Much ado has been made about the fact that George Lazenby was an inexperienced actor; as unready for a major motion picture as he was for James Bond. This may be true, but it doesn't show in his portrayal of the role. His brief stint probably has more to do with a fickle post-Connery audience and a personal feud with Broccoli than any actual shortcomings on his part. Lazenby handles all the classical Bond elements well: the suave way with women, the witty quips, and the amazing ability to avoid the most tenacious flurry of bullets.
More to the point, this is perhaps the most personal and less "tech happy" of all the Bond films. It's really a shame many Bond fans never have and never will see this classic film. Bond is not just the legendary British agent with a taste for fine champagne and fine girls - he is a committed man who will do anything to save the woman he loves and wants to marry. Ironically and perhaps fittingly, this is the one Bond movie where 007 doesn't really get what he wants. He saves the world, but at a very high cost to himself.
Incidentally, the funniest moments occur during the bobsled shute chase; wherein Bond dispatches one foe to a tree and remarks, "He's branched off," and moments later when he flips off the path and a friendly St. Bernard comes to his rescue. "Never mind that," says Lazenby/Bond when the pooch gives him a lick, "go and get the brandy!"
True James Bond. :)
More to the point, this is perhaps the most personal and less "tech happy" of all the Bond films. It's really a shame many Bond fans never have and never will see this classic film. Bond is not just the legendary British agent with a taste for fine champagne and fine girls - he is a committed man who will do anything to save the woman he loves and wants to marry. Ironically and perhaps fittingly, this is the one Bond movie where 007 doesn't really get what he wants. He saves the world, but at a very high cost to himself.
Incidentally, the funniest moments occur during the bobsled shute chase; wherein Bond dispatches one foe to a tree and remarks, "He's branched off," and moments later when he flips off the path and a friendly St. Bernard comes to his rescue. "Never mind that," says Lazenby/Bond when the pooch gives him a lick, "go and get the brandy!"
True James Bond. :)