On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

 

As a child, I never quite got this entry in the franchise. I felt it lacked something, but back then I was more into the gadgets, which is why, as a child, 'You Only Live Twice' was more my thing. But growing up and growing older, I can now fully appreciate this one for the most excellent entry it is. Heck, this might even be one of the most solid Bondfilms out there, because it is almost all about personality and emotion and less about flashy gadgets and insane sets. 

Who knew a decent story and emotional arch could work so well? 

Yes, that was a bit of sarcasm. I do apologize.

The film kicks off when Bond rescues a young woman from drowning herself and then being attacked by a couple of henchmen. Why? No idea, but it starts off on a swing. It transpires that Bond has spent the past two years chasing after Blofeld, and the operation is cancelled due to lack of result. Bond decides to quit, but is instead put on two weeks' leave. He is contacted by Draco, an entrepreneur with shady businesses, because the young woman Bond saved at the beginning was his daughter. Draco feels Bond is the right man for her and wants Bond to spend time with her. Tracy is a feisty woman and Bond is at first a little reluctant, but as the two spend more time together, they fall for one another. And I don't mean as in the usual way Bond persuades women to share his bed, but legitimate love this time around. 

Bond has a heart after all. Go figure.

But he also finds out that Blofeld has a laboratory on the top of a mountain in the Alps where he is supposedly conducting allergy research. When Bond infiltrates said facility, it is rather peculiar, as Blofeld's patients are all beautiful young women from all over the world. It seems Blofeld wants to extort the world yet again, only this time he has brainwashed these girls into taking lethal bacteria and viruses with them, to be released when he contacts them and gives the order. 

Bond narrowly escapes and gets a lot of help from Tracy, who unexpectedly shows up. After a wild chase, she is taken by Blofeld's men and Bond now has to enlist the help of his father-in-law to be so he can save the woman of his life. 

Yes, they are actually getting married. 

This film actually does not revolve around the evil plot by Blofeld. No, all the more focus is given to Bond and Tracy and their budding relationship and it works wonders for the character of Bond, who at this point felt a little too distant from humanity. It also helps that one-off George Lazenby plays Bond more realistically than Connery did in his latest entries. But then again, Connery was sick of the role anyway, which could explain a lot. Lazenby is actually very likable as the character and he feels more vulnerable at times. You can believe this guy could die, whereas before, Bond felt more like a superhero. No gadgets this time either and you won't miss them for a second. 

Telly Savalas is an okay foil for Bond as Blofeld, but he doesn't have that sinister touch that Donald Pleasence had, which is a real shame. Here, the villain feels a bit too removed from what the series had already established. Maybe it's because Savalas is always a cool character instead of a sinister one. Or maybe the evil plot feels rather convoluted and isn't given that much attention this time around. 

But what really makes this film stand out, is Tracy, played by the legendary Diana Rigg. Not only was miss Rigg absolutely gorgeous, but she is a legitimately spunky woman who can take care of herself, something they truly show in this film. She does need rescuing at the end, but you would be amazed at the amount of backside she kicks here, actually even more than Bond. Heck, she is the one who rescues him more often than not. You will grow to love her the most, no doubt about that.

Which makes the absolute gutpunch of the ending even more emotional. Not kidding: it's tough not to feel anything at the close and you would never expect a Bond-film to have such an emotional turn. 

Just thinking about it, gets me all misty-eyed. Curses. 

This is one of those films that not only gets better with age, but also gets better the more you have seen it. Don't go in thinking this will be a fun and silly typical Bond-story with all the trimmings, but remember that here, human relationships and emotions play a much bigger part. There is still typical Bond goodness (the final assault on the lab, for example), but it doesn't overshadow the story. 

'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' is by far one of the best in the series, period. Go and watch it.