The Battle for You Only Live Twice | A Fan Debate

[@contactpinacolada]

the music in this film is beyond great

[@HowardWeber]

I was 16 when I saw YOLT in 1967. You can`t imagine what it was like sitting in a dark theater and seeing the volcano set on the big screen for the first time. I still love this movie . As " tired looking " as Connery is , he`s still better than any Bond that came after.

[@QHarefield]

So was I {16} and, yes - he is far and away the best Bond. Some came close but he did it first {and 🎶Nobody does it better ... 🎵}.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

Nancy Sinatra - You Only Live Twice opening credits is the most visually beautiful opening of all Bond movie's ever in my opinion

[@th7297]

Best Bond song ever.

[@ruudmc]

Never had a problem with Connery's performance in this. I put down the apparent apathy to him starting to get 'too old for this sh*t'. Arguably Connery and Bond shared the same sentiments.

[@j.m.turner1756]

"What do you think of Tanaka?" "I love him." I'm glad we got that out of the way.

[@stuffedsheepshead]

I... Love you?

[@postersandstuff]

@@stuffedsheepshead I've got Tambas autograph , its super scarce

[@deadaccount6616]

@@stuffedsheepshead I’m glad we got that out of the way.

[@jakublulek3261]

Tanaka really needed to be played by Toshiro Mifune. That would wake Sean Connery up.

[@je830]

Couldn't have somebody better looking and more charismatic than Connery at the time.

[@kdotmann]

Lewis Gilbert’s shot construction is masterful in all three of his films.

[@calvindyson]

Completely agree, Kevin. His films are some of the most gorgeous looking by far.

[@spyglass-music5098]

Shot by Freddie Young. His Quality is still untouchable! All his 65mm Films are timeless, like Lawrence and Zhivago.

[@postersandstuff]

@@spyglass-music5098 I had 3 piranhas as pets , they're quite shy and never once attacked me.....I also met Karin Dor , she SGD my YOLT danish movie ticket

[@andrewwebster2598]

Thunderball is much better and not as daft. Connery hardly tries a leg and the writing is not very satisfactory

[@kdotmann]

@@andrewwebster2598 I agree Thunderball is a better movie and performance from Connery, but YOLT is one of the best looking of the franchise IMO.

[@edoris9021]

This is a great movie. It really captured what being "in a foreign culture " would have been like in the 1960s in all its glamourousness, and really seems like a perfect time capsule of a bygone era

[@wjkesq9918]

It absolutely is a time capsule of a bygone era. It really captures post-war 1960s Japanese culture and traditions quite well. The place where Henderson lives is quite authentic as is the Shinto wedding scene which has one of my favorite pieces of music.

[@PungiFungi]

@@wjkesq9918 and no other soundtrack have captured the essence of 1960s Japan,

[@isuriadireja91]

yeah? u got no problem with them having Bond being turned INTO a Japanese guy...i mean, come on.... that's more in the territory of RDJ playing a dude who's playing another dude stuff...lol this is one of the most ridiculous Bond movies ever.

[@speedracer1945]

At the time in the 60s we haven't seen much of Japan then ( except for Godzilla films ) .

[@str.77]

@@isuriadireja91 Of course the execution is a bit silly but why shouldn't Bond be turned into a Japanese guy? And who's RDJ?

[@PhantomSnake84]

You Only Live Twice is my favourite Connery film. Not because I think it's objectively his best, that would be From Russia With Love but the Japanese setting, the music, the atmosphere, the cinematography, everything about YOLT is just gorgeous. Plus it was the first Bond film I ever saw so it gets nostalgia points too.

[@varanid9]

I've noticed a lot of peoples' favorite Bond film is their first one.

[@speedracer1945]

Watch the part towards the end as Blofeld is holding his cat in one arm and a pistol in the other as the cat starts going batshit in his arm and cant hold it .

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Yes, this is a fact. The very first Bond movie, and actor, is always your favorite! The popping of your Bond Cherry!

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

@@speedracer1945 Poor cat had a nervous breakdown! The owners sued the producers, since the cat would not go onto another soundstage to do commercials and such!

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

David putting on a hat to change his identity, LOL!! Still, not much different than Clark Kent wearing glasses, and NO ONE recognizes him!!

[@varanid9]

The film itself is disjointed and ridiculous, but, it's so fucking COOL! I don't think Connery's performance was as bad as many critics claimed using 20/20 hindsight, but, really, Ken Adam's sets absolutely made this one. Loved Pleasance's dangerously vicious take on Blofeld as well.

[@jakublulek3261]

This movie (And The Man With The Golden Gun) hold special place in my heart because they really captured my imagination when comes to places where they are set. 1960s Japan isn't something you can see that often, outside of Japanese cinema, as is 1970s Macao and Hong-Kong. I visited all those places over the years, partly because of these movies.

[@Antihero297]

Got to give Donald Pleasance credit for being able to hold on to a startled cat. That's harder than it looks.

[@ThreadBomb]

I'll bet his arm was bleeding after that scene!

[@portaldevice5110]

I really like You Only Live Twice. The makeup for Connery's "Japanese" disguise doesn't work , but overall I enjoyed it.

[@Apanblod]

Wait.. that was Connery doing those scenes?

[@portaldevice5110]

@@Apanblod Yup.

[@Apanblod]

@@portaldevice5110 I'm pretty sure that was a Japanese actor with a Sean Connery makeup 😉

[@portaldevice5110]

@@Apanblod My mistake, probably was.

