James Bond - Part 2: The Lazenby Year & The Return of Connery

[@elamplough1]

George Lazenby isn't my favourite Bond BUT I think he's definitely underrated. Sean Connery was most suave but Lazenby made the character sincere, and did really well considering he had no acting experience.

[@froybetterbrands]

GL was a good Bond all things considered A pity he did not do at least two more so that we could have better assessed him

[@calql8er]

OHMSS. Very underrated. The only time I was glad I knew the ending to a movie, otherwise I would have been crying like a baby leaving the theater. And the best single shot in all the Bond movies - seeing Diana Rigg for the first time at the skating rink.

[@Dresh7]

Maybe it's because he only made this one 007 film, there's something iconic about Lazenby. He's athletic, stylish and great in action scenes. And he would have developed as an actor, given a chance. I'd liked to have him be Bond in all the '70's pictures.

[@christoph404]

Lazenby was only 29 when he started filming, he had his 30 birthday during production, youngest Bond so far, I thought he was pretty good as Bond, he should have done a few more. The box office wasn't poor for OHMSS, it was very good by standards of the day raking in about $65 million worldwide so in pure box office terms it was a huge success, but in comparison to other Bond films it performed less than any of the others so in that respect it could be considered "poor" but the Connery films set a very high bench mark in box office receipts. I like OHMSS, its one of my favourite Bond films, the cinematography is exceptional and the action sequences play well, I much prefer sliding that movie into my DVD player rather than "Diamonds Are Forever" which I consider to be a dud. I like your James Bond channel by the way, its very informative and well put together, thanks for sharing it here.

[@1223jamez]

Totally agree his agent hurt him, because his agent said that Bond films were a thing of the past with short hair and suit and tie.Remember George Lazemby did this movie in the begining of the hippie era.I believe this is the best Bond film.

[@Odescalchi-vp4ms]

Considering the circumstances in that period...... Oh boy I must say: Wow! What a fantastic movie. Maybe one of the series best.

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Very interesting comment. I understand what you're saying about a heroic and happy ending for Bond and Tracy... But, the best possible ending for OHMSS, in my opinion, is what was shot on film in 1969; all things considered.

[@therealCharlieChill]

For me ...regardless of what many think ...On her majesty secret service is one of the best James Bond Movies ever made!

[@aruiz90]

It's a travesty that Lazenby never did more Bond films. I think he could've been great with just a bit more seasoning. Connery's comeback was terrible, he clearly didn't care at that point and the movie was shite on top of that.

[@RobertTC009]

I have a soft spot for "Diamonds," though it's not one of the great Bond films to be sure. One of the reasons I like it is because Connery seems to be having a great time in the role.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@RobertTC009 Exactly!

[@scrmepal]

Despite Lazenby's attitude, it was really his manager who screwed him, coz it was in Lazenby's contract that when he was offered a deal from the Bond producers he couldn't accept it on his own without his manager's approval, and his manager kept telling Lazenby to go back and ask for more money, until the point was reached where the studio just gave up on George, and decided to look elsewhere. The thing is though, Lazenby could of just of sacked his manager and taken the Bond deal, coz he apparently wanted to accept the producers offers, unfortunately his manager had gotten into George's brain so much, he just did as he was told. His manager was obviously a complete muppet!

[@5inthehole]

And he cost George a boatload of money. Can you imagine how much Cubbie would have offered for the 3rd film? 4th??

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Lazenby announced during filming he was quitting, the series wouldn't have survived with him, how could the producers make a star out of someone who wouldn't even shave for the premiere of their multi-million $ epic?

[@postersandstuff]

@@unowen-nh9ov You are aware that Golden Gun almost was the end of cinematic Bond , right ? So even with Moore it was no guarantee that Bond would survive the 70s , with that in perspective you kind of understand that biker films was the in thing then and perhaps spy films would die out , it was impossible to predict back then that Bond would last over 50+ yrs

[@postersandstuff]

@@unowen-nh9ov Moore showed up at MR premiere with beard (google the pics if you dont believe me) and producers said nothing....talk about double standards , lol

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

@@postersandstuff Except that ''Moonraker'' was Moore's 4th film, his beard was for his role in the film ''North Sea Hijack''.

[@hudshsoft]

I seem to belong to a minority, but "Diamonds Are Forever" is my favourite Bond film.

[@minkaboo]

I liked Lazenby the best, he brought a new attitude, different from all the others. I would've loved to see Lazenby in other bond movies, too bad.

