On Her Majesty's Secret Service

(1969) George Lazenby

It was in 1969 that MGM came out with THE Bond film of all Bond films. George Lazenby took the role as 007 and he did a good job, as following Connery is no easy task. This movie proved to the Bond world that not only was there life after Connery, but that the movies to come in the future could easily compete with the original five.

Hear George Lazenby's Introduction

After escaping in the previous film, Blofeld (Telly Savalas) hides out in Switzerland where, in his private allergy clinic, he is planning a scheme to hold the world ransom with a deadly virus. Bond meets up with Tracy Draco, whose father is a crime boss. He knows the whereabouts of Blofeld and tells Bond that he will tell him if he takes his daughter out. He accepts, and falls in love with Tracy. Under a clever alias and with the help from some correspondants Bond attends up a meeting with Blofeld and gets quite involved with all that's going on high above the Swiss ski slopes. As Blofeld's real plans are uncovered, so is Bond's disguise and thus starts one of the most memorable and tragic finishes in movie history consisting of exiting car chases, bobsled and avalanche suspense, and a ski chase more memorable than those of both 1977's TSWLM and 1981's FYEO combined.

All good things have to come to an end an OHMSS has the most tragic ending in the series. The only tragic ending actually. Bond proposes to Tracy, and after the Blofeld situation clears up a little, they get married. On their way from the wedding, Bond and Tracy stop on the road and Blofeld and Bundt appear to have one last "shot" at revenge.

Blofeld gives Bond his holiday Greetings!

George Lazenby does a fine job with this film. He gets the least amount of respect on average in comparison with all the other Bond fans, but in all honesty, it didn't matter who followed Connery, he wouldn't be good enough, right? The fact of the matter is that for the most part, the story is so captivating, that we find ourselves not really caring about the performances. Diana Rigg also performs well, but she doesn't quite give us that Emma Peel feeling with which we associate her charater. She is a Bond girl! 60's Bond girls aren't supposed to be adventurous and daring, so who really cares? This also marks John Barry's finest work in the series. His opening instrumental theme was a refreshing change from the themes of the previous Connery films, with the exception of Goldfinger of course!(happy Seth?)

OHMSS - By the John Barry Orchestra

All things comsidered, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, is up to date, the best Bond film. It mixes action, suspense, humor and emotional drama perfectly to keep its audience entertained throughout. Don't miss this Movie!

***** out of *****

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