Pros and Cons: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

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  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    edited January 2017
    @blackleiter I am not sure I saw that range in his Bond days. Granted he was perfection in "Finding Forrester."

    Come on folks! Look a little deeper! I agree that Connery didn't have many opportunities to display his range in his Bond days, but that doesn't mean he wasn't capable ("A Fine Madness " and "Marnie" come to mind). Anyway, it's not my intention to minimize the many pleasures of OHMSS just as it is. And of course we'll never know how it would have turned out had Connery been the star. I just happen to believe it could have been great. So sue me! (I know a great attorney if you need one!)
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Revolver66Revolver66 Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 470MI6 Agent
    If Connery was in his 1962-65 mode, OHMSS would have been a perfect vehicle for him. Easily a better actor than Lazenby, and I agree with Blacklieter, the romance with Tracey, and his scenes with M, including his resignation from the service, would have had far more gravitas.

    Granted, I don't mind Lazenby in the role, and all things considered I think he did a pretty good job. Having said that though, Connery in full flight would have been spectacular, and seeing his Bond resign, fall in love, confront Blofeld and lose his bride would have been quite something. I feel that this would have pushed OHMSS into the region of being the greatest Bond flick without exception. As it stands it's still great, and easily one of the best in the series, but when all is said and done, Connery would have made it better still.

    P.S. he would have handled the romance aspect of it with ease.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Revolver66 wrote:
    If Connery was in his 1962-65 mode, OHMSS would have been a perfect vehicle for him. Easily a better actor than Lazenby, and I agree with Blacklieter, the romance with Tracey, and his scenes with M, including his resignation from the service, would have had far more gravitas.

    Granted, I don't mind Lazenby in the role, and all things considered I think he did a pretty good job. Having said that though, Connery in full flight would have been spectacular, and seeing his Bond resign, fall in love, confront Blofeld and lose his bride would have been quite something. I feel that this would have pushed OHMSS into the region of being the greatest Bond flick without exception. As it stands it's still great, and easily one of the best in the series, but when all is said and done, Connery would have made it better still.

    P.S. he would have handled the romance aspect of it with ease.

    Ahhh......at last, a man of my own heart! {[]
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Fair enough to dream, and I admit it would be great to see Connery do a Bond of much more depth - I'm saying so many things would have to line up for him to do such a thing.

    I see that he couldn't do it with the tone of the previous four Bond films (both in story and his portrayal) he'd also have to want to be there and not checked out. I could see it if OHMSS was his first film...

    Seems to me that Connery demonstrated his ability to show depth in earlier Bond films, particularly FRWL, and I honestly don't believe anything in OHMSS was beyond his range as an actor. (As you can all see, my time away from AJB has changed nothing - I'm still firmly in the tank for Sir Sean!)
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Revolver66Revolver66 Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 470MI6 Agent
    Ahhh......at last, a man of my own heart! {[]


    In total agreement with you :)) I don't get the doubt about Connery.

    I mean, he is Sean Connery. He is the reason James Bond is the most iconic character in cinema history. The traits of the character were first molded in him. James Bond is in the man's DNA. He is the most charismatic lead actor this side of the 60s. When James Bond confronts his arch nemesis, falls in love and then loses it all, he is the only man (at that time) who should be doing that. Are you seriously suggesting that he may not have been able to pull it off? The man is not only an oscar winning actor, he is also, quite simply. James Bond. I'll say that again. Sean Connery is James Bond. In the world of 1969, he is the only man worthy of doing that story.

    Still, he passed on it and there you have it. Maybe the producers should have given him a better chop out and he would have stayed.
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 7,222MI6 Agent
    Revolver66 wrote:
    Ahhh......at last, a man of my own heart! {[]


    In total agreement with you :)) I don't get the doubt about Connery.

    I mean, he is Sean Connery. He is the reason James Bond is the most iconic character in cinema history. The traits of the character were first molded in him. James Bond is in the man's DNA. He is the most charismatic lead actor this side of the 60s. When James Bond confronts his arch nemesis, falls in love and then loses it all, he is the only man (at that time) who should be doing that. Are you seriously suggesting that he may not have been able to pull it off? The man is not only an oscar winning actor, he is also, quite simply. James Bond. I'll say that again. Sean Connery is James Bond. In the world of 1969, he is the only man worthy of doing that story.

    Still, he passed on it and there you have it. Maybe the producers should have given him a better chop out and he would have stayed.