[@whirlwindjourney]

I absolutely love this movie, and in large part because of Lazenby. When I read the books, it's hard for me to picture the other actors consistently throughout the stories, but I can often imagine Lazenby in most scenes. On the reverse, I find it hard to imagine any other actor who has played James Bond being in this movie, with the possible exception of Daniel Craig, and the movie still being anywhere near as good. Lazenby just brought to the role a little more gritty realism than the others, and more charm than Craig.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

The actor who plays Barbara Bach's lover in the opening scenes of Spy Who Loved Me was repeatedly tested for the role, but Roger Moore kept returning. Too bad, because Michael Billington would have been good. But he was unknown to audiences & producers didn't want to repeat their Lazenby experience. So Sir Roger was the right Bond for the times (audiences loved him) & Michael Billington became the Bond who never was.

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

James Bond star George Lazenby pays tribute to Sean Connery on his 90th birthday: georgelazenbyofficial Happy 90th birthday to the all time greatest @007 - Sean Connery. Sean, for me, was always the man. I walked in his footsteps - I had to look and dress like Sean Connery - I went to his barber's and tailors. I had no fear when I went up for the role - he was the guy who inspired me to never hesitate. Another thing we have in common is that we're both family men, so best wishes to Lady Connery, your kids and grand kids and stay safe. Love George x

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Correct. Lazenby's sparring/boxing during auditions for ONHMSS landed him the role...

[@XxSTAR1977WARSxX]

Haphazardstuff, I have really enjoyed your videos over the years, especially the longer ones! If you do ever get the time to go back and re-do any of these early ones, I think OHMSS would be the one to cover.

[@360Freakoutkid]

I feel like Connery and Lazenby's Bond are the same person, but Moore's is a replacement, then Comes Dalton/Brosnan as the another bond. Craig is the new bond with a completely different back story.

[@SolarDragon007]

Majesty's is one of my favorites

[@TMC1982Part2]

It's incredibly ironic that given Lazenby's association w/ kung fu flicks and Bruce Lee that he wasn't in the Far East set The Man w/ the Golden Gun (which seemed to be made primarily to cash in on the success of Enter the Dragon).

[@HaphazardStuff]

Interesting point about the number of Blofelds compared to the number of Bonds. With all the actors, voices and handshots, that make up the character through the series you could be right.

[@nicknewman7848]

as a first time actor in such a huge film Lazenby is underated..

[@MrImiller07]

Connery is self-assured as Bond in all of his films and while I enjoyed Thunderball, in hindsight, the underwater sequences tend to slow the film down. Additionally, the producers adopted a mind set that there had to be a climactic battle between the forces of good and evil--this formula was revisited in You Only Live Twice.

[@benjiarehart2878]

I still would have preferred George over Moore. I liked Moore growing up, because it was in my era, but as I've gotten older Connery to me was the best Bond. Still, think George did amazing considering he had no acting experience prior.

[@rogerdodger4598]

I had a crush on Diana Rigg. When she left the Avengers I was saddened. Then I heard that she was in the new 007 film. A kid in school had seen it. I nearly fell off my chair. What did she do? What was she like? Was she like Mrs. Peel? Then he told me that there was a new Bond. Ahhhh!!!!?!?!?!?!?! Madness!! Overload!?!?!? Help!!! It can't be!!!?!?!?! So glad that Sean came back for the next film. It wasn't too bad. But he seemed like he not only gained weight but was 10 years older and tired. I thought, thats it. He's finished. I only saw the next two Roger Moore films. I'm glad that he was a different Bond. He put wings on his little car and took to the air!! Lol. Sean was great, it's too bad that wasn't in more Bond films. It took three months of hard work and travel to shoot them. You can't blame him for wanting to do films which took three weeks.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Connery played Bond again, over a decade later. They wanted him for Skyfall but got Albert Finney instead.

[@Onlymusical]

Lazenby was hands down the best Bond, the closest to the character in the Ian Fleming's novels. And "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is certainly the best novel. This video perpetuates the nonsense that Lazenby might've been fired after the film did poorly but the reason it didn't do as much business is that he'd already announced that he'd quit before the picture was released, which the film company never forgave and they've never stopped trashing him at every opportunity. But see the film!

[@raffi19791]

My favourite line from the Bond series is from Diamonds are forever. It's what James Bond says when construction workers find him.

[@Desertduleler_88]

A bit harsh on George here, no yank should play Bond ever......George shouldn't had taken the advice from his manager, George was worthy of the role of Bond and should had done a few more. The movie was a success at the box office where it counts.

[@TooCooFoYou]

MrStoneycool69 The movie made half as much as YOLT and Lazenby was criticized harshly upon release.

[@Desertduleler_88]

***** Lazenby crossed swords with people in show business, so naturally the media gave him a bad rap. It's because he pulled out of a 7 picture deal with Broccoli they smeared him.

