James Bond: The Ultimate Collection (1962-2012) + Volume Collections

[drush9999]

I love OHMSS but Lazenby isn't the reason, glad he didn't continue the series. Just wish it wasn't a bored Connery in Diamonds.

[MJD64]

While I've never been a fan of Lazenby's rather stilted portrayal of Bond, one does have to look at what he was up against.

1.Taking over the lead in what was then the most popular series of films at that time, whilst replacing a hugely popular star who was inexorably connected to that role.

2.A novice actor carrying a major film when his previous acting job had been an Australian beer commercial.

3.The way Bond is written in this film, it required an actor who could hit some real emotional beats, more than in any previous entry, and had to convince the audience a character they'd come to know as devil-may-care was more human and falling in love. It required quite a bit more than a handsome guy who could look good in a tux.

Given all this, I have to say in retrospect Lazenby acquits himself rather nicely; He, like Dalton nearly two decades later, may well have been a formidable Bond if he'd been allowed to continue.

[dallywhitty]

Lazenby is honestly my favourite of the bunch. Real shame he didn't stick around beyond the one film.

[Lucabeer]

Originally Posted by ChromeJob

The title could be an ironic play the theme of diamonds representing love and permanence. Tiffany Case, as written in the books, is pretty burnt out and cynical, too (gang raped at 16, recovering alcoholic).

Yup, I re-read the novel this weekend, I didn't remember her character was like that! And I found the novel better than I remembered, too.

[schusler]

We group with James Bond in our household.

I'll never forgot dad picking up the first family movie viewer (thinking around '81). It was a CED player (for those who recall that format). Picked the three movies with the player: Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. Believe me, that last one on the list was played a lot.

My brother and I were lucky to see most of the '80s 007 flicks at the theater. Pretty sure Moonraker was my first, followed by the rest of Moore's tenure as Bond. We did see Living Daylights in the theater sans Dad... skipped License and continued w/ Goldeneye up to Tomorrow. Thinking I left TND dissatisfied... taking a hiatus from 007 at the theater and just watching them via movie rental.

All said and done, Moore is still my favorite Bond. Kinda miss that comedic approach he brought to the character in the newer films.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

NSNA isn't an EON production, so not an "official" Bond movie.

Funny to read you say Diamonds is your favorite Connery Bond. It's my least favorite by a mile, and one of my least favorite Bonds overall

True dat!

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Lazenby is honestly my favourite of the bunch. Real shame he didn't stick around beyond the one film.

Lazenby's not my favorite, but as much as I love Connery, I don't think he would've worked in OHMSS. Lazenby was kind of the perfect fit for that one.

[ChromeJob]

Originally Posted by Lucabeer

Yup, I re-read the novel this weekend, I didn't remember her character was like that! And I found the novel better than I remembered, too.

“Brooklyn stomp, 80%”

[BluProofie]

Diamonds Are Forever is arguably the worst in the entire series, but its still so bad it's fun.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by MJD64

While I've never been a fan of Lazenby's rather stilted portrayal of Bond, one does have to look at what he was up against.

1.Taking over the lead in what was then the most popular series of films at that time, whilst replacing a hugely popular star who was inexorably connected to that role.

2.A novice actor carrying a major film when his previous acting job had been an Australian beer commercial.

3.The way Bond is written in this film, it required an actor who could hit some real emotional beats, more than in any previous entry, and had to convince the audience a character they'd come to know as devil-may-care was more human and falling in love. It required quite a bit more than a handsome guy who could look good in a tux.

Given all this, I have to say in retrospect Lazenby acquits himself rather nicely; He, like Dalton nearly two decades later, may well have been a formidable Bond if he'd been allowed to continue.

Actually, it was a British commercial for Fry's Chocolate (Big Fry Turkish Delight) and it just involved him walking around with a big crate on his shoulders.

Originally Posted by BluProofie

Diamonds Are Forever is arguably the worst in the entire series, but its still so bad it's fun.

It's generally ranked among the worst, but I really enjoy all of the early 70s Vegas stuff and I love that red Mustang.

[hammerman2.]

OHMSS is generally considered one of the best by Bond fans -probably for lots of different reasons.
It is my favourite and there are so many scenes in it that I cannot see working as well with Sean Connery in the role. The death scene at the end for one..

Diamonds are Forever is rubbish in comparison to the best of the Bond films so while it doesn't stand up very well as part of the series there are still plenty of elements that are good enough for it to be a fun movie.
I'm still to this day amazed that the key sequence of the car going through the alleyway was screwed up. And they really should have reshot part of it rather than bandage it over badly as they did

[Geoff D]

Loving this discussion, chaps. I also love Fry's Turkish Delight.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by hammerman2.

OHMSS is generally considered one of the best by Bond fans -probably for lots of different reasons.
It is my favourite and there are so many scenes in it that I cannot see working as well with Sean Connery in the role. The death scene at the end for one..

Diamonds are Forever is rubbish in comparison to the best of the Bond films so while it doesn't stand up very well as part of the series there are still plenty of elements that are good enough for it to be a fun movie.
I'm still to this day amazed that the key sequence of the car going through the alleyway was screwed up. And they really should have reshot part of it rather than bandage it over badly as they did

No, they should have just left it the way it was to begin with. It was re-staged because there are bystanders in the shot. Well, they're not any more noticeable than the crowds of people watching the rest of the car chase, not to mention a car screeching through an alleyway on its side is bound to attract onlookers. The "bandage" is a lot worse than whatever problems it was intended to fix.

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

It really struck a different tone than the previous movies plus I think it shows the different direction the Bond movies were going as well. It didn't take itself quite so seriously and some moments were just ridiculous. Bond fake-kissing with his arms wrapped around himself got the biggest laugh.

DAF was the first of five Bond films partially or completely written by Tom Mankiewicz (ending with Moonraker). They are very different in tone from the largely Maibaum-written films that came both before and after, and contain a more ironic, "Jewish" style of humor that had largely come to dominate television comedy writing of the time (like series from the legendary Norman Lear).

So yes, DAF started a new direction in Bond writing, but I wouldn't say those 5 films have aged well. In fact, they feel to me like the most dated of all the Bond pictures in one way or another (with the exception of the excellent The Spy Who Loved Me, which only seems to have awfully dated music).

[imsounoriginal]

This is all making me wanna rewatch Diamonds, which I haven't done since probably before Skyfall came out. Might do it tonight if I don't make it to that Heat screening/Q&A.

[Geoff D]

This is all making me wanna rewatch everything Bondian. Oy vey!

[fontcow]

Originally Posted by Lyle_JP

In fact, they feel to me like the most dated of all the Bond pictures in one way or another (with the exception of the excellent The Spy Who Loved Me, which only seems to have awfully dated music).

You don't like disco by Marvin Hamlisch?

Bond 77 - YouTube

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by fontcow

You don't like disco by Marvin Hamlisch?

Can somebody kindly explain to me how this crap got nominated for an Academy Award, but no Bond score from John Barry ever did?

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Lyle_JP

Can somebody kindly explain to me how this crap got nominated for an Academy Award, but no Bond score from John Barry ever did?

Pfffffft! Spy has a great score.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Lyle_JP

Can somebody kindly explain to me how this crap got nominated for an Academy Award, but no Bond score from John Barry ever did?

Not only that, but I found John Barry's work on the Bond films to be much better than most of the films that he did win Oscars for.