On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): 6th Bond Movie
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the sixth Bond film, marking the first and only appearance of Australian actor and model George Lazenby in the role of James Bond.
Plot
The new Bond is introduced right at the opening scene when he rescues a young woman named Tracy from the sea and talks her out of suicide. It turns out that her father is Draco, the head of a criminal syndicate, who is concerned about his stubborn and life-weary daughter. Therefore, he would like to entrust her to James Bond, who would not only protect her but also inject some zest into her life.
Although both men are on opposite sides of the law, they have mutual respect. Draco offers Bond that if he marries his daughter, he will lead him to Ernst Stravra Blofeld, the villain known from previous Bond films and the head of the criminal organization SPECTRE.
James knows that Tracy likes him, and he agrees to the deal. Tracy senses the agreement between James and her father, but at that moment, Bond is not just doing it for England...
Ernst Stavro Blofeld, played by actor Telly Savalas, known as the bald detective from the series Kojak, develops a deadly virus in his laboratories high in the Alps. The true mission of the laboratory is disguised as allergy research.
Wealthy young women, who are supposed to be used to spread the virus worldwide, are being treated and miraculously healed at his clinic. They are being prepared in hypnosis to fulfill their task when the time comes.
The Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, led by George Lazenby, faced criticism and is unfairly labeled as a failure. In fact, it was the second-highest-grossing film of 1969. Many who heard about the film likely came to see it in person.
It must be said that George Lazenby had a very difficult task – to measure up to the beloved Sean Connery, who starred in the previous five Bond films. Some actors considered taking on the role to be professional suicide and refused due to it.
Among them was future Bond actor Timothy Dalton, who felt "too young" for the role. However, the story of this Bond film is considered very good.
Bond Song
In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the musical score primarily consisted of instrumental compositions, reminiscent of the first Bond film, Dr. No. However, one standout addition to the soundtrack was the poignant song We Have All the Time in the World, performed by the legendary Louis Armstrong. This heartfelt ballad, with its soulful melody and Armstrong's emotive vocals, provided a touching contrast to the film's action-packed sequences. We Have All the Time in the World became synonymous with the romantic subplot of the movie, serving as the theme for James Bond's poignant relationship with Tracy di Vicenzo. Armstrong's timeless performance added depth and emotional resonance to the film, earning the song a special place in the hearts of Bond fans worldwide.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| James Bond | George Lazenby | The main character, a British MI6 secret agent. |
| Tracy di Vicenzo | Diana Rigg | Bond's love interest and later wife. |
| M | Bernard Lee | The head of the British MI6 secret service. |
| Moneypenny | Lois Maxwell | M's assistant. |
| Q | Desmond Llewelyn | A technical expert who provides Bond with special equipment. |
| Ernst Stavro Blofeld | Telly Savalas | The head of the terrorist organization SPECTRE. |
| Marc-Ange Draco | Gabriele Ferzetti | The head of a mafia clan and Tracy's father. |
| Irma Bunt | Ilse Steppat | Blofeld's confidante and companion. |
| Sir Hilary Bray | George Baker | A British aristocrat and heraldist whose identity Bond uses to infiltrate Blofeld's clinic. |
| Ruby Bartlett | Angela Scoular | Attends a skiing school where Bond works as a skiing instructor. |
| Nancy | Catherine Schell | A spy working at Blofeld's estate. |
| Campbell | Bernard Horsfall | A Swiss lawyer who has information about Blofeld. |
| Gunther | Yuri Borienko | A guard at Blofeld's estate. |
You Might Be Also Interested
- 5th Bond Movie: You Only Live Twice (1967) ← → 7th Bond Movie: Diamonds Are Forever (1971);
- Bond Films: Stories of James Bond, Agent 007;
- All Bond Songs: Iconic Title Songs From Bond Films
- Movies With Casino Themes and Betting.
Based on the original Czech article: V tajné službě Jejího Veličenstva (1969) – 6. bondovka.