[@TooCooFoYou]

MrStoneycool69 I would've loved to see more of Lazenby in Bond. But that'll only happen in another universe.

[@ebor8402]

I think Lazenby played bond several more times in unoffical bonds and on TV. Some were spoofs. Maybe you could find them.

[@scottknode898]

John Smyth Lazenby thought his career could be successful with James Bond and expressed leaving the role during filming which didn’t make the producers and Director happy along with his difficult behavior on set and youthful cocky attitude didn’t set well with Albert Broccoli

[@ElTuco84]

Lazenby was a great Bond, although his oneliners deliveries were terrible: "He's branched off" "This never happened to the other fella" And the worst one: "He had lots of guts"

[@robertstewart239]

You should research your material better. First, the film did not do poorly at the box office. It is true that ticket sales were down a little, but that was because the film was longer than the previous outings and meant that fewer showings were possible each day. Second, Lazenby was not fired. This is just a story that many people imagined to be true and so it has spread until it has become a myth all of its own. He was offered a new contract but had become so big headed that he turned it down, hoping to hold out for more. He has given more than one interview in which he expresses regret for his attitude at the time.

[@javier.alvarez764]

No, that's not actually the reason. The reason is actually because he thought the culture would change since it was the era of the hippy movement were it is all now about love and peace, and therefore people would eventually no longer watch action, and spy movies. He did regretted that decision.

[@robertstewart239]

I saw that interview too, Nexus, but to be honest I don't believe him. I think he was just trying to justify his blunder with hindsight. All that talk about wanting to grow his hair and not wanting to be confused with a waiter... I also saw an interview with Diana Rigg in which she said he was very cocky and difficult to work with, fame having gone to his head. Of course, after all these years people will have different recollections, but claiming that he turned down James Bond because of "hippy culture" and wanting to grow his hair is a bit hard to believe.

[@SuperWolsey]

***** Because of that Ronan chap filled his head with bollocks

[@austinpearce5442]

+kory stephens if only Ronan didn't exist in the first place.

[@SuperWolsey]

Austin Pearce Yup. Granted that would mean no Radio Caroline but fuck it. I'll take 12 years (1969-1981) of Lazenby as Bond before a campy regression that was Diamonds Are Forever that set the tone precedent for Roger Moore's tenure (and the two became the blue print for Brosnan's era in its own 90s way of camp)

[@alienlv426ify]

OHMSS is my third favorite film of James Bond after Goldfinger and Casino Royale. Moreover, I think that George Lazenby did a worthy role as 007.

[@JustNeedaBeerandPark]

Lazenby was solid to good........he wasn't bad...

[@suhailkhan3501]

Lazenby by far the best bond , Diana Rigg the best bond girl by far & OHMSS best bond movies . Here we have a bond in Lazenby who actually spies instead of fooling around like other bonds

[@silvernail6]

Here, Here!!!

[@SuperWolsey]

No lies told

[@thedangerwich5476]

He sucked as Bond.

[@CARETAKER89able]

Bullshit Lazenby ruled as Bond, in a one off like Craig in Casino Royale!!

[@QuorkEx]

Well said. Considering Lazenby's lack of acting experience and the pressure that must have been on him, he does a damn fine job. If on;y he'd carried on in the role.

[@kevinscott1697]

OHMSS is one of the top five films in the series, the action sequences, cinematography, the theme tune and cast were top draw, it was just unfortunate with its timing, whichever Bond film was the first without Sean Connery was always going to be up against it but it’s a shame it ended up being OHMSS and it was even more unfortunate in that it would have had Connery because it was originally supposed to be the previous film instead of You Only Live Twice but it was cancelled at the time due to a mild winter in Europe so they couldn’t shoot the snow sequences and a late decision was made to go to Japan and make You Only Live Twice instead and Connery announced his retirement from the series during the filming there. Lazenby is ok as Bond considering it was his first acting role but he was badly advised by his manager who convinced him that Bond was outdated and wouldn’t stay as popular so he decided to leave. He could have been a good Bond although I think Saltzman and Broccoli should have cast an established well known actor to replace Connery to limit the blow and eventually did so after Connery’s one off return. DAF had some good scenes but the lighter hearted approach didn’t suit Connery’s more serious Cold War themed Bond, Connery had aged considerably since YOLT and wasn’t in such good shape but he more or less got away with it at the time as the fans just wanted him back as Bond.