    Sean had lost interest by the time he had finished YOLT and it showed as it was way down on the previous 4. I love YOLT and it's one of my favourites but if Sean had done OHMSS he would have put a DAF performance in - just going through the motions.
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • VesperMelogranoVesperMelograno The SouthPosts: 901MI6 Agent
    @blackleiter I am not sure I saw that range in his Bond days. Granted he was perfection in "Finding Forrester."

    Come on folks! Look a little deeper! I agree that Connery didn't have many opportunities to display his range in his Bond days, but that doesn't mean he wasn't capable ("A Fine Madness " and "Marnie" come to mind). Anyway, it's not my intention to minimize the many pleasures of OHMSS just as it is. And of course we'll never know how it would have turned out had Connery been the star. I just happen to believe it could have been great. So sue me! (I know a great attorney if you need one!)
    I am 100% biased. I know this :)) It is one of the things that makes Bond fun. While some films are objectivly better than others people fall in love with each film and Bond for their own quarky reasons. I am sure Connery would have done a fine job. It just then would have been a different movie and I already think it is darn near perfect.
    I've always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    edited January 2017
    Revolver66 wrote:
    Ahhh......at last, a man of my own heart! {[]


    In total agreement with you :)) I don't get the doubt about Connery.

    I mean, he is Sean Connery. He is the reason James Bond is the most iconic character in cinema history. The traits of the character were first molded in him. James Bond is in the man's DNA. He is the most charismatic lead actor this side of the 60s. When James Bond confronts his arch nemesis, falls in love and then loses it all, he is the only man (at that time) who should be doing that. Are you seriously suggesting that he may not have been able to pull it off? The man is not only an oscar winning actor, he is also, quite simply. James Bond. I'll say that again. Sean Connery is James Bond. In the world of 1969, he is the only man worthy of doing that story.

    Still, he passed on it and there you have it. Maybe the producers should have given him a better chop out and he would have stayed.

    Sean had lost interest by the time he had finished YOLT and it showed as it was way down on the previous 4. I love YOLT and it's one of my favourites but if Sean had done OHMSS he would have put a DAF performance in - just going through the motions.

    It's possible that the better story of OHMSS would have inspired him to do better. YOLT's and DAF's scripts aren't so inspiring.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    @blackleiter I am not sure I saw that range in his Bond days. Granted he was perfection in "Finding Forrester."

    Come on folks! Look a little deeper! I agree that Connery didn't have many opportunities to display his range in his Bond days, but that doesn't mean he wasn't capable ("A Fine Madness " and "Marnie" come to mind). Anyway, it's not my intention to minimize the many pleasures of OHMSS just as it is. And of course we'll never know how it would have turned out had Connery been the star. I just happen to believe it could have been great. So sue me! (I know a great attorney if you need one!)
    I am 100% biased. I know this :)) It is one of the things that makes Bond fun. While some films are objectivly better than others people fall in love with each film and Bond for their own quarky reasons. I am sure Connery would have done a fine job. It just then would have been a different movie and I already think it is darn near perfect.

    I understand completely and I appreciate the lively discussion. That's one of the things I enjoy so much about being a part of this terrific forum! -{
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    There are on,y a few things in the Bond Universe, which are undisputed by all:

    Connery wore a wig
    OHMSS ist the best 007 movie and Connery would have been bad in it!

    Dalton sucked in both of his movies and it's good at he's gotten fired after LTK

    :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    https://youtu.be/Ml5xb4DrhZo
    Two outta three ain't bad :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    There are on,y a few things in the Bond Universe, which are undisputed by all:

    Connery wore a wig
    OHMSS ist the best 007 movie and Connery would have been bad in it!

    Dalton sucked in both of his movies and it's good at he's gotten fired after LTK

    :D
    I take issue with that you scurrilous bounder

    20170122_164217.jpg
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    https://youtu.be/Ml5xb4DrhZo
    Two outta three ain't bad :D

    More like ONE outta three! (And most of the time Big Tam's wig wasn't bad! :D)
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Is there a technical difference between a wig and a toupee?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,870Chief of Staff
    Yes- a wig is just artificial hair (maybe made from real hair, of course) which, say, an actor or actress might wear for a certain role, while a toupee is specifically to cover baldness.
    Wigs are often obvious while toupees are theoretically not obvious.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    And a Merkin is ...... ? Toupee or wig ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,870Chief of Staff
    Trust you.... :D :D :D
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Yes- a wig is just artificial hair which, say, an actor or actress might wear for a certain role, while a toupee is specifically to cover baldness.
    Wigs are often obvious while toupees are theoretically not obvious.

