On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Directed by Peter Hunt. Starring George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat, Bernard Lee, George Baker, Lois Maxwell, Angela Scoular, Desmond Llewelyn, Catherina von Schell, Bernard Horsfall, Virginia North. [PG]

Unusual James Bond adventure introduces Lazenby to the role (an adequate replacement for Connery, but far short on panache), finds him romancing and even marrying the daughter (Rigg) of Corsican crime boss Ferzetti, then gets involved in thwarting a brainwashing plot to mass-sterilize world crops and livestock. More faithful to the source material than usual; the story is low on gimmicks and gadgets and is structured away from the constraints of formula, setting up emotional stakes that are atypical for the series. The pic never drags, but is low on action for the first ninety minutes (aside from a few quick, brutal fight scenes), then sets up a nearly non-stop series of spectacular chases and battles with great stunts and camerawork for the final forty-five. Lazenby’s shortcomings are negated by a top-grade Bond girl in Rigg and visual excitement courtesy of director Hunt, who had previously performed editing duties and second unit work on earlier Bond pictures (in turn, this film’s editor, John Glen, would eventually helm several entries). John Barry’s score ranks with the best the series ever produced; the theme playing over opening credits is an instrumental, but the love song “We Have All the Time in the World” (sung by Louis Armstrong) plays during a romance montage. Favored by most die-hard fans, barely recognized by casual viewers.

86/100