[@astorsimovitchlaw]

By far the best Bond film made, and Lazenby was the best Bond by a mile. The fight scenes were by far the best in the series, and can you imagine Connery crying at the end of the movie. This movie worked so well because Lazenby was not acting, he was Bond. Too bad he didn't make another one, Diamonds are Forever was one of the worst of the series and a golden opportunity was missed to pick up where OHMSS left off.

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

Although director Peter Hunt did a great job, O.H.M.S.S. filmed more like a romantic film and not a Bond movie. Also I can't ignore that Bond and Blofeld have met in the previous film and in this film doesn't know each other. Lazenby is a relatively young, vulnerable and infinite Bond, but here, Bond is a mature man with experience, like the actors in the other roles. About the end scene with Connery, I think it would be much closer to the book. Ιn book the car doesn't stop, and after the gun shot comes out of the road, and Bond lost his senses for a while and is slightly ingured, when he talks to the policeman on the motorcycle.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Connery created the role & made it a hit, Lazenby would have killed it. Connery is the only Bond actor to win the Oscar, he & Rigg would have been hot on screen together, his acting skills & maturity in the role would have brought a whole other aspect to the tragedy. Watch him in Hitchcock's Marnie, Connery is sexy in a way no mere television commercial actor can touch. Sir Sean is still getting called hottest senior. And Lazenby quotes director Hunt as refusing to allow Bond to cry, so that wouldn't have been an issue either.

[@MisterMisc]

Watching this reminded me of something Alfred Hitchcock once said: "Not everyone has the ability to narrate." So true.

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

By the way Timothy Dalton was offered the role way back in 1969 but he turned it down considering himself to young! I never cared much for Dalton as Bond and Daniel Craig is a hit with younger audiences but not with Bond fans who identify with the look and feel of earlier bond films. Lazenby should have listened to his gut feeling; not his agent...

[@raysoul45]

There's something about this film that i loved .George was great telly great .Rigg a babe .Best book Best cast = Best Film .I'm not a Jame's Bond Nut .But this film was class

[@cyf195]

No, he looked older. But Connery looked old in Diamonds are Forever....just 3 years after You Only Live Twice - he seemed to have aged ten years. In both of these films, he acted like he was half asleep.

[@nathanpeoples8410]

Telly Savalas was amazing as Blofeld. George Lazenby wasn't as bad as everybody says.

[@eissazahrani2770]

the best Bond ever is ON HER MAJESTY‘S SECRET SERVICE IT IS REALLY AMAZING FANTASTIC FABULOUS SO SO AMAZING

[@john-007files5]

i agree..its flawless..my fave too

[@randyacuna3248]

Eissa Zahrani among the best bond films.

[@cyf195]

Connery was at his best in Thunderball....he was confident and in charge, he kicked more ass, and got laid more than in any other Bond movie, too.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

You counted?!

[@Skip44]

While I totally agree that Connery was phoning it in with Diamonds are Forever, I still find it to be a really enjoyable movie. Provided you go into it thinking it's going to be silly as all get out. That being said, DAF with Lazenby set as a revenge piece would have been epic. One of the great "what ifs" in movie history, I think.

[@grahambird4135]

Best Bond of them all, the reason this film is so good is because Connery isn't Bond. George did a great job and it's a shame he walked because I think he would have won everyone over once he settled into the role, alas it wasn't to be. The picture returned good profits and in subsequent years DVD sales ensure it has become one of the more profitable Bond pictures. Half the world loves Connery the other half the rest combined, big George will always be my favourite Bond with the outstanding Tim Dalton a close second, actually Dalton's portrayal of Bond is probably the best there has been so far, had the legal stuff not started around the time Dalton was getting going on his third picture I think he would have become the most memorable 007. Connery was OK his best being his first Dr No, Moore and Brosnan were forgettable turning the character into a Carry on James Bond.... Not what you want really! Ironically 'Goldeneye' is probably one of the best Bond pictures.

[@cezarlucki1720]

Wrong Daniel Craig is by far the best after Sean Connery

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Anyone who was alive in the '60's remembers what a success Connery was as Bond, he not only created the role he started the entire spy craze. A decade later it was fading, the producers brought Connery back & then hired actors already famous from years on television. Star Wars & Smokey & the Bandit were the biggest hits of the '70's, without Moore's more comedic Bond hits the series would have died, until they did Craig's reboot. As Dame Diana Rigg says, Lazenby was perfectly good in the role, but his lack of professionalism & box office draw would have killed Bond more than Blofeld ever could. Why do you think George has never starred in another hit movie? Dalton's Bond was neutered during the AIDS era, he was good but had nothing close to Connery's menace or sex appeal.