    You know a lot about artificial hair and baldness, skirt-man :v
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    And a Merkin is ...... ? Toupee or wig ?
    :)) they just cover your modesty and your head, just not the one above your neck
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,870Chief of Staff
    Higgins wrote:
    Barbel wrote:
    Yes- a wig is just artificial hair which, say, an actor or actress might wear for a certain role, while a toupee is specifically to cover baldness.
    Wigs are often obvious while toupees are theoretically not obvious.

    You know a lot about artificial hair and baldness, skirt-man :v

    Yup, strangely enough I do.
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent
    Please forgive my poor english. i am shamed by my poor writing. I post here. i seen the on her magestys sectret service only for the first time last year. I did not like this film as i had only seen the daniel Craig films but when after i watched it again i liked it because i think that it is like the Fleming books of 007 what i listen to on the talking book. I think the Blofeld was good as a badie and George Lazenby was good as James Bond and I think there is not no bad parts about to this film now and I have bouht it to keep on the dvd disc.
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Joshua wrote:
    Please forgive my poor english. i am shamed by my poor writing. I post here. i seen the on her magestys sectret service only for the first time last year. I did not like this film as i had only seen the daniel Craig films but when after i watched it again i liked it because i think that it is like the Fleming books of 007 what i listen to on the talking book. I think the Blofeld was good as a badie and George Lazenby was good as James Bond and I think there is not no bad parts about to this film now and I have bouht it to keep on the dvd disc.
    Ohmss was much disliked in the past but has gathered a good following, it is a fairly honest reproduction of the novel and is hard to fault.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • VesperMelogranoVesperMelograno The SouthPosts: 901MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    There are on,y a few things in the Bond Universe, which are undisputed by all:

    Connery wore a wig
    OHMSS ist the best 007 movie and Connery would have been bad in it!

    Dalton sucked in both of his movies and it's good at he's gotten fired after LTK

    :D
    Really? Well I do not think Dalton sucked. He was a bit of a pretty boy but that is not his fault. Blame his parents.
    I've always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Pretty Boy???

    Better weepy boy! :v
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • VesperMelogranoVesperMelograno The SouthPosts: 901MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    Pretty Boy???

    Better weepy boy! :v
    :)) -{
    I've always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey
  • Revolver66Revolver66 Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 470MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    There are on,y a few things in the Bond Universe, which are undisputed by all:

    OHMSS ist the best 007 movie and Connery would have been bad in it!

    Obviously I am a testament to that claim not being true :p -{
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Revolver66 wrote:
    Higgins wrote:
    There are on,y a few things in the Bond Universe, which are undisputed by all:

    OHMSS ist the best 007 movie and Connery would have been bad in it!

    Obviously I am a testament to that claim not being true :p -{
    You are not alone my friend! -{
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • DiabolikDiabolik TexasPosts: 117MI6 Agent
    I love OHMSS. As far as l'm concerned it's missing only one thing - Connery!

    The OHMSS we know (and love) would have been rubbish with Connery.
    Indeed

    In no way would Connery's Bond be believable as a romantic lead. He conquers women, he doesn't marry them.
    1.TSWLM 2.LTK 3.YOLT 4.OHMSS 5.TWINE 6.LALD 7.MR 8.GE 9.DN 10.FRWL
    Bond: Pierce Brosnan Villain: Hugo Drax Girl: Pam Bouvier
  • Revolver66Revolver66 Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 470MI6 Agent
    Diabolik wrote:
    I love OHMSS. As far as l'm concerned it's missing only one thing - Connery!

    The OHMSS we know (and love) would have been rubbish with Connery.
    Indeed

    In no way would Connery's Bond be believable as a romantic lead. He conquers women, he doesn't marry them.

    Kinda like Lazenby at Piz Gloria with the patients huh?
  • DiabolikDiabolik TexasPosts: 117MI6 Agent
    Revolver66 wrote:
    Kinda like Lazenby at Piz Gloria with the patients huh?
    Not really, if anything they pursue him. He just seals the deal.

    I honestly cannot imagine Connery's Bond falling in love, it sounds ludicrous. Lazenby's Bond on the other hand has enough humanity and vulnerability that I was sold on it. I would wager that if Connery stayed on the final screenplay would have looked very different.
    1.TSWLM 2.LTK 3.YOLT 4.OHMSS 5.TWINE 6.LALD 7.MR 8.GE 9.DN 10.FRWL
    Bond: Pierce Brosnan Villain: Hugo Drax Girl: Pam Bouvier
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