[@randallrutherford1384]

@@Apanblod no I'm positive it was Connery made to look Chinese

[@Beingjamesbond]

SUCH a great opening!! Looking forward to this!

[@calvindyson]

Thanks, Joe! Hope you enjoy it :D

[@speedracer1945]

The girl who presses the button on the bed decades later was in Casino Royale as the wife on the boat

[@themomentposters]

Love You Only Live Twice.... really struggle with Diamonds Are Forever!

[@calvindyson]

I must say, DAF does flip flop for me a lot. I find I have to be in JUST the right mood for it to really work for me!

[@themomentposters]

@@calvindyson I love camp Bond (Rogers later films etc) ... but I feel like it just doesn’t suit Connery at all... and just hate that it comes after the exceptional OHMSS!

[@pietrorossi9681]

I often wonder if Diamonds would be better appreciated if Roger Moore was Bond in this movie

[@hisgracedwaynedibley7443]

I like that DAF is set in the 60-70s United States but the laser satellite plot seems tacked on and neither the movie or book does American gangsters well.

[@Solitude47152]

It was Sean Connery in DAF. It had moments…..

[@neilmarktaylor4386]

This was one of the first films I got on widescreen on video they were rare back in those days they were all pan & scanned then

[@calvindyson]

This is definitely a film that deserves to be seen in widescreen! It's such a beautiful film!

[@mckinley5836]

Wow! Thats pretty cool

[@nethaendafendr]

@@calvindyson As does Thunderball. I saw it last night, and I always enjoyed the setting in Nassau with the widescreen aspect ratio. ("Very wide!" 2011 Calvin Dyson) Also, whenever you decide to watch it again, you'd have to look closely at it, as it will explain some of the "unsolved" details.

[@neilmarktaylor4386]

@@calvindyson if I remember mgm home video also released at the time thunderball and diamonds are forever one thing I do remember that there was 20 mins of trailers at the start of the video

[@postersandstuff]

@@neilmarktaylor4386 First Bond I ever saw back in late 80s (although they played the hell out of AVTAK theme all the time in '85)

[@Bornofthenight666]

When I was young it was actually my favorite bond film. It’s not anymore, but even now when I think of Connery’s bond era I usually think of You only Live Twice.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

Rather unsurprising, given that this film was used as the primary inspiration (?) for Austin Powers (1997) and the first to reveal Ernst Stavro Blofeld 🤔😉🎬

[@Romans8-9]

I am the opposite. I thought it was just OK when I was young. Now I think its Connery´s best!

[@TCFan30]

9:23 - I originally thought when he was acting disinterested towards Mie Hama, it was because he was still depressed about Aki's death.

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

I was always a bit disappointed that he switched girls. I felt Aki should have been with him through the end!!

[@PungiFungi]

People often said he didn’t act too upset when Aki died. I beg to differ. Bond was upset and he wanted right then and there to get revenge and payback and Tiger had to talk him down. Aki’s death was purely plot driven because of the Bond formula Roald Dahl was given.

[@wills.364]

I thought YOLT was a solid film. Great directing from Lewis Gilbert, good title theme and incredible set design for the volcano scenes! We get to see what Japan is like after recovering from the war.

[@nicklewis615]

I love these debates. It’s as if I am eavesdropping on two good friends in a pub.

[@TheBondExperience]

Daggoo Daggoo Daggoo....these are so much fun WITH Calvin that the one hour flies by. Thanks again, Calvin, for putting up with my craziness!

[@AdaptableTeacher2020]

Thank you so much for this discussion. You have such great chemistry guys! Can't wait for the next one (I'm anti YOLT btw)

[@jakehoward2493]

So much fun going all these debates between you two on these dark winter evenings!

[@Mein-Darth]

Tanaka is awesome I still remember the line "for a european you are exceptionaly cultivated". He deliver it so perfectley.

[@speedracer1945]

I use Connery's Bond lines all the time . Some go over people's heads . I'll say , that will be perfectly satisfactory and they will say WHAT ?

[@Dohsoda]

I absolutely love You Only Live Twice. The story, the science-fiction elements, the sets, the music, the villains', the settings in Japan, and the gorgeous cinematography. Now Connery's performance isn't the greatest, and some of the side characters like Hans or Helga feel like warmed over Connery era characters/villains', but they don't ruin the positives. This movie captured my imagination as a child and it holds a special place in my heart as a fan of the series and imaginative cinema. I'd give it a very confident 8/10. It's not perfect, but its certainly ambitious in its scope.

[@dahan419]

...and there wouldn't have been Austin Powers

[@lmw27if]

David loves his Bond movies to be fun and Tomorrow Never Dies is in his top 5 with a fizzled Rambo ending, no chemistry with his female co-lead but this one doesn’t rank high with him.

[@simonbrunner3062]

Once again, I'm Team Calvin. YOLT is my second favourite Connery Bond film behind Goldfinger. The cinematography, the score, the volcano set, the action setpieces (which are a huge step forward compared to the first four movies) and arguably the most iconic of all the Bond villains outweigh Connery's performance for me.

[@donsample1002]

I loved Little Nelly. I kept hoping that they'd bring her back. Just about every Bond film that followed had a scene where I thought "He could really use Little Nelly about now."

[@speedracer1945]

Yeah they never brought Nellie back but check out the novels by Raymond Benson . He wrote about 4 I recall as they the closest to the Fleming novels .

[@nickporter9264]

I enjoy these discussions between Calvin and David. You Only Live Twice is my second favorite Connery film, which is speaks to the strengths this film has given Connery's lackluster performance. PS. Love the Nightfire music in the opening.