[@CARETAKER89able]

Lazenby Rules.The Best Bond voice and in fights> and the youngest at 28.He is Bond Period, ..the first to play Bond real besides Craig.And Diana Rigg, the best Bond Girl ever.Besides Vesper in Casino Royale!!

[@diogocatalano9557]

To me Craig is a real shit as James Bond. He is short and looks like a Russian bandit like Red Grant.

[@CARETAKER89able]

That is the style the way Fleming wanted as Bond. A true Brute in Craig as Bond physical style like Lazenby rather than joke style like Roger Moore.And to be able to say it perfect at the end in Casino Royale."The Names Bond."JAMES BOND!!

[@diogocatalano9557]

Fleming considered Connery too brute in the beggining. Imagine what he would think about Craig. He uses high heels to pretend to be taller. He is absolutely ridiculous.

[@CARETAKER89able]

Connery played Bond as himself good, but Lazenby Dalton and Craig played Bond real!!

[@michaelhayko2904]

Lazenby definitely is the best bond since Connery! And I was just a kid when on her Majestys Secret Service came out,so I was definitely hoping for something really good with the new Bond and I got it with Lazenby!!

[@carl3684]

👍

[@Greeneyes3005]

I totally agree, about George, shame he didn't stay on for more. The test of time shows O.M.S.S to be one of the very best of the series, and my personal favourite.

[@speedracer1945]

I took friends who never saw a Bond film as kids and we ended up seeing this 3 times .

[@carl3684]

Dan Reese I think I had seen this about 10 times before my 10th birthday

[@cezarlucki1720]

And Daniel Craig !!!

[@BCKLW]

I like Lazenby. He just got some bad carerar advice. He was offered a 7 picture deal and he turned the deal down. He chose to go make kung fu movies. He also was going to play the lead in the Thunder ball remake Never Say Never Again. The movies original title was "James Bond of the Secret Service" It would have been interesting to see Lazenby reprise the role 12 years after he walked. However Connery showed interest and the producers of course chose him

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Yes, a lot of observers feel that Lazenby could have been a great Bond but he needed more time to develop his own "swagger" and interpretation of Bond. Lazenby should have at least signed on for "Diamonds" and Live and Let Die...

[@BCKLW]

Cont. Bond history is full of interesting stories. Adam West was offered the role. Burt Reynolds turned down the role. Cary Grant was suposed to star in Dr, No but he refused to sighn a two picture deal. James Mason passed on the role for the same reason. Ian Flemming wanted David Niven to star in Dr. No and he prefered Moore over Connery when they both were up for the part in 1962. So many stories. They all are fun to discuss. What is true, who knows. Bond is the best movie charactor ever.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Because of Connery, who created him onscreen.

[@McLarenMercedes]

I saw OHMSS some months ago and was amazed to find out it is actually one of the best Bond films ever. It rightfully has a lot of fans. Lazenby was pretty average but had they had another more experienced actor I have little doubt OHMSS would have been seen as the best Bond film ever. Rather than making Connery come back and reluctantly do Diamonds are forever, I would have prefered Lazenby got to do that one.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Only with Connery would OHMSS have been the best Bond ever, also probably most successful & maybe even awards nominee.

[@diogocatalano9557]

One of the few things that upsets me in OHMSS is the "accelerated" fight scenes.

[@JJTownley_Classical-Composer]

Overall, an incredibly fair and accurate assessment. I disagree that Lazenby didn't have charisma. He had the look, the moves, and the attitude to be a good Bond...much more so than Moore, who I thought was a disastrous choice. Even Dalton, on reflection didn't do as good as Lazenby. Where Majesty went off the rails far as I'm concerned was the casting of Savalas as Blofeld. He was just too recognizable as a movie persona to do the part convincingly. They should have cast an unknown and given him a jagged scar like they did Pleasance. Also setting the whole thing up in the Alps where there's so much white snow completely washed out the "color" in the story. Connery's return I agree was not his best work. He was simply there for the paycheck, although the fight scene in the elevator was about half as good as the one in From Russia With Love and that's saying it was a good fight scene.

[@CaminoAir]

In Diamonds are Forever, why did the two astronauts on the Moon surface mock-up still move in slow motion when Connery runs past. It's not just that the suits are bulky, they're moving as if the gravity is all wrong.

[@goldwaterproductions]

i think that lazenby actually helped OHMSS stand out. i dont think hes the best but for first time acting, its very good; especially the ending.

[@foreveragainOK]

It's nice to see a Bond with a flat stomach (Lazenby).

[@1915fas]

I thought Christopher Lambert would have been a good choice. In a different universe, Brando might have done a Bond just to prove that he could. He would have trained and done a credible accent. His resident charisma and hypnotic suggestiveness would have convinced audiences instantly that he was Bond. I mention this partly because he wore a tuxedo like Bond in Countess From Hong Kong. He heard rumors that Chaplin talked to Connery about doing Countess since he was then the hottest actor.

