Easily the most tragic and shocking ending to a James Bond movie ever.
The Draco/Bond raid of Piz Gloria at the end of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) is definitely a highlight of the movie. Lazenby’s Bond is dressed in a tactical navy jumpsuit in what many would say is his best outfit (no puffy shirts or kilts here) and the surprising use of the original Monty Norman James Bond theme sets the tone of the action sequence. Yes, you can enhance any James Bond movie scene by playing the original theme, but the addition of it here was a pleasant surprise and added just enough nostalgia to, in my opinion, truly cement George Lazenby as the character James Bond in his first and only appearance as 007.
Over the last 30 years, I’d also say that OHMSS has made the most stunning turnaround (at least for fans in my generation – I’m a late 90’s James Bond) in best-of lists – from a forgotten write-off of a James Bond movie to one of the most revered. It only gets better with each viewing.
The end of the opening sequence of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) was just brilliant! I’m sure moviegoers were clamoring to see what a “new Bond” would bring and the fact that they decided to break the fourth wall to acknowledge the change is just awesome. I wonder if any theaters erupted in laughter or applause?
James Bond (George Lazenby) lights up at the beginning of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
George Lazenby definitely looked the part…he was a sharp James Bond!
Shades of Spectre “crown jewel” action footage from OHMSS and TSWLM ski scenes:
Maybe the most gratuitous fall in movie history, courtesy of Bond (George Lazenby) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)…he just keeps falling, and falling, and falling.
The 6th James Bond movie and George Lazenby’s only outing as 007, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, is celebrating 50 years. The movie held its world premiere on December 18, 1969.
Since its release, Lazenby’s short tenure as James Bond had its ups and downs and controversies. But Bond fans have embraced the movie and is now routinely found in “Top Bond Movies” lists.
So why do fans love OHMSS? Sure, it’s a fresh departure from Connery’s first and iconic Bond and has its memorable moments, but really, who can deny its uniqueness from all Bond movies, even to this day?
In chronological order, please find 50 quick reminders why we love Laz’s turn as James Bond, 007:
- The drop-knee gunbarrel shot.
- M’s pipe smoking.
- Hiding Laz’s face painfully long as he smokes a cigarette.
- The over-exaggerated splashes and punches in the dramatic shore water fight sequence.
- Diana Rigg.
- “This never happened to the other fella.”
- The instrumental theme.
- Bond’s all-white suit.
- Tracy’s all-white dress.
- Bond at the baccarat table.
- The hotel room fight that ends with a baddie in balusters.
- Bond’s “poofy” shirt.
- Bond’s orange turtleneck.
- Draco’s cigarette holder.
- Bond’s knife throw over Draco’s shoulder.
- Bond and Moneypenny’s flirtatious office interaction.
- Bond’s ascot.
- The Louis Armstrong love montage – “We Have All The Time In The World.”
- Bond cracking a safe.
- Bond reading a Playboy while cracking a safe.
- M’s ascot.
- The Bond family coat of arms – Orbis Non Sufficit – The World Is Not Enough.
- Snow.
- Bond’s absurd alias (Sir Hilary Bray) and absurd alias nickname (Hilly).
- Piz Gloria.
- Bond’s circular glasses.
- Bond’s kilt + fluffy shirt.
- Telly Savalas.
- The look on Bond’s face when he sees Bunt’s face in bed and not Ruby’s.
- A Christmas reference.
- Blofeld’s command of his cigarette smoking.
- The hanging gondola sequence.
- Bond’s powder blue ski outfit and his bulbous ski goggles.
- The ski action sequence.
- Tracy’s driving skills.
- The Tracy/Bond barn scene.
- The second ski action sequence.
- Blofeld’s bulbous yellow ski goggles.
- The blaring Bond theme during the Piz Gloria action sequence.
- Bond simultaneously shooting and sliding on his stomach down an icy path.
- The bobsled chase.
- Tracy’s wedding ring.
- The wedding reception.
- The “Just Married” Aston Martin.
- Tracy’s tears of happiness marrying Bond.
- Mr. and Mrs. Bond cutting the wedding cake.
- Moneypenny’s sadness/happiness that Bond got married.
- The drive-by assassination.
- Bond holding his dead wife in his arms…”We have all the time in the world.”
- The gunshot windshield.