[@RolandHulme]

I also love what you both say at 20:00 about the astonishing locations and filming. I think the strength of YOLT as a novel was how Fleming described his experiences in Japan, and that's mirrored here. The best Bond films make you fall in love with the locations (like how I adored the fake Cuba scenes in Die Another Day so much I wrote a homage to them) and I think YOLT does that incredibly well.

[@vordman]

I just love YOLT. I was lucky enough to see it the first time on the big screen. Not on its original run but in a double bill with Goldfinger. I knew absolutely nothing about it, and I was blown away especially with the volcano set and the rocket. I thought it was better than Goldfinger. I don't think that now but I was only 10 at the time. Oh, great debate guys btw. Really enjoyed it and that hour just flew by.

[@speedracer1945]

We had one theater in my area that played the Bond films . Back in those days it was a large theater and on the back wall where the projectors window was a mural of all the Disney characters. I saw my first 007 , Thunderball, YOLT +OHMSS there .

[@johnpriestley2217]

My film debut at a cinema was yolt and goldfinger as a double bill . 3.50 plus ice cream lol

[@Romans8-9]

My opinion is the opposite. I loved Goldfinger as a child, now I love YOLT much more and Goldfinger has dropped quite a bit for me.

[@handcoding]

These debates are some of my favorites among your videos-I couldn’t click play fast enough!

[@chrisretro81]

Excellent chat guys! Really like that guy Calvin. Great Bond fan with intelligence galore. Connery always looked more like a Star Trek Vulcan than Japanese to me! Haha "Tiger Tanaka: come come bond San, this is only for children!" #littlenelly

[@samuelstephens6163]

Nailed it

[@FunkSwaggMusiK]

Fun Fact: The Rocks Grandfather "Peter Maivia" was the Henchmen who fought bond before he cracks the safe and gets caught by the guards

[@PaulBurgin]

"There was only one time I ended up in intensive care!" It was the Dalton fans with their key rings wasn't it ;-)

[@jamesatkinsonja]

Hope you two keep doing these videos-lots of fun to listen to and you guys have really good chemistry

[@davegaddy]

Thanks!

[@calvindyson]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@YoungAlex2795]

David and Calvin play off each other so well, if David doesn't get cast as Bond and Calvin doesn't get cast as Q for the next James Bond film then Eon don't have a clue what they are doing!

[@jonathanwebb3035]

Great debate! I really enjoy this film in spite of it's faults...(Bond as a Japanese fisherman is beyond silly) I always took his performance as Bond being unflappable, rather than Connery being bored. So I think you might have just spoilt it for me a little bit! 😉

[@b.chaline4394]

You Only Live Twice has always been of my absolute favourite Bond films. Looking forward to this one ! Team Calvin all the way ! :))

[@stevesstuff1450]

This was great! :-) You Only Live Twice has always been one of my favourite Bond films; ever since seeing it on it's first run as a young child living at the time in Hong Kong, but when we came home to England in late August 1968, I still remember all the big banners in Woolworths advertising the film: Little Nellie over the Airfix models shelves to promote the new kit, etc.......So a lot of nostalgia there for me! But, I can appreciate what you-two were saying about Connery being on auto-pilot throughout! ;-) For me though, the allure of this film is just the spectacle; the gadgets, the scenery, and the most wonderful classic Bond soundtrack; from the sweeping vistas over Japan, to the stealthy, creepy space capsule moments, and of the course, the big action finale... totally 'James Bond' music!

[@Slider6294]

I'll refrain from movie commentary, but want to thank both of you guys for these wonderful discussions. Always enjoyable to hear your thoughts and it's great fun.

[@Saundersj1701]

“Hey, there’s a spaceship, coming this way” That made me laugh so much the way David said it 😂😂

[@sgyoung86]

Love listening to you guys. It's great re-examining these movies. I've only seen the early ones once through, so it's fun watching you two talk through it. Y'all are cool!

[@psychowulfboy]

One of my all time favorite bond films honestly. That film just has beautiful shots of Japan. And for me, the introduction of the best blofeld Donald Pleasance.

[@kdohertygizbur]

That is an iconic moment in the Bond Films and Yes on Pleasence being the Best

[@residentsteve]

Definitely going to watch this right now loved the moonraker one you both did.

[@calvindyson]

Thanks, Steve! Hope you enjoy it just as much 😁😁 theyre always fun to make!

[@andrewwebster2598]

Yeah the Moonraker and A View to a Kill debates were really interesting and entertaining

[@carncats07]

This was the first Bond movie I saw as a 14 year old in 1991, and I loved it, so it holds a special place to me even though over time I recognise some it's flaws. That SPECTRE lair set though was awesome.

[@davidjames579]

I completely agree. I first saw it aged 9 in 1990.

[@DIEGhostfish]

I once told I believe my mom I really liked the end of Austin Powers and she said there were a lot of movies that ended that way and people loved them. I don't think I saw YOLT until years later, but it absolutely lived up to the anticipation I had for a battle like that but played much straighter.

[@oswintaylor2905]

Great debate! I like this film more than Thunderball even though it's obvious that Connery is bored throughout it. This is an 8 for me and Thunderball is a 7.5. Reason is that after Goldfinger, Thunderball tried too hard to top it. Theme tune to Thunderball is not as good as this one and the underwater scene in Thunderball goes on far too long and is confusing. This movie has a great theme tune, I like the pre-title sequence, locations are beautiful, piranhas are great, Little Nelly battle scene is great, Ninjas are great, Volcano lair is great, Donald Pleasence is great and the movie goes along at such a fast pace that it's really enjoyable for me. Once again great to hear your views on these early classics!