[@SonOfYoungwood]

OHMSS is my favorite Bond film.

[@BCKLW]

YEP, I just got done reading Roger Moore's book and he claims the producers offered Lazenby a seven picture deal. Wow that would have taken Lazenby through the Moore years. He was only 29 years of age and by his own admissoin full of himself. He got some real bad advice and gave up the role. Ashame for him. I think he looked the part and could have grown into the role and been the best. My favorite Bond is Moore. So I guess it worked out for the best. For me and Roger anyway.

[@larrysingleton2864]

Favorite James Bond book and favorite James Bond movie.

[@HenryConway007]

I’m not sure if anyone else thinks this, but I think “Diamonds” kinda might’ve worked with Roger Moore instead of Sean Connery. Maybe it’s just me, but I suspect all of its goofiness would’ve worked better with Moore’s tongue-in-cheek approach vis-à-vis Connery’s more serious take. This certainly would’ve been a better debut for him than “Live and Let Die”, I think.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

I like that Connery plays it as a comedy.

[@BCKLW]

Okay, He we go with the rumor mill. I do not feel the producers had a real good feeling about Lazenby after he walked away from the role. So I doubt they asked him to return. Although, it may not have been a bad Idea. The producer went after Connery again offering him a fistful of money but this time Connery suck to his guns and turned down the money. Producers then turned to Moore who was suposed to replace Connery in 1967. Moore's first film was going to be "The Man With the Golden Gun"

[@Elementa2006]

I read that the main reason Lazenby wasn't Bond anymore was because his agent convinced to not reprise the role thinking the character would go out of style during the Hippie years, ironically this ruined his career

[@Melphistox]

Well, I grew up with Roger Moore, and he was my idol. Then Mr Dalton took over and I felt my hero had changed dimension completely. After watching all the movies I think there's no question Sean Connery was the best. It depens on your perspective about the character, not only the generation. I think now Daniel Craig is absolutely amazing, but only one thing bothers me: He is not handsome enough.

[@semperterra3235]

Connery seemed to have aged a lot in the four years between You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971), he was younger in 1971 than Roger Moore was in 1973 when he made Live and Let Die.

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

It's true, but I can imagine Connery in ''Live and Let Die'' (producers wanted him), if the film was made in 1972 to celebrate ten years of Bond movies.

[@Greeneyes3005]

The car on its side wasn't a mistake.... the camera position as it comes out the other end was just from the opposite side of the road..

[@trwent]

The car goes in on its RIGHT tires and it comes out on its LEFT tires. You bet it was a mistake !!

[@thelegendfamily4836]

Lazenby says that he walked away from the role of Bond because an acting mentor (he won't say who) told him to leave the role. Lazenby has publicly stated this in several interviews.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

He announced it during filming, no professional does that. Since he never signed a contract, if his beefs were legit. he'da walked, George ruined George.

[@GrandFunker]

Ok...I take it back...you do have a sense of humor and you got me...good.

[@brodypennington9382]

Every James Bond movie is good. Even if they're bad haha. OHMSS is a great movie.

[@rjmdrum]

I read some time ago that Lazenby's agent told him to demand more money for a zecond Bond film and ultimately the studio said no thereby ending his tenure....He had potential to grow withe future outigns so its too bad if this is true

[@BCKLW]

Cont. I know this is different from f what I have read and heard and even what Cubby's wife has said in an interview. However, Roger would be in a position to know or maybe he just got some bad information. Lazenby has said publicly that he left the role and that he was asked to return to the part by the producers so who knows. I would have liked to see him have done another. I liked him better then Dalton but not as much as Moore.

[@deangates1]

Why in DAF does Mustang goes into alley with driver side up and out with driver side down? I asked Buzz Bundy the stuntman who drove the car what happened. Parking lot section of chase and start of two wheel driving was done on a back lot in Hollywood. Buzz drove Mustang for that part. In 1970 he was one of the few if not the only stuntman who could put the driver side up. Rest of chase was shot in Las Vegas with different driver. Insert shot of Connery and St John switching was shot later.

[@trwent]

I really liked Lazenby in the part. He seemed to care about the women he got involved with, rather than just using them as a passing fancy (which seemed to be Connery's attitude as Bond). People knocked Lazenby because he was not enough like Connery, but remember: His job was to play Bond, NOT to play Connery !!!!

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Since when is wandering from room to room b*nging chicks caring?

