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Something of a Must With Me ~ OHMSS Appreciation

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  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 776
    👏 Outstanding. John Barry’s best work in the Bond series.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    edited March 2020 Posts: 5,131
    OHMSS is sheer perfection. Lazenby isn’t, but the script, score and direction make him a credible Bond. A top 3 entry. However, never again should should an Australian be given the part....Lazenby’s accent is the weakest point of the film.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,498
    patb wrote: »
    Just found this, uploaded a couple of weeks ago (sorry of posted before) : The Danish National Symphony Orchestra


    so incredible... and gives an insight into how complex these scores are...
  • BT3366BT3366
    Posts: 1,883
    suavejmf wrote: »
    OHMSS is sheer perfection. Lazenby isn’t, but the script, score and direction make him a credible Bond. A top 3 entry. However, never again should should an Australian be given the part....Lazenby’s accent is the weakest point of the film.

    Interesting. Nobody really talks about that. The only time I really noticed the Australian accent slip through was when he was on the ride to see Draco with "Mystery tour, eh?" For years I thought he said "Mystery talk." I like his voice, it fits.
  • DwayneDwayne New York City
    Posts: 2,625
    @BT336. Being a major Beatles fan - intended or not - I've always liked that little reference. :-)
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 776
    About Bond with the girls at Piz Gloria, whether or not he wasn’t being true to Tracy, I agree that when Tracy rescues Bond is when he seriously thinks of marriage because that’s quite clear in the novel, he really missed her and thinks to himself that he’ll never find anyone like her again, that she’s adventurous, brave and resourceful and that he was fed up with “untidy, casual affairs”.
    It’s not as crystal clear in the film but those are his thoughts in the book. Tracy was one hell of a girl, a one of a kind, that she changed his entire line of thinking.
  • BT3366BT3366
    Posts: 1,883
    Dwayne wrote: »
    @BT336. Being a major Beatles fan - intended or not - I've always liked that little reference. :-)
    I am also and I never thought of that. Thanks for hipping me to it.
  • IGotABrudderIGotABrudder UK
    Posts: 631
    cwl007 wrote: »
    From a technical point of view it would have been easier for the Bond actor to do a Hilary Bray voice and then dub that voice onto the actor playing the real Hilary Bray for only the short scene in his office.

    That idea never occurred to me. Seems so obvious now you’ve mentioned it.

    Yes you are right, it’s probably Lazenby’s lack of acting experience which made them go with the hard option (dubbing Lazenby with George Baker’s voice) rather than the easy option (dubbing George Baker with Lazenby’s voice).
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 4,965
    Yes Lazenby claims that he had an impersonation of Sir Hilary Bray's voice. But I am not sure if I buy this claim. As he claims now to have never seen a Bond film before starring as Bond but is on record as saying he watched Connery in DN. I find that George does tend to spin the truth to suit him. I actually don't even understand why bother with Bray's voice anyway. It's not like Blofeld and Bray talked before Bray came out to see him.

  • delfloriadelfloria
    Posts: 1,707
    I recognize it's shortcomings but it still is and always will be one of my favorite films of all time.
  • GeorgeLazenbyGeorgeLazenby
    Posts: 295
    The best.

  • OctopussyOctopussy Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland.
    Posts: 1,081
    GeorgeLazenby wrote: »
    The best.


    Awesome.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    edited April 2020 Posts: 3,279
    Top 5 entry in the franchise, a stone cold classic Bond film. It has the 60's cool vibe, probably one of the most stylish Bond films, and probably has the best soundtrack too, both score and song.

    For all its faults (and it has a fair few - speeded up fights, silly dubbed Baker voice, etc.) the film triumphs. The script follows arguably Fleming's greatest novel as close as FRWL does, but the budget is far bigger than what EON had to play with back in 1963, so for me this film actually succeeds FRWL in being the closest adaptation of a Fleming novel.

    It also leaves us with that big `what if?' conundrum in movie history - George Lazenby. How would the series have fared had he decided to stay on and do more films? Would his performance have grown with each new movie? Would the franchise have taken a very different approach to the route it went down from DAF and onwards through the 1970's? Would the franchise have been more successful than it was under Roger Moore?

    Sadly, like George must often ponder himself, we'll never know.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 5,979
    jetsetwilly wrote: »
    Top 5 entry in the franchise, a stone cold classic Bond film. It has the 60's cool vibe, probably one of the most stylish Bond films, and probably has the best soundtrack too, both score and song.

