Rent On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

Arguably THE Best Bond Film - On Her Majesty's Secret Service review by GI

It's become somewhat fashionable to cite this as ones favourite James Bond film but I have to say not only is it mine (the first one I saw) but it's also the best film in the franchise. This is because it's a superbly constructed action spy film with a balance of action, tragedy, romanticism and drama. George Lazenby, in his one performance as Bond, added vulnerability (he shows fear and cries!) and toughness and the film has one of the most moving endings of any film let alone a Bond film. British Secret Service agent James Bond has gone missing in Europe searching for the hideout of Ernst Blofeld (Telly Savalas), the leader of SPECTRE, a huge criminal organisation. On his travels he meets the beautiful Tracey (Diana Rigg) whose father is a mafia leader. With his help Bond tracks Blofeld to a research lab in the Alps and goes undercover to find out what he's up to. There's plenty of chases and shooting but also a neat blend of espionage and thriller aspects. Lazenby is very good in the role despite his reputation of being a poor actor. The fight scenes are realistic and tough and the story is really a thrill ride (it's actually the closest adaptation of a Bond book out of all the series), there's a fantastic John Barry soundtrack including a great song from Louis Armstrong, a dark yet very moving ending and here you will see the seeds of the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig Bonds. It's great stuff and worth watching again if it's been awhile.