[@timothythomas1626]

Love these Guys. Thanks.

[@Moochtv]

My fave line in the original (and over long) trailer is "The odds against 007 is a million to one... They don't stand a chance! (Even funnier if 2nd line is read out in a totally different accent!)

[@richardfuchs3690]

I remember buying this on laserdisc in the early 1990s and it was great to see if in widescreen. It's a great looking film -- maybe the best-looking Bond film -- but...not my favourite. Connery's disinterest in the film is apparent in every frame he's in.

[@donaldwolpert6356]

Though I love "You Only Live Twice", I believe they should not have made the "Big Reveal" of Blofeld. At least not until "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", where Bond and Blofeld meet for the first time. It would have been better if they kept Blofeld as a hand stroking a cat in "YOLT".

[@andrewlevitt9386]

Tetsura Tamba - Tiger gave a sterling performance as 'the baddie' in Lewis Gilbert's The Seventh Dawn with William Holden. This is the film where they taught him English.

[@Jacobmovietalk]

I love these debates

[@lastblankspace]

I'm not the biggest fan of You Only Live Twice, but I adore the cinematography, location shooting, the supporting characters (mainly Tiger and Q), and the music! The title theme alone is so gorgeous!

[@brokendairy]

A great joust as always gentlemen, thank you. I think with the 60's Bond films though you really have to put them into a broader global, socio-cultural phenomenon with, at that time, the whole world going nuts over both the character and Connery's portrayal of him. So I guess it was a three pronged phenomenon. 1. The post-films mass popularity of Fleming's books. 2. The rapidly escalating budgets and box-office returns for the film series. And 3. Connery's elevation to the global number one box office star in 1965 ( knocking, I believe, John Wayne off the top spot.) I understand the point about Connery not being bothered to put in a decent performance but I think there is more to it than the usual angst against Saltzman and Broccoli. By the time of filming Thunderball, Sean was already tucking into the good life and all its comforts. I remember reading an interview with Diane Cilento where she said that on-set he was now being pampered like a young Russian prince. And indeed, even in Thunderball, he does look slightly borderline podge. At least when compared to Goldfinger (filmed about 10 months earlier?). I suppose massive success, good food, fine living and an overdose of bon bois would certainly slow most of us down. Plus the fact that Connery was having to endure levels of fan mania that were normally shared out between four Beatles perhaps meant something definitely had to give. I also think that both the production team and audiences sensed either consciously or unconsciously that Thunderball wasn't really in the same dynamic league as the first three, much tighter, films. I recall reading Terence Young saying that he wasn't fully happy with the end product. Therefore, perhaps EON felt that with YOLT they had to raise their game in new ways. And to be fair they did. Compared to the other loopy 60's spy fantasias such as In lIke Flint, YOLT is stunning and despite its narrative and cultural hiccups it still has top dollar production values. I now live in Japan, about five minutes walk from Nakano-Shimbashi subway station. which was the exterior location they used for Tanaka's office. I often feel a tingle of excitement when I trudge to work on a cold Tuesday morning and remind myself that Big Sean and a gleaming Toyota GT 2000 once graced this humble concrete. There is quite a thriving little scene of Bond maniacs out here in Japan and there are some stellar websites. It is often mentioned that Connery was relentlessly bugged by the Japanese press and there is a link here to an article featuring the infamous press conference Connery gave at the Tokyo Hilton upon arrival in Japan. It's in Japanese but if you run it through Google Translate you'll get a pretty good idea of Sean's ennui. screenonline.jp/_ct/17406780 At the same time it wasn't all bad news. I think Sean was also genuinely interested in exploring Japanese culture while he was here. There is a great link here to a Japanese 007 uber-fan website with an article which focuses on the real-life sumo wrestlers featured in YOLT. This is the kind of background research we just can't do back in Blighty. blog.livedoor.jp/ohmss007/archives/1803248.html As you can see there are a couple of candid photos that show that Sean was perfectly happy to relax and chat with the Big Fellas. And how about those Japanese helicopter pilots up against Little Nelly? Hey, they've got that covered too. blog.livedoor.jp/ohmss007/archives/1867002.html Anyway guys, I hope this stuff makes up for all the fun, enjoyment and insight that your channels so regularly dispense. Good work guys. 皆様お疲れ様でした！ 頑張って下さい！

[@URBANBLITZPARKOUR]

Love the Starting edit!

[@hurri-kane7515]

I can agree I really enjoy this movie and the side characters are amazing!

[@janfrerich1690]

Blofeld is such a amazing Bond villian and perticulary in this movie he has such an wonderfull menacing screenpresents. Donald Pleasenc is such a good actor

[@postersandstuff]

Love the look Blofeld has on his face when he realizes the ninjas have entered his domain , bin Laden prolly felt the same when he knew the end was coming

[@RolandHulme]

17:15 I love what you say about how in the best Bond movies every event moves the story forward (and how Bond's fake death in YOLT failed to do that.) In writing, there's 'Chekov's Gun' which is a guiding principle of storytelling. Anton Chevok advised: "If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there."

[@michaelpoplawski2998]

I enjoyed this "battle". I always loved the theme song from this movie and certain scenes like the Bond running fight across the rooftop. The little nellie always let me cold. Don't even get into the "hidden" HQ with rockets taking off and landing but no one notices. Then throw in the lethargic Connery. Just a fun movie if you turn off you brain at certain points.