    For all its faults (and it has a fair few - speeded up fights, silly dubbed Baker voice, etc.) the film triumphs. The script follows arguably Fleming's greatest novel as close as FRWL does, but the budget is far bigger than what EON had to play with back in 1963, so for me this film actually succeeds FRWL in being the closest adaptation of a Fleming novel.

    It also leaves us with that big `what if?' conundrum in movie history - George Lazenby. How would the series have fared had he decided to stay on and do more films? Would his performance have grown with each new movie? Would the franchise have taken a very different approach to the route it went down from DAF and onwards through the 1970's? Would the franchise have been more successful than it was under Roger Moore?

    Sadly, like George must often ponder himself, we'll never know.

    If Lazenby had done DAF and LALD, Bond could have gone the Dirty Harry route. Grittiness did play well in the '70s.
  • OctopussyOctopussy Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland.
    Posts: 1,081
  • mattjoesmattjoes Kicking: Impossible
    Posts: 6,724
    patb wrote: »
    Just found this, uploaded a couple of weeks ago (sorry of posted before) : The Danish National Symphony Orchestra

    Overall, I enjoyed listening to this version, but I found it didn't "grab" me as much as I wanted. It motivated me to think about what exactly I feel are its strengths and weaknesses.

    What I like:
    • The subtle change with the tremoloing strings in the intro (0:14 and 0:18).
    • The sound of the brass is solid, and quite faithful to the original. I especially like the beautiful timbre of the wah wah trumpets here. I definitely gained more appreciation for that aspect of the theme, which I've always felt a little cold about, even in the original version.
    • The high strings being more prominent.
    • The addition of woodwinds that compliment both the high strings and the synthesizer. They make this arrangement occupy a middle ground of sorts tween the original version and the later orchestral arrangement concocted by Barry.

    What I don't like:
    • The brass, while good sounding, could've been a little louder in the mix, and played slightly louder. It sounds a little "laid back" as it is. Also, there are moments where it starts playing a tad too late (1:20, 2:06) or needs to hurry it up (1:46), which zaps the energy of the piece somewhat.
    • What the guitar is playing (most clearly heard at 0:27). If I had to change one thing, It'd definitely be that.
    • Why the hell do the strings and woodwinds practically vanish from the mix at 1:20? It's jarring, and they added a lot to this version of the theme.

    This is so close to being really great, but it needs a couple of easy touch ups that would make a big difference, which is frustrating.
  • OctopussyOctopussy Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland.
    Posts: 1,081
    I read On Her Majesty's Secret Service for the first time and I must say that my appreciation for my favourite Bond film has grown even fonder. Hunt has to be seriously commended for remaining faithful to the original source material. While I have always felt that Lazenby is the most Flemingesque Bond, his performance is seriously reflective of the Bond of this book, IMO.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Octopussy wrote: »
    I read On Her Majesty's Secret Service for the first time and I must say that my appreciation for my favourite Bond film has grown even fonder. Hunt has to be seriously commended for remaining faithful to the original source material. While I have always felt that Lazenby is the most Flemingesque Bond, his performance is seriously reflective of the Bond of this book, IMO.

    Correct.
  • DwayneDwayne New York City
    Posts: 2,625
    An interesting perspective on OHMSS.

    https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/queer-re-view-on-her-majestys-secret-service

    And a short behind the scene (no sound) clip of Bond and Tracy’s wedding (via Mark O’Connell twitter).

  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,895
    Dwayne wrote: »
    An interesting perspective on OHMSS.
    https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/queer-re-view-on-her-majestys-secret-service

    A very good essay, thank you for the find. Hunt remains the only gay director of a Bond film (aside from the twice-married but crossdressing Lee Tamahori?).
    Incidentally, Simon Raven usually referred to himself as bisexual rather than gay. When quizzed on this by Kinglsey Amis's wife he said "It's all a matter of willies...when I'm with a chap it's his willy, and when I'm with a lady, it's mine."

  • GeorgeLazenbyGeorgeLazenby
    Posts: 295
    Great old interview with George Lazenby where he recounts a fight he got into:

    "When asked if it was true he once 'knocked out the pugnacious actor, OLIVER REED, Lazenby said: "I didn't know it was going to happen so fast. Oliver Reed made some condescending remark to me and the first thing I knew, he struck my fist with his chin, and landed up stretched out in the salad bar at 'The Dorchester Hotel.'"

    https://thespyreport.livejournal.com/219060.html
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,895
    American Cinematographer has reprinted an article from its March, 1970 issue: "Filming the Thrills, Chills and Spills of 007: How the second unit staged and photographed spectacular action sequences for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service" by John Glen.

