Ouch! This stunt had to have hurt George Lazenby at the start of this fight sequence from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). Maybe a concussion? Whiplash?
After Bond returns to his suite 423 to see Tracy, he quickly finds himself in the middle of a fight and expertly jumps right in. Although the fight is a bit clunky and has that 1960’s sped-up feel (I guess they did that for effect back in those days), I do like the end where the defeated henchman shows signs of life but quickly gives back up and passes out. The decor and post -filled pony walls in this scene are an eyesore, like a lot of the visuals from this time period and movie, and I’m afraid the “gate crasher” quip falls a bit flat.
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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)