[@innesmackintosh214]

I love this film. Great to see you defending it! Best Bond soundtrack ever.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

I ❤ YOLT, too!

[@alexlamas6324]

It's all about Aki, she was fun, modern and hip. The epitome of the cool 60's chick! For me she made the film fun. And Ninjas! And Little Nellie. And that awesome, fabulous, fantastic Toyota 2000GT!

[@PungiFungi]

Which is why I do not like You Only Live Twice so much. Aki was set up as the main Bond girl and then unceremoniously killed off two-thirds on the way in and then we are supposed to just forget about her and accept Kissy in her place. YOLT's biggest weakness was the lack of a strong female protagonist.

[@renekauts8323]

@@PungiFungi I absolutely LOVE-LOVE-LOVE Aki!!! And I hate that they killed her off! That was a terrible decision! Do we really need Kissy for the last ca. 20 minutes!? And Mie Hama was much worse actress and was dubbed by Nikki Van Der Zyl! *** However, YOLT is a great Bond film! I like cinematography, it is so beautiful! Great director and DP!!!

[@PungiFungi]

@@renekauts8323 , Roald Dahl said he was constrained by the three girls rule laid down by the producers: the main girl, the sacrificial lamb, and the villainess. In retrospect and narratively speaking Aki and Kissy were really one character needlessly split into two to fill some Bond girl quota. It also appeared Kissy may originally had a bigger part because I heard the first cut of the film was a whopping thee hours long.

[@NicolasPentray]

The sets and score on this one is one of the best!

[@chaosincarnate1000]

My favorite Connery film despite it being his worst performance. I love Lewis Gilbert’s directing and the beautiful Ken Adam sets.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

Hunh? You thought Connery phoned it in? #WellEnjoyYourself

[@blueberrypirate3601]

You only live twice Once when you're born And twice when you stare death in the face! Samurai proverb.

[@Tobio88]

I'm pretty sure that it was just something Fleming made up for the book. Bond writes it as a haiku for Tanaka (critics pointing out that it doesn't fit that poetic structure later).

[@florantegalvez8498]

Many good points made here for a lively discussion. Even though I absolutely cannot stand the Bond disguise in Japanese as it adds little to the proceedings and offensive to a degree, for the 60’s and today, all respect to its inclusion in the novel, which makes more sense there, You Only Live Twice is still in the top 10 Bond Film Ranking. Not Connery’s best performance but I think he has more memorable moments than the ones mentioned here. Plus, You Only Live Twice has so many good things going for it and Donald Pleasance does indeed make a fantastic Blofeld! Reviewed the film on my Revisiting Bond, James Bond Cinema and More Facebook Page. It still gets repeated reviews from me. Thank you gents for a great discussion.

[@ralphroshia9247]

I'm on David's side on this one I love most aspects of this movie except for Connery he just looks like he rather be on a Golf Course

[@ben8447]

And yet David would be the high bidder on a pair of Connery's "You Only Live Twice" era underpants if one came under auction.

[@lmw27if]

Calvin, I just love your videos and your classic greeting!!!

[@Tgk01-y1w]

Amazing and intrguing video, keep these debates coming please. Loved this film, and diamonds are forever, many childhood memories watching them. They are bad movies, but with a washed up Sean Connery at the helm, and with all the camp in them, there just so iconic

[@erikdolnack2737]

I love Calvin and David's debates! Not only are these entertaining, but I learn a lot about the films and also really see the films from a new perspective, which is awesome.

[@erikdolnack2737]

I do have to agree with David here: I too am a big fan of the "Fab Four" (first 4 Bond films) and "You Only Live Twice" is where things start to slip a little for me. Connery's performance isn't intense, but I honestly think fans go overboard when they say his acting is lazy and bored here; it isn't THAT bad as people say. But I also agree with Calvin that the first half of the film lulls, but once they get down into that volcano lair, then the film kicks into high-gear and becomes a great Bond movie.

[@Tubewings]

Both Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama were in "King Kong vs. Godzilla". As for why Kissy doesn't really do all that much, that's because the actresses were originally cast in the opposite roles (Wakabayashi as Kissy and Hama as Suki). Because Mie Hama had difficulty learning English, the filmmakers switched them (and Suki was renamed Aki at Wakabayashi's request).

[@henryhammond7393]

These debate videos of yours are now my favorite content you offer, and I hope it somehow sets a trend. Two people with opposing viewpoints on a movie engage in a delightful debate with no vitriol or hated and both ultimately enjoy the movie in question.

[@pietrorossi9681]

Interesting to hear your views, but to answer your immediate question, YES, a Bond film can work even if the lead's uninterested. Of course it needs a good script and director and others (probably) need to work harder to compensate. Thunderball is the only 1960s film that I find tiresome.

[@stuartwho]

You Only Live Twice was the first film I saw as a child at the cinema in 1967. I love everything about it and it is my favourite Connery film and I have no problem with his performance here. Not sold on the discussions you had about the acting, . Funny how neither of you mentioned Charles Gray/Dikko Henderson. 10/10

[@randallrutherford1384]

I love people's different ideas given with reason. Very cool!

[@ofmanynicknames]

"It's just a jump to the left!"

