. It actually takes time for the two of them to come to realize their feelings for one another, and once they do it's unbelievably satisfying.
Do you agree?
On Her Majesty's Secret Service may not be a perfect film (much has been said about Lazenby's slightly wooden performance), but it is doubtlessly my favorite for a wide variety of reasons:
1. The editing. Much has been made of Peter Hunt's editing for the first five Bond films, and this was the first (and only) time Hunt sat in the directors chair. Boy does it pay off! The movie is shot beautifully, with some of the greatest action the series has ever seen. It's SO good that it still holds up today as a great action movie whereas earlier films in the series do not.
2. Faithfulness to the book. Depending on who you ask, the best book in the Bond series was either From Russia With Love, or this one. As a result, the filmmakers wisely chose to stay as faithful to the book as possible, and we ended up getting the closest adaptation of any of the films. This is good because the Bond books are noticeably more serious than the films, and as a result we got a straight spy thriller, very different from the previous film, You Only Live Twice. This is most clearly seen in the shocking twist ending, which I won't spoil (but you probably know what I'm talking about). It's a pity the ending has fallen into casual spoilers, though.
3. The music. John Barry himself may not agree on this point, but as far as I'm concerned, OHMSS has the best music in the series by far. The (instrumental) opening theme is bizarre and makes groundbreaking use of the synthesizer, and the film contains one of my favorite songs of all time, "We Have All the Time in the World". The song punctuated some of the films most stirring scenes, including the ending, and the falling-in-love montage between Bond and Tracy.
4. The supporting cast. With only the possible exception of From Russia With Love, this movie has the best supporting cast in the entire series. Telly Savalas does an interestingly suave interpretation of Blofeld, and Gabrielle Ferzetti has a lot of fun in the part of Count Draco. That said, the most praise certainly falls onto Diana Rigg, who is stunning in her role as Tracy. Speaking of whom...
5. Finally, and most importantly, the romance. I won't mention much more about her for the sake of spoilers, but I will say that Tracy is the best Bond girl the series has, and ever will see (sorry Vesper). Also, despite Lazenby's performance leaving something to be desired, he was still good in two areas; action and romance. His scenes with Tracy are beautiful, and I honestly can't see any other Bond actually falling in love with their female counterpart (well, maybe Dalton and Craig). That said, the best thing about the romance is that it's realistic. Unlike most, if not all of the other films, the Bond girl doesn't immediately fall in love with Bond upon meeting him. It actually takes time for the two of them to come to realize their feelings for one another, and once they do it's unbelievably satisfying.
Do you agree?
Don't rush. We have all the time in the world.
Comments
1, It's follows the book very closley,just a couple of changes
2, The supporting cast Is Great,I love Telly Savalas as Blofeld.
3, The cinematography is fantastic.
4, The locations themselves,You really get the sence that Bond is on his Own.
5, The Music, IMHO the Best Score J Barry did for a Bond.
and just the general feel to the Production, The last of the 60's Bonds. Before the more Lighthearted Touch came in with the Very Camp DAF.
I would of Loved Lazenby to of Done at least One more film,DAF with some patrs of the End Of YOLT used. But then again mabey the audiances of the 70'S would of hated that and the Bond series would of stopped.The great thing about the Series is that it can change styles.