“This never happened to the other fellow.” —James Bond
Today’s quick review: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While searching for his nemesis Blofeld (Telly Savalas) across Europe, British secret agent James Bond (George Lazenby) stumbles across an unexpected lead in Tracy (Diana Rigg), a fiery countess with a criminal father. While pursuing a relationship with the heiress, Bond uses her father’s connections to track Blofeld to a lab located high in the mountains of Switzerland.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a spy adventure and the sixth film in the James Bond franchise. The movie sees George Lazenby take the reins as James Bond for the first and last time. Agent 007 must travel undercover to Switzerland to try to locate Blofeld, the criminal mastermind who escaped Bond two years prior. The movie also gives Bond a brand new love interest in Tracy, a willful woman whom Bond develops genuine affection for.
George Lazenby takes the character of James Bond in a new direction. His Bond is more polite, more chivalrous, and less aggressive than Sean Connery’s. The changes are broadly compatible with the iconic British spy, but they have a noticeable effect on the way the movie is put together. There are also a number of jarring moments where Lazenby zigs where Connery would have zagged. Generally speaking, Connery’s rendition of the character is more memorable.
Beyond its changes in tone and character, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has a few issues that make it a step down from prior Bond films. The cinematography is choppy, with excess shots to show basic actions and even more rapid cuts during action scenes. The stunts are less impressive than Bond’s best. The plot also takes a long time to get going, thanks to both Tracy’s lengthy introduction and an extended undercover sequence.
Still, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a James Bond film, with all the raw appeal that entails. Peril, exotic locales, and a touch of romance combine to make for a light, adventurous watch with plenty of variety. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service takes a while to get warmed up, but once it does, the action and adventure continue straight through to the end. As a bonus, the movie also includes a few shoutouts to other Bond films for observant viewers.
As with most changes to the Bond formula, how much you get out of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service will depend heavily on your taste. Fans of the older Bond films who aren’t attached to Sean Connery will get the most out of the movie, while those who prefer a more rakish, assertive Bond may be disappointed. For a Bond film with similar plot elements and somewhat better execution, check out Dr. No, Goldfinger, or You Only Live Twice.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for solid action and a decent premise, hurt somewhat by the changes to Bond’s character and a few rough edges.