[@jackday9870]

I'm not much of a fan of Lewis Gilbert's Bond films, but You Only Live Twice is definitely my favorite of his. I love the set design, and the cinematography, done by Freddie Young of Lawrence of Arabia, is fantastic. Out of his three films, this also feels like it contains Lewis Gilbert's strongest direction , even if the standout moments of this film don't rival those of The Spy Who Loved Me. The music is also absolutely top tier Bond, whereas the music in Gilbert's other films ranges from okay (Moonraker) to abysmal (The Spy Who Loved Me). I think the biggest detractor is Connery's performance, but even then it still ranks as my 4th favorite Connery film, after Goldfinger, FRWL, Dr. No, and ahead of Thunderball and Diamonds are Forever (Which I think is an atrocious film). Donald Pleasance is also great, one of the best Bond villains. Great discussion as always. By the way, do you think Peter Hunt is a better editor or director? The editorial aspect of film and how it compares with the directorial aspect has always greatly interested me, especially the fact that multiple Bond editors moved on from editing the series to directing the series.

[@MichaelHonscar]

This is my second favorite Connery film after Thunderball. I’m in love with Asian culture, so Aki, Kissy, Tiger, the locations and the score all rank among my favorites.

[@alecfaiman8190]

Great video! Easily my favorite Connery Bond film. It's just so much fun, love the production design, settings, and music. For some reason Connery's performance doesn't really bug me, I think the film is wild enough I mostly forget his phoning it in. Cheers!

[@cadepickron2795]

I had an epiphany with this film this year. It had always been one of my least favorites due to connery’s lack luster performance, but I began appreciating all the good thing about this movie. For example the cinematography, the sets, the locations, the score, and now this is one of my favorites.

[@PungiFungi]

His lackluster performance and the lack of a strong female lead.

[@mckinley5836]

Hey, can your bond movie reviews start like this video started? Cuz this intro is SICK

[@edgarbeat275]

Some actors were trained not to blink on film in those days Michael Cane was also one who blinked little on film. I remember watching a clip of Michael Cain talking about that and how his vision was affected glasses etc.

[@zacharyantle7940]

Calvin I would love to be in one of these discussions with you! These looks so fun :)

[@briandrake5464]

Terrific conversation.

[@mrc302]

Always liked this. The Samurai fighting inside the volcano was outstanding!

[@jonastiger1000]

Always thought they were ninjas

[@AmazingJoe96]

Jonas Tiger they are, op was wrong

[@jonastiger1000]

@@AmazingJoe96 so I was right all these years haha (well I knew I was.)

[@jonastiger1000]

Also Tanaka did say "my ninjas" at the training grounds.

[@filmscene21]

Great stuff guys - you both opened my eyes to a few things.👍 I enjoyed YOLT when I saw it, but there were a few things that were off.🤔 This has crystallised what those things were. Thanks.👌

[@sebastianmonk1584]

Always appreciate the nightfire music

[@ericbrown426]

You guys are awesome!! I am subscribed to both channels!!! Keep up the good work and keep the debates/discussions coming!!!

[@SergioMach7]

YOLT is to me what Moonraker is to you; the first Bond film I saw and all about spectacle and amazing scenarios. The music is so beautiful and the Roald Dahl script is really imaginative.

[@RenePeraza]

BTW: part of NoTime to Die will be inspired by this film, mainly the 'death' and (per the novel) love child of James Bond (with Kissy Suzuki in the book). And, separately, the Dr. No elements.

[@alexmckinley79]

Great discussion! Personally, this was one of my first Bond movies, and I kind of thought Bond was cool as a stoic character. I didn't realise it was just a disinterested Connery. It's still my favourite Bond movie. It's probably why I took up martial arts and moved to Japan 15 years ago.

[@deacondavis5098]

The straw that broke the camels back is when Mr. Connery’s privacy was invaded by the press during the filming.

[@speedracer1945]

They were supposed to filmed OHMSS before this film and if this was filmed last and followed the novel they may had killed off Bond way before No time to Die .

[@seanboxer1521]

This conversation was pure joy for me 👍👍👍

[@Matt.Pattinson]

I have always been a fan of this one. The volcano set is obviously incredible. I loved this version of Blofeld (my favourite probably being the Anthony Dawson/Eric Pohlman one though) Tiger Tanaka is a good ally and the action scenes are great. I never used to notice Connery looking bored, but since its been pointed out a few times I understand why people may be hesitant over this film. I did notice that the name Kissy is never spoken, same way that the name Raoul is never mentioned in Skyfall

[@johnrigs6540]

BRILLIANT video - these “battles” between David and Calvin are all just fantastic - and I find I ALWAYS notice new things that I NEVER have before. I LOVE You Only Live Twice! To me, it’s Everything we all love about James Bond - The action- the huge Spectacle of the production - the classic Bond villain with the unforgettable lair - the exotic flavor and feel Japan - the unforgettable music - the classic “World in danger” element and of course, as they said -the climax - which is probably the best and most memorable of the series. Its just James Bond at his best. Yes - no question about it - Sean is incredibly bored and unhappy through the entire film. Easily his worst performance as 007. But what’s amazing is that even with all that - he still has that electrifying screen charisma that very few actors in Cinema history has ever had, and so he even though he’s clearly sleepwalking throughout - that charisma still carries the film. It figures that David would not like it because he LOVES the Bond lifestyle and this definitely does not have those classic style elements that most of the other Bonds have, but I think that is because of the story and constricts of what he has to do in it. I think if this is your first Bond, you would not even notice it - but coming after those first classic four films there is definitely a big difference. But to me - the size and spectacle of it and the epic feel of it all made up for it - big time!