[@1915fas]

Gee, I think I saw the entire OHMSS years ago and found it quite good. Lazenby included. Now looking at this his hair doesn't look like I remember. It should be thicker and wavier. He looks older and not all that healthy. I guess remembering that he was a model caused me to misremember him as looking more like a model with more bone structure in his face in the way male models became later.

[@speedracer1945]

No Actor could save Diamonds , it was foreseen as the parody on how the direction the studios turned 007 into a joke . It wasn't Connerys fault . After He left the studios ruled on how they wanted Moore to play Him. Moore is a good Actor watch Wild Geese, if He played Bond like that character I would paid to see His 007 films . The end of he sixties were Bonds best years. OHMSS rules .

[@jackthegamer1027]

Connery looked overweight and frankly middle age looking, with his greying hair and awful early seventies hair fluff back and sides etc when he returned. With that pay check you would think he would have made the effort to get into shape and look the part

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

O.H.M.S.S. rules could do ''Diamonds Are Forever'' a revenge film for Tracy's death, if Connery was at O.H.M.S.S. or Lazenby at D.A.F. The producers ignored O.H.M.S.S. and they made D.A.F. as a follow-up of ''You Only Live Twice''. After six Bond films and hundreds of spy movies like Bond in the 60s, comedy and parody into 007 was a necessity. Roger Moore (except ''A View to a Kill'') was the right man at the right time. Especially from ''The Spy Who Loved Me'' (director of this film Lewis Gilbert said that in the first two films, Moore still had the way Connery plays).

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@jackthegamer1027 He played Bond again for other producers over a decade later, Connery in the role still grossed more than Lazenby in OHMSS (but less than Moore in Moonraker).

[@JudasAngel666]

IDK if u ever noticed but in the scene from OHMSS when they're driving the car and they get trapped if you look closley she speaks..but..here lips don't move.

[@TheHatMan98]

the reason the car stunt went wrong is because the director filmed the car coming out of the alley first but then had to go back to england for some reason i cant remember and left the producer to film the car going in the alley it wasnt till the film was near completion the director saw teh mistake but couldnt go back and shoot teh scene again

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Lazenby was was talked out of a multipicture by his agent and was also advised by his agent that the "Bond era" was over... Lazenby should signed on for at least Diamonds are Forever and Live and Let Die...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Lazenby's version of events makes NO sense, EVERY Bond actor has worked on other projects between Bond pics., a new, unknown actor refusing a multimillion $, multi-picture deal? Wtf?!

[@aquaevitae]

Diamonds Are Forever has been filmed on the busiest schedule of all the Bond movies, and Connery was tired of Bond's role, and those two things really show up in that movie.

[@ΜακηςΛ-ε5ρ]

''Diamonds Are Forever'' has similar style with ''Live and Let Die'' and ''The Man With the Golden Gun''. If D.A.F. was a revenge film and not a follow-up of ''You Only Live Twice'', a tired Connery is perfect as Bond after Tracy's death.

[@RidgeForrester]

The film was so good, but oh boy, was this James Bond bad, really really really really bad. Connery, Moore and Brosnan made some bad movies, but all of them had style. But this one, my god, Tracy, Fraulein Bunt and Blofeld were portrayed perfectly.

[@postersandstuff]

I prefer Laz over Brosnan anyway

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Great voice and well written commentary....!

[@BCKLW]

Cont. Lazenby claimed he left the role because his manager told him that the days of Bond films were numbered. He left the role and sighned on to do "The Man From Hong Kong" Ironicly the the opening title song was called "Blown it all sky high" I guess because he chose to walk away from the role Lazenby really did blow all sky high. Connery lost interest in the role and he let himself get fat his return to the role was disapointing You could tell that he was not interested in playing the part

[@johnnymarlin819]

Lazenby rules as the first most realistic Bond !!

[@rjmdrum]

OHMSS on of the best of the Bond series, Diamonds are Forever is my favorite theme song but my least favorite of all Bond series...I agree at this point Connery is phoning it in.

[@aruiz90]

I always wondered if the producers considered asking Lazenby back after DAF. Probably not though...

[@jacktheripoff1888]

OHMSS cost 7 million to make and made 82 million back. I'm sure many a producer would have loved to have had "poor box office" like that. Thunderball numbers? No. But Lazenby would have progressed in the role. He actually quit because his agent told him that the 007 series had played itself out.

[@richwood1522]

I liked Lazenby, he probably would have done a better job in Diamonds, than Sean Connery. OHMSS, was one of the best.