    This first person account shows how the bobsled chase and avalanche chase were filmed and shows how much thought and hard work went into these bravura sequences.
  • BT3366BT3366
    Posts: 1,883
    Revelator wrote: »
    American Cinematographer has reprinted an article from its March, 1970 issue: "Filming the Thrills, Chills and Spills of 007: How the second unit staged and photographed spectacular action sequences for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service" by John Glen.

    This first person account shows how the bobsled chase and avalanche chase were filmed and shows how much thought and hard work went into these bravura sequences.

    Thanks for posting this link. I've long wanted to own this issue but not willing to pay the high price for a copy.

    To think they pulled these things off long before the all-too-convenient of CGI. And I didn't think I could appreciate OHMSS more
  • RevelatorRevelator
    edited October 2021 Posts: 2,895
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Thanks for posting this link. I've long wanted to own this issue but not willing to pay the high price for a copy.

    To think they pulled these things off long before the all-too-convenient of CGI. And I didn't think I could appreciate OHMSS more

    Glad you enjoyed it! There's a chance I might be able to get my hands on that issue at my local library and scan it. If I can I'll share the results here.

    To me movies were never the same after CGI took over. Too many "live action" films are just computer animation. You no longer say "how did they do that?!" when confronted by something spectacular onscreen. Movies like OHMSS will continue to grow more precious as time goes by.
  • bondsumbondsum
    Posts: 3,333
    suavejmf wrote: »
    OHMSS is sheer perfection. Lazenby isn’t, but the script, score and direction make him a credible Bond. A top 3 entry. However, never again should should an Australian be given the part....Lazenby’s accent is the weakest point of the film.
    Connery also pretty much gave up trying to sound like a proper English gent (such as in Dr No and FRWL) and slipped into his Scottish burr quit a lot after the first two movies. My main criticism of Lazenby's accent would be of him trying to sound more jovial than some scenes called for, which can also be attributed to Peter Hunt not giving Lazenby proper stage directions. He only does it a few times, but it's enough to notice that he didn't need any rise of cadence in his voice when delivering a certain line. But overall, I think Lazenby is very good, and I still think that scene between him and Tracy when she says: "You're very sure of yourself, aren't you? Suppose I were to kill you for a thrill" and he coolly responds with "I can think of something more sociable to do" before he snatches the gun away and bends her wrist, is a thoroughly well acted scene. I'd even go so far as to say Lazenby does what Roger Moore couldn't pull off with Maud Adams in TMWTGG.
  • delfloriadelfloria
    Posts: 1,707
    bondsum wrote: »
    suavejmf wrote: »
    OHMSS is sheer perfection. Lazenby isn’t, but the script, score and direction make him a credible Bond. A top 3 entry. However, never again should should an Australian be given the part....Lazenby’s accent is the weakest point of the film.
    Connery also pretty much gave up trying to sound like a proper English gent (such as in Dr No and FRWL) and slipped into his Scottish burr quit a lot after the first two movies. My main criticism of Lazenby's accent would be of him trying to sound more jovial than some scenes called for, which can also be attributed to Peter Hunt not giving Lazenby proper stage directions. He only does it a few times, but it's enough to notice that he didn't need any rise of cadence in his voice when delivering a certain line. But overall, I think Lazenby is very good, and I still think that scene between him and Tracy when she says: "You're very sure of yourself, aren't you? Suppose I were to kill you for a thrill" and he coolly responds with "I can think of something more sociable to do" before he snatches the gun away and bends her wrist, is a thoroughly well acted scene. I'd even go so far as to say Lazenby does what Roger Moore couldn't pull off with Maud Adams in TMWTGG.

    Agreed.
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,895
    The excellent film blog Greenbriar Picture Shows has recently posted an article of interest: "Another James Bond Christmas: 007 Peaks with On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)"
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,312
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,110
    https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1554068/James-Bond-Blofeld-Telly-Savalas-George-Lazenby-On-Her-Majesty-s-Secret-Service

    I know it’s the Daily Express, but in honor of what would have been Telly Savalas’ 100 birthday, this should be mentioned.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,415
    Watching it the other night, I still couldn't tell if the PTS takes place at sunrise or sunset.
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