[@philhellmuth2771]

Sean Connery doesn't need to act. His charisma is enough to carry any performance of his. I still prefer his (lack of) performance here to George lazenby

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

@@philhellmuth2771 His (lack of) performance here, is Bond character in O.H.M.S.S. An agent tired of his job, finds happiness in love and marriage.

[@JamesNewham]

I'm just listening to this debate while learning for a test tomorrow lovely

[@Robertbuccellatobooks]

You only Live Twice is my comfort food. i ADORE IT.

[@JOSH-lw2jv]

I've always wondered what happened to the surviving Jupiter 16 Astronaut (Chris' buddy) and the 2 Cosmonauts, after Bond tried to disguise himself as a SPECTRE Astronaut?

[@nicknewman7848]

John Barry's score is amazing in this film (it is referenced in Quantum by David Arnold). Ken Adam is obviously a genius of production design. Watching this as an 11 year old was amazing.. the Ninja ending, little Nellie, the piranha deaths, monorail inside a volcano. It was very exciting, exotic and tense. As you get older you obviously begin to notice it's flaws but I have a soft spot for it because of how exciting it was when I first saw it. It is iconic, no doubt and completed the "blu-print" with it's assault on the villains lair set piece. It is the last of the classic Sean era and it was still breaking new ground even though the formula was getting a bit tired. Everything you need for Bond was done in the first 5 films so it should be respected for it's influence on the series at the very least. ps. in the sumo scene.. listen carefully.. I swear the announcer is saying "in the shit, yeeeaaahhh" Lol

[@splintergectornathan9045]

I even probably know what track you mean in context of David Arnold, its "Night at the Opera", which is btw my favourite track in QoS

[@nicknewman7848]

@@splintergectornathan9045 The music I was referring to features in the dock scene before the rooftop action sequence and possibly elsewhere in the score.. it is a set of rhythmical stabs in 4/4 time.. "bam..(2,3). bam ba, ba ba ba..(3,4). bam..(2,3). bam, bam (2,3,4..) (rpt)" The numbers in the brackets are the beats of the bar during the pauses as we count along if that makes sense? Arnold homages it directly at the end of Quantum (at the desert hotel) but speeds it up to make it more energetic for the action. See if you can find them both to compare. It's possible the track you mention is also a reference to YOLT score.. i didn't notice that one but will check it out and see if it rings any bells.

[@splintergectornathan9045]

@@nicknewman7848 oh, the track YOU are referring is "Perla de las Dunas", and yeah, that part of track really felt very classic like, btw i consider Quantum soundtrack as Arnold's best Soundtrack in series (and Arnold himself as THE best Bond composer after Barry)

[@nicknewman7848]

@@splintergectornathan9045 I think you're right.. Arnold gets the blend of himself, modern Bond and classic Bond just right in Quantum. Shame the film is a bit of a mess. Funnily enough, although the tone is different, in sections of Die Another Day you can hear him developing this more sophisticated style that he then carries through into Casino and perfects in Quantum.

[@splintergectornathan9045]

@@nicknewman7848 hah, good to hear, btw im one of these crazy guys who considers Quantum as a favourite Bond movie, be afraid of me 🤪

[@spacejam8765]

I still consider this to be my all time favourite James Bond film, but I still don't know why they made Sean Connery Japanese. It just doesn't work. But I still love this film. Also It might just be me but I always thought that Hans could of been a great bodyguard, just not used very much.

[@richardsgameplay6537]

Another great debate! Can't wait for the next one!

[@PaulBurgin]

I will say that this does overall echo how I feel about this film. It is my favourite Connery Bond film alongside From Russia With Love, and yet in terms of performance, it is one of Connery's worst

[@barcodebattler2587]

Love this film love the start love the song love the dock fight scene love little nelly(or whatever that little gyrocopter Is called) love the villan love the secret volcano base.....I love it

[@thomasbaader6629]

27:49 They didn't darken Helga's Brandt's eyebrows. The actress (Karin Dor) has very dark hair - and very dark eyebrows, of course. They dyed her hair red, but left the eyebrows untouched.

[@guyrondel3573]