[@jacktheripoff1888]

If he would have just followed with Diamond's and Live And Let Die afterward and then left the series, his name would be etched in with the others.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@jacktheripoff1888 He wasn't a box office draw, 2 more Lazenby films would have killed the series, Bond didn't fully recover until the producers went all in on Spy Who Loved Me.

[@TheSWFuniverse]

to think they never got to make "Casino Royale" and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with Sean Connery

[@fernandotorrealba1233]

(continued) it brings back comic and fantastic, traditional bond elements of the likes of Goldfinger and Thunderball. The action sequences too, are quite exciting and enjoyable. Obviously not the best of Connery's bond films, but it is definitely not a bad one either. A bad movie, well, that's Roger Moore's first two films and anythign with daniel craig in it.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

I like Moore's 1st two, the later ones were sloppy.

[@therealgarygnu]

OHMSS was so faithful to the book, this guy takes issues with Flemming ... (hypnotism of piz gloria girls) Sorry, can't complain. My only complaint is Lazenby's ho-hum performance for a rookie actor. Too bad he couldn't have been more established first, or had have Connery return. Still my first or second favorite Bond film.

[@Tiz604]

Lazenby had it !..and should have done more ...shame .

[@wheelinthesky300]

The box office for OHMSS wasn't "poor" -OHMSS was one of the biggest grossers of 1969, but against its large budget, wasn't that profitable. The producers wanted Lazenby back and offered him a long term contract, which he declined.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Not even in the top 20 of Bond film grosses.

[@BCKLW]

Cont. Because they could not get the location they wanted the dhooting was delayed and the delay cost Moore the role because he had to turn it down due to other commitments. Lazenby was then given the role. Why they did let Lazenby go after scaramanga his beyond me. Lazenby would have faired much better if his first movie had been "The Man With the Golden Gun" Some claim that Dalton was offered the role after Connery departed but Tim turned it down because he thought he was to young.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Lazenby was not a box office draw, he'd have killed the series, why do you think no other producers snapped him up?

[@rooshooter31]

Lazenby's acting was was really rotten at the start of the movie, but so was the director - who was letting him act like that - the script was rubbish too. As the movie went along Lazenby started got more comfortable in the role and was a pretty solid Bond by the end of the film. The death scene at the end was heartbreaking. If they reshot the first 30 mins of the film, or did it properly the first time, I don't think Lazenby would be regarded as a much distain.

[@mm91ie]

@Damecos saw ohmss the other day, thought lazenby was potentially best bond, he lacked english accent and acting experience, but his acting was not that bad throughout the film and if he had had extensive acting coaching he would have been real good i thought he excelled in the fight scenes, he was very serious tough but very charming and scientists done a photyofit of what bond would lok like and he bore a very close resemblence, he was quite like craigs bond but a lot more charismatic

[@drboogersnot]

I liked Lazenby, and OHMSS was one of the best Bond films, story-wise, ever made. Very faithful to the book. He was better than Brosnan, IMO. Though, for me, even Dalton was better than Brosnan.

[@thelegendfamily4836]

@fep70: I've heard that rumour my self, but since Lazenby has never actually confirmed it...

[@thefreddiefaction]

I honestly didn't like OHMSS. Not just because Lazenby was a bad James Bond (in my opinion). I just thought the film was very boring and uninteresting. I wasn't that keen on the plot and Lazenby's Bond didn't help draw me into it either. I also thought the action sequences were quite dull.

[@BCKLW]

I wonder how flemming would have written the scene. James Bond is human. The Bond of the novels was very human. The Bond of the cinema tends to be this heroic superhero. I did not mind the crying at the end of the movie. However, I can see were it conflicts withe the cinema Bond's superhero image. I feel the begining of DAF should have featured Tracy getting gunned down. OHMSS should have ended with Bond and Tracy riding off together.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

They were going to, then Lazenby announced he was leaving. Fleming did write the scene, in the novel, director refused to allow Bond to cry.

[@Leatherbubba]

I think Charles Gray could have been a great Bond villain, but him stepping into the role of Blofeld after Telly Savalas just fell short,

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Gray looked better in drag.

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Agreed!

[@wheelinthesky300]

The more I see OHMSS, the more I like Lazenby's performance, except for that stupid George Baker overdubbing, which was almost a deliberate attempt to humiliate Lazenby. Would have liked Lazenby to done 3 or 4 more Bond films, becoming a better actor over time and more comfortable in the role.

[@sexyblondeuk2012]

Correct about Lazenby...but he lived to regret the decision though...Lazenby's agent talked him out of the Bond role...Lazenby was advised that the sexist Bond character would be "outdated" with the approach of the 1970's (women's liberation movement)...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Since Lazenby banged everything on set & off, doubt that was an issue. Plus, his Bond actually married.