You Only Live Twice hmmm! Once again I’ve got a few comments to make about it! The first thing is that at this point Sean Connery was really getting tired of playing James Bond! He wanted to move on and although, as usual his acting is perfect, however there are a few signs of weariness that do show! He said this was going to be his last Bond but he did two others although one of them was not in the Eon Production franchise! Did you know that it took 30 takes for Nancy Sinatra, who was extremely nervous, to record the title track and John Barry used 25 of them to actually mix the final recording? Originally it was Julie Rogers who’d initially recorded the song but it wasn’t up the producers’ satisfaction! Cubby Broccoli wanted Frank Sinatra to record it since they were close friends bur Sinatra declined and suggested that his daughter record the song! She was still floating on her cloud after the success of “These Boots Are Made For Walking” written by Lee Hazlewood! There have since been a number of cover versions including one by Shirley Bassey! As I have already said, in the early Bond films he always seem die in the pre-credit scenes and here’s a perfect example! Oh, incidentally, how many people recognise Tsai Chin in the pre-credit part? She the Chinese girl Bond sleeps with while discussing Peking (Beijing) Duck and Russian Caviar! Take a close look at her and you’ll find she appears again in Casino Royal in 2006 as Madam Woo one of the card players at the table! Sh also has an important role in “Now You See Me 2” There’s an interesting scene when Bond poses as Mister Fisher in Osato’s office sitting opposite him! And Osato is looking at an X-Ray of Bond’s chest and we see his gun, the famous Walther PPK! Only the gun is flat against is chest in stead of being in a shoulder holster under his armpit ! It therefore looks a bit unreal! Also later Blofeld mentions the fact that James Bond is the only man who carries such a gun! If that were true the Walther factory would have gone out of business long ago! Plus if we go back to Dr. No Major Boothroyd does mention that the CIA swear by that gun! Therefore Blofeld’s phrase should have been “Bond is the only man WE know here in SPECTRE who carries such a gun!” Did you know that when Ian Fleming wrote You Only Live Twice he’d based the villain’s den in a castle in Japan but when Cubby Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, Lewis Gilbert and other members of the scouting crew searching for filming locations, they never found a single castle that could work as Blofeld’s den! On the other hand they found many dead volcanos which is how the idea of the underground volcano came to be the den and Ken Adam brought it to life! There’s a magnificent scene that only lasts a few seconds but yet so beautiful! It’s when Bond and Kissy, played by Mie Hama, go out to fish in the early sunlight! We see Kissy sitting on the edge of the boat in the rising sunlight so beautifully photographed by Freddie Young! Both Calvin and David describe Helga Brandt (Karin Dor) as Fiona Volpe n°2! I don’t really agree! Helga Brandt is a member of SPECTRE seemingly high ranking as acting secretary to Osato (Teru Shimada) and also one who gets rid of problems for SPECTRE! Only when Bond doesn’t die in the air crash she doesn’t go after him to try again and she’s alone! Where as Fiona has henchmen with her and if she hadn’t died in the Kiss Kiss Club she would have made sure Bond did! She is a professional killer in the same way Grant was in From Russia With Love only she, as a sexy sensual woman, uses her charms to capture her prey the eliminates it! Helga doesn’t have the cold bloodedness Fiona does! Another thing, Fiona really knows who Bond is but Helga doesn’t! Only Blofeld, in that bunch of misfits in the new SPECTRE organization, seems to have does his homework for he’s the only one who really knows who Bond is! When David and Calvin discuss the fact that Mie Hama seemed unnecessary for instead of killing off Aki they could have kept her to the end, there is a reason for it! Originally it was Mie Hama who was supposed to play Aki but the production team quickly realized she could hardly speak English so they decided to not take her at all! For her, it was dishonourable and she threatened to commit suicide so they kept her on and gave her less important part although she does end up with Bond at the end of the movie! As for her dialogue, well, you guessed it, good old Nikki Van Der Zyl was brought in again! Actually that wasn’t the only change in the casting department! The original Blofeld was a Czech actor called Jan Werich but looked more like an overgrown Father Christmas rather than a villainous Blofeld and he too had to go which he accepted elegantly! The only problem was that it happened a few days before Blofeld’s scenes were to be shot! So in a hurry, Lewis Gilbert got hold of his old friend Donald Pleasence who accepted to play the part with pleasure even though he only had a few days to learn his lines and of course he was made up to look really evil with a bad scar over his eye! ! He was the only Blofeld to be made up like that! Oh incidentally, the original Blofeld in both From Russia With Love and Thunderball were two people! The hands caressing the cat of Anthony Dawson - Professor Dent in Dr. No - and the voice of Austrian actor Eric Pohlmann! The little conversation about Blofeld’s cat is very interesting because if you look closely enough when the explosions go off and Donald Pleasence is hold the cat firmly we see real fear in the cat’s eyes but further more he really has his claws into Blofeld’s jacket! As we see him turn and walk away he seems to cringe a little as if he could feel the claws but it doesn’t show too much! Donald Pleasence was a great professional actor! There is a small point I want to make and that’s about Charles Gray who plays Henderson! We see him for less than 5 minutes but I really love him as an actor and when I first saw You Only Live Twice back in 1967, on seeing Gray I thought then that he’s make a great Blofeld because he does have a bit of sinister look! Remember “The Devil Rides out” and “The Night of the Generals”! And of course he does come back in Diamonds are Forever, AS Blofeld! Again, a nice topic brought up by David and Calvin here is the “Q” scene with Little Nellie! It’s very well done and the inventor of Little Nellie was in fact a retired Wing Commander called Ken Wallis! He’s the one who actually flies Little Nellie and it’ll take 85 take-offs and 46 hours flying time for all of 7 minutes on the screen. Also the Japanese “Q” section as David and Calvin put it has it’s littler moment when Tanaka describes the various rockets including the cigarette rocket when he says to Bond “It can save your life this cigarette” And Bond replies that he sounds like a commercial! That’s quite funny! Later, of course, bond will use it and fire at Anthony Chinn who plays the Volcano gate operator ! It’s also interesting to note the presence of Burt Kwouk who plays SPECTRE 3! He was Mr. Ling the nuclear physicist in Goldfinger! And also the presence of two American Actors who lived in Britain played Americans in various TV series especially for Gerry Anderson! They are Shane Rimmer who’ll come back as the American Submarine Commander in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ and Ed Bishop who will also come back as Klaus Hergersheimer in ‘Diamonds Are Forever!’ Now David and Calvin talk about their favourite characters in this movie! Mine is without a doubt Tiger but then Calvin goes on to talk about his fave in Moonraker, which we’ll come to in another debate! I’ll probably mention this again but my favourite character in Moonraker is the same one as in the movie before that, “The Spy Who Loved Me” and obviously you’ve guessed who I’m talking about, Jaws of course! As for You Only Live Twice, I rate it pretty high in the Bond films but I am Connery fan as I started watching the Bond films as I also read the books back in the 60s! And once again I do love these discussions Calvin and David have and I am looking forward to the next one! Many thanks to both of you! TTFN!